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.