The Matadors

Members

Neil Tyson - vocals, guitar, harmonica (Died:?)
Dave Finlay (Findlay) - rhythm guitar, organ, vocals
Dave Colkin - bass, vocals
Harry Heppingstall - drums

Larry Spain - vocals

Formed in Hinckley, Leicestershire in 1962 as The Rapiers.
Managed by Harold Davison, who also managed The Dave Clark Five and The Applejacks.
Their personal manager was Mike James.
Later they were managed by Mick Tiernan.
At one time were known as Larry Spain and the Matadors with singer Larry Spain.
Also known as The Four Matadors.
Recorded 7 songs at Decca Studios in 1964, 6 of which the group wrote themselves.
In 1964 they toured Scotland and appeared on a package tour with Billy J Kramer.
In 1965 The Matadors won a poll organised through the Coventry Express newspaper for the most popular beat group of the area. The Little Darlin's came second.
Recorded a few songs in 1965 with iconic producer Joe Meek.
Played regularly at The Walsgrave in Coventry.
Played over 700 gigs. 
Two of the Joe Meek recordings were eventually leased to Columbia Records who put out a single as The Four Matadors in 1966.
Disbanded in 1967.
Neil Tyson and Dave Colkin later formed Magazine.
Harry Heppingstall was later in Natural Gas, A Band Called George, Wave, Khayyam, and Paul Leegan and the Legends.

UK Singles

1966 A Man's Gotta Stand Tall/Fast Cars and Money                        Columbia DB 7806
   (Credited to The Four Matadors. Produced by Joe Meek)

Known Gigs

12 Jan 1964 Coventry, Coventry Theatre. Supporting Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. With The Mighty Avengers, The Mustangs, Tony Martin and the Echo Four, and Lynn Curtis.