Brighton, England, UK • 1967-1974

Tonge was a spirited rock band from Brighton, formed in the late 1960s by a group of close-knit friends. Alan Grinyer (Albert) and Hugh Moore (Mooie) had been inseparable since childhood, growing up on the same street, while Albert’s schoolmate Dave Barnard (Barny) brought his musical and artistic talent to the group. The lineup was completed in 1967/68 with the arrival of Eric Wright (Rico), a gifted guitarist from Hollingbury whose skills immediately cemented the band’s sound. After cycling through names (including H2SO4 and Steam Packet) they settled on the name Tonge.

The band got their start playing youth clubs and community centers in Hollingbury, where they built a loyal following through sheer determination and countless hours of practice. By the early 1970s, Tonge had become a staple of Brighton’s music scene, performing at local pubs and venues and even landing high-profile support slots for acts like Roy Wood & Wizzard and Supertramp.

In 1971, a standout moment came when Tonge recorded their track “Looking at the World” at a London studio owned by Paul and Barry Ryan. Though their journey was brief, Tonge’s legacy endures as a reflection of the passion and camaraderie that defined their time together.