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.