Although in retrospect,
the Tourists are seen almost entirely as the band
Dave Stewart and
Annie Lennox were in before they formed
Eurythmics, the Scottish group was in fact more of a showcase for singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter
Peet Coombes, who had first worked with
Stewart in a
folk duo in the early '70s. Adding
Stewart's girlfriend
Lennox on vocals and occasional keyboards, the new trio dubbed themselves
Catch and released one single, "Black Blood," on the Logo label in 1977. Adding bassist Eddie Chin and drummer
Jim Toomey, the group re-christened themselves
the Tourists and released their first album, The Tourists, in 1978. A follow-up, 1979's Reality Effect, scored a U.K. hit with a cover of
Dusty Springfield's "I Only Want to Be With You." 1980's Luminous Basement didn't build on that popular success, and the album, which had a new
electronic emphasis in contrast to the '60s-inspired guitar pop of the first two, sounded like the group had lost their aesthetic focus.
The Tourists split later that year. In 1984, Epic released a cash-in compilation called Should Have Been Greatest Hits. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
Green links represent an available CD.
Red links represent a CD that is not currently available.
Greatest Hits