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.