The Tribe

Members

Jerry James (Gerry Sinclair) - vocals

Dennis Cowan - bass guitar, guitar

Formed in 1964.

Dennis Cowan was later in The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.

UK Singles

1966 The Gamma Goochie/I'm Leaving                                                                         Planet PLF 108

   (Released 4 February 1966)

1967 Love Is A Beautiful Thing/A Steel Guitar And A Glass Of Wine                          RCA Victor 1592

   (Released 5 May 1967)

The Riot Squad

Members

Bob Reece - vocals, rhythm guitar

Billy Ennis - lead guitar

Pete Ritson - bass guitar

Alan Noone - drums

Formed in Prescot, Liverpool.

Not to be confused with the London group who recorded for Pye.

Lee Peterson and the Defenders

Members

Lee Peterson - vocals

Linda Kent - vocals

Mike Broomfield - guitar

Graham Cave - guitar

Roy Young - saxophone

Bob Brunning - bass guitar (Born: 1943 - Died: 18 Oct 2011)

John Gibson - drums

Formed in Bournemouth.

Bob Brunning was previously in The Valiants, and then Tony, Howard and the Dictators. In 1963 he joined The Sabres, fronted by his friend and fellow student teacher, Tony Blackburn. 

Bob Brunning was later in Five's Company who in 1966 recorded three singles for Pye.

Bob was then the original bass guitarist for Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac in July 1967. He was replaced by John McVie in December 1967. 

While still playing music in various bands, Bob Brunning became a full time teacher.

The Beathovens

Members

Gerry Bach - vocals

Keith Dodd - lead guitar

Graham Beasley - bass guitar

Rod Long  - rhythm guitar

Charlie Evans  - drums

Jimmy Stevens - vocals

Formed in Liverpool.

The Beathovens

Members

Kevin Carney - vocals

Mike Parkes - rhythm guitar

Roger Partington - lead guitar

Kevin Churchhouse - bass guitar

Jeff Hyde - drums

Formed in Manchester.

Known Gigs

4 Jul 1964 Betws-Y-Coed, Swallow Falls Hotel.

Rick E. Darne and the Toplins

Members

Formed in Chester, Cheshire as The Overlanders.

Changed their name several times, first to Richard Dee And The Dee-Fenders, then Rick E. Darne and The Dee-Fenders, and finally Rick E. Darne And The Toplins after winning 'Toplin Beat Group Contest', sponsored by the Rael-Brook shirt company, the heats and semi-final of which were held at The Cavern in Liverpool in 1964. The final was held at the Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Cheshire on 10th August 1964 featuring twelve groups. While the judges made their decision there was a performance by The Rolling Stones. The other finalist were Bobby and the Bachelors, The Downbeats, The Hustlers, The Jay-els, The Mark Four, The Johnny Taylor Five, The Tokens, The Top Spots, The Trakkers, The Wyverns, and Dale Young and the Seminoles.

The prize for winning was a recording contract, but they had to change the group name to The Toplins. 

UK Singles

1965 Sleigh Bells/Christmas Message                                                                                 Unicord UP 663

   (Credited to Rick E. Darn and the Toplins)

The Overlanders

Members

Not to be confused with The Overlanders who had a No.1 UK hit with 'Michelle'.

Formed in Chester, Cheshire.

Managed by Mr. H. Williams of Chester.

According to publicity at the time, they changed their name on 1 October 1963 initially to Richard Dee And The Dee-Fenders, then almost immediately to Rick E. Darne and The Dee-Fenders, and finally Rick E. Darne And The Toplins after winning 'Toplin Beat Group Contest', sponsored by the Rael-Brook shirt company, the heats and semi-final of which were held at The Cavern in Liverpool in 1964. The final was held at the Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Cheshire on 10th August 1964 featuring twelve groups. 

UK Singles

1965 Sleigh Bells/Christmas Message                                                                                 Unicord UP 663

   (Credited to Rick E. Darn and the Toplins)

Known Gigs

24 Nov 1962 Chester, Blacon Community Centre.

An advert in The Cheshire Observer.