The Joystrings Explained

The Joystrings
Background:	group_or_band
Origin:	England
Years Active:	1963–1969
Website:	https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk
Past Members:	Thelma Adams Brenda Alexander Lillian Boot Peter Dalziel Bill Davidson Handle Everett Sylvia Gair Wycliffe Noble Joy Webb

The Joystrings (originally credited as The Joy Strings) were a 1960s British Christian music group led by classically trained keyboard player and singer Joy Webb, who was an officer in the Salvation Army.^[1]

History

After appearing on Cliff Michelmore's BBC Tonight television show, they were given a recording contract by EMI Records.^[1] In 1964, they became the first Salvation Army pop group to achieve chart success with "It's An Open Secret" and "A Starry Night".^[1] The main members through the years were Joy Webb (who wrote the group's first hit), Peter and Sylvia Dalziel, Bill Davidson, and Wycliffe Noble. The group had a number of other singers drawn, at intervals, from cadets at the William Booth Memorial Training College, Denmark Hill in London.

They also recorded a version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," using the music of The Animals' "The House of the Rising Sun" - an unusual blending.^[2]

In September 2013, 50 years after the Joystrings' formation, group member Sylvia Dalziel published her memoir, The Joystrings: The Story of the Salvation Army Pop Group.^[3]

Wycliffe Noble died on 1 April 2017, at the age of 91.^[4] Joy Webb died on 1 October 2023, at the age of 91.^[5]

Discography

Singles

• "It's An Open Secret" (1964) – UK Number 32^[6] (Regal Zonophone: RZ501)
• "Million Songs" (1964)
• "A Starry Night" (1964) – UK Number 34^[6]
• "All Alone" (1965)
• "The Only One" (1965)
• "No Time To Lose"/"Love That's All Around" (Epic Records (USA): 5-10195)
• "Christmas Can Be Every Day For You" (1966)

EPs

• The Joy Strings (1964)
• Have Faith in God (1965)
• Christmas with The Joy Strings (1965)
• Joy Strings abroad (1966)
• The song break (1967)

Albums

• Well Seasoned (1966) Regal Zonophone, LRZ4016 mono; SLRZ4016 stereo, UK
• Well Seasoned (1966) EPIC Records, US
• Carols Around The World (1967)
• Joystrings Restrung (2011)
• Joystrings Christmas Collection (2012)^[7]

Bibliography

• Book: Joy and the Joystrings: The Salvation Army's 'Pop Group' . Gilliard, A.J. . . 1967.
• Book: Bridge of Songs . Joy Webb . . 2000.
• Book: The Joystrings . Sylvia Dalziel . . 2013.

External links

• Rhythm Finds Its Groove: History of the Joystrings
• Joystrings tribute site
• Page at Cross Rhythms
• "The Joystrings" at 1960s Christian Music
• Pathé News report of the Joystrings performing "It's an Open Secret"

Notes and References

1. Book: The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Colin Larkin. Guinness Publishing. 1992. First. 0-85112-939-0. 1329.
2. [YouTube]
3. Dalziel, S. 2013 The Joystrings: The Story of the Salvation Army Pop Group, Shield Books, https://www.amazon.com/The-Joystrings-Story-Salvation-Group/dp/0854129065
4. News: Obituary: Salvation Army drummer was part of one of Britain’s first Christian pop groups . 9 October 2023 . The Salvation Army . 10 May 2017.
5. News: Promoted to Glory: Major Joy Webb (OF) . 9 October 2023 . Southern Spirit Online.
6. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited . London. 291. 1-904994-10-5.
7. http://www.joystrings.co.uk/track_listing.html