Let Loose

Let Loose

Let Loose are a British pop and rock trio from the United Kingdom. The group forms around Richie Wermerling on lead vocals and keyboards, with Rob Jeffrey on guitars and backing vocals, and Lee J Murray on drums, percussion and backing vocals. Wermerling is from Whitechapel in London, Jeffrey from Romford in Essex, and Murray from Edgware in London.

Early chart success

The band first appears on the UK Singles Chart with early singles including “Crazy For You” and “Seventeen”, both reaching number 44. “Face To Face” is also issued, but the record label withdraws it from sale. “Crazy For You” is later re-released and becomes the group’s biggest hit, reaching number 2 and selling more than 400,000 copies. A remix of “Seventeen” follows and peaks at number 11.

Albums and later singles

Let Loose’s self-titled debut album includes keyboard player Adam Lee and reaches number 20 on the UK Albums Chart, with sales of 60,000 copies. Singles from the album include “One Night Stand”, which reaches number 12, and “Best In Me”, a ballad recorded by Wermerling in his bedroom when he was fifteen, which becomes the band’s second UK Top 10 hit at number 8. After a period away, the group returns with “Everybody Say Everybody Do”, which peaks at number 29.

They then record a cover of Bread’s “Make It with You”, which reaches number 7 and gives the band a third Top 10 single. “Take It Easy” follows and peaks at number 25. Their second album, Rollercoaster, reaches number 42 and sells fewer than 30,000 copies. The final single from that album, “Darling Be Home Soon”, reaches number 65.

Break-up and later activity

After these releases, Let Loose split up. Wermerling later joins Bottlefly, while Jeffrey continues in other guitar projects. Murray becomes a DJ and session drummer and also works in management with Holly Valance, Kelly Brook and Keeley Hazell. A best-of compilation appears in 1998 but does not chart. Wermerling releases a solo album, Lost, in 2006, issued independently through his own website and CDBaby.com.

In 2008, Wermerling and Murray reunite to write and record under the Let Loose name, while Jeffrey declines to take part. Wermerling and Murray then part company again, Wermerling recruits four new band members, and Paint It In Gold is released independently in 2009. The first live performance of this later line-up takes place in June 2009.