The Congregation | |
---|---|
Also known as | The English Congregation (US, Canada) |
Origin | England |
Genres | pop, vocal |
Years active | Early 1970s |
Labels | EMI Columbia |
The Congregation was a British pop ensemble, formed by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway in England. [1] In the United States it was credited as The English Congregation.
The band's biggest hit was a cover version of " Softly Whispering I Love You" (originally recorded by Cook and Greenaway's previous group, David and Jonathan), which peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart in 1971, [2] No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, No. 1 in South Africa, No. 12 in Australia [3] and New Zealand and No. 10 in Germany. The group's lead singer was the former Plastic Penny vocalist, Brian Keith, who later became a session musician. [1] With no further top 40 hits, The Congregation was a transatlantic one-hit wonder.
The band changed its name on releases in the United States to avoid confusion with the Mike Curb Congregation, which also recorded "Softly Whispering I Love You". [4]
(All UK releases on Columbia of Columbia Graphophone Co./EMI; US releases leased to Atco and Signpost) [5]