Unit Four Plus Two

Unit 4 + 2, a British pop-rock band formed in Hertfordshire, England, were established in 1963 by Brian Parker and David "Buster" Meikle. The group initially consisted of Brian Parker on guitar, David "Buster" Meikle on vocals, Tommy Moeller as lead vocalist, and Peter Moules. They later added Russ Ballard on guitar and Robert "Bob" Henrit on drums, forming a six-piece band with four-part vocal harmony. Their debut single "The Green Fields" was released in 1964 on Decca Records, reaching number 48 in the UK. The following year, they achieved their breakthrough hit with "Concrete and Clay", which topped the UK Singles Chart for one week and gained international popularity. In the United States, a rival cover version by Eddie Rambeau split sales, with both versions charting on Billboard Hot 100. Their debut album Unit 4 + 2 was released in 1965, followed by subsequent albums, including a re-release of their debut as #1 (Featuring Concrete And Clay) and Unit 4 + 2 (1969). The band underwent several line-up changes, notably adding Hugh Halliday as a replacement for Bob Henrit. Despite their early success, the group split up in 1970 after their final album failed to chart. Unit 4 + 2 briefly reunited for a tour in 1970 with a new backing band but disbanded shortly thereafter. "Concrete and Clay" saw renewed popularity through cover versions by artists such as Randy Edelman and Martin Plaza, highlighting the enduring impact of the band's work.