English band from Birmingham, UK, active 1966-1972, most notable for featuring Jeff Lynne before the formation of Electric Light Orchestra. The Idle Race was formed from the remaining members of Mike Sheridan And The Nightriders after Mike Sheridan left the group, they released just one single under the name The Nightriders before changing to The Idle Race. After the 1st album was warmly received but failed to chart, and the 2nd album flopped, Lynne left the band to join The Move in January 1970. He was replaced by vocalist Dave Walker and guitarist Mike Hopkins and that line-up recorded the 3rd album in 1970. More personnel changes followed and when the band finally broke up early in 1972, the final lineup became the founding lineup of the Steve Gibbons Band ...