Tin Tin was a pop/rock band formed in the UK in 1966 by expatriate Australian musicians.

History

Beginning

The band was formed by Steve Groves and Steve Kipner, who named the band after the popular cartoon character Tintin. Through a friendship with Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees, who would later produce both of their singles and both of their albums, the duo was signed to a one-album contract with music producer Robert Stigwood's organization. Maurice produced their 1969 debut album and played on about half the tracks, which bore a marked resemblance to the tight harmonies of the Bee Gees.

Toast And Marmalade

The LP sold poorly until the dreamy ballad "Toast and Marmalade for Tea", with lead vocals by Kipner was belatedly released a single in the spring of 1971, hitting #20 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song featured just eight lines of nursery rhyme-like lyrics repeated over eerily distorted piano and synthesizer backing. The song gradually builds in intensity adding acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, a string orchestra, and finally brass instruments, and is now Tin Tin's best-remembered song.

After Tea

After the single's unexpected success, Tin Tin toured with the Bee Gees on their 1972 American tour. Further releases sold poorly and the duo broke up shortly afterward. Toast, while seldom played on oldies radio today, is regarded by some critics as one of the finest and most ambitious singles by a one hit wonder, and a late psychedelic classic.

After Tin Tin disbanded in 1973, Kipner went on to write and produce songs for Chicago - "Hard Habit to Break"; Olivia Newton-John - "Physical" and "Twist of Fate"; Christina Aguilera, 98 Degrees, and Dream.

Members

• Steve Kipner (keyboards, percussion, vocals)
• Steve Groves (guitars, percussion, vocals)
• Johnny Vallins (bass guitar, guitar, vocals)
• Geoff Bridgford (drums)

Discography

Albums

• Tin Tin (1970)
• Astral Taxi (1971)

Singles

• "Toast and Marmalade for Tea" (#20, 1970)
• "Is That the Way" (1971)

References

• Noel McGrath's Australian Encyclopedia of Rock & Pop - Rigby Publishers - 1978 - ISBN 0 7270 1909 0
• The Who's Who of Australian Rock - Chris Spencer - Moonlight Publishing - ISBN 0 86788 668 4