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.

 

 

 

 

 

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.