Chris Andrews is probably now best known for his big hit, "Yesterday Man". Many of us will also recall him as the songwriter responsible for many of Sandie Shaw's most successful recordings. Despite those activities, Chris's musical credentials go back much further- into the 1950s and even included an appearance on Jack Good's legendary Rock & Roll TV Show, "Oh Boy!". Chris had become an enthusiast of rock and roll while still in his teens. ...show more

Chris Andrews is probably now best known for his big hit, "Yesterday Man". Many of us will also recall him as the songwriter responsible for many of Sandie Shaw's most successful recordings. Despite those activities, Chris's musical credentials go back much further- into the 1950s and even included an appearance on Jack Good's legendary Rock & Roll TV Show, "Oh Boy!". Chris had become an enthusiast of rock and roll while still in his teens.

He formed his own group "Chris Ravel & The Ravers" and even recorded later in that guise (See Obscure Artists-C). However it was in the clubs of Hamburg as a rock and roller that Chris cut his musical teeth- just like the Beatles and the many others in the vanguard of Britain's beat boom. Perhaps it was this German influence that gave his later music such a distinctive sound. Despite this hard work, Chris remained in relative obscurity until a song he had written, "The First Time" was taken up by Adam Faith.

The song proved an important turning point for Adam whose musical fortunes had begun to decline with the coming of Merseybeat. The song gave him a new sound and his flagging chart career a much needed boost. It was also a turning point for Chris because a new singer- Sandie Shaw, also managed by Adam Faith's manager, Eve Taylor, needed songs. Chris produced a long series of numbers- most of which suited Sandie very well- either despite, or because of, the fact that their distinctive backing generally seemed to be more suited to a Munich "Oktoberfest" than a UK pop song. ...show less