Wallace Collection (band)

Wallace Collection
Wallace Collection (1969)
Background information
Origin	Belgium
Genres	Pop rock
Years active	1968-1971
Labels	EMI
Website	www.wallacecollection.net
Members	Sylvain Vanholme Christian Janssens Freddy Nieuland Marc Hérouet Cédric Murrath
Past members	Raymond Vincent Jacques Namotte

Wallace Collection was a Belgian pop rock group active in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Wallace Collection was formed from the ashes of a group called Sylvester's Team, three of which began playing under the name 16th Century along with bassist Christian Jannsens and two members of the Belgian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Raymond Vincent and Jacques Namotte.

Wallace Collection was based in Britain, naming itself after the famous museum adjacent to the headquarters of its record label, EMI. Its debut studio album, Laughing Cavalier, was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and was released in 1969. The single "Daydream" became a hit in 21 countries, including going #1 in Belgium. In the wake of its success, the group toured Europe, the United States, Mexico, and South America. It also composed the soundtrack to a French film, La Maison, in 1970. Later singles, such as "Love" and "Serenade", were hits in Belgium and some other countries but did not reach the level of "Daydream", and the group split up in 1971. In 2005 the group re-formed with an altered lineup.

After Wallace Collection, Raymond Vincent started the band Esperanto which produced three albums on A&M, Esperanto Rock Orchestra, Danse Macabre and Last Tango. He also recorded an album of original compositions and songs for string quartet called 'Metronome' (on Izarra Records).

After Wallace Collection Sylvain Vanholme joined songwriters 'Pipou' and Lou Deprijck in Latin influenced pop-combo Two Man Sound which scored a few international hits. Sylvain Vanholme also became a successful producer working with Belgian artists The Machines, The Kids, Gorky, Jo Lemaire & Flouze and others).

Keyboard Player Marc Hérouet achieved limited success with Salix Alba.

Freddy Nieuland, drummer and vocalist on "Daydream," died on January 10, 2008, aged 63.

*In the UK, 'Laughing Cavalier' was one of the last albums released in both MONO and STEREO format by EMI. However, it is not a dedicated mono mix but a fold down of the stereo mix (as was the case for the mono 'Yellow Submarine' album by The Beatles).

In the US Capitol released a 12-track version of the album, retitling it 'Wallace Collection' in the process.