Johnny Fox and the Hunters

Members

Jon Fox - lead vocals, guitar

John Franks - lead guitar

Tony Hancocks - rhythm guitar

Roy Lewis - bass guitar, vocals

Ted Powell - drums, vocals

Geoff Roberts

Ian 'Sludge' Lees

Terry Ward

Formed in Birmingham in 1963.

The Hunters were a group before Jon Fox joined them in 1963.

Also known as Jon Fox and the Hunters.

Appeared on television on ATV's ' For Teenagers Only'.

Known Gigs

17 May 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With The Three Spirits, Gerry Levene and the Avengers, and Gus Travis and the Rainchecks.

20 May 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. Supporting Gene Vincent. With The Three Spirits.

23 Aug 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. Supporting The Rockin' Berries. With The Three Spirits.

13 Dec 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders, The Three Spirits, and The Emperors.

Danny King and the Majestics

Members

Danny King - vocals

Formed in Birmingham in 1963.

Danny King had previously been in Danny King and the Royals.

Known Gigs

21 Dec 1963 Birmingham, West Midlands. With Carl Wayne and the Vikings, Steve Brett and the Mavericks, and The Sherwoods.

Danny Burns and the Phantoms

 

 

Members

Danny Burns (Pete Worral) - lead vocal
Alan Oldaker - lead guitar, vocal (Died: 2008)
Larry Sheil - bass guitar, vocals
Tom Williams - rhythm guitar, vocals
Eric Foxall - drums

 

Barry St. John (Barry Smith) - drums

Alan Watson - guitar

Formed in Birmingham, West Midlands.

Played at the Hit Club in Hamburg.

Erix Foxall left in 1964 and was replaced on drums by Barry St. John.

Alan Watson briefly and temporarily joined the group in 1964 for their first trip to Germany in place of Alan Oldaker, who was under 18 and unable to go.

 

Known Gigs

15 May 1964 Hamburg, Hit Club, Germany. With Dene Wayne and the Exiles.

3 Jul 1964 Dunstable, California Ballroom. With The Interns, and The Cavaliers.

Christine Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Name: Christine Campbell
Born: 1940 (estimated) Birmingham, West Midlands, England.
Groups: The Merry Macs, Solo

Tommy Bruce and the Bruisers

Members

Tommy Bruce - vocals (Born: 16 July 1937, Stepney, London - 10 July 2006)
Peter Green - guitar, vocals, piano
Peter McGinty - bass guitar
Dave Mountney - drums

Bob Coral - lead vocals
Don McGinty - drums

Tommy Bruce was a London van driver and market porter who's friend and neighbour was songwriter Barry Mason. With Barry's encouragement, Tommy recorded a version of 'Ain't Misbehavin', paired with Birmingham group, The Bruisers, and with the musical direction of Norrie Paramor, which was released on Columbia Records to great success and his career took off. Tommy's voice was unique in the world of pop music, with a gravelly resonance, and with his cheerful persona Tommy was able to carve out a niche in the music industry. After two singles with The Bruisers, Tommy went solo. The Bruisers had their own recording career.


Known Gigs

11 Feb 1962 London, Granada, East Ham. Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Joe Brown and the Bruvvers, Shane Fenton and the Fentones, Vince Eager, Johnny Gentle, Nero And The Gladiators, Nelson Keene, Danny Rivers, and The Echoes.
17 Feb 1962 Torquay, 400 Ballroom, Devon.
7 Jul 1962 Dunstable, California Ballroom. With The Tommy Claridge Orchestra.
14 Jul 1962 Hastings, The Pier Ballroom. With Antony Strudwick and His Music.
22 Dec 1962 Malvern, Winter Gardens. With Vince Eager and the Barons, and Dennis Wheeler and His Orchestra.
26 Jan 1963 Hastings, The Pier Ballroom.

22 Mar 1964 Manchester, Palace Theatre. Supporting Gene Vincent And The Shouts. With The Four Pennies, The Undertakers, Shane Fenton and the Fentones, The Kinks, and The Harbour Lights.

Pat Wayne and the Beachcombers

Members

 

Pat Wayne (Patrick Curley) - lead vocal

Geoff Roberts - lead guitar

Dario Capaldi - saxophone

Brian 'Monk' Finch - saxophone (Died: 1990s)

Mel Edwards - bass guitar

Brian Sharpe - drums

 

Tony Carter - lead guitar

Trevor Langham - keyboards

Eric Ashcroft - lead guitar

John Bonham - drums

Mike Kellie - drums

 

Formed in Birmingham.

Recorded the title song for the 1963 film 'Strictly for the Birds'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Known Gigs

 

6 Jan 1964 Bloxwich, Baths Hall.

1 Mar 1964 Burton Upon Trent, 76 Club, High Street, Staffordshire.

4 Jul 1964 Crewe, Majestic Ballroom. With Dene Wayne and the Exiles, and Gary B Goode and the Hotrods.

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.

 

Keith Powell and the Valets

Members

Keith Powell - lead singer
John Allsebrook - bass guitar
Mal Ford - organ
Phil Gaynor - saxophone
Colin Wood - guitar
Mal Ritter - drums


Steve Horton - bass guitar
Dave Spencer - guitar

Formed in Birmingham.
In June 1963, the group won a recording contract with Columbia under producer Norrie Paramor after an audition at the Moat House Club in the Bull Ring, Birmingham. Five of the 13 bands auditioning were given contracts.
Keith Powell left in 1965
John Allsebrook left in 1965 and was replaced by Steve Horton.
Colin Wood left in 1966 and was replaced by Dave Spencer.

UK Singles

1963 Come On And Join The Party/The Answer Is No                                           Columbia DB 7116
   (Released 20 Sep 1963)
1964 Tore Up/You Better Let Him Go                                                                     Columbia DB 7229
   (Released 6 Mar 1964)
1964 I Should Know Better (But I Don't)/Too Much Monkey Business                 Columbia DB 7366
   (Released 25 Sep 1964)

Mike Sheridan's Lot

Members

Mike Sheridan - vocals
Dave Pritchard - guitar, vocals
Greg Masters - bass guitar, vocals
Roger Spencer - drums
Roy Wood - lead guitar, vocals

Jeff Lynne - ead guitar, vocals

Formerly known as Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders.

The Hound Dogs

Members

Roger Spencer - drums



Formed in Birmingham.
Roger Spencer was later in Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders, Mike Sheridan's Lot, and The Idle Race.

Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders

Members

 

Mike Sheridan - vocals

Dave Pritchard - guitar, vocals

Al Johnson - lead guitar

Brian Cope - bass guitar

Roger Spencer - drums

 

Greg Masters - bass guitar, vocals

Roy Wood - lead guitar, vocals

John Mann - lead guitar

Jeff Lynne - lead guitar, vocals

 

Formed in Birmingham.

Dave Pritchard had previously been in The Planets.

Roger Spencer had previously been in The Hound Dogs.

In June 1963, the group won a recording contract with Columbia under producer Norrie Paramor after an audition at the Moat House Club in the Bull Ring, Birmingham. Five of the 13 bands auditioning were given contracts.

Greg Masters replaced Brian Cope on bass guitar late in 1963.

Greg Masters had previously been in The Dominators, The G Men, and Roy Everett and The Climbers.

Roy Wood replaced Al Johnson on lead guitar in 1964.

Roy Wood had previously been in The Falcons, and Gerry Levene and the Avengers.

John Mann replaced Roy Wood on lead guitar in 1966.

Jeff Lynne replaced John Mann on lead guitar in 1966.

The group changed their name to Mike Sheridan's Lot and released a single under their new name.

Mike Sheridan left in 1966.

The group carried on as The Nightriders for a while and then changed their name to The Idle Race and their musical style to something more progressive and psychedelic.

Roy Wood was later in The Move, ELO and Wizzard before going solo.

Jeff Lynne was later in ELO. 

Mike Sheridan was later in Mike Sheridan's New Lot, and Sheridan-Price, with Rick Price. 

When Mike Sheridan turned 50 he had a private party and performed with many former members of The Nightriders, including Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne. The party was videoed and clips have appeared on YouTube.

Known Gigs

13 Dec 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With The Three Spirits, Jon Fox and the Hunters, and The Emperors.

22 Dec 1963 Crewe, Town Hall. Supported by Dene Wayne and the Exiles.

26 Jul 1964 Burton Upon Trent, 76 Club, High Street, Staffordshire.

20 Dec 1964 Burton Upon Trent, 76 Club, High Street, Staffordshire.

27 Jun 1965 Nottingham, Dungeon Club. With The Incrowd.

12 Mar 1965 Nottingham, Dungeon Club.

9 Apr 1965 Nottingham, Dungeon Club. With The Incrowd.

27 Jun 1965 Nottingham, Dungeon Club. With The Incrowd.

 

The Chequers

Members

Mike Tyler (later to become Mike Sheridan) - vocals, piano
Graham Bull - drums
Max Griffiths - lead guitar
Horace Hunt - Rhythm Guitar
Brian Cope  - Double Bass

Formed in Selly Oak, Birmingham.

The Grasshoppers

Members

Brenda Bosworth - vocals
Mickey Bakewell - vocals
Dave Carter - lead guitar


Formed in Birmingham.

Known Gigs

6 Mar 1964 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With Gerry Levene and the Avengers, The Three Spirits, and The Crescendoes.

14 Mar 1964 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With The Three Spirits, and The Sovereigns.

Gerry Levene and the Avengers

Members

Gerry Levene - vocals
Mike 'Sprike' Hopkins - guitar
John Watson - guitar
Graeme Edge - drums
Jim Onslow - bass guitar, vocals
Peter Cook - keyboards

Roy Wood - guitar, vocals

Formed in Birmingham.
John Watson left the group in 1963.
Roy Wood joined in 1963 and left in 1964 to join Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders.


Known Gigs

17 May 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With The Three Spirits, Johnny Fox and the Hunters, and Gus Travis and the Rainchecks.

8 Nov 1963 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With The Sorenos, and The Three Spirits.

24 Dec 1963 Crewe, Majestic Ballroom, High Street. Supporting Cliff Adams and the Twilights. With Dene Wayne and the Exiles, and Gary B Goode and the Hotrods.
11 Jan 1964 Lichfield, Guildhall, Bore Street, Staffordshire. With Denny Laine and the Diplomats, and The Saints.
31 Jan 1964 Burton Upon Trent, 76 Club, High Street, Staffordshire.

6 Mar 1964 Tamworth, Assembly Rooms. With The Three Spirits, The Grasshoppers, and The Crescendoes.

The Exception

Members

Alan 'Bugsy' Eastwood - vocals, drums, vibes, harmonica, guitar
Roger Hill - lead guitar, drums, vocals
Dave Pegg - bass guitar, vocals

John Rowlands - bass guitar, vocals
Malcolm Garner - bass guitar, vocals
Steve Yetson - saxophone, piano

Formed in Birmingham.
Dave Pegg left to join The Ian Campbell Folk Group, and he was later in Fairport Convention. He is now their longest serving member as of writing.
John Rowlands replaced Dave Pegg in 1967 and left in 1968.
John Rowlands had previously been a member of The Boll Weevills, and The Seed.
Malcom Garner replaced John Rowlands in 1968. Garner had previously been in The Andicaps.
Steve Yetson joined in 1968.

The Seed

Members

Geoff Nicholls - lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
John Rowlands - bass guitar, vocals
Trevor Neath - lead guitar, vocals
Malcolm 'Mac' Poole - drums, vocals

Tony Thompson - drums, vocals

Formed in Birmingham.
Previously known as The Boll Weevills.
Tony Thompson left around the time they changed their name to The Seed.
Played professionally for a few months.
When Mac Poole and Trevor Neath both decided to leave, the group disbanded.
Trevor Neath left to join the army.
Mac Poole had previously been a member of Derri Ryan and the Incas.
John Rowlands later joined The Exception.
Mac Poole was later in Young Blood, The Dangerfield Band, Big Bertha, Warhorse and many other bands.
Geoff Nicholls was later in The World of Oz, Johnny Neal and the Starliners, Quartz, and Black Sabbath.

The Boll Weevills

Members

Billy Dixon - rhythm guitar, vocals
Geoff Nicholls - lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
John Rowlands - bass guitar, vocals
Peter Webb - drums, vocals

Tony Thompson - drums, vocals
Trevor Neath - lead guitar, vocals
Malcolm 'Mac' Poole - drums, vocals

Formed in Birmingham.
Billy Dixon left the group to concentrate on a career outside of music and they became The Boll Weevills 3 for a while, playing as a trio.
Peter Webb also left soon after and was replaced by Ton Thompson on drums.
Geoff Nicholls had started to play keyboards on stage aswell and the group needed another guitarist. This is when Trevor Neath joined and they were a four-piece again.
When the group wanted to turn professional, Tony Thompson decided to stick with his day job as a printer. Mac Poole was eventually brought into the group. At this stage The Boll Weevills changed their name to The Seed.
Trevor Neath left to join the army.
Mac Poole had previously been a member of Derri Ryan and the Incas.
The Seed evetually split after after a few months.
John Rowlands later joined The Exception.
Mac Poole was later in Young Blood, The Dangerfield Band, Big Bertha, Warhorse and many other bands.
Geoff Nicholls was later in The World of Oz, Johnny Neal and the Starliners, Quartz, and Black Sabbath.