The Planets

Members

Barry Lee - vocals
John Jarvis - vocals
Mike Dyball - guitar
Tony Dyball - guitar
Roger Reynolds - bass guitar
Angus Jarvis - drums

Formed in Aylsham, Norfolk in 1963 out of two groups, The Wildcats and The Vikings.
In 1964 John Jarvis left the group and they changed their name to Barry Lee and the Planets.
Were known for their comedy and impressions as well as their music.
John Jarvis later formed the group Five By Five.

Frank and the Shades

Members

Frankie Lawton - vocals
Terry Barnet
Al Saunders - guitar
Dave Balaban
Mick Foster - drums
Adam Faith (not that one!)


Formed in Stoke-on-Trent in the late 1950s.

The Motowns

Members

Douglas Meakin - guitar, vocals
Tony Crowley - drums
Mike Logan - keyboards
Robbie Scott (aka Robbie Little) - bass guitar
Lally Stott - vocals, guitar

Dave Sumner - guitar
Mick Brill - bass guitar, vocals


Formed out of the ashes of Denny Seyton and the Sabres in 1966.
The band relocated to Italy and had quite a bit of success.
Lally Stott left in 1970.
Dave Sumner joined in 1970.
Mick Brill joined in 1971

Derry Wilkie and the Seniors

Members

Derry Wilkie - vocals (Born: 10 January 1941, Kent Gardens, Liverpool - Died: 22 December 2001)
Howie Casey - saxophone
Billy Hughes - rhythm guitar
Stan Foster - piano
Brian Griffiths - lead guitar
Phil Whitehead - bass guitar
Jeff Wallington - drums

Frank Wibberley - drums
Freddie Fowell - vocals

Formed in Liverpool in 1960.
The Seniors were formed out of the ashes of The Hy-Tones. Derry Wilkie joined them and them as a vocalist and they eventually changed their name.
Also known as Derry and the Seniors.
They successfully auditioned for Larry Parnes at the Wyvern Social Club on 10 May 1960. Other groups at the audition were Cliff Roberts and The Rockers, Cass and the Cassanovas, Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Silver Beetles. The audition was for Larry Parnes to decide on groups to use to back his artists on tour. The Seniors were booked by Parnes to back Duffy Power for a season in Blackpool, but Duffy Power fell ill and the season was cancelled.
Went to London and played The 2 I's coffe bar.
First of the Liverpool beat groups to play in Germany. They booked to play the Kaiserkeller Club in Hamburg from late July to early October 1960.
Back in England the group lost all of their equipment when the building that they stored it in burnt down.
Billy Hughes, Jeff Wallington and Stan Foster left at the end of 1960 and the group temporarily split.
In January 1961 they reformed as Howie Casey and the Seniors with Frank Wibberley on drums and Freddie Fowell and Derry WIlkie sharing the lead vocals.

The Fourmost

Members

 

Brian O'Hara - lead guitar, vocals (Died: 1999)

Mike Millward - rhythm guitar (Born: 9 May 1942, Bromborough, Cheshire - Died: 7 March 1966, Bromborough Hospital, Bromborough)

Billy Hatton - bass guitar, vocals (Born: 9 June 1941 - Died: 18 September 2017)

Dave Lovelady - drums

 

Brian Redman

 

Formed in Liverpool.

Managed by Brian Epstein from 1963.

The origins of the Fourmost go back to the Two Jays, Brian O'Hara and Joey Bower. With the addition of Brian Redman and Billy Hatton, they became the Four Jays. As the Four Jays they appeared at The Cavern in Liverpool on many occasions from March 1961. They then changed their name to The Four Mosts in 1962. When they signed to Brian Epstein's management the name was shortened to The Fourmost.

Mike Millward was previously in Bob Evans and the Five Shillings, who became the Vegas Five and eventually the Undertakers.

As the Four Jays they came 10th in a poll held by Mersey Beat music paper of the most popular beat groups on Merseyside, with the results being announced in the issue published on 4 January 1962.

After The Fourmost had recorded their last single in 1969, they dropped out of the pop scene and played the cabaret circuit.

Disbanded in 1978.

 

 

UK Radio Appearances

 

18 Apr 1964 Saturday Club - BBC Light Programme. (According to the Radio Times.) With Alma Cogan, The Rolling Stones, Peter, Paul and Mary, Richard Anthony, Russ Sainty and the Nu-Notes, The Breakaways, and Arthur Greenslade and the Gee Men. Presented by Brian Matthew.

25 Apr 1964 Saturday Club - BBC Light Programme. (According to NME. BBC archives differ.)

 

 

Known Gigs

 

21 Apr 1963 Manchester, The Twisted Wheel Club.

11 May 1963 Nelson, Imperial Ballroom, Lancashire. Supporting The Beatles. With The Ponderosa Cartwrights.

2 Jun 1963 Stockport, Kingfisher.
30 Jun 1963 Manchester, The Twisted Wheel Club.
10 Sep 1963 Chester, The Majestic Ballroom. Supported by The Landsliders.
25 Oct 1963 Lowestoft, The Royal Hotel.

8 Feb 1964 Nottingham, Odeon. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

9 Feb 1964 Liverpool, Empire Theatre. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

10 Feb 1964 Wolverhampton, Gaumont. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

11 Feb 1964 Gloucester, A. B. C. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

12 Feb 1964 Cardiff, Capitol. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

13 Feb 1964 Exeter, A. B. C. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

14 Feb 1964 Plymouth, A. B. C. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

15 Feb 1964 Bournemouth, Winter Gardens. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

16 Feb 1964 Brighton, Hippodrome. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

18 Feb 1964 Chesterfield, A. B. C. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

19 Feb 1964 Carlisle, A. B. C. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

20 Feb 1964 Glasgow, Odeon. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

21 Feb 1964 Stockton-on-Tees, Globe. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

22 Feb 1964 Newcastle Upon Tyne, City Hall. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

23 Feb 1964 Scarborough, Futurist. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

25 Feb 1964 Bedford, Granada. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

26 Feb 1964 Cleethorpes, A. B. C. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

27 Feb 1964 Doncaster, Gaumont. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

28 Feb 1964 Northampton, A. B. C. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

29 Feb 1964 London, Granada, East Ham. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

1 Mar 1964 Leicester, De Montfort Hall. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. With The Dennisons, Ben E. King, Tommy Quickly, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Tarbuck. Two shows.

7 Mar 1964 Buxton, Pavilion, Derbyshire. 

30 Mar 1964 Bath, The Pavilion.

25 Mar 1966 Whitchurch, Town Hall. With The Clayton Squares.
27 Mar 1966 Nantwich, Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Middlewich Road. Supported by Steve Brett and the Mavericks.

The Ambassadors

Members



Formed in Staffordshire.
Sometimes billed as The Ambassadors Dance Band.

Known Gigs

26 Jan 1963 Haughton, Village Hall, Staffordshire
8 Feb 1963 Brocton, Village Hall, Staffordshire
16 Feb 1963 Haughton, Village Hall, Staffordshire
9 Mar 1963 Great Bridgeford, Village Hall, Staffordshire. Billed as The Ambassadors Dance Band.
16 Mar 1963 Haughton, Village Hall, Staffordshire
23 Mar 1963 Great Bridgeford, Village Hall, Staffordshire
20 Apr 1963 Great Bridgeford, Village Hall, Staffordshire
10 May 1963 Brocton, Village Hall, Staffordshire
3 Aug 1963 Woodseaves Institute, Fete & BBQ, Staffordshire
7 Sep 1963 Great Bridgeford, Village Hall, Staffordshire

Rory Storm and the Hurricanes

Members

Rory Storm (Alan Caldwell) - vocals (Born: 7 Jan 1938, Liverpool, England - Died: 28 Sep 1972)
Johnny 'Guitar' Byrne - guitar (Died: 18 August 1999)
Ty O’Brien (Charles O'Brien) - lead guitar
Lu Walters - bass guitar, vocals

Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) - drums
Brian Johnson - drums


Formed in Liverpool.
Alan Caldwell formed a skiffle group as early as 1958. He went through several names for his groups including Dracula & the Werewolves and Al Caldwell's Texans. This was later changed to The Raving Texans. By this time they were play rock 'n'roll aswell. Later the group would be called Al Storm and the Hurricanes and Jett Storm and the Hurricanes before settling on Rory Storm and the Hurricanes before the end of November 1959.
Came 4th in a poll held by Mersey Beat music paper of the most popular beat groups on Merseyside, with the results being announced in the issue published on 4 January 1962.

Known Gigs

20 Nov 1959 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With Red River Jazzmen.
3 Jan 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Cy Laurie Jazz Band.
9 Jan 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With Saints Jazz Band, and Terry Lightfoot and His New Orleans Jazz Band.
16 Feb 1960 Litherland, Town Hall. With The Zodiacs, The Searchers, Bobby Bell Rockers, The Dominoes, and The Deltones. 'Gala Rock Night'.

6 Jan 1961 Liverpool, Mossway Hall. 

10 Nov 1961 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. With The Beatles, Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes, The Remo Four and Gerry and the Pacemakers. 'Operation Big Beat'.

24 Nov 1961 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. With The Beatles, Faron and the Flamingos, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Remo Four, Earl Preston and the Tempest Tornadoes.

8 Dec 1961 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. With The Beatles, Davy Jones, Danny Williams, The Remo Four, Earl Preston and the TT's, and Gerry and the Pacemakers.

9 Feb 1962 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. With Gus and the Thunderclaps, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Billy Kramer and the Coasters.

10 Feb 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With Dale Roberts and the Jaywalkers, and Ken Dallas and the Silhouettes.

11 Feb 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With The Undertakers, and Lee Castle and the Barons.

17 Mar 1962 Liverpool, Knotty Ash Hall. With The Beatles.

3 Sep 1962 Widnes, Queen's Hall. Supporting The Beatles. With Billy Kramer and the Coasters, and Sonny Kaye and the Reds.
10 Sep 1962 Widnes, Queen's Hall. Supporting The Beatles. With Billy Kramer and the Coasters, and Sonny Kaye and the Reds.
17 Sep 1962 Widnes, Queen's Hall. Supporting The Beatles. With Billy Kramer and the Coasters, and Sonny Kaye and the Reds.
13 Oct 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With The Strangers, and The Four Jays.
31 Dec 1962 Liverpool, The Iron Door. With The Blue Mountain Boys, Sonny Webb and the Cascades, The Undertakers, Mark Peters and the Cyclones, Billy Kramer and the Coasters, and Ian and the Zodiacs.
19 Nov 1964 Liverpool, The Maggie May, The Colquitt Club, Seel Street. With Adrian Lord's Faces.
30 Oct 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With The Mersey Gonks, and The Coins.
9 Jan 1966 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With The Mersey Gonks, and Karl Terry and the TT's.

Al Storm and the Hurricanes

Members

Alan Caldwell - vocals (later became Rory Storm)
Johnny 'Guitar' Byrne - guitar
Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) - drums

This was an early name for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.


Known Gigs

22 Aug 1959 Liverpool, The Cavern. With The Blue Notes Jazz Band.
17 Oct 1959 Liverpool, The Cavern. With The Yorkshire Jazz Band.
23 Oct 1959 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Red River Jazzmen.
7 Nov 1959 Liverpool, The Cavern. With The Wall City Jazzmen, Bob Wallis' Storeyville Jazzmen, and Cy Laurie Jazz Band.

The Kinsmen

Members

Tom Earley - rhythm guitar, vocals
Adrian Flowerday - lead guitar, vocals
Al Pears - bass guitar, vocals
Tony Aldridge - drums

Howard Morris - rhythm guitar, vocals

Formed in Wallasey in February 1963 out of the ashes of The Masqueraders.
Tom Earley had previously been with The Pathfinders.
Tom Earley left and returned to The Pathfinders in 1963.
The Kinsmen continue as a trio for a while.
Howard Morris joined in May 1963.

Known Gigs

9 Jul 1963 Liverpool, The Cavern. With The Merseybeats, and Roy and the Dions.
1 Oct 1963 Liverpool, The Cavern. With The Merseybeats, The Cyclones, and The Fortunes.
6 Nov 1963 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, The Shondells, and Gerry De Ville and the City Kings.
23 Nov 1963 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Vic and the Spidermen, The Roadrunners, and The Paladins.
25 Jan 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern. With The Escorts, The Mastersounds, The Huntsmen, and The Notions.

The Masqueraders

Members

Ricky Dickinson - rhythm guitar, vocals
Adrian Flowerday - lead guitar, vocals
Al Pears - bass guitar, vocals
Tony Aldridge - drums

Formed in Wallasey in 1963.
This group became The Kinsmen in February 1963 after Ricky Dickinson leaves.
Tony Aldridge was later in The Pathfinders. 

Known Gigs

19 Jan 1963 Octet Club

The Pathfinders

Members

Tom Earley - rhythm guitar, vocals
Roy Brockhurst - bass guitar, vocals
Pete Brockhurst - guitar
Dave Stephenson - guitar
Tony Berry - drums

Mike Jones - guitar
Billy May - lead guitar, vocals (Died: 2019)
Brendon McCormack - lead guitar (temporary stand-in around May/June 1963)
Frank Bowen - lead guitar (temporary stand-in around May/June 1963)
Richie Prescott - lead guitar
Tommy Bennett - drums
John Hinton - piano
Frank Hopley - piano
Tony Aldridge - drums
Kinglsey Foster - organ

Formed in Birkenhead in 1960.
Dave Stephenson was replaced by Mike Jones.
In February 1963 Tom Earley left and joined The Kinsmen. He was replaced by Billy May from The Valkyries.
Mike Jones left around May 1963 and Tom Earley returned. Billy May went back to his old group, The Valkyries.
Brendon McCormack and Frank Bowen stood in at various gigs as lead guitarists on a temporary basis.
Pete Brockhurst left in 1963 to concentrate on a career.
Tony Berry left to join The Asteroids in 1963.
Richie Prescott and Tom Bennett joined in late 1963. They had both previously been in Derry Wilkie and the Pressmen.
John Hinton joined on piano in late 1963.
Tommy Bennett left in early 1964 to join The Kinsmen. Tony Aldridge left The Kinsmen to join The Pathfinders.
Billy May returned in January 1964 to replace Richie Prescott.
Entered the national groups competition 'Ready, Steady, Win!' and came second in the national heat.
John Hinton left in the first half of 1964 to pursue a career in journalism. He was replaced by Frank Hopley who had recently left The Mastersounds.
Frank Hopley recorded The Pathfinders' first single but decided to leave just before its release in December 1964 to complete his professional studies.
In June 1965 Kingsley Foster joined on organ.

After recording the second single with the group, Kingsley Foster left before the end of 1965.
The Pathfinders recorded another single for Parlophone with the songs 'I'll Always Love You' and 'Come Back Baby' but this was never released.
Played in Paris and the surrounding area for a time in March 1966, and also played a festival in Monte Carlo. At this time The Pathfinders also appeared on French television on 13 April 1966 performing a half hour set.

Managed by Barry Lloyd from 1964 to 1966.
Disbanded in 1966.
More details about The Pathfinders can be found on this website.

UK Singles

1964 I Love You Caroline/Something I Can Always Do                                       Decca F 12038
   (Released on 4 December 1964. Recorded at Decca's London studio on 13 Jan 1964. Produced by Mike Smith. Both sides were written by guitarists Tom Earley and Billy May. I Love You Caroline was considered for the signature tune to Radio Caroline, but The Fortunes song 'Caroline' was used instead.)

1965 Don't You Believe It/Castle of Love                                                  Parlophone R 5372
   (Released on 12 Nov 1965. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London. The A-side was written by Tom Earley and Billy May, but was credited to manager Barry Lloyd)

Known Gigs

3 Feb 1964 Chester, Quaintways.
8 Feb 1964 Loughborough University, Telford Hall.
4 Apr 1965 Wallasey, The Kraal, New Brighton.
25 Jun 1965 Park High School, Sixth Form Summer Dance. With The Cordes, and Steve Day and the Drifters
17 Feb 1966 Connah's Quay, Flintshire. Supporting The Moody Blues.

Reunion Gigs

31 Mar 1989 Tranmere Rovers Club. (Line-up: Tom Earley, Billy May, Tony Aldridge, Roy Brockhurst and John Hinton)
Oct 1989 Buxton, Derbyshire. The Palace Hotel, The Buxton Beagle Hunt. (Line-up: Tom Earley, Ian Hunter, Tony Aldridge, Roy Brockhurst and John Hinton)

The Big Three

Members

 

Adrian Barber - guitar, vocals

Johnny Gustafson - bass guitar, vocals (Born: 8 August 1943, Liverpool - Died: 12 September 2014)

Johnny Hutchinson - drums, vocals (Born: 18 July 1940, Malta - Died: 12 April 2019)

 

Brian Griffiths - guitar, vocals

Bill (Faron) Ruffley - bass guitar, vocals

Paddy Chambers - guitar, vocals

Paul Pilnick – guitar, vocals

Ray Marshall – bass guitar, vocals

Barry Walmsley (Barry Womersley) – lead guitar

Nigel Olsson – drums 

 

Formed at the end of 1960 out of the group Cass and the Casanovas when the leader of that group, Brian Casser, left to go to London.

 

Although only a three-piece they were considered to be one of the loudest bands in Liverpool owing to Adrian Barber's knowledge of amplification and Johnny Hutchinson's powerful drumming.

From 1961, The Big Three began to play hundreds of gig in and around Liverpool, often supporting the Beatles. Occasionally Johnny Hutchinson would deputise on drums for the Beatles as he had done during an audition for Larry Parnes on 10 May 1960, whilst still in Cass and the Casanovas. He played for them three times when Pete Best had been sacked and the Beatles were waiting for Ringo to join, but he was not happy about the sacking. He had even been asked to join the Beatles himself by Brian Epstein, but refused.

 

In 1961, not long after the Beatles signed a contract with Brian Epstein, The Big Three were also signed. This would give them access to the clubs in Hamburg, Germany. The official line given by Brian Epstein was that they had to be a four-piece to play in the German clubs, but in reality Brian Epstein had fallen out with Adrian Barber and wanted him out of the group. Epstein added Brian Griffiths to the group, which displeased Adrian Barber. They played Germany for a month as a four-piece, with Griffiths on lead guitar. Brian Griffiths had previously been in Derry and the Seniors.

 

They were then supposed to return home, but Barber, knowing that his time in the group was up, decided to stay and was offered a deal with the Star Club in Hamburg to manage a club, improve the sound system and start a record label. Adrian Barber later became a recording engineer/producer for Atlantic Records recording bands like Cream, The Allman Brothers Band, and Aerosmith.

 

So the band became a trio once more with Brian Griffiths taking the place of Adrian Barber on a permanent basis.

Came 7th in a poll held by Mersey Beat music paper of the most popular beat groups on Merseyside, with the results being announced in the issue published on 4 January 1962.

Late in 1963, Paddy Chambers and Bill Ruffley joined the Big Three, replacing the outgoing Johnny Gustafson and Brian Griffiths.

Bill Ruffley and Paddy Chambers were previously in Faron's Flamingos.

In 1964, Paul Pilnick replaced Paddy Chambers on guitar.

Late in 1964, the lineup changed again with Ray Marshall and Barry Walmsley taking over the bass guitar and lead guitar duties respectively.

Disbanded in 1966.

Johnny Hutchinson left the music business and never returned.

Brian Griffiths emigrated to Canada in 1966 and taught guitar.

Johnny Gustafson joined The Merseybeats in 1964 replacing Billy Kinsley until his return. He was in the bands Quatermass and Hard Stuff in the early 1970s before joining Roxy Music and recording several albums with them. He was a much sought after session musician playing bass guitar, guitar and singing on many recorded works including Jesus Christ Superstar in 1969, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in 1974.

 

In 1973, Johnny Gustafson and Brian Griffiths temporarily reformed under the name The Big Three and recorded an album called 'Resurrection' with drummer Nigel Olsson.

 

Known Gigs

 

9 Feb 1961 Liverpool, Cassanova Club.

6 Mar 1961 Liverpool, Liverpool Jazz Society (The Old Iron Door), Temple Street. Lunchtime session. With Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Rory Storm and the Wild Ones.

7 Mar 1961 Liverpool, Liverpool Jazz Society (The Old Iron Door), Temple Street. Lunchtime session. With Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Rory Storm and the Wild Ones.

8 Mar 1961 Liverpool, Liverpool Jazz Society (The Old Iron Door), Temple Street. Lunchtime session. With Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Rory Storm and the Wild Ones.

9 Mar 1961 Liverpool, Liverpool Jazz Society (The Old Iron Door), Temple Street. Lunchtime session. With Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Rory Storm and the Wild Ones.

10 Mar 1961 Liverpool, Liverpool Jazz Society (The Old Iron Door), Temple Street. Lunchtime session. With Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Rory Storm and the Wild Ones.

11 Mar 1961 Liverpool, Liverpool Jazz Society (The Old Iron Door), Temple Street. With The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Remo Four, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes, Johnny Rocco and the Jets, Derry and the Seniors, Ray and the Del-Renas, The Pressmen, Dale Roberts and the Jaywalkers, and Faron and the Tempest Tornadoes.

16 Aug 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. Supporting The Beatles.

6 Sep 1962 Birkenhead, Majestic Ballroom, Cheshire.

14 Oct 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With The Undertakers, The Strangers, and Ian and the Zodiacs.

27 Apr 1963 Prestatyn, Royal Lido, Wales.

16-20 May 1963 Scottish Tour.

16 May 1963 Elgin, Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Scotland. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers. 

24 May 1963 Kendal, Town Hall.

26 May 1963 London, Romford.

28 May 1963 Swindon.

4 Jun 1963 Liverpool, Iris Cruise.

11 Jun 1963 Sheffield, Church Hall.

14 Jun 1963 London, Hayes.

15 Jun 1963 Torquay, Town Hall, Devon. Supported by Mel Fear and the Fantastic Fhantoms, and The Rockin' Rebels.

13 Nov 1963 Sheffield, City Hall. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, The Sheffields, Johnny Tempest and the Cadillacs, Karen Young, The 4 Plus 1, Vance Arnold and the Avengers, and The Vantennas.

25 Oct 1963 Dunstable, California Ballroom. With The Undertakers, Jackie Frisco, and The Mark Leeman Five.

21 Sep 1964 Burton upon Trent, 76 Club, High Street.

25 Jul 1965 Burton upon Trent, 76 Club, High Street.

27 Nov 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supported by The Mersey Gonks, and Ricky Gleason and the Top Spots.

2 Dec 1965 Liverpool, The Downbeat Club, Victoria Street. Supported by The Detonators.

5 Dec 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supported by The Mersey Gonks, and The 4 Originals.

13 Dec 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supported by The Mersey Gonks, and The Coins.

24 Dec 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supported by The Mersey Gonks, The Coins, and The Silhouettes.

26 Feb 1966, Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supported by The Mersey Gonks, and The Precinct.

Hank Walter's Dusty Road Ramblers

Formed in Liverpool.
See The Dusty Road Ramblers.

Lance Fortune

Real Name: Chris Morris
Born: Liverpool
Solo singer.

Lance Fortune was a singer who was managed by Larry Parnes.


Known Gigs

3 May 1960 Liverpool Stadium, Supporting Gene Vincent. See poster below.

Cass and the Casanovas

Members

Brian Casser - rhythm guitar, vocals
Adrian Barber - lead guitar
Brian Hudson - drums

Johnny Hutchinson - drums
Johnny Gustafson - bass guitar

Formed in Liverpool.
Brian Hudson was a jazz drummer and a university student while he was in Cass and the Casanovas. He left around July 1959 and was replaced by Johnny Hutchinson, temporarily at first.
Johnny Gustafson joined soon after on bass guitar, although he had to borrow a converted acoustic guitar for the first few performances.

On 10 May 1960, the group auditioned for Larry Parnes who was looking for groups to back his singers on tour. The audition took place at the Wyvern Social club in Seel Street. Other groups to audition were Derry and the Seniors, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cliff Roberts and the Rockers and the Silver Beetles. The Silver Beetles drummer, Tommy Moore, was late and so Johnny Hutchinson sat in. Parnes then booked the Cassanovas, the Seniors and the Silver Beetles to back his singers and the Cassanovas went on to provide backing for two of Parnes' artists, Johnny Gentle and Duffy Power.

Brian Casser left the group and Liverpool itself towards the end of 1960 to move to London. He later formed the group Casey Jones and the Engineers, which featured a young Eric Clapton.

As a trio, the group changed their name to The Big Three.

Known Gigs

3 May 1960 Liverpool Stadium, Supporting Gene Vincent. See poster below.

This was a concert promoted by Allan Williams and Larry Parnes.















15 May 1960 Liverpool, The Iron Door Club. Lunchtime session. With The Silver Beetles.
15 Jun 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Eddie Storm and the Clubmen.
29 Jun 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Dale Roberts and the Jaywalkers.
19 Oct 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern.With Ray Walker and the Delrenas.
26 Oct 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern. Lunchtime session.
2 Nov 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern. Supporting Lance Fortune (backed by The Jaywalkers). With Nick Olsen and the Aces.
16 Nov 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern. Supporting Emile Ford and the Checkmates. With Gerry and the Pacemakers.
30 Nov 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Gerry and the Pacemakers.
14 Dec 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern. Supporting The John Barry Seven. With Duke Duval.
16 Dec 1960. Liverpool, St. George's Hall. Arts Ball. With Gerry and the Pacemakers, Tommy and the Metronomes, The Remo Quartet, Hank Walters' Dusty Road Ramblers, Ozzy Burton's Jazz Aces and The Rod Hopman Jazzmen. There may have been others on the bill.

The Prophets

Members

Steve Douglas - vocals
Phil Cordell - guitar, vocals (Died: 31 March 2007)
Mick Ware - guitar, vocals
Geoff Hawkins - bass guitar
Derrick 'Del' Gough - drums

Freddie Fields - bass guitar

Formed in London in 1964 as Steve Douglas and the Challengers. Changed their name to The Prophets in 1965.
The Prophets did some recording with producer Joe Meek, but nothing was ever issued.
Phil Cordell, Mick Ware and Derrick Gough later formed Tuesday's Children.
Phil Cordell also later released material in the 1970s as Dan the Banjo Man and also Springwater.  In 1984 he released material under his own name.
Disbanded in 1966.

Known Gigs

17 May 1965 Potters Bar, Ritz Cinema. Supporting Them, Screaming Lord Sutch and His Seven Savages. With The Zephyrs, The Mark Four, and Kerri Clark. Lee Everitt (compere).

Steve Douglas and the Challengers

Members

Steve Douglas - vocals
Phil Cordell - guitar, vocals (Died: 31 March 2007)
Mick Ware - guitar, vocals
Freddie Fields - bass guitar
Derrick 'Del' Gough - drums

Formed in London in 1964.
Steve Douglas and the Challengers later changed their name to The Prophets in 1965.
Phil Cordell, Mick Ware and Derrick Gough later formed Tuesday's Children.
Phil Cordell also later released material in the 1970s as Dan the Banjo Man and also Springwater.  In 1984 he released material under his own name.

Known Gigs

16 Apr 1965 Cheshunt, Wolsy Hall. Supporting The Migil 5. With Eleanor and the Sapphires, Kenny Lee and the Mark Four, and (another band).

Tuesday's Children

Members

Phil Cordell - vocals, guitar (Died: 31 March 2007)
Mick Ware - guitar, vocals
Derrick 'Del' Gough - drums

Paul Kendrick - bass

Bob Hodges - keyboards
Roger Davies - saxophone
Phil McKenzie - saxophone
Hilary Roy - trumpet

Formed in Hornchurch, London in 1966.
Managed by Dave Vidler in 1967.
Managed by Rufus Manning Associates from 1968 to 1970.
Phil Cordell, Mick Ware and Del Gough had been members of Steve Douglas and the Challengers. They changed the name of the band in 1965 to The Prophets and eventually evolved into Tuesday's Children.
The band performed as a trio for a while until Paul Kendrick joined.

 Top to bottom: Phil Cordell, Derrick Gough, Mick Ware.

















Phil Cordell left in 1967. He later released material in the 1970s as Dan the Banjo Man and also Springwater. In 1984 he released material under his own name.
Bob Hodges, Roger Davies, Hilary Roy and Phil McKenzie joined in 1967.
Bob Hodges had previously been in The Attack and was later a member of Czar.
Mick Ware was later a member of Consortium and Czar.
Del Gough was later a member of Czar.
Paul Kendrick was later a member of Czar and Tucky Buzzard.
Tuesday's Children evolved into the band Czar in 1970.

This is a poster for a gig at the Roadmender Club, Northampton, 22nd December 1967. This shows the short-lived 6-piece line-up of August - November 1967, L-R: Paul Kendrick, Roger Davies, Derrick Gough (seated), Mick Ware, Phil McKenzie, Bob Hodges















Known Gigs

6 Nov 1967 London, Marquee Club, Wardour Street, W1
22 Dec 1967 Northampton, Roadmender Club
28 Dec 1967 London, Marquee Club, Wardour Street, W1. Supporting The Amboy Dukes.
29 Sep 1968 Wokingham, Masonic Hall.
15 Feb 1969 London, University College, Gower Street. Grand Valentine Rag Ball. Supporting The Nice. With Deep Purple, and Cymbaline.
26 May 1969 Cambridge, Dorothy Ballroom.
8 Jun 1969 Cambridge, Midsummer Pop Festival. Many other artists playing.
10 Jun 1969 Cambridge, Caius College May Ball. Many other artists playing.
12 Sep 1969 London, LyceumBallroom. Supporting King Crimson. With Train.
13 Mar 1970 Stafford, College of Technology Ball, Beaconside. With Idle Race, Third Party, The Web, Smokey City Jazz Band, and Pentacle. Although billed as Tuesday's Children, the band had actually changed their name to Czar by the time this gig came around.

The Anzacs

Members



Formed in Liverpool.

The Dusty Road Ramblers

Members

Ralph 'Hank' Walters - vocals, guitar, accordian, piano, bagpipes
Jimmy Dunning - guitar

Formed in Liverpool in the 1950s.
Originally a skiffle and country band who played many times at The Cavern when it was still prodiminantly a jazz club.
Featured twice on the LP 'Liverpool Goes Country' on the Rex label in 1965. There was also an EP of the same name released by the band.
Also known as Hank Walters and the Dusty Road Ramblers, Hank Walters' Dusty Road Ramblers, The Dusty Road Ramblers Skiffle Group and Hank Walters and his Dusty Road Ramblers.
Hank Walters was still playing with his band well into the 1990s.

UK Singles

1981 Close to the Edge/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You                          Ellie Jay EJSP 9797

UK EPs

1965 Liverpool Goes Country                                                                         Rex EPR 5002

UK LPs

1979 Progress                                                                                                  Rox ROX LP 003

Television Appearances

29 Jan 1979  Ken Dodd Laughter Show.

Known Gigs

24 Jul 1957 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Gin Mill Skiffle Group, and Calandonie Skiffle Group.
   (Billed as Dusty Road Ramblers Skiffle Group)
31 Jul 1957 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group, and Blue Genes Skiffle Group. (Billed as Dusty Road Ramblers Skiffle Group. On the same bill as Ringo Starr who was playing with Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group.)
11 Jan 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street.
16 Dec 1960. Liverpool, St. George's Hall. Arts Ball. With Gerry and the Pacemakers, Tommy and the Metronomes, The Remo Quartet, Cass and the Casanovas, Ozzy Burton's Jazz Aces and The Rod Hopman Jazzmen. There may have been others on the bill.

Robin and the Ravens

Members

Robin (Mike McPhillips) - washboard

Nicky Crouch - lead guitar, vocals

Eric London - bass guitar  
Billy Jones - rhythm guitar

Trevor Morais - drums

 

Formed in Liverpool.

Originally formed as The Hi-Hats, a skiffle group, in the late 1950s.

Also known as The Ravens.

Eventually became Faron and the Flamingos.

 

Known Gigs

 

31 May 1961 Liverpool, The Cavern. Lunchtime session.

28 Jun 1961 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes, and The Galvanizers.

29 Jul 1961 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Mike Peters' Florida Jazz Band.

The Ravens

Members

Nicky Crouch - guitar, vocals
Trevor Morais - drums

Formed in Liverpool.
The Ravens were originally a skiffle group called The Hi-Hats. They changed their name to The Ravens in 1959 and then added a singer called Robin and were sometimes billed as Robin and the Ravens. This group eventually morphed into Faron and the Flamingos.

Known Gigs

16 Aug 1961 Liverpool, The Cavern. Lunchtime session.
30 Aug 1961 Liverpool, The Cavern. Lunchtime session.

The Hi-Hats

Members

Nicky Crouch - lead guitar, vocals
Eric London - oil drum bass
Billy Jones - guitar
Herbie Lloyd - washboard
Trevor Morais - drums (initially homemade)

Formed in the late 1950s in Liverpool as a skiffle group.
In 1959 they evolved into a beat group called The Ravens and added a singer called Robin.
They were also billed as Robin and the Ravens.
In September 1961, they changed their name to Faron and the Flamingos when Bill Ruffley joined as a vocalist. Ruffley's nickname was Faron.

The Chants

Members

Joe Ankrah - vocals
Eddie Ankrah - vocals
Nat Smeda - vocals
Alan Harding - vocals
Eddie Amoo - vocals

Formed in Toxteth, Liverpool in 1962 as The Shades.
The Chants were a vocal group who were usually backed by The Harlems.
In 1962/63 The Chants were managed by Brian Epstein.
Appeared at The Cavern in November 1962, backed by The Beatles.
Eddie Amoo had success in the 1970s as a songwriter and later as a member of his brother Chris Amoo's band 'The Real Thing'.

Known Gigs

 

21 Mar 1964 Hastings, Pier Ballroom. With The Harlems.

3 Apr 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern. Lunchtime session. With The Escorts, The Green Beats, The Valkyries, and The Harlems.

16 Apr 1964 Liverpool, The Iron Door, Temple Street. With The Harlems, and The Excheckers.

14 Nov 1964 Nottingham, Dungeon Club.

23 Jul 1966 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Re-opening of The Cavern. All day/All night session. With The Hideaways, The Signs and The Times, The Tremas, The Escorts, Dark Ages, Georgia's Germs, The Excelles, The Strandmen, The Seftons, The Carrolls, The Dollies, The Senates, The Dark Ages, The Rock House Band and The Prowlers. Marty Wilde, Georgie Fame, Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick and Titch, The Bachelors, The Searchers, Billy J Kramer, The Fourmost, The Merseys, Solomon Burke, Rufus Thomas, The Scaffold and The Pete Best Combo. Plus DJs Jonathan King, Simon Dee, and Jimmy Savile.

The Abstracts

Members

Peter 'Gilly' Gillham - vocals
Pete Darwent - bass guitar, vocals
Paul Richards - lead guitar
Dave 'Mac' McClure - rhythm guitar, vocals
Dave Lawton - drums


Formed in Waterloo, Crosby.
Legally registered the name The Abstracts as a business in 1964.

Known Gigs

18 Dec 1964 Liverpool, Cavern. With The Dennisons, The Notions, and The Kruzads.

A feature in the Liverpool Echo in 1964.

The Ambassadors

Members

Deke Wade - vocals
Eugene McCulloch - rhythm guitar
Dave Dickinson - rhythm guitar
Dave Dover - lead guitar
Stan Booth - drums

Les Eaton - rhythm guitar
Jimmy Bannon - rhythm guitar

Formed in Liverpool.
Eugene McCulloch left and was replaced by Les Eaton.
Dave Dickinson left and was replaced by Jimmy Bannon.
Dave Dover later became a much sought after bass guitarist, playing with Nickleodean, Colonel Bagshot, The Eric Burden Band and Supercharge.

The Denny Seyton Group

See Denny Seyton and the Sabres.

Denny Seyton and the Sabres

Members

Denny Seyton (Brian Tarr) - vocals
John Boyle - bass guitar
Mike 'Saint' Logan - organ
Edward Murphy - lead guitar
Dave Saxon - drums

John (Craig?) Francis - lead guitar
Dave Maher - rhythm guitar
Tommy Walker - drums
Bernie Rogers - drums
Tony Crowley - drums
Dennis 'Blink' Dring - bass guitar
Harold 'Lally' Stott - guitar (Died: 1977 in a car accident)
Robbie 'Little' Scott - bass guitar


Formed in Coventry, but eventually based themselves in Liverpool.
John Francis left the group in 1964 and emigrated to Canada in 1967.
Their final single, which was on Parlophone, was produced by George Martin. Their name was changed to The Denny Seyton Group.
'Blink' Dring was briefly in the group in 1965.
Lally Stott joined in 1965.
Tony Crowley joined in 1965.
Robbie 'Little' Scott joined in 1965.
Denny Seyton and the Sabres disbanded in 1966.
Lally Stott, Tony Crowley, Mike Logan and Robbie Scott formed the Motowns in 1966, with the addition of singer Douglas 'Dougie' Meakin and moved to Italy where they had much more success.

UK Singles

1964 Tricky Dicky/Baby What You Want Me To Do?                        Mercury MF 800
   (Released January 1964)
1964 Short Fat Fannie/Give Me Back My Heart                                Mercury MF 814
   (Released 1 May 1964)
1964 The Way You Look Tonight/Hands Off                                     Mercury MF 824
   (Released 14 August 1964. Reached No. 48 in the UK Charts.)
1965 Just a Kiss/In the Flowers by the Trees                                   Parlophone R 5363
   (Released 5 November 1965. Credited to The Denny Seyton Group. Produced by George Martin)

Ad in the New Musical Express.











Television Appearances

10 Sep 1964 'For Teenagers Only' (ATV). With The Fortunes, Billie Davis, The Daly's, Mike Rabin and Peter Lee Stirling.

Known Gigs

1 Dec 1963 Liverpool, Locarno Ballroom. With Sonny Webb and the Cascades.
20 Jun 1964 Liverpool, The Peppermint Lounge, Fraser Street. With The Blackwells, Carol and the Corvettes, and The Musketeers.
23 Jun 1964 Liverpool, The Peppermint Lounge, Fraser Street. With The Fabs, and Earl Royce and the Olympics.
16 Jul 1964 Liverpool, The Peppermint Lounge, Fraser Street. Supported by Ian and the Zodiacs , and Chris and the Autocrats.
8 Aug 1964 Barrow in Furness, Coronation Hall. With The Blue Beats.
15 Aug 1964 St. Leonards, Witch Doctor. With The Hustlers.
8 Nov 1964 Burton upon Trent, 76 Club.