The Marbles (duo)

Lore & Background

Bonnet and Gordon were cousins. Gordon was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, according to his webpage, though both were born in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England. Gordon grew up in Australia, where he met the Bee Gees in 1964 and recorded songs written by Barry Gibb. He returned to England in 1966, recorded a single as Trev Gordon, then returned to Australia, and came back to England in 1967 to join Bonnet's band the Graham Bonnet Set. In 1968, they became the Marbles and signed with Robert Stigwood's Australian label. Drummer Steve Hardy continued to work with them, contributing vocals to "By the Light of the Burning Candle."

The Gibb brothers wrote six songs for the duo and provided backing vocals. "Only One Woman" reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1968. After its release, Bonnet remarked to a reporter that the song was "a bit boring," angering Barry Gibb. Their second single, "The Walls Fell Down," reached number 28 in the UK but number 3 in the Netherlands. A third single, "I Can't See Nobody," a cover of a Bee Gees song, was released only in Europe. The duo disbanded in 1969, and their fourth single, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," did not chart internationally. In 1970, their only self-titled album was released in the United States.

Reader's Guide

The Marbles occupy a brief but notable place in late-1960s rock history, primarily due to their connection with the Bee Gees and their modest chart success. Their biggest hit, "Only One Woman," reached the UK top 5 and remains their most recognized song. The duo's association with Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb—who wrote six songs for them and sang backing vocals—highlights the collaborative network of the era. Though they disbanded after only about a year, their work led to later solo careers: Bonnet became lead singer for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow from 1979 to 1980, while Gordon released one solo album and later worked as a music teacher until his death in 2013. The Marbles' sole album, released in 1970, compiles their singles and covers, and has been reissued with bonus tracks. Their legacy is that of a short-lived duo whose music, particularly "Only One Woman," endures as a period piece of late-1960s pop-rock.

Did You Know?

• Trevor Gordon recorded songs written by Barry Gibb as early as 1964, before the Marbles formed.
• The duo's only album, The Marbles, was released in 1970 after they had already disbanded.
• Their second single, "The Walls Fell Down," reached number 3 in the Netherlands in April 1969.
• After the split, Graham Bonnet became lead singer of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow from 1979 to 1980.