Apollo 100

Apollo 100 was a short-lived British instrumental studio-based group that had a top 10 hit with the Johann Sebastian Bach–inspired single "Joy" in 1972.[1]

For other bands with similar names, see Apollo 3 (band) and Apollo 440.
Tom Parker in 1972 on AVRO's TopPop.

The recording of "Joy" as performed by Apollo 100 is a nearly note-for-note remake of the arrangement of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (but with modern pop music flourishes like percussion, electric guitar and bass) as recorded by the British band Jigsaw on their 1970 debut album Letherslade Farm.

Tom Parker was an accomplished arranger responsible for most of the successful arrangements from the Young Blood catalogue, such as the Top 20 American hit "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" and a number of Don Fardon's recordings. Parker is a multi-instrumentalist, having played keyboards, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and a number of other instruments from an early age. His first performances were in and around Newcastle upon Tyne, where he performed in a number of jazz clubs. Following this he was associated with a number of groups, including The Mark Leeman 5, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, and Eric Burdon with the New Animals. He put together the band in 1972, with drummer Clem Cattini, guitarist Vic Flick, guitarist Zed Jenkins, percussionist Jim Lawless, and bassist Brian Odgers. Their first single, "Joy", based on Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", rose to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. None of their subsequent efforts were as successful, and they broke up in 1973.

The US release of "Joy" was handled by the Nashville, Tennessee based independent label Mega Records, who released it there as a 7" single in November 1971.[2]

"Joy" has subsequently been featured in the soundtracks of the films Boogie Nights, One Day in September, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Battle of the Sexes.

Charting discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[3]		 US
Joy
  • Released: March 1972[4]
  • Label: Mega M31-1010
 -47
Master Pieces
  • Released: April 1973
  • Label: Mega M51-5005
 62-

Compilation albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[3]
Reach for the Sky
  • Released: 1979
  • Label: Endeavour Records (END-002)
 37

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions
AUS[3] CAN RSA US 100[5]
1971 "Joy" 324186

References
  1. "Apollo 100 - Joy". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  2. "Apollo 100 - Joy". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 19. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. Billboard, Billboard Productions, Inc., New York, March 18, 1972, p. 48
  5. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - IS=BN 0-89820-089-X
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