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Ace Flash and the Dynamos (commonly known as Ace) consisted of band members Paul Carrack (keyboards and vocals), Terry Comer (bass), Phil Harris (lead guitar and vocals), Alan “Bam” King (rhythm guitar and vocals), and Fran Byrne (drums). Paul Carrack went on to release more than twelve solo albums and singles like “I Need You,” and “Don’t Shed A Tear.” He also sang lead on “Tempted” by Squeeze, as well as  “Silent Running,” and “All I Need Is A Miracle” by Mike + The Mechanics.

 

 

 

So what is “How long” about? Most of us think of it as a love song about a two-timing lover when listening to these lyrics:

 

 

 

“How long has this been going on?

Well, if friends with their fancy persuasion

Don’t admit that it’s part of the scheme

But I can’t help but have my suspicions

‘Cause I ain’t quite as dumb as I seem

And you said you was never intendin‘

To break up our scene in this way

But there ain’t any use in pretendin‘

It could happen to us any day”

What’s the real story behind “How Long”

Now, you’re probably saying,  “yes, it’s about a love relationship.”

No! It’s about their bass player, Terry Comer. Paul Carrack says he wrote the song when he found out that Comer had been secretly working with other bands. He was a member of The Sutherland Brothers for a short time, as well as the band Quiver. Comer did return, in time, to record with the band on “How Long,” for the album “Five-A-Side,” which reached No. 3 on the charts in 1974 but it made it to no.1 45 years later on Billboard’s Rock Digital sales chart in March of 2020.Thanks to the Tv ad Amazon Prime titled”Bingo Cheat” for it’s return to popularity.

Ace broke up in 1977.