The Cadillacs

Members

Steve Duggan - guitar, vocals
Paul Nash - bass guitar


Formed in Widnes.
Formerly known as Rocky Stone and the Pebbles.
Steve Duggan and Paul Nash were later in The Addicts.

Rocky Stone and the Pebbles

Members

Steve Duggan - guitar, vocals
Paul Nash - bass guitar


Formed in Widnes.
The group changed their name to The Cadillacs.
Steve Duggan and Paul Nash were later in The Addicts.

The Pressmen

Members





Formed in Wallasey.
In April 1962 The Pressmen added Derry Wilkie as their singer and became Derry Wilkie and the Pressmen.

Known Gigs

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, The Big Three, Dale Roberts and the Jayhawks, Derry and the Seniors, Ray and the Del-Renas, Johnny Rocco and the Jets, and Faron and the Tempest Tornadoes.
5 Apr 1961 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Searchers (with Johnny Sandon on lead vocals)

The Toreadors

Members






Formed on Merseyside.

Known Gigs

23 Apr 1962 Liverpool, St. John's Hall, Oriel Road. Easter Monday Carnival. With Faron's Flamingos, The Dennisons, and Clay Ellis and the Raiders.

Gus and the Thunderclaps

Members




Formed on Merseyside.

Known Gigs

24 Jun 1961 Liverpool, L.J.'s, Temple Street. With The Delacardos, Dee Fenton and the Silhouettes, and Steve Day and the Jets.
9 Feb 1962 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. With Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Billy Kramer and the Coasters.

The Echolets

Members





Formed on Merseyside.

Known Gigs

10 Feb 1962 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. With The Swinging Blue Genes, and Tony Osborne and His Band.

The Rainchecks

Members

Derek Bond - bass guitar




Formed in Liverpool.
Derek Bond was later in Derry Wilkie and the Pressmen and Derry Wilkie and the Others.

Derry Wilkie and the Others

Members

Derry Wilkie - vocals (Born: 10 January 1941, Kent Gardens, Liverpool - Died: 22 December 2001)
Willie Van Geffen - lead guitar

Howard Morris - bass guitar
Phil Kenzie - tenor saxophone
Tommy Bennett - drums

Bob Montgomery - bass guitar
Ernie Hayes - lead guitar
Derek Bond - bass guitar
Mike Holmes - drums

In late 1963, Freddy Starr needed a group to take to Germany with him. So several members of Derry Wilkie and the Pressmen left for Germany without warning. Dave Carden, Dave Roberts, Bob Pears and Ainsley Dunbar went to Hamburg as The Flamingos backing Freddy Starr till the end of 1964. Derry Wilkie and Phil Kenzie were forced to form another group in early 1964 to satisfy bookings with Willie Van Geffen on lead guitar, Howard Morris on bass guitar and Tommy Bennett brought back briefly on drums, but soon to be replaced by Mike Holmes.
Mike Homes had previously been in The Four Dees.
Derek Bond had previously been in The Rainchecks.
Derry Wilkie and the Others played all over the UK and also travelled to Germany to play the clubs.
Disbanded in mid 1965 and Derry, Ernie Hayes, Derek Bond, Phil Kenzie and Mike Holmes reformed Derry Wilkie and the Pressmen once more.

Derry Wilkie and the Pressmen

Members

Derry Wilkie - vocals (Born: 10 January 1941, Kent Gardens, Liverpool - Died: 22 December 2001)
Bob Pears - bass guitar, vocals
Ritchie Prescott - lead guitar, piano
Dave Roberts - rhythm guitar, baritone saxophone
Tommy Bennett - drums
Phil Kenzie - tenor saxophone

Dave Carden - lead guitar
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Ad Flowerday - lead guitar
Willie Van Geffen - lead guitar
Howard Morris - bass guitar
Ernie Hayes - lead guitar
Derek Bond - bass guitar
Mike Holmes - drums

Formed in Wallasey in April 1962.
Also billed as Derry and the Pressmen.
Derry Wilkie had previously been in Derry Wilkie and the Seniors, and Howie Casey and the Seniors.
In May 1963 Derry Wilkie and the Pressmen won a 'Beat Group' competition, winning a Decca recording contract, but Decca made excuses and didn't give it to them stating that Wilkie couldn't stand still in front of a microphone and they didn't write their own songs. They also said they weren't commercial enough. Although recordings were made, none of them were released.
The group did record a song with the Oriole label's leading A&R man, John Schroeder, aided by recording engineer Geoff Frost, at the Rialto Ballroom in Liverpool. The song was 'Hallelujah, I Love Her So'. It was recorded live without an audience. The song was included on the 'This is Merseybeat' LP released by Oriole in July 1963.
Aynsley Dunbar replaced Tommy Bennett on drums in August 1963, when Bennett left to get married.
Auditioned in front of Henry Henroid at the Rialto Ballroom, Liverpool in December 1963, to be considered for playing at The Star Club in Hamburg.
Ritchie Prescott left in 1963 because he didn't want to go professional. He was replaced by Dave Carden who had played with Freddie Starr and the Midnighters.
In late 1963, Freddy Starr needed a group to take to Germany with him. So several members of the Pressmen left for Germany without warning. Dave Carden, Dave Roberts, Bob Pears and Ainsley Dunbar went to Hamburg as The Flamingos backing Freddy Starr till the end of 1964.
Derry Wilkie and Phil Kenzie were forced to form another group in early 1964 with Willie Van Geffen on lead guitar, Howard Morris on bass guitar and Tommy Bennett, brought back briefly on drums, but soon to be replaced by Mike Holmes.
Mike Holmes had previously been in The Four Dees.
Derek Bond replaced Howard Morris.
Derek Bond had previously been in The Rainchecks.
The new group was called Derry Wilkie and the Others and they played for about 18 months and then reverted back to the name Derry Wilkie and the Pressmen in mid 1965 with Derry, Ernie Hayes, Derek Bond, Phil Kenzie and Mike Holmes.
They disbanded for good in early 1966.
The Pressmen then became part of Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages until mid 1966 when Derry, Ernie, Derek and Phil joined The Freddie Mack Show also known as This'N'That.

Howie Casey and the Seniors

Members

Howie Casey - saxophone
Brian Griffiths - lead guitar
Freddie Fowell - vocals
Derry Wilkie - vocals (Born: 10 January 1941, Kent Gardens, Liverpool - Died: 22 December 2001)
Phil Whitehead - bass guitar
Frank Wibberley - drums

Lu Walters - bass guitar
Frank Bowen - bass guitar (Born: 19 Dec 1943 - Died: 25 October 1967)
John O'Hara - bass guitar
Kenny Hardin - drums

Formed in 1961 in Liverpool after Derry Wilkie and the Seniors temporarily split.
First Liverpool beat group to make a record in 1962.
Frank Bowen replaced Phil Whitehead on bass guitar.
Lu Walters briefly replaced Frank Bowen on bass guitar. Lou Walters had been in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
Disbanded in June 1962.
Frederick Fowell joined The Midnighters as Freddie Starr.
Brian Griffiths joined The Big Three.
Howie Casey joined Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes.
Frank Wibberley joined The Lee Eddie Five.
Derry Wilkie later fronted the Pressmen as Derry and the Pressmen. He also fronted Derry Wilkie and the Others and was later involved in Screaming Lord Sutch's Savages.

The Hy-Tones

Members

Howie Casey - saxophone
Billy Hughes - lead guitar
Brian Griffiths - lead guitar
Stan Johnson - rhythm guitar
Jimmy O’Connor - bass, vocals
Stan Foster - piano
Derek Gill - drums

Derry Wilkie - vocals

Formed in Huyton, Liverpool in the late 1950s.
Derry Wilkie joined at the end of 1959.
The group split in 1960 with some members starting a new group called Derry Wilkie and the Seniors.

Clay Ellis and the Raiders

Left to right: Kenny Cochran, Malcolm Shelbourne, Clay Ellis, John Edmonds and Les Belamere.

Members

Clay Ellis (William Carruthers) - vocals (Died: 1996)

Malcolm Shelbourne - bass guitar

John Edmonds - lead guitar

Les Belamere - rhythm guitar

Kenny Cochran - drums

Bobby Turner - guitar (Born: 14 February 1949 - Died: August 2018)

Formed in 1960 in Wallasey, Wirral, Cheshire.

John Edmonds left the group about 6 months after its formation when he had to go back to Essex after his Unilever apprenticeship training finished in Bromborough village on the Wirral.
After Les Belamere left, Bobby Turner joined as the only guitarist.

Clay Ellis was apparently approached by Brian Epstein in 1962 to sign a deal, but it would have meant that Ellis would be separated from The Raiders. He turned it down.
Recorded a demo acetate of 'Put The Blame On Me', 'I'm a Fool For You', 'Here's Hopin'', and 'I'm A Hog For You' in 1963.

Disbanded in late 1963.

Clay Ellis was later in Clay Ellis and the Corsairs, and Mr. Lee & Co.

Malcolm Shelbourne was later in Savva and the Democrats, Gerry De Ville and the City Kings, and Purple Grass, who later changed their name to Rainbow (not the Rainbow formed by Ritchie Blackmore).

Kenny Cochran was later in The Koobas before joining the backing group for The Excelles.

Bobby Turner later formed The Landsliders in 1963 who changed their name to The Black Abbots around 1964.

Thanks to John Edmonds for the pictures and additional information.

1960.





















Known Gigs

A village hall gig in 1960.

14 Mar 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Supporting The Beatles. With Gerry and the Pacemakers.
23 Apr 1962 Liverpool, St. John's Hall, Oriel Road. Easter Monday Carnival. With Faron's Flamingos, The Dennisons, and The Toreadors.
22 Jun 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Supporting The Beatles. With The Olympics.
3 Aug 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With Alby and the Sorrals, and Ray Malcolm and the Sunsets.

8 Sep 1962 Heswall, Heswall Jazz Club (Barnston Women's Institute), 118 Barnston Road, Heswall, Wirral. Supporting Gerry and the Pacemakers.

14 Sep 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Dakotas, Alby and the Sorrals, Dee Fenton and the Silhouettes.
30 Sep 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Supporting The Beatles. With The Red River Jazzmen.

1960.

The Dennisons

Members

Eddie Parry - vocals guitar (Died: 1995)
Steve McLaren - lead guitar, vocals (Born: 1946 - Died: 2008)
Ray Scragg - rhythm guitar, vocals (Born: 4 August 1946, Walton, Liverpool - Died: 7 February 2001)
Alan Willis - bass guitar
Clive Hornby – drums (Born: 20 October 1944 (or 1945 according to 'This Is Your Life') - Died: 3 July 2008, Leeds, Yorkshire)

Terry 'Tex' Carson – bass guitar (Born: 1946 - Died: 1991)
Colin Areety - vocals (Died: 2005)

Formed in Aintree, Liverpool in July 1961.
Originally managed by Bill Hornby, Clive's dad.

On 9th Feb 1962 the Liverpool Echo ran this ad.





A fan club for The Dennisons was started in the summer of 1962, by Mary Travis. According to the 'This Is Your Life' television programme in 1997, there was a fan club run by Clive Hornby's mother.
Eddie Parry gave up the guitar to concentrate on his singing and stage performance.
Had a Saturday night residency at the BICC Club in Melling, Liverpool.
The Dennisons turned professional in December 1962 after achieving major local success very quickly.
Alan Willis decided not to turn pro and left the group, to be replaced by Terry Carson on bass guitar in December 1962.

Came 3rd 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.
Signed a management deal with Kennedy Street Enterprises, Manchester, in 1963.
Appeared on the UK television show 'Ready Steady Go!' on 22 May 1964 singing 'Walking the Dog', their second single release.
Eddie Parry left in March 1965 and was evetually replaced by Colin Areety on vocals, and the band played more soul music.
Disbanded in 1967.

Clive Hornby became an actor and was a major long-standing character on the UK television soap opera Emmerdale Farm (later 'Emmerdale') playing the character Jack Sugden.
Steve McLaren became a respected classical guitarist.
In 1991 The Dennisons reunited to perform at a memorial concert for Terry Carson.
Clive Hornby was the subject of the UK television version of 'This Is Your Life' in 1997, which included contributions from fellow former Dennisons, Steve McLaren and Ray Scragg.

L-R: Clive Hornby, Ray Scragg and Steve McLaren on 'This Is Your Life' in 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1997, Ray Scragg put together a new group called The Dennisons 2000.

 

Known Gigs

 

23 Apr 1962 Liverpool, St. John's Hall, Oriel Road. Easter Monday Carnival. With Faron's Flamingos, Clay Ellis and the Raiders, and The Torreadors.

23 Apr 1962 Liverpool, Orrel Park Ballroom. With Gerry and the Pacemakers, and The Undertakers.

25 May 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With Mike Berry and the Outlaws.

29 May 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. The Swinging Blue Genes, and Johnny Peters and the Crestas.

25 Jul 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Supporting The Beatles. With Ian and the Zodiacs, and The Dakotas.

1 Nov 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With The Undertakers.

31 Dec 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With Lee Castle and the Barons, Mark Peters and the Cyclones. 

2 Apr 1963 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Black Knights, Lee Shondell and the Boys, and The Citrons.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 Jul 1964 Nottingham, Dungeon Club. With Big Ugly Dane and the Diamonds. This was the club's opening night. 

14 Aug 1964 Nottingham, Dungeon Club. With The Beatmen.

The Dakotas

Members

Robin MacDonald - rhythm guitar, later bass guitar
Bryn Jones - lead guitar
Tony Mansfield (Tony Bookbinder) - drums
Ian Fraser - bass guitar

Ray Jones - bass guitar
Mike Maxfield - lead guitar
Mick Green- lead guitar
Frank Farley - drums

Formed in Manchester.
A mainly instrumental group.
Backed Pete Maclaine from February 1962 to January 1963.
Ray Jones replaced Ian Fraser on bass guitar in 1961/62.
Mike Maxfield joined in February 1962.
Mike Maxfield was previously in The Coasters.
Backed Billy J. Kramer from 1963 and were managed by Brian Epstein at this time.
Ray Jones left in July 1964. Robin MacDonald moved to bass guitar.
Mick Green joined in July 1964.
Mick Green had previously played with Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.
Mike Maxfield left in 1965 to concentrate on songwriting.
For a while The Dakotas played as a trio.
Frank Farley replaced Tony Mansfield on drums in 1966.
When Billy J. Kramer broke the partnership with The Dakotas in September 1967 the band's career went into decline and they disbanded in 1968.
Robin MacDonald, Mick Green and Frank Farley joined Cliff Bennett's backing band.
The Dakotas reformed in the late 1980s with Tony Mansfield, Mike Maxfield, and new members Eddie Mooney on vocals and Toni Baker. Later Mansfield and Maxfield left the group and no original members were left, but the Dakotas carried on using the name.
Mike Maxfield is still involved with the Dakotas behind the scenes

UK Singles

1963 The Cruel Sea/The Millionaire                                                                     Parlophone R 5044
   (Released 5 July 1963. A-side and B-side written by Mike Maxfield. Reached No. 18 in the UK charts.)
1963 Magic Carpet/Humdinger                                                                             Parlophone R 5064
   (Released 27 Sep 1963. A-side written by George Martin. B-side written by Maxfield and MacDonald)
1964 Oyeh/Hallo Josephine (Also called My Girl Josephine on stock copies)     Parlophone R 5203
   (Released October 1964. A-side written by MacDonald, Maxfield, Mansfield, Green)
1967 I'm 'N 'Ardworkin' Barrow Boy/Seven Pounds Of Potatoes                         Page One POF 018
   (Released 10 March 1967. A-side written by Farley and Green. B-side written by Green and MacDonald.)
1968 I Can't Break The News To Myself/The Spider And The Fly                       Philips BF 1645
   (Released 1 March 1968. B-side written by Green and MacDonald.)

Known Gigs

25 Jul 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Supporting The Beatles. With Ian and the Zodiacs, and The Dennisons.
10 Aug 1962 Liverpool, The Royal Iris Ferry. Supporting Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. With The Beatles.

The Surfers

Members

Simon Edwards - lead guitar
Tony Lawry - rhythm guitar
Graham Cheetham - bass guitar (Died: 2001)
Phil Blake - drums (Died: 2005)

Keith Strick - vocals (Died: 2007)
Alex Wilson - bass guitar

Formed in Praa Sands, Cornwall.
Formerly known as The Nitewalkers.
Managed by George Blake, the father of drummer Phil Blake.
They started out playing only instrumentals.
They changed their name and then looked for a vocalist. Keith Strick joined the group.
In March 1964 they came fourth in Cornwall’s ‘Rock & Rhythm Championships’ at Truro City Hall out of twenty groups.
Alex Wilson replaced Graham Cheetham in September 1965.
Disbanded in autumn 1966.
Keith Strick was later in Circuit Five.
Simon Edwards was later in Circuit Five and Supernatural.
Phil Blake was later in Supernatural.

The Nitewalkers

Members

Simon Edwards - lead guitar
Tony Lawry - rhythm guitar
Graham Cheetham - bass guitar
Phil Blake - drums

Formed in Praa Sands, Cornwall in 1962.
Managed by George Blake, the father of drummer Phil Blake.
Played instrumentals.
Later known as The Surfers.

Tony D and the Shakeouts

Members

Tony D (Ian Goodall) - lead guitar, vocals

Peter Brooks - bass guitar, vocals

Ian Fenn - piano, vocals

Barry Satchelle - drums ,vocals

 

 

Featured in a big ad for the single 'Is It True' on the front cover of NME music paper.

The Kestrels

Members

Tony Burrows - vocals
Roger Greenaway - vocals
Roger Maggs - vocals
Geoff Williams - vocals

Pete Gullane
Roger Cook

Formed in Bristol in the late 1950s.
A vocal harmony quartet.
Formerly known as The Beltones and The Hi-Fi's.
Sang back-up vocals behind Joe Brown, Billy Fury, Eden Kane, and Benny Hill, and many more, and made dozens of television appearances between 1958 and 1964.
The group members did their national service in the Army at the same time, continuing to work together whenever possible, and finishing in 1960.

The Strangers

Members

Dale Saunders - vocals



Formed in Hollingbury, Brighton.

Dale Saunders and the Sapphires

Members

Dale Saunders (Bob Saunders) - vocals
Winston Weatherill - lead guitar
Trevor Duplock - rhythm guitar
Dave Price - bass guitar
John Hills - drums

Formed in 1961 as the Sapphires.
Dale Saunders joined in 1962.
Had a residency at the Starlight Rooms in Brighton.
Had a residency at The Florida Rooms in Brighton.
Dale Saunders left in 1963.
Dale Saunders was later in the Brighton group The Strangers.
The Sapphires carried on with a new singer and became Mickey and the Sapphires.

The Sapphires

Members

Winston Weatherill - lead guitar
Trevor Duplock - rhythm guitar
Dave Price - bass guitar
John Hills - drums


Formed in Brighton in 1961.
A mainly instrumental group until they were joined by Bob Saunders on vocals and became Dale Saunders and the Sapphires.
Later in their history they changed their lead singer again and became Mickey and the Sapphires.
Had a residency at the Starlight Rooms in Brighton.

Bobby Sansom and the Giants

Members

Bobby Sansom - vocals
Trevor Duplock - guitar, vocals
Mick Grimwade - bass guitar
Bill Smith - lead guitar (Died: December 2017)
John Hills - drums

Formed in Brighton.
John Hills and Trevor Duplock had previously been in The Sapphires.
Auditioned in front of Henry Henroid at the Rialto Ballroom, Liverpool in December 1963, to be considered for playing at The Star Club in Hamburg.
Played The Cavern in Liverpool and The Star Club in Hamburg in March and April 1964.
Toured Germany with Jerry Lee Lewis in 1964.
Bobby Sansom left in the summer of 1964 and went to the USA.
The band continued as The Giants and eventually became Tony Grant and the Giants.

UK Singles

1963 There's a Place/Lucille                                                                                            Oriole CB 1873
   (Released 7 June 1963)

1963 Where Have You Been/Do You Promise                                                                Oriole CB 1888
   (Released Nov 1963)

Known Gigs

23 Jan 1964 Brighton, Starlight Rooms.
16 Feb 1964 East Grinstead, Whitehall.
3 Mar 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Dions, The Roadrunners, and The Rockin' Rivals.
14 Mar 1964 Hastings, Pier Ballroom. Supported by Jimmy Crawford and the Shantells.
25 Apr 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street, Lunchtime session. With The Hideaways, and The Soundsmen.
25 Apr 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Evening session. With The Valkyries, and The Soundsmen.
12 May 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Lunchtime session. With The Redcaps.
12 May 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Evening session. With  The Clayton Squares, Carol and the Corvettes, and The Diamonds.

In Doncaster.

Mickey and the Sapphires

Members

Mickey Marchant - vocals
Winston Weatherill - lead guitar
Trevor Duplock - rhythm guitar, vocals
Stuart Parkes - bass guitar
John Hills - drums

Formed in Brighton in 1961 as The Sapphires.
Were formerly known as Dale Saunders and the Sapphires with their original singer.
Had a residency at the Starlight Rooms in Brighton.
John Hills and Trevor Duplock were later in Bobby Sansom and the Giants, and Tony Grant and the Giants.

Known Gigs

Apr 1963 Crawley, Railway Hotel. With The Blue Pacifics with Jonny Ocean, and Julie Vaga, and Dale Swain.
Dec 1963 Brighton, Starlight Rooms. Had a four-night-per-week residency here at this time.
31 Mar 1964 Brighton, Regent Ballroom. With The Chimes, The Zodiacs, and The Ron Smith Quartet.

The Red Sox Skiffle Group

Members

Freddie Garrity - vocals, guitar
Paddy Doherty - lead guitar
Pete Doherty - double bass
Douglas Eyre - washboard
David Johnson - banjo
Derek Garrity

Formed in Manchester in 1957.
Freddie Garrity was later in The John Norman Four, The Kingfishers, and Freddie and the Dreamers.

The Pathfinders

Members

Ron Reed - vocals
Ron Shaughnessy - rhythm guitar
John Court - lead guitar
Rob Hermans - bass guitar
Alan Burtonshaw - drums

Formed in Brighton.

Sonny Kaye and the Reds

Members

Sonny Kaye (Frank Keenan) - vocals
Billy Mullen - lead guitar
John Ashton - bass guitar
Terry Lewis - drums

Gary Lloyd - rhythm guitar
Ronald Quine - bass guitar
Tony Moffatt - rhythm guitar
Harold Nelson - saxophone
Harry Cosgrove - drums

Formed in Runcorn.
Managed by Eric Hayes.
Ronald Quine replaced John Ashton on bass guitar in 1961.

Known Gigs

3 Sep 1962 Widnes, Queen's Hall. Supporting The Beatles. With Billy Kramer and the Coasters, and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
10 Sep 1962 Widnes, Queen's Hall. Supporting The Beatles. With Billy Kramer and the Coasters, and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
17 Sep 1962 Widnes, Queen's Hall. Supporting The Beatles. With Billy Kramer and the Coasters, and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
31 Dec 1962 Liverpool, St. George's Hall. Supporting The Original Checkmates. With Johnny Templer and the Hi-Cats.

The Searchers

Members

Tony Jackson - bass guitar, vocals (Born: 16 July 1938, The Dingle, Liverpool, Lancashire - Died: 18 August 2003, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire)
John McNally - rhythm guitar
Mike Pender - lead guitar, vocals
Norman McGarry - drums

Chris Curtis - drums, vocals (Born: 26 August 1941 - Died: 28 February 2005)
Frank Allen - bass guitar, vocals (Born: 14 December 14, 1943 in Hayes, Middlesex)

Formed as a skiffle group in 1959 in Liverpool.
Norman McGarry left in 1960 and was replaced by Chris Curtis on drums.
Frank Allen replaced Tony Jackson on bass guitar and vocals in 1964.
Tony Jackson was later in Tony Jackson and the Vibrations.

Known Gigs

 

16 Feb 1960 Litherland, Town Hall. With The Zodiacs, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Bobby Bell Rockers, The Dominoes, and The Deltones. 'Gala Rock Night'.

13 Jan 1964 Bloxwich, Baths Hall.

23 Jan 1964 Sheffield, Sheffield University. With The Vantennas, Pete Lloyd and the Strangers, and The Liverbirds.

29 Oct 1964 Worcester, Gaumont. With Dionne Warwick, The Isley Brothers, and The Zombies.

15 Nov 1964 Coventry, Theatre. With Dionne Warwick, The Isley Brothers, and The Zombies.

Johnny Sandon and the Searchers

Members

Johnny Sandon (William Beck) - vocals
John McNally - rhythm guitar
Tony Jackson - bass guitar, vocals
Mike Pender - lead guitar
Chris Curtis - drums


The Searchers joined with Johnny Sandon in 1960.
Came 5th 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.
When Johnny Sandon and the Searchers parted ways in February 1962, Sandon was teamed up with The Remo Four and signed a management deal with Brian Epstein.
The Searchers went on to major national and international success.

Known Gigs

5 Apr 1961 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Pressmen.
18 Apr 1961 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Swinging Blue Genes, and The Remo Four. Blue Genes' guest night.

The Nightwalkers

Members






Formed in London.
Played in Hamburg, Germany at the Top Ten Club in 1963.

Frank Knight and the Barons

Members

Frank Knight - vocals
Graham Hodgson - drums



Formed in Liverpool.
Graham Hodgson had previously been the vocalist for Johnny Rocco and the Jets.
Frank Knight left and the group became Lee Castle and the Barons.

Dale Roberts and the Jaywalkers

 

Members

 

Dale Roberts (George Roberts) - vocals

Phil Rogers - guitar (Died: 14 January 2020)

Phil Howard - bass guitar

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 on 4 January 1962.

Known Gigs

6 Jul 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With Wump and His Werbles.
11 Mar 1961 Liverpool, Liverpool Jazz Society, Temple Street. With The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Remo Four, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes, The Big Three, Johnny Rocco and the Jets, Derry and the Seniors, Ray and the Del-Renas, The Pressmen, and Faron and the Tempest Tornadoes.
10 Feb 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With Ken Dallas and the Silhouettes, and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

Wump and His Werbles

Members

Rod Punt - vocals (Died: September 2000)
John Cochrane - drums (Born: 24 August 1939, Wallasey)
Dave Georgeson - lead guitar (Born: 8 April 1942, Wirral)
Nev Humphries - rhythm guitar
Jimmy Mellor - bass guitar (Born: 7 November 1941, Flete Holbeton, Devon)

The group conned their way to a gig at The Cavern in 1960. By this time they had only played a handful of gigs. The gig went badly and the crowd at The Cavern left, so legend has it.
Disbanded in 1961.
Rod Punt changed his stage name to Steve Day and fronted Steve Day and the Drifters in 1961. When the Drifters disbanded, Steve Day had a break from the music scene. Then in 1965 he formed Steve Day and the Kinsmen. In the 1970s he became a comedian under the name Rod McKenzie and won 'Opportunity Knocks' on television in 1978.
John Cochrane was later in Freddie Starr and the Midnighters and then The Chuckles.
Dave Georgeson was later in The Chuckles.


Known Gigs

6 Jul 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With Dale Roberts and the Jaywalkers.

 

Apr 1961 Liverpool, Lathom Hall.

The Thunderbirds

Members






Formed in Merseyside.


Known Gigs

14 Oct 1962 Liverpool, The Iron Door Club. With The Spidermen.

The Four Jays

Members

Brian O'Hara - guitar, vocals
Joey Bower
Brian Redman
Billy Hatton - bass guitar, vocals



The Four Jays began as 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 shortened to The Fourmost.

Known Gigs

 

18 May 1962 Wallasey, Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Cheshire. Supporting Eden Kane backed by Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers. With The City Slickers, and The Swinging Blue Genes.

13 Oct 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and The Strangers.

 

The Strangers

Members

Joe Fagin - guitar, vocals (Born: January 1940, Kirkdale, Liverpool, England, UK - Died: 5 September 2023)



Formed in Liverpool.
Came 8th 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.
Joe Fagin later had a solo career and hit the charts in the 1980s with the theme tune to the UK television series 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet!' called 'That's Living Alright'.

Known Gigs

13 Oct 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and The Four Jays.
14 Oct 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With The Undertakers, The Big Three, and Ian and the Zodiacs.

Lee Shondell and the Capitols

Members

Lee Shondell - vocals




Known Gigs

18 Aug 1962 Ellesmere Port. With The Merseybeats, Ogi's Flintstones, Karl Terry and the Cruisers, and Terry Franks and the Avalons.
13 Oct 1962 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. With Derry Wilkie, The Kansas City Five, and The Del Renas.

Steve Day and the Drifters

Members

Steve Day (Rod Pont) - vocals (Died: September 2000)
Mike Nicholson - lead guitar
Derek Bond - bass guitar
Spike Sherratt - rhythm guitar
Phil Duggan - drums

Barry Ezra - lead guitar

Formed in June 1961 as Steve Day and the Jets after the departure of previous vocalist Johnny Rocco.
Steve Day, as Rod Pont, had previously been the vocalist in Wump and His Werbles.
Mike Nicholson, Derek Bond, Spike Sherratt and Phil Duggan had previously been in Johnny Rocco and the Jets.
Played in Hamburg, Germany at the Top Ten Club in 1963.
Barry Ezra replaced Mike Nicholson on lead guitar after the group came back from Germany.
Disbanded in May 1963.
After a couple of years away from performing in groups, Steve Day formed Steve Day and the Kinsmen in 1965.
In the 1970s Steve Day became a comedian under the name Rod McKenzie and won 'Opportunity Knocks' on television in 1978.

Known Gigs

1 Dec 1961 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. With The Beatles, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Dale Roberts and the Jaywalkers, Derry (Wilkie) and the Seniors, and Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes.

1 Feb 1962 Liverpool, Thistle Cafe, West Kirby. With The Beatles.
18 Aug 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With Faron's Flamingos, and Spike's Borders.

Terry Franks and the Avalons

Members

Terry Franks




Formed in London.

Known Gigs

18 Aug 1962 Ellesmere Port. Supported by The Merseybeats, Ogi's Flintstones, Karl Terry and the Cruisers, and Lee Shondell and the Capitols.
4 May 1963 Dunstable, California Ballroom. With Robb Storme and the Whispers.

Ken Dallas and the Silhouettes

Members






Known Gigs

10 Feb 1962 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom. With Dale Roberts and the Jaywalkers, and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
11 Aug 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With Mark Peters and the Cyclones, and The Lee Eddie Five.
20 Aug 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With The Rockin' Cavaliers.

The Lee Eddie Five

Members

 

Lee Eddie - vocals

Frank Wibberley - drums

 

Formed in Liverpool.

Lee Eddie was previously in Lee Eddie and the Chevrons.

Frank Wibberley had been in Howie Casey and the Seniors.

Known Gigs

 

11 Aug 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With Mark Peters and the Cyclones, and Ken Dallas' Silhouettes.

20 Apr 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms, Staffordshire.

Mark Peters and the Cyclones

Members

Mark Peters (Pete Fleming) - vocals
Vic Grace - lead guitar
Frank Dudley - bass guitar
Les Watkins - drums
Steve Fleming - keyboards

Ken Fogarty - lead guitar
Frank Bowen - lead guitar (Born: 19 Dec 1943 - Died: 25 October 1967)
Tony Webster - lead guitar
Roy Cresswell - drums

Formed in 1961 in Liverpool.
Vic Grace later formed The Hi-Cats, and was later in Danny Havoc and the Hi-Cats, and Johnny Templer and the Hi-Cats.
Came 14th 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.
Came 18th in a poll held by Mersey Beat music paper of the most popular beat groups on Merseyside published in January 1963.
Mark Peters was later backed by The Silhouettes who had previously backed Ken Dallas.

Known Gigs

11 Aug 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With Ken Dallas' Silhouettes, and The Lee Eddie Five.
27 Oct 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With Ian and the Zodiacs.
31 Dec 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. With Lee Castle and the Barons, and The Dennisons.
31 Dec 1962 Liverpool, The Iron Door. With The Blue Mountain Boys, Sonny Webb and the Cascades, The Undertakers, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Billy Kramer and the Coasters, and Ian and the Zodiacs.

The Alpines

Members






Known Gigs

24 Dec 1965 Margate, Dreamland Skating Rink.

Eric Delaney Big Band

Members

Eric Delaney




Known Gigs

24 Dec 1965 Ramsgate, Coronation Ballroom. Supported by The Mark Four.

The Riots

Members






Known Gigs

26 Dec 1965 Margate, Dreamland Ballroom

The Javelins

Members





Known Gigs

27 Dec 1965 Margate, Dreamland Ballroom. Supporting Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds.

Bumps in the Night

Members







Known Gigs

24 Dec 1965 Margate, Dreamland Ballroom. Supporting The Original Checkmates.

The Original Checkmates

Members

Played in Hamburg, Germany at the Top Ten Club in 1963.

 

Known Gigs

 

31 Dec 1962 Liverpool, St. George's Hall. Supported by Sonny Kaye and the Reds, and Johnny Templer and the Hi-Cats.

10 Dec 1964 Swindon, Locarno. With The Toggery Five.

24 Dec 1965 Margate, Dreamland Ballroom. Supported by Bumps in the Night.

Eddie Storm and the Clubmen

Members





Known Gigs

15 Jun 1960 Liverpool, The Cavern. With Cass and the Casanovas.

The Blue Genes Skiffle Group

Members

Ray Ennis - guitar, vocals
Bruce McCaskill - rhythm guitar
Tommy Hughes - banjo (Died: 21 September 2013)
Norman Kuhlke - washboard, drums
Ralph Ellis - guitar, vocals



Formed in 1957 in Liverpool.
They were regulars at The Cavern during the late 1950s.
Changed their name to The Swinging Blue Genes and began to play rock 'n' roll. The name eventually changed again to The Swinging Blue Jeans.

The Kansas City Five

Members

Eric Burdon - vocals
Alan Price - piano
John Steel - drums


Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Eric Burdon, Alan Price and John Steel were later in The Animals.


Known Gigs

31 March 1962 Newcastle upon Tyne, Storyville Club, Byker. With The Panama Jazzmen.

The Kansas City Five

Members

Robbie Hickson - vocals
Alan Stratton - bass guitar
Colin Middleborough - drums
Tommy Hughes - keyboards
Bruce McCaskill - rhythm guitar
Peter Cook - lead guitar (Died: ?)

Lewis Collins - drums (Born: 27 May 1946, Birkenhead - Died: 27 November 2013, Los Angeles)
Mal Theory
Beryl Marsden - vocals
Barbara Harrison
Les Stuart

Formed in 1961.
They were originally called The Consuls.
The Kansas City Five were originally a 6-piece rock 'n' roll outfit from Liverpool.
Bruce McCaskill formed the Bluegenes Skiffle Group who later evolved into The Swinging Blue Jeans.
Tommy Hughes was the original banjo player in the Bluegenes Skiffle Group.
Alan Stratton had previously been in Benny and the Black Cats.
Peter Cook was later a member of Earl Royce and the Olympics, and Faron's Flamingos.
Lewis Collins joined around February 1963.
Lewis Collins left in autumn 1963.
Lewis Collins was later in The Eyes, The Georgians, The Mojos, Stu James and the Mojos, The Robb Storme Group, The Mojos again, and Skool.

Known Gigs

13 Aug 1962 Chester, Wall City Jazz Club. With The Wall City Jazzmen with Pat Fields.
13 Oct 1962 Wallasey, New Brighton, Tower Ballroom. Backing Derry Wilkie. Lee Shondell and the Capitols, and The Del Renas.

The Renegades

Members

George Peckham - vocals, rhythm guitar
Peter Jones - lead guitar
Derek Peckham - bass guitar
Bob Evans - drums

Dave Myers - lead guitar (Died: December 2021)
Neville Moore
Lewis Collins - drums (Born: 27 May 1946, Birkenhead - Died: 27 November 2013, Los Angeles)


The Renegades were a 5-piece (sometimes 6-piece) group from Liverpool, formed around 1959.
Lewis Collins left in February 1963.
Lewis Collins was later in The Kansas City Five, The Eyes, The Georgians, The Mojos, Stu James and the Mojos, The Robb Storme Group, The Mojos again, and Skool. He also became a famous actor in the 1970s and 1980s.


Known Gigs

26 Mar 1962 Liverpool, Apollo Roller Rink, Moreton. Supporting The Beatles. With The Undertakers.
17 Nov 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Red River Jazzmen, and Dee Fenton and the Pontiacs.

13 Aug 1963 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With Freddie Starr and the Midnighters, Earl Preston and the TT's, and The Stereos.

18 Jan 1964 Frodsham, Mersey View Ballroom. With Eric Pep and His Music.