Black Is Black (Los Bravos)

6 AUGUST 1966


Los Bravos - a Spanish group with a German lead singer - were at their peak UK chart position of #2 during this week in 1966 with the song ‘Black is Black’. It also went to #4 in the US and #1 in Canada, making them the first Spanish rock band to have an international hit. It had been their intention to crack the English-speaking market, and they recorded this single in England with producer Ivor Raymonde (who had worked with the likes of Marty Wilde, Billy Fury, and Dave Berry). Their follow-up single, 'I Don't Care', reached #16 in the UK in October 1966, and apart from a minor US hit in 1968, that was about it for them.

This was a very solid bit of driving R&B with hints of Stax and the Spencer Davis Group.

The video clip above is from the 1967 movie 'Los Chicos Con Las Chicas' ('The Boys With the Girls'). 

Recorded: 1966
Released: June 1966
Highest chart position: #2 (UK), #4 (US)
Length: 2:59
Label: Decca (UK), Press (US)
Writers: Michelle Grainger, Tony Hayes, Steve Wadey
Producer: Ivor Raymonde