Jeannie and the Big Guys

Members

Jeannie (Rita Hughes) - vocals

Dave Jones - lead guitar

Phil Blackman - keyboards

Owen Ricketts - bass guitar

Terry Lynch - drums (Died: 2023)

Peter Johnson - lead guitar

John Pickett - bass guitar

George Roberts - drums

Formed in Chester, Cheshire.

Previously known as The Pacemakers and then Four Hits and a Miss.

Disbanded in early 1964.

Jeannie (Rita Hughes) later toured Germany with a Chester group called The Fugitives.

Rita Hughes was later backed by Earl Royce and the Olympics and recorded as Cindy Cole.

Rick E. Darne and the Toplins

Members

Formed in Chester, Cheshire as The Overlanders.

Changed their name several times, first to Richard Dee And The Dee-Fenders, then Rick E. Darne and The Dee-Fenders, and finally Rick E. Darne And The Toplins after winning 'Toplin Beat Group Contest', sponsored by the Rael-Brook shirt company, the heats and semi-final of which were held at The Cavern in Liverpool in 1964. The final was held at the Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Cheshire on 10th August 1964 featuring twelve groups. While the judges made their decision there was a performance by The Rolling Stones. The other finalists were Bobby and the Bachelors, The Downbeats, The Hustlers, The Jay-els, The Mark Four, The Johnny Taylor Five, The Tokens, The Top Spots, The Trakkers, The Wyverns, and Dale Young and the Seminoles.

The prize for winning was a recording contract, but they had to change the group name to The Toplins. 

UK Singles

1965 Sleigh Bells/Christmas Message                                                                                 Unicord UP 663

   (Credited to Rick E. Darn and the Toplins)

The Overlanders

Members

Not to be confused with The Overlanders who had a No.1 UK hit with 'Michelle'.

Formed in Chester, Cheshire.

Managed by Mr. H. Williams of Chester.

According to publicity at the time, they changed their name on 1 October 1963 initially to Richard Dee And The Dee-Fenders, then almost immediately to Rick E. Darne and The Dee-Fenders, and finally Rick E. Darne And The Toplins after winning 'Toplin Beat Group Contest', sponsored by the Rael-Brook shirt company, the heats and semi-final of which were held at The Cavern in Liverpool in 1964. The final was held at the Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Cheshire on 10th August 1964 featuring twelve groups. 

UK Singles

1965 Sleigh Bells/Christmas Message                                                                                 Unicord UP 663

   (Credited to Rick E. Darn and the Toplins)

Known Gigs

24 Nov 1962 Chester, Blacon Community Centre.

An advert in The Cheshire Observer.

Wall City Jazzmen

Members




Formed in Chester.

Known Gigs

29 Oct 1962 Chester, Quaintways. With vocalist Pat Fields. Supported by Johnny Sandon and the Remo Four.

6 Feb 1967 Chester, Quaintways, Cheshire. Supporting Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. With Conda Group, and The Rockin' Vickers.

The Senators

Members







Formed in Chester, Cheshire.

Known Gigs

29 Dec 1962 Chester, Riverpark Ballroom. Supporting Ian and the Zodiacs.

The Buccaneers

Members





Formed in Chester, Cheshire.

Known Gigs

7 Jan 1963 Chester, Classic Cinema, Foregate Street. Chester Talent Contest first round.

The Excheckers

Members

Peter Johnson - lead guitar, piano, vocals
John Pickett - bass guitar, vocals
Philip Blackwell - keyboards, lead vocals
George Roberts - drums, vocals

Aynsley Dunbar - drums
John Bell - drums

Formed in Chester, Cheshire in 1963. (Some sources say they are from Ellesmere Port)
Peter Johnson, John Pickett and Phil Blackwell were previously in The Vikings.
George Roberts was previously in Jeannie and the Big Guys.
Managed by Les Ackerley from November 1963.
Recorded two tracks in German before touring Germany in 1964, Big Bad John and Memphis Tennessee.
George Roberts was replaced by Aynsley Dunbar on drums in 1964.
Aynsley Dunbar was replaced by John Bell on drums in 1965.


UK Singles

1964 All The World Is Mine/It's All Over                                                                    Decca F 11871
   (Released 27 March 1964. Both sides written by the group.)

Germany Singles

1965 Buzz-Buzz-Buzz/You Are My New Love                                                         Ariola 18 596 AT
1965 Mama Didn't Know/Do The Bird                                                                      Ariola 18 598 AT
   (Both singles released in October 1965)

Known Gigs

16 Apr 1964 Liverpool, The Iron Door, Temple Street. With The Harlems, and The Chants.
24 Apr 1964 Coventry, Locarno.

Take Four

Members





Formed in Chester.


Known Gigs

21 Jan 1964 Chester, Majestic Ballroom. Supporting Jimmy Crawford and the Shantells.