Barrie James and the Strangers

 

Members

Barrie James - vocals

Tony Collier - guitar

Sandy Lane

Fred Funnel (Brian Oram) - bass guitar

John Baker - drums

Johnny Watson - drums

Shirley Gaye

John Baker - drums

Pete Jackson  - bass guitar

Formed in Southampton in the early 1960s.

Managed by Len Canham.

Barrie James was 'discovered' when he entered a Carroll Levis Show talent competition in 1956 and won.

The Strangers were formed specifically to back Barrie James as part of a variety package called 'The Barrie James Show', during which there were jokes and impressions to compliment the rock 'n' roll and ballads that Barrie sang. Members of The Strangers changed regularly.

Known Gigs

29 Dec 1962 Torquay, Town Hall, Devon. Supported by Frank Kelly and the Hunters, Tanya Day, and Gary & Lee.

10 Feb 1963 Camberley, Agincourt Ballroom, Surrey. Supported by Gary & Lee. 

25 Feb 1963 Stafford, Borough Hall. Supported by Tanya Day, and Gary & Lee. The 'Barrie James Show'.

5 Jul 1963 London, Alexandra Palace. Supporting Gene Vincent. With The Barron Knights, John Barry Seven, Cyril Davies and His Rhythm and Blues Allstars, Craig Douglas, Shane Fenton and the Fentones, Screaming Lord Sutch, and Robb Storme and the Whispers. Festival of Beat Music.

 

 

 

 

 

St. Louis Checks

Members

Chris West - vocals
Mick McGuigan - bass guitar
Ginger Woods - keyboards
Alan Williams - drums
Nick Nicholson - guitar

Eric Merriwood - keyboards
Mark Hunter - bass guitar

Formed in Portsmouth in 1965.
Mick McGuigan was later in Coconut Mushroom.
Alan Williams was later in Magic Roundabout and then Harlem Speakeasy.

Known Gigs

14 Sep 1967 Southampton, Royal Pier. With The Shames, The Change, and Brother Bung.

Cherry Smash

Members

Mark Tuddenham - lead vocals
Graham Hunt - bass guitar
John Curtis - guitar, bass guitar
Mick Gill - guitar
Brian Hugg (Bryan Sebastian) - guitar, vocals

Formed in Gosport, Hampshire.
Brian Hugg is the brother of Mike Hugg of Manfred Mann.
Mick Gill left the group soon after their first single was released.
Disbanded in 1969.
Brian Hugg was later in Manfred Mann Chapter Three with his brother Mike.
John Curtis was later the bass guitarist for Katch 22.

UK Singles

1967 Sing Songs Of Love/Movie Star                                                                            Track 604017
   (Released December 1967. Credited to The Cherry Smash)
1968 Goodtime Sunshine/Little Old Country Home Town                                            Decca F 12838
   (Released 11 October 1968)
1969 Fade Away Maureen/Green Plant                                                                          Decca F 12884
   (Released 7 February 1969)

Ten Feet Five

Members





Formed in Andover, Hampshire in 1962.


Known Gigs

19 May 1965 Andover, TA Centre. With The Birds, and The Fleur De Lys.