The Joystrings

The Joy Strings
Origin	England, United Kingdom
Genres	Gospel
Years active	1963–69
Website	joystrings.co.uk
Past members	Bill Davidson Peter Dalziel Joy Webb Sylvia Gair Wycliffe Noble See members section for others

The Joystrings (originally credited as The Joy Strings) were a 1960s UK Christian music group led by classically trained keyboard player and singer Joy Webb, an officer (now retired) in the Salvation Army.

History

After appearing on Cliff Michelmore's BBC Tonight television show, they were given a recording contract by EMI Records. In 1964 they became the first Salvation Army pop group to achieve chart success with "It's An Open Secret" and "On A Starry Night". 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.

In September 2013, 50 years after the Joystrings' formation, group member Sylvia Dalziel wrote about their existence in a book published by Shield Books. The book included an introduction by General John Larsson, a tribute from Sir Cliff Richard, a full discography and many photographs never previously published.

Discography

Singles

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

EPs

• The Joy Strings (1964)
• The Songbook (1964)
• Joy Strings Abroad (1965)
• Have Faith in God (1965)
• Christmas with The Joystrings (1965)

Albums

• Well Seasoned (1966)
• Carols Around The World (1967)
• Joystrings Restrung (2011)
• Joystrings Christmas Collection (2012)

Bibliography

• ISBN 085412683X

• ISBN 0854129065

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"