There was a fantastic commercial radio station in the West Midlands called Beacon Radio that did champion quality over crap and Splinter's "Costafine Town" was played a lot as an oldie as the station launched in April 1976. It really was the perfect antidote to Radio 1's ironic commercialism. Beacon Radio only lasted for three years as it broke so many IBA regulations and the American MD and Canadian PC were fired and the station had to adhere to a new format or lose its licence in 1979.
A great duo. A credit to South Shields! Wonderful melodies sang by two great singers. Listen to some of their other songs here on RU-vid. They're great!! Bob Purvis is a genius, Bill a wonderful singer/songwriter!!!!! Thanks for a great upload.
Great vocals from local lads "Bobby & Billy". Costa Fine Town (real name Corstorphine Town) was named after business man Robbie Corstorphine, who settled in South Shields, but hailed from Corstorphine, a village west of Edinburgh.
ON another post for this song, someone says the Dark Horse catalog is held up in George's estate for some reason. Hence no re-releases on CD done as yet. Interesting that radio are still accessing the right to play it though. SOMEONE must be collecting the royalties - hope the writers are getting something. 45th anniversary maybe???
There was a fantastic commercial radio station in the West Midlands called Beacon Radio that did champion quality over crap and Splinter's "Costafine Town" was played a lot as an oldie as the station launched in April 1976. It really was the perfect antidote to Radio 1's ironic commercialism. Beacon Radio only lasted for three years as it broke so many IBA regulations and the American MD and Canadian PC were fired and the station had to adhere to a new format or lose its licence in 1979.
Unfortunately, Splinter got lost amongst the immaturity of early the 1970s Glam Rock sponsored by the equally immature Radio 1. This is evident by the multi-coloured afro wig the keyboard player's wearing. Sad that there wasn't a separate chart compiled for crap versus quality. Had there been, then Splinter would've reached its top 5.
