Matchbox was originally formed back in 1971 with a line-up that included both Steve and Fred. Graham joined them from the Hellraisers in 1977, but it was their amalgamation a little later with Jimmy and Gordon from the Cruisers that formed the band we know today. Their big breakthrough came soon after when they were selected to back Bo Diddley and support Carl Perkins on a sell-out European tour. Following reviews in the music press, they were approached by Magnet Records and offered their first major recording contract.

The rest, as they say, is history… The release of Buzz Buzz saw the band get enormous airplay as it crept to a respectable position in the charts. The next one, Rockabilly Rebel, became a worldwide hit, quickly followed by When You Ask About Love, Midnight Dynamos and Over The Rainbow. Over 5 Million records were sold in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, etc. Numerous TV shows and tours with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry and many more, established the band as a major headline attraction. Throughout this period, Matchbox always remained true to their roots.