The Strangers

Members





Formed in Dudley, West Midlands.

Known Gigs

16 Mar 1963 Old Hill, Plaza Ballroom, Halesowen Road, West Midlands. Supporting Marty Wilde's Wildcats. With The Dennis Brown Group, The Cyclones, and The Plazents.

The Sabres

Members







Formed in Coventry.

Known Gigs

17 Apr 1964 Coventry, Police Ballroom, Little Park Street. With The Challengers, and The Pacifics.

The Pacifics

Members





Formed in Merseyside.


Known Gigs

17 Apr 1964 Coventry, Police Ballroom, Little Park Street. With The Challengers, and The Sabres.

4 Feb 1966 Faddiley, Goodwill Hall, Cheshire.
6 Feb 1966 Crewe, Town Hall, TopTeens Club. With Dene Wayne and the Exiles.
27 Mar 1966 Crewe, Town Hall, TopTeens Club. Supporting Gerry Byrnes and the Invaders.

Mark Raymond and the Crowd

Members

Mark Raymond (Ken Hoban) - vocals
Roger 'Chalky' Marsh - guitar
Bernard Robinson - rhythm guitar
Phil Riches - bass guitar
Pete Dawson - drums

Formerly known as Mark Raymond and the Cyclones.
Changed their name when they recorded their one and only single for Columbia.

UK Singles

1964 Girls/Remember Me To Julie                                                                        Columbia DB 7308
   (Released 26 June 1964)

Mark Raymond and the Cyclones

Members

Mark Raymond (Ken Hoban) - vocals
Roger 'Chalky' Marsh - guitar
Bernard Robinson - rhythm guitar
Phil Riches - bass guitar
Pete Dawson - drums

Formed in Birmingham as The Cyclones in the early 1960s.
Mark Raymond joined in 1963.
Mark Raymond was previously in The Wildcats (as Ken Hoban), and Mark Raymond and the Rayvons.
Auditioned in 1964 at The Crown pub in Birmingham for Bob Barratt of Columbia Records and were offered a contract. They then went to Abbey Road Studios (then called EMI Studios) in London and recorded several tracks. The song 'Girls', written by Mark Raymond and Roger Marsh was selected as the A-side, with a track written by Bob Barratt on the flip side.
Mark Raymond and the Cyclones became Mark Raymond and the Crowd after recording their only single for Columbia reportedly because of an American band already being called The Cyclones.

UK Singles

1964 Girls/Remember Me To Julie                                                                        Columbia DB 7308
   (Released 26 June 1964. Credited to Mark Raymond and the Crowd)

Known Gigs

25 May 1963 Crewe, Town Hall. With Johnny Deen and the Crestas.
28 Feb 1964 Foleshill, Heath Hotel, West Midlands.
8 Mar 1964 Coventry, Coventry Flying and Country Club, Baginton. With Johnny B Great and the Goodman, and The Easibeats.
17 Apr 1964 Coventry, Coventry Flying and Country Club, Baginton.With The Comancheros.

The Wildcats

Members

Ken Hoban - vocals



Formed in Selly Oak, Birmingham, West Midlands.
Ken Hoban, under the pseudonym 'Mark Raymond' was later in Mark Raymond and the Rayvons, and Mark Raymond and the Cyclones, who changed their name to Mark Raymond and the Crowd.

Mark Raymond and the Rayvons

Members

 

Mark Raymond (Ken Hoban) - vocals

Ray Humphries - guitar, vocals

Bob Bradley - lead guitar

Malcolm Gamble - rhythm guitar

Malcolm Hamilton - bass guitar

Colin Fortnam - drums

 

Mick Biddle - saxophone

 

Formed in Birmingham, West Midlands.

Previously known as Danny Ray and the Rave ons, with Ray Humphries on vocals as 'Danny Ray'. 

Mark Raymond joined the group in 1961. 

Mark Raymond left in 1963.

Mark Raymond was later in Mark Raymond and the Cyclones who changed their name to Mark Raymond and the Crowd when they released a single on Columbia.

Known Gigs

1 Sep 1962 Birkenhead, Majestic Ballroom, Cheshire. With Billy Kramer with the Coasters, and The Flintstones.

22 Feb 1963 Stafford, Borough Hall, Staffordshire. Supporting Julie Grant. With The Mark Allen Group.

 

The Cyclones

Members

Roy Denson - vocals
Kathryn Kate Mulraney - vocals
Brian Lawrence - lead guitar
Kevin Legge - rhythm guitar
Ralph Oakley - bass guitar
John Davies - drums

Formed in Blackheath, Rowley Regis, West Midlands.


Known Gigs

16 Mar 1963 Old Hill, Plaza Ballroom, Halesowen Road, West Midlands. Supporting Marty Wilde's Wildcats. With The Dennis Brown Group, The Strangers, and The Plazents.

The Cyclones

Members

Tony Webster - lead guitar
Frank Dudley - bass guitar
Billy Burton (Billy Wesley) - tenor sax (Died: 30 October 2017)
Roy Cresswell - drums

Fred Ennis - bass guitar

Formed in 1963 as group in their own right following the departure of Mark Peters.
The Cyclones were formed to back vocalist Mark Peters. When Peters left they continued on and recorded a single in their own right.
Fred Ennis replaced Frank Dudley on bass guitar.
Fred Ennis was formerly in Karl Terry and the Cruisers.
The band later changed their name to The Few. Billy Burton later joined The Pete Best Band.

UK Singles

1964 Little Egypt/Nobody                                                                                              Oriole CB 1898
   (Released March 1964. Tony Webster wrote the B-Side)

Known Gigs

Ronnie King and the Redcaps

Members

Ronnie Brown - lead vocals
Dave Walker - guitar, harmonica, vocals
Mick Walker - bass guitar, vocals
Mac Broadhurst - saxophone
Roy Brown - lead guitar
Jimmy Richards - drums

Walsall, West Midlands in 1961.
Roy and Ronnie Brown were brothers.
Dave and Mick Walker were twins.
When Ronnie left they became The Redcaps.

The Redcaps

Members

Tony Clarke (Tony Colleno) - vocals
Jimmy Graham - guitar
Roy Buck - guitar
Peter Wilby - bass guitar
Graham (Ned) Bishop - drums

Dave Carter - drums
Dave (Dean) Parker - vocals

Formed in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire in 1959.

UK Singles

1962 Storm Evening/Blue Eyes And Golden Hair                                                       Decca F 11555
   (Credited as Dean Parker and the Redcaps)

The Redcaps

Members

Dave Walker - lead vocals, guitar, harmonica
Mick Walker - bass guitar, vocals
Mac Broadhurst - saxophone
Roy Brown - lead guitar
Jimmy Richards - drums

Alan Morley - drums
Mick Blythe - lead guitar

Formed in Walsall, West Midlands in 1961 as Ronnie King and the Redcaps, with Roy's brother Ronnie Brown on lead vocals.
Turned professional in 1962.
Played the American Army Bases in Fontenet, France in 1962.
In 1964 Roy Brown left and was replaced by Mick Blythe and Jimmy Richards left and was replaced by Alan Morley.

UK Singles

1963 Shout/Little Things You Do                                                                                    Decca F 11716
1963 Talkin' About You/Come On Girl                                                                           Decca F 11789
1964 Mighty Fine Girl/Funny Things                                                                              Decca F 11903

Steve Day and the Jets

Members

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

Formed out of Johnny Rocco and the Jets in June 1961.
Changed their name soon after to Steve Day and the Drifters.

Known Gigs

24 Jun 1961 Liverpool, L.J.'s, Temple Street. With The Delacardos, Dee Fenton and the Silhouettes, and Gus and the Thunderclaps.

The Kirkbys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members

 

Jimmy Campbell - vocals (Born: 4 January 1944, Kirkby, Liverpool – Died: 12 February 2007, Liverpool)

Kenny Goodlass - drums

 

Formed in Liverpool in 1960 as The Tuxedos.

In 1961 they changed their name to The Panthers.

In early 1964 they changed their name to The Kirkbys.

Later changed their name to The 23rd Turnoff.

 

 

Known Gigs

 

Apr 1964 Liverpool, Centre 63, Kirkby. Grand Opening.

28 Nov 1965 Liverpool, The Peppermint Lounge, Fraser Street. With The Detours.

The Troglodytes

Members

Ray Walker - guitar, vocals
Pete Dunn - lead guitar
Keith Corelli - bass guitar
Len Holden - drums

Formed in 1959 as The Pegasus Four.
Later known as The Flintstones and Ogi and the Flintstones.

The Pegasus Four

Members

Ray Walker - guitar, vocals
Pete Dunn - lead guitar
Keith Corelli - bass guitar
Len Holden - drums

Formed in 1959.
An early name for The Flintstones.

Ogi and the Flintstones

Members

Ray Walker - guitar, vocals
Pete Dunn - lead guitar
Keith Corelli - bass guitar
Len Holden - drums

See The Flintstones.

The Flintstones

Members

 

Ray Walker - guitar, vocals

Pete Dunn - lead guitar

Keith Corelli - bass guitar

Len Holden - drums 

 

Formed in 1959 as The Pegasus Four.

They changed their name to The Toglodytes almost immediately after they started gigging.

Soon after they changed their name again to The Flintstones.

They were also billed as Ogi and the Flintstones after a mis-print in a local newpaper.

Recorded a reel-to-reel tape of themselves performing hits of the day in 1961.

At the time of writing, only one track has surfaced for public release.

Disbanded in 1963.

Pete Dunn was later a founding member of The Clayton Squares.

 

Known Gigs

 

1 Sep 1962 Birkenhead, Majestic Ballroom, Cheshire. With Billy Kramer with the Coasters, and Mark Raymond and the Rayvons.

 

 

Frankie Reid and the Casuals

Members

Frankie Reid - vocals (Born: Ceylon - Died: 16 Dec 2015, Perth, Australia)
Mick Cosgrave – lead guitar
John Donald – rhythm guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Mick Revelle – drums

Peter Stretch - drums
Roger Bluck - lead guitar

Danny McCulloch was previously in The Avro Boys, and Tony Craven and the Casuals.
Danny McCulloch was later in Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages, The Plebs, The Carl Douglas Set, Eric Burdon and the Animals, and briefly as a replacement bass player in Renaissance.

The Humblebums

Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty.


















Members

Billy Connolly - guitar, banjo, vocals
Tam Harvey - guitar, mandolin, vocals

Gerry Rafferty - guitar, vocals
Aly Bain - fiddle

Formed in Glasgow in 1965.
Billy Connolly was previously in The Skillet Lickers, and The Acme Brush Company.
Aly Bain joined briefly as an 'unofficial member'.
Gerry Rafferty joined in 1969 and for a while The Humblebums performed as a trio.
Gerry Rafferty had previously been in Fifth Column.
Tam Harvey left in 1969/70.
Tam Harvey was later in High Speed Grass.
The Humblebums disbanded in 1971.
Gerry Rafferty recorded a solo album and then formed Stealer's Wheel with Joe Egan.
Gerry Rafferty eventually became a successful solo artist.
Billy Connolly became an internationally successful comedian and actor.

The Beatstalkers

Members

Davie Lennox - vocals
Alan Mair - bass guitar
Eddie Campbell - guitar
‘Tudge’ Williamson - drums

Jeff Allen - drums
Ronnie Smith - rhythm guitar

Formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1962.
Managed by Joe Gaffney, and later Ken Pitt.
Appeared on the television programme 'Ready Steady Go!'
Disbanded in 1969 after their van was stolen with all their equipment in it.
Alan Mair was later in The Only Ones.
Jeff Allen was later in Dr. K's Blues Band , and East of Eden.
Eddie Campbell was later in Tear Gas
Davie Lennox was later in The Joe O'Donnell Band in 1978. 
The Beatstalkers played a reunion concert at The Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow on 23 December 2005. The group on that night included Alan Mair, Ronnie Smith, Davie Lennox and Jeff Allen.
The Beatstalkers played another reunion gig in 2013.

UK Singles

1965 Ev'rybody's Talking 'Bout My Baby/Mr. Disappointed                                          Decca F 12259
   (Released 5 November 1965)
1966 Left Right Left/You'd Better Get A Better Hold On                                               Decca F 12352
   (Released 4 March 1966)
1966 A Love Like Yours/Base Line                                                                               Decca F 12460
   (Released 29 July 1966)
1967 My One Chance To Make It/Ain't No Soul (Left In These Ole Shoes)                   CBS 2732
   (Released 5 May 1967. Credited as Beatstalkers)
1967 Silver Tree Top School for Boys/Sugar Chocolate Machine                                  CBS 3105
   (Released December 1967. A-Side written by David Bowie who sings backing vocals on the track.)
1968 Rain Coloured Roses/Everything Is You                                                                CBS 3557
   (Released 21 June 1968)
1969 Little Boy/When I'm Five                                                                                        CBS 3936
   (Released 10 January 1969. A-Side written by Reg King of The Action. B-Side written by David Bowie.)

Known Gigs

5 Dec 1965 Motherwell, Town Hall, Scotland. Supported by Colette and Her Bandits.
1 May 1966 London, Tiles.

Bobby Rio and the Cutaways

Members

Bobby Rio - vocals
Vic Larkins - lead guitar
Mickey Johnson - rhythm guitar
Ray Brown - bass
Brian Talbot - drums

Formed as The Cutaways in Dagenham, Essex in 1960.
Bobby Rio joined as lead vocalist.
When Bobby Rio left, The Cutaways recruited Tony Rivers as their lead singer and soon changed their name to Tony Rivers and the Castaways.

Tony Rivers and the Castaways

Members

 

Tony Rivers (Anthony Thompson) - vocals

Vic Larkins - lead guitar

Mickey Johnson - rhythm guitar

Ray Brown - bass

Brian Talbot - drums

 

John Lyons - rhythm guitar

Ricky West - lead guitar

Steve Scott - lead guitar 

Frank Townsend - guitar

 

Formed in Dagenham, Essex.

In 1961 Tony Rivers joined a group called The Cutaways as their new lead singer.

The group soon changed their name to Tony Rivers and the Castaways.

John Lyons replaced Mickey Johnson on rhythm guitar around 1962/3.

Ricky West replaced Vic Larkins on lead guitar around 1962/3.

Steve Scott replaced Ricky West on lead guitar in 1963.

This line-up recorded for Columbia from 1963. 

Frank Townsend joined in 1966. Townsend was previously in The Easybeats of Liverpool, The Beachwoods and The Escorts.

In 1968 they changed their name to Harmony Grass.

Known Gigs

1 Oct 1962 Hamworthy, Empire Hall, Dorset.
16 Jan 1963 Walton-on-Thames, Walton Hop, Surrey.
26 Jan 1963 Walton-on-Thames, Walton Hop, Surrey.
6 Feb 1963 Walton-on-Thames, Walton Hop, Surrey. With Shane Fenton and the Fentones.
1 Sep 1963 Margate, Dreamland Ballroom, Rendezvous Club.
21 Nov 1963 Aberdeen, New Palace Ballroom.
2 Aug 1964 Warminster, Longleat House. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With Danny Clarke and the Jaguars.
19 May 1966 Coventry, Mecca Ballroom, Smithford Way.
22 Sep 1967 Wolverhampton, Civic and Wulfrun Halls, West Midlands. With The Californians, Dual Purpose, The Staffords and The News.
29 Jun 1968 Burton upon Trent, 76 Club, Staffordshire. With The John Smith Affair.

The Mersey Monsters

Members






Formed in Liverpool.

The Kalvins

L-R: Trevor Watson, Dereck Carr, Ian Morrison, and Dennis Trowbridge (seated) in 1964.






















Members

Colin Stokes - vocals
Dennis Trowbridge - lead guitarist
George Kitching - rhythm guitar
Tony Endean - bass guitar
Terry Popple - drums

Trevor Watson - bass guitar
Dereck 'Decca' Carr - drums
Ian Morrison - rhythm guitar
Les Bennett - bass guitar
Tony Martin -
Albert Smith - vocals

Formed in Middlesborough.
Had a residency at The Astoria in Middlesbrough from 1962.
Managed by Mike Almond, and later Dennis Trowbridge.

The Rolling Stones

Members

Mick Jagger - vocals
Keith Richard(s) - guitar, vocals
Brian Jones - guitar, harmonica, vocals
Bill Wyman - bass guitar
Charlie Watts - drums

Mick Taylor - guitar
Ronnie Wood - guitar


Known Gigs

18 May 1964 Hamilton, Chantinghall Hotel, Scotland. Supported by Dave Berry and the Cruisers, The Hi-Fi Showband, The Monarchs, and Beat Unlimited.

Johnny Law and the M.I.5

Members





Known Gigs

13 May 1964 Oban, Scotland
14 May 1964 Aberdenn, Scotland
15 May 1964 Strathpeffer, Scotland
16 May 1964 Strathpeffer, Scotland
17 May 1964 Motherwell, Town Hall, Scotland. With The Avengers, The Fabulous Falcons, The Royal Crests, and The Vaqueros.

18 May 1964 Bathgate, The Palais.

The Satellites

Members




Formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Known Gigs

17 May 1964 Hamilton, Town Hall, Scotland. Big Charity Beat Show. With The Trekons, The Pathfinders, The Rockets, Don Starr and the Midnights, and The Midlanders Combo.

The Rockets

Members




Formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland.


Known Gigs

17 May 1964 Hamilton, Town Hall, Scotland. Big Charity Beat Show. With The Trekons, The Pathfinders, Don Starr and the Midnights, The Satellites, and The Midlanders Combo.

Don Starr and the Midnights

Members

Don Starr - vocals




Formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Known Gigs

17 May 1964 Hamilton, Town Hall, Scotland. Big Charity Beat Show. With The Trekons, The Pathfinders, The Rockets, The Satellites, and The Midlanders Combo.

The Trekons

Members




Formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Known Gigs

17 May 1964 Hamilton, Town Hall, Scotland. Big Charity Beat Show. With The Pathfinders, Don Starr and the Midnights, The Rockets, The Satellites, and The Midlanders Combo.

The Pathfinders

Members

Ian  Clews - vocals
Neil McCormick - guitar
Ronnie Leahy - organ
Colin Morrison - bass guitar
Timi Donald - drums


Formed in Glasgow around 1965.
Changed their name to Jason's Flock in 1966.
Later evolved into Trash (and sometimes White Trash) when they moved to London.

The Avro Boys

Members

Danny McCulloch





Formed in Shepherd's Bush, London.
Also known as The Avro Boys Skiffle Group.
Danny McCulloch was later in Tony Craven and the Casuals, Frankie Reid and the Casuals, Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages, The Plebs, The Carl Douglas Set, Eric Burdon and the Animals, and briefly Renaissance. He was also a session musician.

The Pathfinders

Members





Formed in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
There is no evidence that this is the same group that emerged from nearby Glasgow in 1965.

Known Gigs

17 May 1964 Hamilton, Town Hall, Scotland. Big Charity Beat Show. With The Trekons, Don Starr and the Midnights, The Rockets, The Satellites, and The Midlanders Combo.

22 May 1964 Wishaw, Community Centre, Scotland.

Rupert's People

Members






The first recording by this group was actually the group 'The Fleur de Lys', who were recruited by Howard Conder to record the song 'Reflections of Charles Brown' and the b-side 'Hold On'.
The song reached No. 13 in the Australian charts in August 1967.
The band that promoted the song upon its release included Paul Gurvitz and Adrian Gurvitz who were still in The Knack at the time, and later formed Gun. This line-up did not record any material under the name 'Rupert's People' and another group 'Sweet Feeling' were recruited and recorded two more singles under this name.
Managed by Howard Conder.
See The Fleur de Lys.

The Fleur de Lys

Members


Keith Guster - drums

Pete Sears - bass guitar


Formed in Southampton in late 1964.
Were asked to record the song 'Reflections of Charles Brown' and its B-side under the name 'Rupert's People', by Howard Conder, a manager and businessman who managed 'Sweet Feeling', the group that ultimately recorded two more singles under the name 'Rupert's People'.
Pete Sears joined the group in 1966. He was previously in The Strangers, The Spitfires, and The Sons of Fred. He recorded the single 'Circles' with the group. He later left The Fleur de Lys in the same year and joined Sam Gopal's Dream. Sears later became a successful session musician.
Disbanded in 1969.

UK Singles

1965 Moondreams/Wait For Me                                                                                 Immediate IM 20
   (Credited to Les Fleur De Lys. B-Sdie written by Jimmy Page.)
1966 Circles/So Come On                                                                                           Immediate IM 32
   (Credited to The Fleur De Lys. A-Side written by Pete Townshend)
1966 Mud in Your Eye/I've Been Trying                                                                    Polydor 56124
1967 I Can See a Light/Prodigal Son                                                                          Polydor 56200
1968 Gong With the Luminous Nose/Hammer Head                                                 Polydor 56251
1968 Stop Crossing That Bridge/Brick by Brick (Stone By Stone)                           Atlantic 584 193
1969 (You're Just A) Liar/One Girl City                                                                    Atlantic 584 243

Known Gigs

12 Mar 1966 Dunstable, California Ballroom. Supporting Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds. With The Essex Five.

The Plebs

Members

Terry Crowe - vocals, harmonica
Chris Dennis - organ
Mick Dunford (Michael Forde) - lead guitar
Danny McCulloch - bass guitar (Born: 18 July 1945 – Died: 29 January 2015)
Derek Sirmon - drums

Dave Maine - drums

Formed in Woking.
Terry Crowe and Mick Dunford had previously been in The Nashville Teens.
Mick Dunford had previously been in The Cruisers Rock Combo.
Danny McCulloch had previously been in The Avro Boys, Tony Craven and the Casuals, Frankie Reid and the Casuals, and Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages.
Derek Sirmon had previously been in The Conchords, Mike Dee and the Jaywalkers, Frankie Reid and the Casuals, and Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages.
The Plebs backed Jess Conrad and Mark Wynter on tour before recording their only single release on Decca.
Appeared on 'Ready Steady Go' on 20 November 1964 playing their single and also backing Jerry Lee Lewis. They were the only artists playing live in the studio.
Backed Jerry Lee Lewis when he was on tour in England and Europe in 1964.
Dave Maine replaced Derek Sirmon a few weeks before the group disbanded.
Disbanded in spring 1965.
Terry Crowe and Mick Dunford later formed The Pentad.
Terry Crowe was briefly in Renaissance in 1970/71.
Mick Dunford joined Renaissance in 1970 and stayed with them for several years in the 1970s.
Danny McCulloch was later in The Carl Douglas Set, Eric Burdon and the Animals, and briefly as a replacement bass player in Renaissance. He was also a session musician.

UK Singles

1964 Bad Blood/Babe I'm Gonna Leave You                                                                   Decca F 12006
   (Released 30 October 1964)

Known Gigs

Sol Byron and the Impacts

Members

Sol Byron - vocals
Bertie (Robert) McRoberts - bass guitar





Formed in Scotland.
Bertie McRoberts had previously been in The Midlanders Combo as a drummer.
Bertie McRoberts was later in The Golden Crusaders, The Tom Hawkins Band, and also played for the Harry Bence Orchestra.

The Hawks

Members

Alan Jordan - rhythm guitar, vocals
Alex Smith - tenor saxophone, flute
Alan Sadler - double bass
George Mason - lead guitar
Bobby Gilfillan - washboard, drums (Born: 29 June 1938 – Died: 8 November 2012)

Formed in Dunfermline in 1958 as a skiffle group.
Soon changed their name to The Red Hawks.

The Red Hawks

Members

Alan Jordan - rhythm guitar, vocals
Alex Smith - tenor saxophone, flute
Alan Sadler - double bass
George Mason - lead guitar
Bobby Gilfillan - washboard, drums (Born: 29 June 1938 – Died: 8 November 2012)

Drew Nisbet - drums
Ian Burns - bass guitar
Beth Leitch - vocals
Tommy Wallace Jnr. - drums
Colin Bates - electric organ
Walter 'Watty' Robertson - lead guitar, vocals
(Manuel) Manny Charlton - guitar (Born: 25 July 1941, La Línea, Andalusia, Spain)
Billy Hunter - trumpet
Eddie Martin - trumpet
Brian Sheridan - vocals (Died: 25 Feb 2019)
Garry Macpherson  - bass guitar

Formed in 1958 as a skiffle band called The Hawks.
Had changed their name to The Red Hawks by the time they made their first appearance at The Kinema Ballroom in Dunfermline in September 1959; one of over 560 appearances at this venue.
They were managed by Mr. W. Mason (George Mason's father) and then Ian Burns.
Bobby Gilfillan was briefly in The Hawks whilst also playing football for Cowdenbeath. He left The Hawks in 1958 and later played football professionally for Newcastle United.
Drew Nisbet joined on drums in 1958.
Ian Burns joined as bass guitarist in 1959. Later he would manage the group.
Beth Leitch was the vocalist from 1959.
Appeared many times on regional television.
Tommy Wallace Jr. joined on drums in October 1962.
Colin Bates joined on organ in 1963.
Walter 'Watty' Robertson was the lead guitarist from November 1963.
Alan Jordan, who was a founder member of The Hawks, left in 1965.
Manny (Manuel) Charlton joined as guitarist in 1965.
Manny Charlton had previously been in The Mark 5, and Mike Satan and the Hellcats.
Eddie Martin joined in 1966.
Billy Hunter joined in 1966.
Brian Sheridan joined as the lead vocalist in 1967, just before The Red Hawks disbanded.
Disbanded in 1967.
Several members of The Red Hawks then formed The Marshmallow 400.

UK Singles

1964 Mods and Rockers/Highland Twist                                                                          Globe GR 001
   (Credited to The Fabulous Red Hawks. The A-Side was written by group member Alex Smith)

1966 Friday Night/Lonely Boy                                                                                        ALP 595001
   (Released 24 Jun 1966. Credited to The Red Hawkes. A-Side written by Manny Charlton. B-Side written by Alex Smith)

Known Gigs

1 Sep 1959 Dunfermline, The Kinema Ballroom.
8 Sep 1959 Dunfermline, The Kinema Ballroom.

The Shadettes

Members

Manny (Manuel) Charlton - guitar (Born: 25 July 1941, La Línea, Andalusia, Spain)





Formed in Dunfermline.
Manny Charlton had previously been in The Mark 5, Mike Satan and the Hellcats, The Red Hawks, and The Marshamllow 400.
Changed their name to Nazareth in 1968 and achieved worldwide success in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Marshmallow 400

Members

Brian Sheridan - vocals (Died: 25 Feb 2019)
Watty Robertson - lead guitar
Manny (Manuel) Charlton - guitar (Born: 25 July 1941, La Línea, Andalusia, Spain)
Colin Bates - keyboards
Alex Smith - saxophone
Gerry MacPherson - bass
Tommy Wallace - drums

Formed in 1967 when The Red Hawks disbanded and regrouped.
Brian Sheridan had previously been in The Golden Crusaders.
Manny Charlton had previously been in The Mark 5, Mike Satan and the Hellcats, and The Red Hawks.
Disbanded in 1968.
Manny Charlton was later in The Shadettes who changed their name to Nazareth and achieved world-wide success in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Crusaders

Members







Formed in 1960 as The Blackjacks in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.
Later changed their name to The Golden Crusaders to avoid confusion with The Crusaders from Prestonpans (near Edinburgh).

The Crusaders

Members








Formed in Prestonpans (near Edinburgh).

The Blackjacks

Members






Formed in 1960 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.
Later changed their name to The Crusaders. Eventually to avoid confusion with The Crusaders from Prestonpans (near Edinburgh), they became The Golden Crusaders.

The Golden Crusaders

Members

Brian Sheridan - vocals (Died: 25 Feb 2019)
Dennis Murphy - vocals
Billy Colquhoun (Calhoun). - lead guitar, keyboards (Born: 4 July 1944)
Brian Johnston - rhythm guitar
Bobby Johnston - bass guitar
Jack Taylor - tenor saxophone
John 'Ching' Lee - drums (Died: 20 February 2015)

Frank Connor - lead guitar
Bertie (Robert) McRoberts - bass guitar (Born: 6 June 1943)
Andy Doolan - trombone
Billy Ritchie - guitar (occasional member)
Harry Hughes - drums (occasional member)

Formed in 1960 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland as The Blackjacks.
Later renamed as The Crusaders, but added 'Golden' to avoid confusion with The Crusaders from Prestonpans (near Edinburgh). 
Signed a recording contract with Norrie Paramor and released singles on Columbia records.
Bertie McRoberts had previously been in The Midlanders Combo as a drummer, and played bass guitar for Sol Byron and the Impacts.
Frank Connor had previously been in The Falcons.
Disbanded in 1966.
Brian Sheridan was later in The Red Hawks, and The Marshmallow 400.
Bert McRoberts was later in The Tom Hawkins Band, and also played for the Harry Bence Orchestra.

The Midlanders Combo

Members

Geordie (George) Quinton - vocals
Wullie (William) Mitchell - lead guitar
Bert Cooper
Tom Cuthbertson
Jim Bulloch - guitar
Colin Cornan - drums
Jackie Taylor - saxophone

Billy Lawrence - guitar
Bertie (Robert) McRoberts - piano
Tam Fraser - guitar
Norrie Mckechnie - drums
John Mcmonagle - bass guitar
Ian Lindsay - drums
Alex Lindsay - bass guitar
Colin Mitchell - vocals

Formed in 1957 in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Jackie Taylor was later in The Golden Crusaders.
Bertie McRoberts later played bass guitar for Sol Byron and the Impacts, The Golden Crusaders, The Tom Hawkins Band, and also played for the Harry Bence Orchestra.
Ian Lindsay was later in The Pacemakers Combo.
Wullie Mitchell became a novelist of horror and science fiction.

Known Gigs

17 May 1964 Hamilton, Town Hall, Scotland. Big Charity Beat Show. With The Trekons, Don Starr and the Midnights, The Rockets, The Satellites, and The Pathfinders.

The Hideaways

Members

Ozzie Yue - lead guitar, vocals

Formed in Liverpool.

Were featured in the 1965 film 'Liverpool-A-Go-Go' playing 'Boom Boom'.

Ozzie Yue later became an actor.

 

 

 

 

 

Ozzie Yue in BBC Television's Dinnerladies in 1998.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Known Gigs

29 Aug 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Intruders, The Movement, and The Mersey Gonks.
10 Oct 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Mersey Gonks, and The Secrets.
24 Oct 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Mersey Gonks, and The Shakespeareans. 
21 Nov 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Mersey Gonks, and The Easybeats.
28 Jan 1966 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Fix, and The Ying Tongs. 
28 Feb 1966 Crosby, St. Luke's Hall. With The Mersey Gonks, and The Image.

The Premiers

Members

Eric Stark
Bill Lawrence
Ian Ellis
William Berry
James Lafferty

Billy Ritchie - guitar
Harry Hughes - drums

Formed in Bathgate, Scotland.
Managed by Harry Smith.
Were involved in a traffic accident on 30th September 1964 when the minibus they were travelling in swerved to avoid a pedestrian and rolled over several times before catching fire. The group were only slightly hurt, but a 10-year old boy was taken to hospital with multiple injuries that he would ultimately recover from. James Lafferty of the group was not in the minibus at the time of the accident.
The Premiers evolved into '1-2-3', which was later renamed 'Clouds' in 1967.

Known Gigs

30 Sep 1964 Fauldhouse, Co-op Hall, Scotland.

The Mick Harris Four

Members

Mick Harris




Formed in London.


Known Gigs

27 Nov 1964 Lanark, Memorial Hall, Scotland. With The Mersey Four.

The Mersey Four

Members

 

 

 

 

 

Formed in Liverpool.

Known Gigs

 

27 Nov 1964 Lanark, Memorial Hall, Scotland. With The Mick Harris Four.

27 Nov 1964 Newharthill, Welfare Hall, Scotland.

9 Jan 1965 Stockport, Manor Lounge. With The Toggery Five.

9 May 1965 Burton upon Trent, 76 Club, High Street, Staffordshire.

 

The Mersey Gonks

Members

Tony Lane (Tony Goldby) - vocals, guitar
Dennis Conroy - lead guitar
Paul Lofthouse - bass guitar
Ronnie Barker - drums

Alan Walton - bass guitar
Peter Wheelan - drums
Gary Barker - rhythm guitar, vocals

Formed in Liverpool.
Previously known as The Premiers, and for a short while The Gonks.
In 1965, Tony Lane left to join The Inbeats, who later changed their name to The Phoenix Sound.
Paul Lofthouse left in 1965 and was replaced by Alan Walton on bass guitar.
Alan Walton had previously been in The Premiers, but then left to join The Soul Seekers.
Ronnie Barker left in 1965 and was replaced by Peter Wheelan on drums.
A singer and rhythm guitarist called Gary Barker also joined at this time. Gary had previously been in The Soul Seekers, who had recently disbanded.
The Mersey Gonks later changed their name to The Pityful before evolving into Chapter Six.
In 2019, The Mersey Gonks reformed to play for fun and for charities like Merseycats, The Rock and Roll Children's Charity. The lineup includes Dennis Conroy, Alan Walton, Gary Barker and drummer Pat Martin.

Many of the following gigs have been retrieved from the Liverpool Echo. Dennis Conroy has stated that he does not remember playing any gigs on the same bill as The Big Three and that other gigs on this list are wrong.

Known Gigs

13 Nov 1964 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With Tiffany's Dimensions, and Johnny Ringo and The Colts.
22 Nov 1964 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Roadrunners.
5 Dec 1964 Southport, Marine View Club. With The Devils.
13 Dec 1964 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Connoisseurs, and Gerry De Ville and the City Kings.
25 Dec 1964 Southport, Marine View Club. With Mark Peters and the Silhouettes.
26 Dec 1964 Southport, Marine View Club. With Mark Peters and the Silhouettes.
31 Dec 1964 Southport, Marine View Club. With The Electrones, and The Motifs.
1 Jan 1965 Liverpool, Bootle Town Hall. New Year's Day Carnival. With The Defenders.
3 Jan 1965 Southport, Marine View Club. With The Denims.
13 Feb 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Connoisseurs, and The Motifs.
16 Apr 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With Tiffany's Dimensions, and The Black Knights.
14 May 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. WIth The TT's with Amos and Karl (Terry), and The Lavells.
4 Jun 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The TT's with Amos and Karl (Terry), and The Defenders.
13 Jun 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The TT's with Amos and Karl (Terry), and Mr. Lee & Co.
19 Jun 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With Tiffany's Thoughts, and The Black Knights.
21 Jun 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With Gerry De Ville and the City Kings, and The Lavells.
5 Jul 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Coins, and Mr. Lee & Co.
13 Jul 1965 Liverpool, Lynwood Road Youth Club, Rice Lane.
25 Jul 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Spidermen, and The Renicks.
7 Aug 1965 Liverpool, The Peppermint Lounge, Fraser Street. With The City Beats.
14 Aug 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Detours,  and The Connoisseurs.
27 Aug 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Lee Eddie Show Group, and The Bentics.
22 Oct 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Coins, and The Connoisseurs.
29 Aug 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Intruders, The Movement, and The Hideaways.
19 Sep 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Abstracts, and The Crosbys.
26 Sep 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Roadrunners,  and Ricky Gleason and the Top Spots.
2 Oct 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Defenders, and The Profits.
10 Oct 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Hideaways, and The Secrets.
11 Oct 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Bumblies, and The Lavells.
22 Oct 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Lee Eddie Show Group, and Ricky Gleason and the Top Spots.
24 Oct 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Hideaways, and The Shakespeareans.
30 Oct 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and The Coins.
7 Nov 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With Tiffany's Thoughts, and The Abstracts.
13 Nov 1965 Liverpool, St. Robert Bellarmine's, Harris Drive, Bootle. Supporting Rhythm & Blues Inc.
15 Nov 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With Tiffany's Thoughts, and Johnny Ringo and the Colts.
20 Nov 1965 Liverpool, Hope Hall.
21 Nov 1965 Liverpool, English Martyrs, Litherland. With The Hideaways, and The Easybeats.
25 Nov 1965 Liverpool, Litherland Town Hall. Supporting The Mark Peters Method. With The Tabs.
27 Nov 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supporting The Big Three. With Ricky Gleason and the Top Spots.
4 Dec 1965 Liverpool, The Grave, Tempest Hey. Supported by Mr. Lee & Co., and The Sandons.
5 Dec 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supporting The Big Three. With The 4 Originals.
13 Dec 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supporting The Big Three. With The Coins.
24 Dec 1965 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supporting The Big Three. With The Coins, and The Silhouettes.
1 Jan 1966 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Cryin' Shames, and Karl Terry and the TT's.
9 Jan 1966 Liverpool, The Grave, Tempest Hey. With The Pilgrims.
9 Jan 1966 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and Karl Terry and the TT's.
14 Jan 1966 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Richmond Group, and The Detours.
24 Jan 1966 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Dimensions, and The Profits.
5 Feb 1966 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Crescendoes (from Canada), and Gerry DeVille and the City Kings.
21 Feb 1966. Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Dimensions, and Ricky Gleason and the Top Spots.
25 Feb 1966 Liverpool, The Grave, Tempest Hey. With The Seftons.
26 Feb 1966 Crosby, St. Luke's Hall. With The Defenders, and The Bentics.
26 Feb 1966, Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Big Three, and The Precinct.
28 Feb 1966 Crosby, St. Luke's Hall. With The Hideaways, and The Image.
6 Mar 1966 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. Supporting The Realm. With The Countdowns.
14 Mar 1966 Crosby, St. Luke's Hall. Carnival Night. With Earl Preston's Realms, and The Katz.
18 Mar 1966 Liverpool, The Grave, Tempest Hey. With The Kruzads.
26 Mar 1966 Liverpool, The Grave, Tempest Hey. Evening Session. With The Seftons, and The Abstracts.
26 Mar 1966 Liverpool, The Grave, Tempest Hey. All Nighter. With The Thoughts, The Verbs, The Abstracts, and The Seftons.
4 Apr 1966 Liverpool, Orrell Park Ballroom, Moss Lane. With The Detours, and The Mistake.
27 May 1966 Liverpool, The Peppermint Lounge, Fraser Street. With The Colts.

The Premiers

Members

Tony Lane - vocals, guitar
Dennis Conroy - lead guitar
Alan Walton - bass guitar
Arthur Gilbert - drums

Paul Lofthouse - bass guitar
Ronnie Barker - drums
Peter Wheelan - drums
Gary ? - rhythm guitar, vocals


Formed in Liverpool as Tony Golby and the Goldminers in the late 1950s.
Managed by Dave Forshaw.
Alan Walton left to join The Soul Seekers. He was replaced by Paul Lofthouse on bass guitar.
Arthur Gilbert also left to be replaced by Ronnie Barker on drums.
In 1964 The Premiers recorded an EP on acetate including the songs 'Beautiful Delilah', 'Skinny Minnie', 'I'm Blue' and 'Honest I Do'. The latter two songs being group originals.
Briefly changed their name to The Gonks before becoming The Mersey Gonks by the middle of November 1964.


Known Gigs

24 May 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. With The Kinsleys, The Connoisseurs, Ian Crawford and the Boomerangs, and Them Grimbles.

The Phantoms

Members

Johnny Culham (or Cullum) - vocals
Cliff Gentle - rhythm guitar
Ken Levy (Ken Leverington) - lead guitar, vocals
David Cooke - bass guitar
Freddy Smart - drums

Robin Bailey - drums
Peter Parker - guitar

Formed in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire in 1960.
David Cooke and Johnny Culham had previously been in The Scramblers.
Also known as Ken Levy and the Phantoms.
Robin Bailey replaced Freddy Smart on drums.
Backed singer Per- Elvis Granberg on a tour of Norway for about 9 months in 1961 without Johnny Culham.
Appeared several times on Anglian Television's local programme 'About Anglia'.
Backed Cacka Israelsson and Mona Grain on a tour in Sweden.
In 1962 the band performed at Johanneshov in Stockholm on a TV show with Chubby Checker and Swedish artist Jerry Williams.
Had a successful career in Scandanavia, especially in Sweden.
Released several singles and EP's in Sweden.
Disbanded in 1969.

UK Singles

1961 Phantom Guitar/Cachina                                                                                        Palette PG 9014
   (Released May 1961)