Love Lane aka Sweet Dreams (Stockport) 

Line-up included 

• John/Marie - vocals
• Stuart Armstrong - keyboards, vocals
• Rob Parkes - drums, vocals
• Steve Parkes - bass, vocals 
• Rick Henshaw - drums 

I played in "Love Lane" who were also "Sweet Dreams" working with Polly Browne of Pickettywitch and great vocalist Tony Jackson. We also gigged as "The Polly Browne Band" on occasions and worked the UK.

We had three minor Hits. "Honey Honey" written for us by Abba before they made it, "Up in a Puff of Smoke" a dance floor classic and "You're my Number One".

Rick Henshaw

1973

Love Lane was formed by myself (drums vocals), Steve Parkes (bass vocals), Stuart Armstrong (keyboards Vocals), and John/Marie (a duo called Kim and Kerry) who I enlisted to complete the band.

I got the name from the actual Love Lane, in Stockport, and the council gave me the cast iron road sign that I have to this day! This was also used on our publicity photos.

We were resident at Baileys in Derby, when we were asked by Stuart Littlewood to join Polly Brown and Tony Jackson and form SWEET DREAMS. We rehearsed with the brilliant songwriter Gerry Shurey in London, and went on the road.

One of our first gigs was supporting the Three Degrees at Southport Theatre. At the time they were massive, and were no best pleased when we appeared to go better than they did!!!

The ORIGINAL Love Lane was a superb musical and vocal band! 

Rob Parkes

Pleased to say that as a result of this feature, I have been contacted by Stuart Armstrong our wizard keyboard player. As early as 1973 he was using a mellotron and synthesizer along with organ and electric piano. Although a lot of gear to travel, the sound we had was amazing.

Stuart was and is an incredible musician, and whilst we were resident at Baileys, backed almost every major star there was. The rest of us in the band could barely read music, but blagged our way through largely due to Stuart !! A baptism of fire, but we could bloody well read music by the time we left there to form Sweet Dreams!

God bless you Stu!

Rob Parkes - 18/10/09