"Black Is Black" is a song by the Spanish rock band Los Bravos, released in 1966 as the group's debut single for Decca Records. Produced by Ivor Raymonde, it reached number two in the UK,[2] number four in the US,[3] and number one in Canada.[4] With the recording's success, Los Bravos became the first Spanish rock band to have an international hit single.[5] A dance remix was released as a single in 1986.
Quick Facts Single by Los Bravos, from the album ...
Close
Four members of Los Bravos — bassist Miguel Vicens Danus, guitarist Tony Martinez, organist Manuel Fernández, and drummer Pablo Sanllehi — had previously worked together in the Spanish band Los Sonors.[6] Together with German-born singer Michael Kogel (aliases: Mike Kennedy, Mike Keller), the group set out to achieve success in the European market making English-language pop music.[6] After signing with the Spanish division of Decca Records, the band went to England to work with Ivor Raymonde, a British producer, arranger, conductor, and composer, who had been involved in making UK hit songs with such artists as Marty Wilde, Billy Fury, and Dave Berry.[6] "Black Is Black" was released in 1966 as the band's first Decca single.[6]
According to the liner notes of Black Is Black: The Anthology 1966–1969 (2017), the song features the band members in "largely token roles behind Kogel's lead vocal", as well as contributions from session musicians Vic Flick and John McLaughlin.[7]
More information Chart (1966), Peak position ...
Close
La Belle Epoque version
More information Chart (1977–78), Peak position ...
Close
Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 329. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco 1974–2003. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, United States: Billboard/Record Research. p. 32. ISBN 0-89820-156-X.