Big Sixties Music Blog: Johnny Templer and the Hi-Cats

With Barbara Harrison.

Members

Johnny Templer (John Dempsey) - vocals
Austin 'Aussie' Brown - rhythm guitar
Tony Gaskell - bass guitar
Brian Cochen - drums
Vic Grace - lead guitar, vocals

Dave Collins - bass guitar
Roy Wood (Roy Jay) - lead guitar
Stan Smith - lead guitar
Pete Orr - drums
Mal Thory - drums
Barbara Harrison - vocals

The Hi-Cats originally formed in 1961.
Vic Grace had previously been in Mark Peters and the Cyclones.
They added a vocalist, Wally Staines, and went under the name Danny Havoc and the Hi-Cats.
When Wally Staines left they added Johnny Templer as their new lead vocalist.
Roy Wood replaced Vic Grace Grace on lead guitar.
Vic Grace was later in Danny Havoc and the Ventures who evolved into The Secrets.
Roy Wood sadly committed suicide a few months after joining the group and was replaced by Stan Smith.
Brian Cochen left and was replaced by Pete Orr and then he was soon replaced by Mal Thory.
Pete Orr was later in Groups Inc.
Came 20th 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 in January 1963.
Barbara Harrison would occasionally join the group for gigs and they will ed billed as Johnny Templer and the Hi-Cats with Barbara.
Auditioned at the Rialto Ballroom, Liverpool, to be considered for playing at The Star Club in Hamburg. They were offered a residency but the deal didn't go through after there was doubt within the group.
Aussie Brown left and was later in The Secrets.
After Johnny Templer and the Hi-Ctas disbanded, some of the members reformed as The Borderliners.