The Flying Machine was formed in 1969 in Rugby, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, by singer‑guitarist Tony Newman, singer‑autoharpist Sam Kempe, bassist Stuart Colman, lead guitarist Steve Jones, and drummer Paul Wilkinson, all of whom had previously performed with Pinkerton's Assorted Colours. Their breakthrough came with the single "Smile a Little Smile for Me" released on 4 October 1969, which reached Number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Number 6 on the AC chart, selling one million copies and earning a gold disc by 12 December 1969; the track was written by Tony Macaulay and Geoff Stephens. In the same year the band issued their self‑titled album The Flying Machine on Janus Records, followed in 1970 by Down to Earth with the Flying Machine on Pye Records, and a cover of "Baby Make It Soon" which entered the U.S. Hot 100 at Number 87. Subsequent singles such as "The Devil Has Possession of Your Mind" were released before the group disbanded later in 1970; Stuart Colman later pursued a successful career as a session musician, record producer, and BBC Radio disc jockey. The Flying Machine’s brief but chart‑successful tenure remains noted among 1960s one‑hit wonders in the United States.
