The Idle Race were a British rock group from Birmingham, Warwickshire in the late 1960s. They are best known for the material released while Jeff Lynne was a member.
Rhythm guitarist Dave Pritchard, bass guitarist Greg Masters and drummer Roger Spencer were the core of a band initally known as Billy King and the Nightriders, then later known as Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders and briefly as just The Nightriders.
In 1966 they advertised for a new guitarist/vocalist, Jeff Lynne applied and joined the band. .
