Paradox

Formed: 1969

Line-up:
Charles Harrison - Bass Guitar and Vocals (Tamworth)
[Also in: Chapter 24, The Mindbenders, Judas Jump, Poco]
Victor Motorny - Road Manager (Amington)

Gigs:
Tamworth Herald– 10/10/69
Paradox
Plus The Mr. Max Disk-K-Tek Show
Polesworth Memorial Hall
Millbank Promotions

06/12/69
Paradox
Polesworth Memorial Hall

1977
19/06/77
Paradox
Two Gates Working Mens Club

01/07/77
Bar-B-Q
Paradox
Nij Redfern and Steve Bostock

31/07/77
Paradox
Glascote Working Mens Club

11/08/77
Paradox
Two Gates Working Mens Club

27/08/77
Paradox
Tamworth Progressive Club

17/09/77
Paradox
Kingsbury Working Mens Club

08/10/77
Paradox
Tamworth Progressive Club

19/11/77
Paradox
Kingsbury Working Mens Club

26/11/77
Paradox
Elford Working Mens Club

17/12/77
Paradox
Hurley Working Mens Club

1978
19/03/78
Paradox
Tamworth Progressive Club

15/04/78
Paradox
Two Gates Working Mens Club

29/04/78
Paradox
Hurley Working Mens Club

18/09/78
Paradox
Chequers

23/10/78
Paradox
Chequers

1979
18/01/79
Paradox
Polesworth Miners Welfare Club

22/01/79
Paradox
The Chequers

05/02/79
Paradox
The Chequers

19/02/79
Paradox
The Chequers

05/03/79
Paradox
The Chequers

16/04/79
Paradox
Chequers

14/05/79
Paradox
Chequers

28/05/79
Paradox
Chequers

11/06/79
Paradox
Chequers

25/06/79
Paradox
Chequers

06/08/79
Paradox
Chequers

20/08/79
Paradox
Chequers

25/08/79
Paradox
Elford Working Mens Club

01/10/79
Paradox
Chequers

24/12/79
Paradox
Chequers

1980
07/01/80
Paradox
Chequers

14/04/80
Paradox
Chequers

21/04/80
Paradox
Chequers

12/05/80
Paradox
Chequers

23/06/80
Paradox
Chequers

1981
01/10/81
Paradox
Two Gates Working Men’s Club

Recordings:

Tamworth Herald Features

Tamworth Herald– 21/02/69
Tamworth boy in record making pop group

Charles Harrison, Paradox

A 16-year-old Tamworth boy travelled to London on Monday to make a record. He is a member of a Birmingham group “Paradox” who have signed a recording contract with the Pye Company.

Charles Harrison, of 5, Temple Row, Mill Lane, Tamworth, has been bass guitarist and singer for the five-man group for only one week.

He went to London with the group along with Carl Wayne leader of the recent chart-toppers the “Move”, and Dave Morgan who wrote “Paradox’s” record “Mary Colinto”.

Charles left the Mercian Boys’ School last July and worked as an apprentice at Messrs. Percy Lane’s on the Lichfield Road Estate. He is now fully professional in the group, as are all the other members.

Mr and Mrs Charles Harrison bought him a bass guitar only 15 months ago, and since then Charles has worked hard to master the instrument.

Before joining “Paradox” Charles was a member of “Chapter 24” but since joining the Birmingham group he has travelled to Birmingham, Bournemouth, Norwich and many other places. After the recording session the group had to rush back to the Midlands at the Belfry the same night.

Ahead of the group are bookings in Essex and Margate.

Tamworth Herald – 13/06/69
TAMWORTH BOYS IN “POP” GROUP
TWO Tamworth boys are members of a highly successful Birmingham “pop” group.

The group is called “Paradox” and is due to have a single and L.P. released in September.

Sixteen-year-old Charles Harrison of 5, Temple Row, Mill Lane, Tamworth, is bass guitarist with the group. He left the Mercian Boys’ School last July and worked as an apprentice at Messrs. Percy Lane’s on the Lichfield Road Industrial estate.

His parents bought him the guitar only fifteen months ago and Charles has had to work hard to master the instrument.

The other Tamworth boy is the most recent addition to the group. He is 18-year-old Victor Motorny, of 20, Bridge Street, Amington, who is the group’s new road manager.

Victor, who worked as a signal-man on British Rail, now drives the group to their different venues, such as London, Margate (next week) and Scotland last weekend.

He has to make sure they get to where they are playing in time and is responsible for seeing that all their equipment is set up. Victor also operates the lights in the “paradox’s” light show.

The group went into the “Mercury” recording studios on June 1 and it took the 12 hours to record four tracks. They are playing in London clubs and are popular in Birmingham.

Tamworth Herald – 16/02/79
Musicbox – Stateside stardom for local guitarist
FORMER Mercian School pupil Charles Harrison is shooting up in the ‘pop’ world of fame and fortune – as bass guitarist in top USA group POCO.

The outfit’s latest single “Crazy Love” has shot up to number 37 in the American singles chart and they have just released a new album entitled “Legacy”

Twenty-five-year old Charles, whose Mother live sin Milton Avenue, Leyfields made his home in Hollywood nearly three years ago and is presently touring the States.

Later this year, POCO intend to do a number of concerts in Britain.

Charles began his musical career at the age of 14, playing is local group Chapter 24. After a spell working as an apprentice at Tamworth’s Percy Lane Company, he turned professional and joined Birmingham outfit Paradox.

There he was spotted by Carl Wayne of The Move and transferred to his first major group Judas Jump.

He later went to America to improve his chances of success and his gamble has certainly paid off.

During his career, he has played alongside top names of the music world like Al Stewart and Leo Sayer.

Tamworth Herald – 23/11/79
Musicbox – Chequers rates as top spot with award winning band
TOP Midland band Paradox gave their fans from Hopwas’ Chequers pub more than a blast of music when they received a national award.

For the Birmingham based group – who won the “Vitavox Live Sound” trophy earlier this year – said they wanted to receive the award at one of their faviourite venues.

The award aims to encourage new bands whose music is performed mainly live and Paradox – who cam second in the regional finals in Erdington and first in the grand final in London – have now also claimed £1,500 worth of Vitavox sound equipment and a day’s studio recording time.

The band received their trophy from Vitavox joint managing director Mr. Neil Young during a special concert at the Chequers.

They have recently returned from a tour of Cyprus backing Diane Solomon and have also taken part in a three-week nationwide tour of pubs and colleges.

Also on the cards is a Spring tour of West Germany with Diane Solomon and a full calendar of gigs up until the New Year.

SINGLE

Bass guitarist Alan Tallis said that things had really started to look up for them since winning the award.

They now plan to start recording in early December for a new single.

Tamworth Herald – 21/12/79
Musicbox - Prize Sound
MIDLAND based Vitavox Live sound Award winners Paradox are expected to have their new single “Hollywood Bowl” out on general release in the New Year.

The four piece band have already laid down the backing track for the record at Coventry’s Horizon Studios – using the day’s recording time which was part of their prize.

Paradox won the Vitavox Award earlier this year for being one of the most promising groups in the country and they received their trophy at Hopwas’ Chequers Inn last month.

Paradox and Tamworth
The big Tamworth connection in Paradox was undoubtedly the amazing Charlie Harrison but there's quite a story to tell about the band and its connection with World Of Oz and many other famous Brum Beat-ers.

There's a new CD out now called "What's The Rush, Time Machine Man?" on Rev-Ola (Cherry Red) - a compilation CD album of 20 ultra-obscure 60s psychedelic music gems from the UK and The Paradox are featured heavily on it, indeed, four of the tracks are by the band The Paradox.

The lead singer of the Paradox was none other than BOB CATLEY of Tamworth way before Magnum.

Thanks to: Mark Mortimer - Birmingham in the Psychedelic ‘60s

If you have any further information about this band please email: info@tamworthbands.com