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In 1970, a Scottish quartet left for Italy as a first step on their way to Argentine, where their ex-footballer manager had promised opportunities for a successful musical career. Instead, in 1971, without their manager, they raced to the top of the charts all over the world with a recording of a song they found in Italy, written by an eccentric Englishman. The song was InchChirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, CheepInch; the group was InchMiddle of the RoadInch. They had already been the toast of the RCA Studios in Rome, appearing with screen superstar Sophia Loren on a single she made for the film, InchThe Priest's WifeInch. The film was a hit in Europe and the single charted in Italy. InchChirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, CheepInch, in the meantime, was shooting up the charts worldwide, selling over 8 million copies and elevating InchMiddle of the RoadInch to the third most popular recording artistes in the Billboard charts in 1971. Less than a year later, their second recording InchTweedle Dee, Tweedle DumInch, followed InchChirpyInch to the number one position throughout most of Europe. The group and the song were featured in a cinema short launching the Fiat 127 to the European market. Five million records later InchSoley, SoleyInch, a new song they found and recorded in Spain, became the third high flier in 1972. Such was their popularity in that year, that they were the only act to have three singles in the British top 40 at the same time. In Italy, they won the top award at the Venice Song Festival, the Golden Gondola, in Germany, reader of Bravo magazine voted them Silver Otto winners and in the UK, they were presented with the Carl Alan Award for their musical contribution to the British dance scene. Thirty-two gold discs were presented to the band for these songs alone and their Dutch record company even presented them with a unique special award the Golden Windmill, for grossing t
