The Nashville Teens, an English rock band formed in Surrey in 1962, gained prominence with their hit single "Tobacco Road" in 1964. Led by singer Arthur Sharp, the group initially backed Jerry Lee Lewis for his Live at the Star Club, Hamburg album and later supported Carl Perkins on his hit single "Big Bad Blues" (May 1964). Their breakthrough came when music producer Mickie Most produced their debut single "Tobacco Road," which reached number 6 in the UK Singles Chart and number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The follow-up, another Loudermilk song entitled "Google Eye," reached number 10 in the UK in October 1964. The band's record producers also included Andrew Loog Oldham and Shel Talmy. Notable singles include "The Little Bird" (1965) and "The Hard Way" (1966). In 1972, Arthur Sharp left to join the band's one-time manager Don Arden. Despite Phillips's efforts, the Nashville Teens split in 1975 but reformed in 1980 with Ray Phillips as the only original member, also including Adrian Metcalfe (drums), Colin Pattenden (bass and vocals), Simon Spratley (keyboards and vocals) and Ken Osborn (guitar). Arthur Sharp died on December 25, 2023, at the age of 83.
