VANITY FARE - Iconic 60's Band

Few British beat groups captured the carefree spirit of the late 1960s quite like Vanity Fare. With sun-drenched harmonies, infectious melodies and a run of transatlantic hit singles that helped soundtrack an era, Vanity Fare became one of the defining voices of British sunshine pop and harmony-driven pop rock. Formed in 1968 and inspired by William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel Vanity Fair, the band quickly established a sound that blended West Coast American pop influences with the distinctly British melodic sensibility that dominated the charts during the golden age of radio.

Their breakthrough arrived with a vibrant reworking of "I Live For The Sun", originally recorded by The Sunrays, which introduced audiences to the band's unmistakable vocal harmonies and uplifting feel-good energy. But it was the international smash hits "Early In The Morning" and the now legendary "Hitchin' A Ride" that catapulted Vanity Fare into global success. Both singles earned Gold Disc status and together helped the band sell well over five million records worldwide. "Hitchin' A Ride" in particular became a genuine international anthem — climbing the charts in Britain, America, Europe, Australia and beyond — and remains one of the most instantly recognisable feel-good singles of the entire decade. Its rolling bassline, layered harmonies and infectious singalong chorus still light up radio stations and dancefloors more than fifty years later.

During their rise, Vanity Fare became regular faces on television and major concert stages across the world, performing everywhere from the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall to Wembley Conference Centre, the Sydney Showground and prestigious international venues aboard the QE2. They toured extensively throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the United States at a time when British pop groups were conquering the globe, and their music became woven into the soundtrack of an optimistic generation.

Unlike many heritage acts from the era, Vanity Fare have remained a genuine working band — not simply trading on nostalgia, but continuing to perform with energy, musicianship and passion. Over the decades the group has shared stages and collaborated with an extraordinary roll call of artists including Chris Farlowe, Mike d'Abo, Brian Poole, Dave Berry, Peter Sarstedt, Peter Noone and Chris Montez — underlining the respect the band commands throughout the live music circuit.

Today's line-up proudly continues that rich musical legacy. Longest-serving member Eddie Wheeler, who joined the band in 1971, remains at the heart of Vanity Fare's unmistakable sound with his lead guitar work and vocals. Alongside him are Steve Oakman on keyboards, guitar and vocals, drummer Graham Walker — whose impressive pedigree includes performing with the late great Gary Moore — and bassist/vocalist Mike Steed, who joined following the retirement of longtime bassist Bernie Hagley at the end of 2024.

What makes Vanity Fare special is not simply the history or the hit records — it is the joy that radiates from their music. Their concerts are celebrations of an unforgettable era when melody ruled the airwaves, harmonies filled dance halls and songs were written to make people smile. Audiences can expect a night packed with timeless classics, rich vocal performances, infectious nostalgia and the kind of warm, uplifting atmosphere that only true heritage artists can create.

This year, Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre proudly welcomes Vanity Fare for what promises to be a magical evening of golden-era British pop, performed up close and personal in one of the UK's most intimate live music venues. For lovers of the 1960s, classic British beat music and timeless singalong anthems, this is more than a concert — it's a journey back to the soundtrack of a generation.