Sunday, 21 June 2020

J.P. Sunshine


George 'Jorg' Duffell

Goodway
Adrian Shaw - guitar
Pete Biles - bongos
Andy Rickell
Pat Morphin - drums


Formed in London in 1967.
Recorded an album's worth of tracks that were only released in the 1990s.

Thursday, 18 June 2020

Chris Revel and the Ravers


Members

Chris Andrews - vocals



Formed in the late 1950s.
Chris Andrews was later a solo recording artist and songwriter. He wrote songs that were recorded by Adam Faith and Sandie Shaw.

Monday, 15 June 2020

Frank Kelly and the Hunters



















Members

Frank Kelly - vocals
Dave Field - bass guitar
Gill Hutchins  - guitar, vocals
Tony Hutchins - lead guitar
? - drums

Formed in Portsmouth.
Tony Hutchins and Gill Hutchins were brother and sister.

Known Gigs

29 Dec 1962 Torquay, Town Hall, Devon. Supporting Barrie James and the Strangers. With Tanya Day, and Gary & Lee
5 Oct 1963 Crewe, Majestic Ballroom. With The Hollies, The Marauders, and Shane Fenton and the Fentones.




The Cougars





















Members

Keith Owen - lead guitar
Dave Tanner - rhythm guitar
Adrian Morgan - bass guitar
Dave Hack - drums

Formed in the West Country in 1961.
Won a talent contest that was being judged by Norrie Paramor who immediately signed them to a recording deal.
Recorded for Parlophone.
Disbanded in 1964.





The Vampires


Members





Formed in Teignmouth, Devon.

Known Gigs

1960 Newton Abbot, Ford Hall, Devon.


The Federals


Members

Tony Bolton - vocals
Frank Milne - vocals, trumpet
Brian Hawkins - guitar
Michael Bush - bass guitar
Tony Kaye (Tony Selvidge) - keyboards
Guy Shepard - drums

Formed in Watford, North London.
Recorded for Parlophone.
Made an album in Romania.
Tony Kaye was later in Johnny Taylor's Star Combo, Jimmy Winston and his Reflections, Winston's Fumbs, Bittersweet, and Yes.

Known Gigs

20 Dec 1963 Paignton, Esplanade Ballroom, Devon.



Joye & Barracudas


Members





Known Gigs

24 Dec 1963 Paignton, Esplanade Ballroom, Devon.


Mel Fear and the Fantastic Fhantoms


Members






Formed in Torquay.
Also billed as The Fantastic Fhantoms, and Mel Fear and the Fhantoms.

Known Gigs

10 Nov 1962. Torquay, Town Hall, Devon. Supporting Nero and the Gladiators. With Paul Keen.
19 Feb 1963 Torquay, 400 Ballroom, Devon.
15 Jun 1963 Torquay, Town Hall, Devon. Supporting The Big Three. With The Rockin' Rebels.
28 Dec 1963 Paignton, Esplanade Ballroom, Devon.
3 Oct 1964 Torquay, Empire Ballroom, Devon.

Sunday, 14 June 2020

Fingers Lee and the Upperhand


Members

Freddie 'Fingers' Lee (Fred Cheesman) - piano, vocals, guitar (Born: 24 November 1937, Consett, Durham - Died: 13 January 2014, Newcastle
Ian Hunter - guitar



Freddie 'Fingers' Lee had previously been in Screaming Lord Sutch's Savages during the time that Ritchie Blackmore was a member.
Ian Hunter later formed Mott the Hoople.

Diane and the Javelins


Members

Diane Parry-Husbands - vocals
Peter London - lead guitar
Dave Pottinger - bass guitar, vocals (Died: February 2013)
Len Howard
Del Allen


Produced by Joe Meek.

Nero and the Gladiators

























Members

Nero (Mike O'Neill) - keyboards (Born: 8 July 1938, Lowton, Lancashire - Died: 10 October 2013)
Colin Green - lead guitar
Rod 'Boots' Slade - bass guitar (Born: 3 September 1941, Weston-super-Mare - Died: 3 May 2013, Murcia, Spain)
Laurie Jay - drums (Died: 2017)

Joe Moretti - lead guitar
Tommy Brown - drums
Diz Disley - guitar
Jim Cannon - bass guitar
Mick Jones - guitar
Alan Bugby - bass guitar
Ralph Danks - guitar



Formed in 1960 in London.
Colin Green left in 1961 before the release of their second single. He was replaced by Joe Moretti who had played the famous guitar riff on Johnny Kidd's 'Shakin' All Over'.
Colin Green was later in Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. He also became the musical director for Shirley Bassey in later years.
Laurie Jay left in 1961 and was replaced by Tommy Brown.
Laurie Jay later formed The Echoes.
Rod Slade left and later joined The Alan Price Set.
Disbanded in early 1964.
Mike O'Neill was later in The John Barry Seven, The Ivy League, The Echoes, and Head, Hands and Feet.
Reformed in 1991 by O'Neill and Green playing in nostalgia shows until 2005.


Known Gigs

19 Jan 1962 Grantham, Granada. The Temperance Seven, Vince Eager, Michael Cox, Johnny Gentle, Shane Fenton and the Fentones, and The Echoes.
20 Jan 1962 Mansfield, Granada. The Temperance Seven, Vince Eager, Michael Cox, Johnny Gentle, Shane Fenton and the Fentones, and The Echoes.
10 Nov 1962 Torquay, Town Hall, Devon. With Paul Keen, and Mel Fear and the Fhantoms.


Saturday, 13 June 2020

Gene Bennett and the Initials
















Members

Gene Bennett (Mick Law) - vocals



Known Gigs

6 Jun 1964 Hastings, Pier Ballroom. Supporting Sounds Incorporated. Incorrectly advertised as Gene Bennett and the Sidewinders.


Carl Fenn and the Mysteries


Members

Carl Fenn




Known Gigs

8 Jan 1962 Stafford, Borough Hall. Supporting Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.


Friday, 12 June 2020

Johnnie Silver and the Thunderbirds


Members

Johnnie Silver - vocals
Roy Ledger - lead guitar




Formed in Sheffield.


The Chevrons


Members

Roy Ledger - lead guitar
Dave Green - bass guitar


Formed in Sheffield.


Pete Fender and the Strollers


Members

Pete Fender - vocals
Roy Ledger - lead guitar



Formed in Sheffield.


The Corvettes


Members

Don Butterell - lead guitar
Mike Higginson - rhythm guitar


Formed in Sheffield.


The Daizies















Members

Dave Robinson - lead guitar
Phil Galley - rhythm guitar
Paul Jarvis - bass guitar
Spud West - drums (Died: 1994)

Formed in Sheffield in 1967.
All four musicians were once members of Frankenstein and the Monsters.


The Four Plus One


Members





Formed in Sheffield.

Known Gigs



















Thursday, 11 June 2020

Johnny Tempest and the Cadillacs


















Members

Johnny Tempest (John Greaves) - vocals (Died: 1982)
Malc Towndrow - guitar
Chris Stainton - bass guitar
Brian Bruce (Died: April 2006)
John Hall

Formed in Sheffield out of Johnny Tempest and the Mariners.
Managed by Peter and Geoff Stringfellow.
Later changed their name to The Texans and released a single on the Columbia label in 1964.
Chris Stainton was later in Joe Cocker's band.

















Known Gigs























Karen Young and the Cadillacs


Members

Karen Young - vocals (Born: 13 April 1946, Sheffield, Yorkshire)




Formed in Sheffield.
Karen Young later went solo and had a Top 10 hit in 1969 with the song 'Nobody's Child'.

Known Gigs

The Debonaires

















Members

Johnny Riley - drums



Formed in Sheffield.

Known Gigs

Ray Du Verne and the Checkers


Members

Ray Du Verne




Formed in Sheffield.

Known Gigs

Dean Marshall and the Deputies


Members

Dean Marshall (Barry Marshall) - vocals




Formed in Sheffield.

Known Gigs

The Vampires


Members





Formed in Sheffield.
Later changed their name to The Sheffields.

Known Gigs

Wednesday, 10 June 2020

Bobby Dene and the Nocturnes


Members




Formed in Sheffield.
Later known as Who's Who.


Vance Arnold and the Avengers


Members

Vance Arnold (John Cocker) - vocals (Born: 20 May 1944 - Died: 22 December 2014)




Formed in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Vance Arnold later had success as Joe Cocker.

Known Gigs

The Drumbeats


Members





Formed in Sheffield.

The Grey Cats


Members





Formed in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Known Gigs





















23 Sep 1966 Rotherham, Kimberworth Park and Wingfield Social Club, Hudson Road, Kimberworth Park. With The George Cottam Trio, Mike Goodwin, and Victor Soverall.



Satan and the Hellkats


Members




Formed in Chesterfield.
Later changed their name to The Millstones, and then again to The Tony Gordon 4.



Karl and the Vampires


Members

Brian 'Karl' Gilbert - lead vocals
John Featherstone - lead guitar
?? - bass guitar
Peter Hughes - drums

Formed in Urmston, Lancashire.

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Frankenstein and the Monsters




















Members

Ray Stuart (Frank Raymond Brookes) - vocals (Frankenstein) (Died: ?)
Budg. P. Curtis – lead guitar
Paul Jarvis - bass guitar
Royce Francis – organ
Andy Fearn – drums

Roy Ledger - lead guitar
Dave Fawcett - rhythm guitar
Richard Smith - drums
Dave Robinson - lead guitar
Phil Galley - rhythm guitar
Spud West - drums (The Mummy) (Died: 1994)

Formed in 1963 in Sheffield.
Various lineups of this band existed with Ray Stuart and Paul Jarvis the only regulars throughout its existence.
Some time in 1965, the lineup included three members of The Sheffields with Ray Stuart as the lead singer 'Frankenstein' and regular bassist Paul Jarvis. At the time The Sheffields were still active.
Some reports say they only did 2 songs per set and sometimes came back on later in the night as a regular band Ray Stuart and the Tremors or Ray Stuart and the Floorboards.
Roy Ledger, Dave Fawcett and Richard Smith left around the time that the Sheffields disbanded in 1965. They were replaced by Dave Robinson, Phil Galley and Spud West respectively.
Roy Ledger was later in The Cruisers backing Dave Berry.
Disbanded in 1966.
Dave Robinson was later in The Cruisers backing Dave Berry.
Phil Galley, Spud West, Paul Jarvis and Dave Robinson were later in The Daizies.
Ray Stuart was later a DJ at Radio Hallam.

Known Gigs





















10 Nov 1963 Crewe, Town Hall. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With The Crestas.
28 Dec 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With Ray Stuart and the Tremors.
5 Oct 1964 Sutton-in-Ashfield, Golden Diamond Social Club, Nottinghamshire.
9 Jan 1965 Sheffield, Locarno. With Jeannie and the Big Guys.




















24 Apr 1966 Burton Upon Trent, 76 Club, Hight Street, Staffordshire.
27 Sep 1966 Rotherham, Kimberworth Park and Wingfield Social Club, Hudson Road, Kimberworth Park. With The George Cottam Trio, Bernie Preston, and Des Terry.




The Sheffields


















Members

John E Alexander - vocals, harmonica, organ
Don Allison - guitar
Brian Cooke - guitar
Dave Fawcett - bass guitar
Richard Smith - drums

Roy Ledger - guitar
Kenny Slade - drums


Formed in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1963.
Originally known as The Vampires, although there are reports that they were also known as 'The Knives and Forks'.
As the Vampires they won a Sheffield group contest at the City Hall on 16th September 1963 put on by Peter Stringfellow. Tony Hatch was one of the judges and they were signed to Pye Records after Hatch changed their name.
Managed by Pete Stringfellow for a short while.
Backed Little Walter and Memphis Slim on their 1964 tour of the UK.
Backed Champion Jack Dupree on his 1965 tour of the UK.
Roy Ledger was formerly in Pete Fender and the Strollers, Johnnie Silver and the Thunderbirds, and The Chevrons.
Kenny Slade replaced Richard Smith on drums in early 1965.
Kenny Slade was previously in The Dae-b-Four.
Disbanded in 1965.
Roy Ledger was later in The Cruisers, backing Dave Berry.
















UK Singles

1964 It Must Be Love/Say Girl                                                                                     Pye 7N 15600
   (Released January 1964)
1964 Got My Mojo Working/Hey, Hey Lover Boy                                                        Pye 7N 15627
   (Released April 1964)





















1965 Bags Groove (Skat Walking)/Plenty Of Love                                                       Pye 7N 15767
   (Released 10 February 1965)

US Singles

1965 Bags Groove (Scat Walking)/Plenty Of Love                                                       Dot 45-16722
   (Released March 1965)

Known Gigs

13 Nov 1963 Sheffield, City Hall. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With The Big Three, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Karen Young, Johnny Tempest and the Cadillacs, The Four Plus One, Vance Arnold and the Avengers, and The Vantennas.
1 Feb 1964 Manchester, Twisted Wheel Club.
1 Mar 1964 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Supporting Herman's Hermits. With The Bumblies, and The Detonators.
12 Mar 1964 Elgin, Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Scotland.
9 May 1964 Bournemouth, Le Disque A Go-Go.
16 Jul 1964 London, 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, W1. With The Tridents.
5 Sep 1964 Manchester, Twisted Wheel Club. Supporting Memphis Slim. With Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames.
12 Sep 1964 Nottingham, Dungeon Club.
10 Dec 1964 London, Marquee Club. With Rod Stewart with the Soul Agents.
9 Jan 1965 Manchester, Twisted Wheel Club.
28 Jan 1965 Stafford, B. R. C. Club, Burton Manor, Staffordshire.
17 Mar 1965 London, The Bromel Club. Backing Champion Jack Dupree.
20 Mar 1965 Manchester, Twisted Wheel Club. Backing Champion Jack Dupree. With The Habit.
25 Mar 1965 Southsea, Kimbells Ballroom. Backing Champion Jack Dupree.
27 Mar 1965 London, Kingston Upon Thames, Kingston Technical College. Supported by Mike Dee and the Prophets.


The Rebels


Members

Kenny Lord (Michael Bourne) - vocals, washboard
Peter Chilks - rhythm guitar
Ray ?? - rhythm guitar
Terry Lyddington - tea chest bass

Formed in London in 1958.
Disbanded in 1959.
Kenny Lord was later in Kenny Lord and the Statesmen.
Kenny Lord later went under the professional name of Mike Berry and recorded for Joe Meek with The Outlaws and The Innocents. He then had a long solo career and also acted on stage and screen.



The Macabre


Members

Peter Vernon-Kell - guitar,vocals
Ed Hamilton - rhythm guitar, vocals
Alan Oates - bass guitar
Carl Broadbent - drums
 
Chris Downing - guitar, vocals

Formed in West London.
Peter Vernon-Kell was previously in The Detours, the band that evolved into The Who.
Ed Hamilton was previously in The Crescents.
Chris Downing replaced Ed Hamilton around July 1964.
Ed Hamilton was later in The Outlaws.
Peter Vernon-Kell was later in The Hamilton Movement.


Known Gigs

13 Sep 1964 London, The Ealing Club.
20 Sep 1964 London, The Ealing Club.
5 Oct 1964 London, The Ealing Club.


Kenny Lord and the Statesmen















Members

Kenny Lord (Mike Bourne) - vocals
Tony Franchi - lead guitar
Siro Andreoli - rhythm guitar
Pete Richardson - bass guitar
Terry Prudente - drums


Formed in London in the late 1950s.
Kenny Lord and the Statesmen were offered a management and production deal with Joe Meek, but Meek soon dopped The Statesmen and kept Kenny Lord, whose real name was Mike Bourne.
Mike Bourne later changed his name to Mike Berry, at the suggestion of Joe Meek, and recorded with The Outlaws, and then The Innocents.
The Statesmen disbanded in 1960.



Mike Berry and the Outlaws




















Members

Mike Berry (Michael Bourne) - vocals
Billy Kuy - lead guitar
Reg Hawkins - rhythm guitar
Chas Hodges - bass guitar
Bobby Graham (Robert Neate) - drums

Don Groom - drums
Heinz Burt - bass guitar
Roger Mingay - lead guitar
Ray Byhart - rhythm guitar
Lorne Greene - lead guitar
Ken Lundgren - rhythm guitar, steel guitar, keyboards (Died: 9 Oct 2019, Vancouver, Canada)

Mike Berry was previously in The Rebels, a skiffle group, and Kenny Lord and the Statesmen.
The Outlaws were the house band at Joe Meek's studios and recorded with many solo artists.
They recorded several singles together, one under the name Mike Berry and the Admirals.
Mike Berry was later in Mike Berry and the Innocents.


The Innocents


Members

Roger Brown - lead guitar
Colin Giffin - guitar, saxophone
Dave Brown - bass guitar
Don Groom - drums

The Innocents were previously known as Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos who had had a hit with 'Baby Sittin' in 1961. Bobby Angelo went solo and The Tuxedos eventually changed their name to The Innocents.
Don Groom was also in The Outlaws who recorded with Mike Berry and had their own hits.
As well as releasing their own singles, The Innocents backed Mike Berry, Mike Sarne and many others on their recorded output and at some gigs.


Blues By Six


Members

Brian Knight - guitar, vocals
Charlie Watts - drums



Formed in London in the early 1960s.
Charlie Watts was later in Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, and The Rolling Stones.


The Cliftons


Members

Bill Wyman - bass guitar
Tony Chapman - drums


Formed in London.
Bill Wyman was later in The Rolling Stones.
Tony Chapman was later in The Rolling Stones, The Preachers, and The Herd.


Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos
















Members

Bobby Angelo (Robert Hemmings) - vocals
Colin Giffin - guitar
David Brown - bass guitar
Don Groom - drums
Mick Avory - drums

Tony O'Toole
Pete Cresswell
Johnny Kent
Jack Fry


Later Bobby Angelo went solo and was backed by The End and also The Hi-Grades on records.
Later the Tuxedos changed their name to The Innocents and became Mike Berry's backing group.
Mick Avory was later in The Kinks.

UK Singles

Baby Sittin'/Skinny Lizzy                                                                                                 HMV POP 892
   (Released July 1961. Reached No. 30 in the UK Charts)

Known Gigs

22 Dec 1961 London, Stanley Hall, South Norwood. With Vern Rogers and the Hi-Fi's.
5 May 1962 Hastings, Pier Ballroom. With Susan Terry, and Forrie Cairns And The Clansmen with Fiona Duncan.
6 Oct 1962 Hastings, Pier Ballroom. With Susan Terry, and Jimmy Crawford and the Ravens.
30 Mar 1963 Bishop's Stortford, Long's Hall. With Kenny Lee and the Mark Four.


Mike Berry and the Innocents


















Members

Mike Berry - vocals
Roger Brown - lead guitar
Colin Giffin - guitar, saxophone
Dave Brown - bass guitar
Don Groom - drums

Mike Berry had previously been backed by The Outlaws.
The Innocents were previously known as Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos who had had a hit with 'Baby Sittin' in 1961. They had been backing Mike Berry for a while doing live gigs before changing their name.
Don Groom had also played with The Outlaws, backing Mike Berry.
The Innocents also backed other artists like Mike Sarne on record and for some live gigs.
The Innocents also recorded without Mike Berry for HMV.
Disbanded in 1966.
Mike Berry had a long solo career and was also an actor on stage and television.

















Known Gigs

22 Nov 1963 Winchester, Lido, Hampshire. With The Strangers.
14 Dec 1963 Ramsey, Gaiety Ballroom, Cambridgeshire. With Steve Crane and the Champions.
18 Jan 1964 Colchester, Odeon, Essex. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With John Leyton, Mike Sarne, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Don Spencer, Billy Boyle, Billie Davis and the Leroys, and Jet Harris.
14 Mar 1964 Southend-on-Sea, Palace Dance Hall, Pier Hill, Essex. With The Confederates.
23 May 1964 London, Walthamstow Assembly Hall, Walthamstow.
29 Jun 1964 Hastings, Pier Ballroom. Supported by Chris Star and the Orbits.
8 Sep 1964 Colchester, Odeon, Essex. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With The Mojos, Simon Scott and the Le Roys, and Inez and Charlie Foxx.
3 Oct 1964 London, Royal Edmonton, Edmonton, Middlesex. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With The Mojos, Simon Scott and the Le Roys, and Inez and Charlie Foxx.
10 Oct 1964 Southend, Odeon, Essex. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With The Mojos, Simon Scott and the Le Roys, and Inez and Charlie Foxx.
24 Oct 1964 Bishop’s Stortford, Rhodes Centre, Hertfordshire. With The Blobs.
5 Mar 1966 Louth, Town Hall, Lincolnshire. With The Moonspinners.












Monday, 8 June 2020

Dave Lacey and the Corvettes


















Members

Dave Lacey - vocals




Formed in Stourbridge, West Midlands.
Won a beat group contest sponsored by the Birmingham Evening Despatch newspaper.

UK Singles

1965 That's What They All Say/I've Had Enough                                                             Philips BF 1419
   (Released 25 June 1965. Both sides written by Dave Lacey with J. Sheppard co-writing the B-side.)


Known Gigs

21 Dec 1966 Birmingham, Plaza Ballroom, Old Hill. With The Gravy Train, The Capitol System, and The Indigo Set.



Chad and the Tuxedos


Members




Formed in Cheshire.

Known Gigs

21 Dec 1963 Nantwich, Civic Hall, Cheshire. Supporting Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers. With Shane Snowden and the Sapphires.
28 Dec 1963 Nantwich, Civic Hall, Cheshire. With Gary B. Goode and the Hotrods, and Gene Rondell and the Tempests.



The Anglians




















Members

Garry (Brian) Freeman - vocals
Guitar: Roy Bell - guitar
Alistair Thorn - bass guitar
Clive Clare (Clive Frindle) - keyboards
Hilson Hatley - drums

Formed in Norwich in 1966.
Previously known as Garry Freeman and the Contours.
Evolved into The Moving Finger in 1968 and recorded for Mercury Records.

UK Singles

1967 A Friend of Mine/Daytime Lover                                                                             CBS 202489
   (Released 13 January 1967)


Known Gigs

07 Mar 1967 Norwich, St Andrews Hall. Supporting Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds.
15 Apr 1967 Norwich, Orford Cellar. With John L Watson and The Web.
09 Sep 1967 Cromer, West Runton Pavilion. Supporting Ebony Keyes.



Pythagoras' Squares



















Members

Paul Barker - vocals
Pete Ball - bass guitar, saxophone (Died: 2019)
Ed (Keith) Edhouse - lead guitar
Vic Gale - keyboards
Rick Spencer - drums

Dave 'Fred' Fox - bass guitar
Brian Harris - lead guitar
Peter Reeve - keyboards
Noel Chartres McManus - tenor saxophone (Died: 1985)
Frank Withey - bass guitar
Allen Wright - drums

Formed in Halifax in 1964.
Noel McManus joined in early 1966.
Noel McManus had previously been in Blues By Five, and Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages.
Disbanded in 1968.



















Known Gigs

18 Mar 1966 Halifax, The Princess Ballroom.
16 July 1966 Barnsley, Civic Hall. Supporting The Who.

The Men of Mystery


Members

Len Ashley - vocals, harmonica
Ron McQueen (Ron Faulkner) - lead guitar
Ken Morgan - rhythm guitar
Jim Whitaker - bass guitar
Phil Wainman - drums

Formed in Harrow, London in 1960.
All the members were at Belmont School in Harrow.
They were initially a four-piece until Len Ashley joined them on vocals.
Played the American bases in the south of England for agent Jack Fallon of Cana Variety.
Toured Scotland and the North of England.
Backed popular vocalists Marty Wilde and Duffy Power.
Had a recording test with Joe Meek who wanted Len Ashley to sing some rock 'n' roll style songs, but Ashley turned it down.
Phil Wainman was later in The Paramounts, Johnny B. Great and The Quotations, and Jimmy Cliff and The Sound System. He then became a successful record producer, producing The Sweet and The Boomtown Rats.
Len Ashley and Ron Faulkner were later in Blues By Five.

Known Gigs

17 Sep 1963 London, South Harrow British Legion Hall. Supporting The Rolling Stones.

Sunday, 7 June 2020

Blues By Five














Members

Len Ashley - vocals, harmonica
Ron McQueen (Ron Faulkner) - lead guitar
Mick Wright - bass guitar (Died:?)
Bill (Anthony) Blissett - keyboards
Noel Chartres McManus - tenor saxophone (Died: 1985)
Dick Brice - drums (Died: May 2006)

David Ozholl (David Jones) - lead guitar














Formed in late 1963 in London.
Len Ashley and Ron Faulkner were formerly in The Men of Mystery.
David Ozholl replaced Ron McQueen, who had become ill, on lead guitar in the summer of 1964 during a UK tour where they were backing Big Dee Irwin from America.
Disbanded in September 1965.
Noel McManus later played with Screaming Lord Sutch's Savages and Pythagoras' Squares.
Len Ashley and Ron Faulkner were later in Fascination, and TAN. They reformed Blues By Five in 1992.


UK Singles

1964 Boom Boom/I Cried                                                                                              Decca F 12029
   (Released 20 November 1964)




















Known Gigs

17 Jul 1964 Trentham, Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire. Backing Big Dee Irwin.


The Escorts




















Members

John Kinrade (John Knowles) - rhythm guitar, vocals (Born: 25 June 1946, Southport, Lancashire)
Mike Gregory - bass, vocals (Born: 7 November 1946, Kensington, Liverpool)
Terry Sylvester - lead guitar, vocals (Born 8 January 1947, Allerton, Liverpool)
Johnny Sticks (John Foster) - drums

Ray Walker - vocals
Pete Clark (Peter Gaskell. Born: 1946) - drums
Kenny Goodlass - drums
Tommy Kelly - drums
Frank Townsend - guitar
Paddy Chambers - rhythm guitar, vocals
Paul Comerford - drums


Formed in Liverpool in 1962.
Ray Walker was an early vocalist for the group.
John Foster left in 1963 and was replaced by Pete Clark.
Pete Clark had two stints drumming for The Escorts; from 1963 to 1964 and then from 1965 to 1966.
Kenny Goodlass played drums from 1964 to 1965, in between the two stints by Pete Clark. Goodlass had previously been in The Kirkbys.
Tommy Kelly had a brief stint playing drums with The Escorts in 1966, replacing Pete Clark. Kelly had been in Earl Preston's Realms.
Terry Sylvester left in 1966 to join The Swinging Blue Jeans. He was later in The Hollies replacing Graham Nash. 
Terry Sylvester was replaced by Frank Townsend, who had previously been in The Easybeats of Liverpool and The Beachwoods. Townsend was later a member of Tony Rivers and the Castaways when he left The Escorts later in 1966.
Paddy Chambers joined in 1966. He had previously played with Faron's Flamingos and The Big Three.
Paul Comerford joined in 1966 replacing Tommy Kelly on drums. He had previously played with The Cryin' Shames.
Disbanded in 1967.
Mike Gregory joined The Swinging Blue Jeans in 1967.


Known Gigs

5 Nov 1963 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Supporting The Rolling Stones. With The Mastersounds, and The Roadrunners
1 Aug 1964 Nantwich, Civic Hall, Cheshire. 
2 Aug 1964 Nottingham, Dungeon Club. With The Mansfields
26 Dec 1964 Nottingham, Dungeon Club.
23 Jul 1966 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Re-opening of The Cavern. All day/All night session. With The Hideaways, The Signs and The Times, The Tremas, The Chants, Dark Ages, Georgia's Germs, The Excelles, The Strandmen, The Seftons, The Carrolls, The Dollies, The Senates, The Dark Ages, The Rock House Band and The Prowlers. Marty Wilde, Georgie Fame, Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick and Titch, The Bachelors, The Searchers, Billy J Kramer, The Fourmost, The Merseys, Solomon Burke, Rufus Thomas, The Scaffold and The Pete Best Combo. Plus DJs Jonathan King, Simon Dee, and Jimmy Savile.

Gerry Brookes


Real Name: Gerry Brookes
Born: 1944/45
Instruments Played: Guitar
Groups: The Dakotas, Sean Campbell and the Tremeloes, The Mysterys, The System, The Colour Supplement, Middle Earth, The Story Book, Johnny and the Falcons, and Hassle.


Cliff Adams and the Twilights


Members

Cliff Adams - vocals




Known Gigs

24 Dec 1963 Crewe, Majestic Ballroom, High Street. Supported by Dene Wayne and the Exiles, Gerry Levene and the Avengers, and Gary B Goode and the Hotrods.

















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