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However, once again in 1991, Middle of the Road, with Sally and Ken, were invited to feature in a German TV show co-memorating the career of a famous East German TV personality who had appeared with them 20 years before. The agent promoting this show, Rainer Haas, had been a fan of Middle of the Road for many years and was very pleased to welcome the original group back together in Germany. Such was his enthusiasm, he asked if there was any chance of the group performing live at the then very popular 'Oldie Concerts' he was promoting in Germany. It had been 16 years since the original Middle of the Road had performed live on stage (the TV was to play-back) and so it would take considerable rehearsal to have the group perform even a short programme.

As luck would have it, a Dutch TV company was organising a major TV show featuring hit-makers of the 60s, 70s and 80s, and invited the original Middle of the Road to perform, live, six songs for the show. The group agreed to work on six of their hits, and if this was successful, they would consider getting back together for concerts in Germany.

Their appearance was a smash hit and they were finally convinced that they should return for live concerts. Within 6 weeks they had compiled a programme of material, suitable for the 'Oldie Concerts' and Rainer Haas booked them throughout Germany. They continued to be well received at each of their appearances and by 1992, they were one of the most sought after groups on the circuit.

Unfortunately, another group, calling themselves Middle of the Road began to appear at discos and events throughout Germany, usually in towns close to where the original group was appearing or had just appeared. This other group turned out to be Stewart, the son of Ian Lewis, the original guitarist, and Lorraine Fehlberg, the ex girlfriend of the original bass player, Eric Lewis. Although the duo had been performing with Ian and Eric as Middle of the Road for some years in the 80s, the work they had enjoyed during that time had run out and as a result they disbanded. Now that all 5 original members were back performing together, the 'copycat couple' were capitalising on the revived success of the group and also, by insinuation, appeared to be claiming to be the original hit makers.

As a result, Sally, Ken, Ian and Eric, raised an action against them and succeeded in stopping them performing as Middle of the Road. Unfortunately, just as the writ was issued, Ian had a major disagreement with Eric and left the originals to join his son and Lorraine, who was now married to Stewart, in the other group. This completely upset the legal action since now the other group had one original member in its personnel. This left Sally, Ken and Eric with the majority of original members and the original sound. Sally, Ken and Eric continued to perform successfully, but, two years later, Eric decided to leave for personal reasons, and Sally and Ken, with the original lead guitarist, Neil Henderson, were left with the responsibility of reorganising the personnel to maintain the original sound and fulfil the existing contracts.

The other group continued to perform as Middle of the Road causing confusion for the German public who, by this time, were never sure whether they were paying to see the original hit makers or not.

Nevertheless, the group featuring Sally Carr has been performing regularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain and Belgium with such household names as The Tremeloes, The Searchers, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Mamas and the Papas, The Troggs, Chubby Checker and The Lovin' Spoonful. During these last few years, Middle of the Road much to their delight, have regained their popularity and credibility in Europe.

Today, under the banner of Middle of the Road featuring Sally Carr, Sally Carr, original lead singer, Ken Andrew, original drummer and original lead guitarist, Neil Henderson, are continuing to satisfy the demand of their fans and are developing their act on a scale which is allowing them to reach not only the markets where they are well remembered, but also new territories, previously untouched.

Joined by Shug Devlin on keyboards and Phil Anderson on guitar and vocals, the group has recently recorded and released new material on a Christmas album along with other 70s artistes, in Germany.

Apart from their live work, regular appearances on German TV have given the group a presence in Europe which almost rivals that of 25 years ago. Recent concerts have included performances in Switzerland where they helped launch a new radio station and, quite appropriately, they took part in the celebrations to open a new motorway there. In October 1996 they returned to Bratislava to appear as guest performers at the International Song Festival - an event they last attended in 1972. In March 1997 they completed recording a major TV show in Belgium for transmission in April.

In 1996 Pat Monaghan has joined the group as Guitarist/Vocalist to perform at live concerts since Phil Anderson is unable to travel with the band regularly due to commitments in Orkney. Phil will continue to record with the band and appears occasionally at concerts. Middle of the Road will also be recording their albums with Phil at his studio in Orkney.

In 1998 they had recorded up-to-date versions of new arrangements of Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep and Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum and these are included on a new CD to be distributed by BMG for release in September.

The album was recorded in Glasgow and in the Orkney Islands where Phil Anderson has a comfortable and well equipped studio. The atmosphere of the Orkneys provides a peaceful environment where Sally and the boys find it easy to work and wonderful to relax between sessions.

Work on a video has finished, and was released later in 1997.

Their original songwriter/producer in Rome is currently writing new songs for an album to be recorded in 1998. Now, in the year 2000, the recordings aren't finished.

In the summer of 1999 Pat Monaghan was replaced by left-hander Derek Hall. Around this time the band has slightly changed their stage show. Pat's last big appearance also was a high light in their second career. Middle of the Road featuring Sally Carr performed at the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade with the theme song in 1999, Get Down to Party Town. Together with another new song, Carry me away, written by Sally, Ken and Neil, these two songs could be the base for a new single or an album with new songs.

At the moment the only chance to listen to Get down to Part Town without being on a gig is the official video of the '99 Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade. It is produced by Ken's company EPM. Another release in 1999 was the new techno-version of Chirpy. You can buy this video in England and Scotland regularly. Hardly ever the CD is sold after gigs so the best possibility to obtain the CD is to order it from Middle of the Road International Fan Club There the video can also be ordered.

The year 2002 starts with another personnel change in the band. Guitarist Derek Hall leaves the band, his successor is Kenny McKay.

Late in 2002 the longer announced re-release of Black Gold on CD took place in October. but only for Skandinavia. It contains remastered tracks of the original Black Gold plus a previously unreleased track. At the moment I only know one possibility to order it. It's the Danish site www.cdon.dk.

Again a personell change. It seems that Neil finally has fed up with touring and left the band during christmas 2003. He is replaced by Stewart McEwan in January 2004.

Some news... the long awaited DVD might be released n 2005.

Site created: November 12, 2006 Last update: Juni 23, 2008