Today’s classic song of the day is the exceedingly pleasant “Nice to Be With You” by a group called Gallery. This single was released in February of 1972 and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, and #1 on the Cash Box Top 100.
“Nice to Be With You” was typical of the cheery soft rock popular on the radio in the early ’70s. It was written by Jim Gold, the group’s lead singer, and produced by Dennis Coffey, legendary Motown guitarist.
Gallery hailed from Detroit, Michigan. They only released only two albums and had a few minor hits after their first big one. You may remember, for example, the group’s version of Mac Davis’ “I Believe in Music,” which hit #22 in 1972. You may less remember their third hit, “Big City Miss Ruth Ann,” which allegedly hit #23 in 1973. (That one does not exist in my personal memory bank at all.)
The group was around for only a short time. They renamed themselves Gallery featuring Jim Gold in 1973 and disbanded for good in 1974. And that’s pretty much all you need to know about Gallery.
For what it’s worth, today’s daily bonus video of the day features Jim Gold and Gallery lip synching “Nice to Be With You” on some television program back in 1972. They certainly look like soft rockers, don’t they?
