|
|
NAME
|
SHOW
|
CAREER
|
DIED
|
Alma Cogan
 |
23,34
|
Born Alma Angela Cohen on the 19th of May 1932 in Stepney, London, fun-loving Alma, dubbed 'The girl with laughter in her voice' often wore extravagant gowns with lots of sequins and feathers. She sang in a variety of styles and was always busy with many TV appearances and recording sessions. She was friends with the Beatles and even recorded one of their hits, 'Eight Days A Week'. Tragically, the ever popular 34 year old Alma died of cancer in a London hospital in 1966.
|
October
26, 1966
|
Bertice Reading
  |
T1,T2
|
Born on 22nd July 1933 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Versatile Bertice went to live in London early in her career and sang Jazz, Blues and later, Soul music. She appeared in 'The Jazz Train' at the Piccadilly Theatre, London in the late 1950's and about 1967/8 she was living in Switzerland.
She appeared in two movies, "Lune dans le carniveau" (Moon in the gutter) in 1983 and then "Little Shop Of Horrors" in 1986. In 1977 she guested in the 'Blankety Blank' show on TV and then again in a Lenny Henry show in 1984. She died in London in 1991.
|
June 8
1991
|
Betty Miller
 |
22,24
|
A petite blonde bombshell, Betty started off as a vocalist with the Sid Phillips Band and stayed with him for about two years. In 1955 her solo career began with an appearance in the touring review "Something To Shout About" and cabaret at the Embassy Club in London. She first came to the attention of the British public after successful appearances at Claridges 'Cafe de Paris'.
On the 13th of June 1955 she made her television debut on "Showcase". Married to drummer Martin Aston she often appeared in variety with her own rhythm group.
With the rise in popularity of Rock'n'Roll in the late 50's Betty was much in demand for package shows, often in those headed by Art Baxter and his Rocking Sinners. Betty went on to appear in 2 musicals in Durban, South Africa and then toured in the USA.
During the mid 1960's Betty Miller went to Wiesbaden and married Max Stiefel who was a Major in the US Military.
Her first record releases were on the HMV label, then Pye Nixa and 2 releases on Top Rank in 1959 -"It Took One Kiss" and "Jack o Diamonds" (JAR 127).
She was variously described as "A cockney nightingale", "Dynamic songstress" and "A baby atomic bomb"
She passed away in California some time ago.
|
Date?
|
Bill Forbes
 |
8,14,19,
20,25,27,
31,33,36,
37,38
|
Released a cover version of "Too Young" on 16th January 1960
After "Oh Boy!" finished, Bill kept on writing and joined a band called ' The Contrasts' from Huddersfield. He continued with his music until about 1975.
Bill is now retired and still lives in Huddersfield, he has 2 daughters, 2 grandchildren and 1 more on the way and is still very keen on his music!
|
|
Billy Fury
   |
23,27,33,
35,37,38
|
Born Ronald Wycherley on 17th April 1940 in Liverpool. When only 6 years old he contracted the first of several bouts of rheumatic fever which weakened his heart. He showed an early musical talent, forming the Formby Skiffle Group in 1956. He went into a local recording booth and recorded a number of tracks which he sent to impresario Larry Parnes in 1958. Parnes, after hearing him sing and play, signed him up to sing on his tours and Ron Wycherley become Billy Fury.
In March 1960 'Collette' reached #9 in the hit parade, then 'Half Way to Paradise' reached #3 in May 1961 and that really established him as a Top Ten artiste. Billy kept busy writing, singing and recording, but the heart disease that had started with his infant rheumatic fever was beginning to catch up with him. From the mid 60's onward he became increasingly ill and in 1970 and 1971 needed two major heart operations. In 1976 he needed another major operation and in 1982 collapsed at his farm in Wales and only just pulled through. He moved to St John's Wood in London but in January 1983, when he was preparing for a new national tour, he was found unconscious in bed and despite being rushed to hospital was pronounced dead at 12.10pm on January 28, 1983. A very sad loss indeed to the British entertainment scene.
|
January
28, 1983
|
Brenda Lee
 |
30
|
Born Brenda Mae Tarpley on 11th December 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia. After 'Oh Boy!', which introduced Brenda to the British public, her career took off like a rocket. She is credited with more double-sided hit records than any other female in the history of recorded music with international record sales in excess of 100 million! Such is her popularity and fame. Married in 1963, she has 2 daughters. Brenda still has a busy entertainment schedule and is still playing at packed concerts.
|
-
|
Cherry Wainer
 |
1,2,3,4,5,
6,7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16,
18,19,20,
21,22,23,
24,25,26,
27,28,29,
30,31,32,
34,35,36,
37,38
|
After the end of "Oh Boy!", Cherry went on to play in the weekly "Boy Meets Girl" show, as did many of the old "Oh Boy!" regulars, along with her drummer Don Storer. She played piano in the band that backed Gene Vincent when he appeared on the show, along with Joe Brown, Brian Daly and Eric Ford (guitars), Red Price (sax) and Andy White (drums).
In 1959 she appeared in the film "Girls Of The Latin Quarter" along with Cuddly Dudley. She is now living in Las Vegas.
|
|
Chris Andrews
|
27,30
|
?
|
|
Cliff Richard
 |
1,2,4,5,7,
8,9,10,11,
13,14,15,
16,19,21,
26,29,34,
37,38
|
Born Harry Roger Webb on 14th October 1940 in Lucknow, India. Like several other of Britain's first rock and roll artists, Cliff Richard's professional career started at the 2 I's Coffee bar in London. After a brief spell as a skiffler he began to model himself on his idol, Elvis Presley. With his group, 'The Drifters', a recording opportunity arose with Norrie Paramor - a producer at EMI. Paramor decided to use the young singer's talents to produce a version of the American teen ballad 'Schoolboy Crush'. Fortunately, it was the other side of this disc that caught the attention of disc jockeys and the rock and roll entrepreneur Jack Good. The record, 'Move It', reached #2 in the UK chart and is now widely regarded as one of the finest examples of early UK rock and roll ever made. Following the success of 'Move It' came a long string of hits. He made a number of successful musical movies including 'Summer Holiday' which was probably responsible for setting the seal on his long term image. Despite the 'Beat boom' and the advent of the Beatles, Cliff managed to sustain his career, and gradually shifted his material to suit the growing maturity of his audience. With chart hits in every decade since he first began professionally, Sir Cliff Richard must rate as one the most enduring artists ever to begin with rock and roll.
Cliff Richard and The Drifters (formed in May 1958): Cliff Richard lead vocals, guitar (May 1958 - Jul 1959) (ex The Quintones, The Dick Teague Skiffle Group)
|
-
|
The Drifters
 |
1,4,5,6,7,
10,11,13,
14,15,16,
19,21,22,
26,29,34
|
The Drifters were born in the 2 I's Coffee Bar in Soho, London in 1958. Hank Marvin and his friend Bruce Welch were signed up there by Cliff Richard's Manager, to be the backing group for Cliff on his forthcoming UK tour. The other two members were shortly to join them - Ian Samwell and Terry Smart. In October 1958 bassist Ian Samwell left and was replaced by Jet Harris and in February 1959, drummer Terry Smart left to be replaced by Tony Meehan. In July 1959 whilst on a tour of the US. they had to change their name due to the prior presence of a black vocal group there called The Drifters!
The Drifters (formed in May 1958):
Terry Smart drums (May 1958 - Jan 1959) (born Terence Smart, 1942);
Ian 'Sammy' Samwell guitar (May - Sep 1958, Oct 1958) (born Ian Ralph Samwell, 19.1.1937, in Lambeth, South-east London died 13.3.2003, in Sacramento, California, USA) (ex The Ash Valley Skiffle Group);
Ken Pavey guitar (May - Sep 1958);
Norman Mitham guitar (born 1941) (to The Sundowners, Danny King and the Bluejacks, 1959 - 1961, Jimmy Virgo and the Bluejacks, 1961 - late 1963, Kenny Lee and the Mark Four late 1963 - Jan 1964);
Hank B. Marvin lead guitar (Oct 1958 - Jan 1959) (born Brian Robson Rankin, at 138 Stanhope Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland) (ex The Five Chesternuts, Jun - Sep 1958, The Vipers, Sep 1958);
Bruce Welch rhythm guitar (Oct 1958 - Jan 1959) (born Bruce Cripps, 2.11.1941, in Bognor Regis, Sussex) (ex The Five Chesternuts, Jun - Sep 1958);
Jet Harris bass (Nov 1958 - Jan 1959) (born Terence Harris, 6.7.1939, in Honeypot Lane, Kingsbury, North-west London) (ex The Vipers).
|
July 1959
(Changed
name to:
"The Shadows")
Ian Samwell
March 13
2003
|
Colin Hicks
 |
16
|
Colin Hicks, younger brother of Tommy Hicks (better known as Tommy Steele) had singing ability just like his famous brother. So much so that in 1957 Tommy Steele's manager, John Kennedy, signed him up to sing in a nightclub in London's posh Mayfair district. Then three TV guest spots and a top-of-the-bill tour. A recording contract with Pye records led to the release of 3 singles in the UK including a cover version of the Monotones' "Book Of Love", but the hoped-for success never materialised despite a couple of TV appearances with his backing group 'The Cabin Boys' in 1958.
Without chart success, his recording career nosedived but he was not deterred. He and his Cabin Boys went on a European tour. In Italy they had rave reviews about their rock'n'roll show, the Italians loved them and Colin and his group recorded eight songs while he was there and in 1961 even appeared in the film "Vacane alla baia d'argento". In 1988, a Spanish label released a large series of LP's called "The History Of Rock'n'Roll". Release number 13 featured Colin Hicks and his Cabin Boys consisting of his six UK 'Pye' recordings together with those eight Italian recordings!
Band members (several line-up changes):
Jimmy Nicol drums (Mar - Dec 1959) (born James George Nicol, 3.8.1939, in Liverpool, Lancashire) (to Vince Eager and the Quiet Three, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, 1964, The Beatles, 1964);
David 'Zom' Tick guitar (Mar - Dec 1959);
Mike O'Neill (Nero) piano (Mar - Dec 1959) (born Michael O'Neill, in 1938, in Leigh, Lancashire) (went to Nero and the Gladiators, Jan 1960 - Apr 1964);
Boots Slade bass (Mar - Dec 1959) (went to Nero ad the Gladiators, Jan 1960 - Oct 1962, The Alan Price Combo, Nov 1965 - Apr 1967);
Clem Cattini drums (Jul - Aug 1961) (born Clementi Anselmo Cattini 28.8.1937, in Stoke Newington, North London) (went to The Tornados, Sep 1961 - Aug 1963, Sep 1963 - Feb 1965); Alan Caddy guitar (Jul - Aug 1961) (born 2.2.1940, in Chelsea, S.W London) (went to The Tornados, Sep 1961 - Aug 1963, Sep 1963 - Feb 1965);
Brian Gregg bass (Jul - Aug 1961) (born in 1939) (went to The Tornados, Sep 1961 - Aug 1963, The Pack).
|
|
Conway Twitty
 |
35,36
|
Born Harold Lloyd Jenkins on September 1 1933 in Friars Point, Mississippi. The son of a river boat captain, he learned to play guitar by age 5. By the time he reached age 10, he had already formed his own band called 'The Phillips Country Ramblers', and was featured on KFFA in Helena Arkansas. After High School he was offered a contract to play professional baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies, but was called up to serve in the army. After his discharge from the Army, he took on Rock and Roll musically, and chose a Stage name to perform under, taken from Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas. After hearing Elvis Presley sing 'Mystery Train' Conway liked the style and wanted to try it for himself. As a rock n' roller, Conway gained monumental success with a ballad he wrote and recorded in 1958. 'It's Only Make Believe' became a million seller! Seven years later, he returned to making country music and began a remarkable run of hits, (55 number one hits) several of which were as part of an award winning duo with Loretta Lynn. Outside of music, Conway was quite a successful business man, owning several publishing companies, half of United Talent, and a major stock holder in the Nashville Sounds Baseball Team. In June 1993, Conway died of an abdominal aneurysm.
|
June 5,
1993
|
'Cuddly' Dudley
  |
T1,T2,
2,5,8,9,
10,11,12,
13,14,15,
16,17,18,
25,28,30,
33,35,38
|
Born Dudley Heslop in the 1930's, he became a professional singer in the early 1950's, and started recording in the mid-1950's for Oriole Records, a family-owned concern and perhaps the smallest of Britain's major labels (later bought out by the American Columbia Records label, which slapped the CBS Records name on its pressing plants, studios, and offices). He worked with the Charles Ross Orchestra, singing distinctly in a big-band idiom, just prior to rock 'n' roll starting to make inroads into British listenership. He made the jump to the new music and Heslop had a special advantage and status when he began making the transition, in that he was black. Heslop had a strong voice and could handle rock 'n' roll — he was also slightly stout and rotund, resembling a very young Willie Dixon, and he decided to play to this appearance by taking on the professional name of "Cuddly Dudley" (some sources spell it "Cuddly Duddly"). He was presented by his manager, Guy Robinson (who also handled Johnny Kidd & The Pirates), as England's answer to the Big Bopper. With his big voice and flashy suits — highlighted by large, ornate ties — he fitted the role and then some, and he did have a good rock 'n' roll crooner's voice. He was probably already England's top home-grown black rock 'n' roll singer — not that there was a lot of competition — when he got his big break as a solo singer on Jack Good's 'Oh Boy!' TV show. Cuddly was exposed and warmly received on the show with his famous big grin. His first recordings were on the 'Oh Boy!' LP released in late 1958 on Parlophone and his first solo disc "Later" b/w "Lots More Love"was released in 1959. Cuddly also appeared in a film called "Girls Of The Latin Quarter" in January 1959 and had a very busy career dashing all over the country for appearances at which he was always very well received. 1959 was Cuddly's best year, what with the film, plenty of TV and many live touring shows and not forgetting his 45 on HMV. During October 1959 Cuddly now had his own group backing him - they were an all black foursome he called 'The Embraceable Four' and he released a single covering Chuck Berry's "Too Pooped To Pop". In 1960 he toured the UK supporting the top American group The Platters and in 1961 he took a London band called 'The Redcaps' for a while and HMV released his second 45 entitled "Sitting On A Train" with them, but never made the charts, and the Redcaps' bassist and drummer, Johnny Spence and Frank Farley, later became part of Johnny Kidd & The Pirates. Cabaret work followed, singles still appeared in the early sixties on the Piccadilly label, then he made the move to Ska and Bluebeat music and worked with the Bluebeats. Cuddly Dudley possibly ahead of his time, might have fared better had he been part of the early 60's R'n'B movement. But Cuddly will be best remembered for his appearances on the "Oh Boy" TV show.
Redcaps band members:
Frank Farley drums (1959 - Jul 1961) (born Frank William Farley, 18.2.1942, in Belgaum, UK);
Johnny Spence bass (1959 - Jul 1961) (born John Spence Holliday, 26.1.1942, in Birmingham, Warwickshire);
Vic Cooper organ (1959 - Jul 1961) (born Victor Cooper, 13.12.1942, in Oxford, Oxfordshire).
|
|
Dallas Boys
 |
1,2,3,4,5,6,
7,8,9,10,
11,13,14,
17,18,19,
20,21,22,
23,24,25,
26,27,28,
29,31,32,
33,34,35,
36,37,38
|
The Dallas Boys, Stan Jones, Bob Wragg, Leon Fisk, Joe Smith, (all from Leicester) and London lad Nicky Clarke were friends in real life.They went to school together, played rugby together and sang four-part harmonies.
The Dallas Boys were regulars on the TV show Six-Five Special and then on "Oh Boy!" and the ladies loved them - by the end of 1958, more than 5,000 women had joined their fan club.
"It wasn't five lads singing the same note, it was harmonies, and we never mimed." Stan Jones proudly said in an interview. "We had to sing live, on camera, in front of a TV audience of millions. My mouth used to get so dry my tongue felt like a piece of leather."
Their popularity grew until the mid-sixties when their type of act was beginning to be labelled 'old fashioned'.
Stan Jones left the group in 1974 and became an agent and now looks after Shane Richie, Lisa Riley and Colleen Nolan. He rejoined the Dallas Boys in 1988 to play at Cliff Richard's 30-year anniversary concert - in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium."It was brilliant," said Stan, but he added that there wouldn't be any more reunions - "There's a time and a place for everything, and our time has passed."
|
|
Dean Webb
 |
30,35
|
Dean Webb was born Michael Eaton in Reading, Berkshire, in 1940 and was educated at St. Annes Roman Catholic School in Caversham. He changed his name, basing his surname on Cliff Richard's real name.
Before becoming a singer, he was, for a while, an apprentice blacksmith in Reading town centre. Dean was on the same tour as Eddie Cochran when Eddie was tragically killed in a road accident near Bath in 1960.
If you're reading this Mike, you've got a lot of friends in the Reading area who would love to see you again!
|
|
Dickie Pride,
the "Sheik Of Shake"
  |
25,30,
31,32,
33,35,
37,38
|
Born on October 21st 1941 in Thornton Heath, Croydon. In 1958 Dickie was spotted by Russ Conway in a pub in Tooting where he was singing. The next week Conway takes pop impresario Larry Parnes and Lionel Bart to see him. They are so impressed that Parnes decides to sign him on the spot.
Dickie becomes a full time pop singer on the Parnes tours but later does not get on well with Parnes. Dickie wants more demanding material to sing but Parnes insists he sings the same three rock numbers every night. Dickie kicks against this and his increasingly erratic behaviour leads to Parnes dropping him. A troubled life follows with sporadic TV appearances and tours. He married in 1962 but work is still hard to come by and so he takes a job as a storeman.
In 1965 his only son is born and the same year Dickie gets deeper into drugs, leading to heroin addiction. In 1967 he is referred to a mental hospital where doctors decide to give him a lobotomy. Early in 1969 he tries to make a come back as a singer but takes heroin again. He was found dead in bed on 26th March 1969 after an accidental overdose of sleeping tablets. Such a tragic loss.
|
March
26, 1969
|
Dickie Valentine
 |
28
|
Born Richard Bryce on November 4th 1929 in London, Dickie Valentine was a child actor. He trained as a singer and got his big break with the Ted Heath band. His successful 'crooning' career began to wane in the late 1950's and by 1960 his chart career was over.
He remained a popular live performer and appeared regularly on TV. Sadly, he died in a car crash in 1971.
|
1971
|
Don Lang
 |
4,17,18,
21,23,24,
27,30,33,
36,38
|
Born Gordon Langhorn on 19th January 1925 in Halifax, Yorkshire. Don Lang together with his 'Frantic Five' were resident musicians on BBC TV's 'Six-Five Special'. Their style was similar to Tony Crombie and his Rockets and they had mild success in the charts mainly with cover versions of American hits. After the demise of 'Six-Five Special' Don (minus his 'Frantic Five') guested on 'Oh Boy!'.
As the music changed in the 60's, Don had no more chart success. Don Lang sadly passed away in August 1992.
|
August
3, 1992
|
Emile Ford
  |
12
|
Born Emile Sweetman on 16th October 1937 in Castries, St Lucia in the Caribbean. He grew up in Nassau, Bahamas and emigrated to Great Britain in 1955 with the ambition to be an engineer. As an engineer, he developed a special sound system, and with this unique sound, Emile Ford turned singer and he and his group The Checkmates which consisted of his brothers George Ford and Dave Ford on bass and sax respectively, plus Ken Street on guitar and John Cuffley on drums. Later still, Peter Carter, Les Hart, and Alan Hawkshaw would join on guitar, sax, and piano, respectively. They secured a recording contract with Pye records in 1959 on what was to have been a one-shot basis. That was when Ford's brilliance as a producer came into play — he, engineer Joe Meek, and the Checkmates essentially hijacked the single, generating a B-side that ended up supplanting the originally chosen A-side. "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For" was released in the early fall of 1959 and by November it had topped the British charts; it enjoyed the same kind of success everywhere else that English was spoken (except the United States) and a lot of places where it wasn't. He had a second Top Ten with "Slow Boat to China" and then another success with "Red Sails in the Sunset," which generated a hit EP. His string of hits continued into the new decade, charting just as regularly if not as high, and in 1961 Emile Ford & the Checkmates had the inaugural hit on the Pye Records spin-off label Piccadilly with "Half of My Heart." Ford also got to record an album entitled Emile in 1961. His final chart single was "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now," which hit number 43 in England in March of 1962. He abandoned the Checkmates later in 1962, and the group members later formed two separate groups — Ford's non-relations formed the Excheckers, and his two siblings took to calling themselves the Original Checkmates. Ford kept working for a time although, ironically enough, he never really thought of himself as a singer and remained committed to designing his own electronic equipment. He made his last recordings in 1963 and, in the decades since, has worked exclusively behind the scenes in his first choice for a career, designing sound systems, living in Scandinavia and the United States at various times. In 2001, Castle Communications released the double-CD set Counting Teardrops, covering his complete Pye Records sides from 1959 through 1963.
|
-
|
Glen Mason
|
14
|
Had a release on UK Parlophone 4834 "Don't Move" and in 1960 he appeared in "Climb Up The Wall" alongside ex "Oh Boy!" regulars Cherry Wainer and Neville Taylor.
|
|
Gerry Dorsey
 |
24,28
|
Arnold George Dorsey was born on May 2nd, 1936 in Madras, India and was raised in Leicester, England. One day, while joking around with his friends, he was 'dared' to sing a song in a song contest. Not only did Arnold surprisingly win, but he received a standing ovation. In 1966, Arnold's manager, Gordon Mills changed the singer's name from Gerry Dorsey, the stage name Arnold was using at the time, to 'Engelbert Humperdinck', after a 19th century Austrian composer famous for writing 'Hansel and Gretel'. Engelbert's rise to fame and stardom started when he sang 'Release Me' on the popular British TV show, 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium.' Shortly after his instant success, he was given his own television show. Engelbert soon made hit after hit and In 1976, Engelbert once again proved to the world his superstar status with another huge hit which brought Engelbert to the top of the charts again. Engelbert has won numerous Grammy awards including the Golden Globe Award for "Entertainer of the Year," and he has earned his star on the famous "Hollywood Walk of Fame." In 2000, Engelbert's new album "At His Very Best," made it to the top 10 on the UK Official Charts and climbed up to number 5. Engelbert, who is a nonstop workaholic is continuously recording and currently enjoys touring all over the world.
|
-
|
Hewitt Singers
|
20
|
?
|
|
Inkspots
 |
32
|
The Ink Spots played a large role in pioneering the black vocal group-harmony genre, helping to pave the way for the doo wop explosion of the '50s. The quavering high tenor of Bill Kenny presaged hundreds of street-corner leads to come, and the sweet harmonies of Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson, and bass |JONES"Hoppy Jones (who died in 1944) backed him flawlessly.
Kenny's impeccable diction and Jones's deep drawl were both prominent on the Ink Spots' first smash on Decca in 1939, the sentimental "If I Didn't Care." From then through 1951, the group was seldom absent from the pop charts, topping the lists with "We Three (My Echo, My Shadow, and Me)" (1940), "I'm Making Believe" and "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" (both in 1944), and "The Gypsy" and "To Each His Own" (both in 1946).
Watson eventually split to form his own group, the Brown Dots, and appeared in numerous low-budget film musicals, while Kenny attempted a solo career, notching a solo hit in 1951 with the uplifting "It Is No Secret." Countless groups masquerading as the Ink Spots have thrived across the nation since the '50s.
|
|
Jack Good
   |
|
Jack was the face of television pop and is responsible for the fame and fortune of numerous artists from the late fifties and sixties. Jack was the president of the drama society at Oxford University and a stand up comic, forming a duo with the actor and songwriter Trevor Peacock, before getting a foot in the door of the BBC to produce the Saturday evening show '6.5 Special'. Fired by the BBC he moved to ITV in 1958 where he produced the "Oh Boy!" show.
ITV replaced 'Oh Boy!' on 12 September 1959 with 'Boy Meets Girl', produced by Jack Good, with Marty Wilde as the resident star. 'Boy Meets Girl' finished on 5 March 1960 and Jack Good was given a new show called 'Wham!' on 30 April. Keith Fordyce was the resident disc-jockey with other regulars such as Billy Fury, Joe Brown, Jess Conrad and the Vernons Girls. 'Wham!' ended on 18 June. Meanwhile, Jack produced Billy Fury's debut LP 'The Sound Of Fury' and records for other hit-makers of the day including Karl Denver and Jess Conrad. In 1964 Jack made a one-off programme, 'Around The Beatles'. He continued to promote rhythm and blues and went to the United States in 1962.
In 1963 Jack produced "Around the Beatles" and was involved in numerous similar projects with other artists such as the Monkees. Using his own money, he produced a pilot show for the American market - after no interest in it was forthcoming, he gave up and returned to the UK. A year later, the tape of the pilot show was shown to a TV boss, who asked to see Jack. This pilot show gave rise to 'Shindig' which was broadcast in the U.S. on September 16, 1964. It was actually an episode of 'Ready Steady Go' with the title changed but after some time, Jack fell out with ABC executives and walked out. The show could not survive without Jack's dynamic influence and it was cancelled in January '66.
In the late sixties Jack orchestrated Catch My Soul, his rock interpretation of Othello in which he also starred as the Moor, but a try at reviving a fast-paced show like 'Oh Boy!' in 1980 - 'Let's Rock' was a flop.1991 saw Jack's autobiographical stage musical Good Rockin' Tonight feature in the West End. Jack went on to produce the musical Elvis, and the autobiographical Good Rockin' Tonite.
|
-
|
Jackie Dennis
|
6
|
Jackie Dennis was 15 years old when he was discovered and catapulted into fame after appearing on the BBC's '6.5 Special' TV show and also appeared in the film version of '6,5 Special'. He later made an appearance in an edition of BBC's "Drumbeat" show.
A true Scot, young Jackie was always clad in kilt, sporran and velveteen jacket. His one hit "La-Dee-Dah" (a cover of an American hit record) released on UK Decca F10992 in 1958, achieved # 4 in the UK Hit Parade and even some minor interest in the US as a 'British Frankie Lymon'. Then his follow-up "My Dream", once again on Decca (F 11011) in 1958 and then a cover of a Sheb Wooley novelty song "Purple People Eater" did not bring him further success.
He had a 'parting of the ways' with his manager over money matters and retired from the music scene. He is alive and well and living in Edinburgh.
|
|
Jimmy Henney
 |
T1,T2,
1,3,5,7
9,11,13,
15,1719,
21,23,25,
27,29,31,
33,35,
37,38
|
Born on July 13th 1922, Jimmy was confined to a wheelchair for some time in his youth as a result of a cerebral haemorrage. Later he was well known as the 'Doyen of song pluggers' for the Chappell music company when sheet music sales was the benchmark for songwriters and singers.
He eventually became something of a performer himself as a regular on TV programmes such as "Oh Boy!", Juke Box Jury and New Faces. Oozing personal charm, he had many close friends amongst the big names of the day including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Lionel Bart, Cliff Richard and Shirley Bassey, to name but a few.
In the 1960's he organised the Showbiz Eleven celebrity football team which regularly raised large sums of money for charity. The team boasted such stars as David Frost, Sean Connery, Ronnie Carroll, Tommy Steele, Dave King, Jimmy Tarbuck and Des O'Connor - sometimes supplemented by such professional players as Danny Blanchflower, Billy Wright and Wally Barnes.
He passed away in September 1998
|
September
5, 1998
|
John Barry 7
 |
T1,T2,
1,2,3,
6,8,10,
12,13
|
Born John Barry Prendergast on 3rd November 1933 in York. His formative years were heavily influenced by the cinema because his father owned and ran several theatres and cinemas in the North Of England.
At the age of 15 he began studying music full time but this ended when he was called-up for national service. John Barry formed an unofficial army jazzband but when he was demobbed, 'rock and roll' was all the rage. Within a few weeks of coming home John had formed his first 'seven'.
Several hit records led him to attain his greatest ambition - writing theme music for the big screen. His enormous world-wide successes have made him a legend in this field to this day.
Vic Flick (lead guitarist) was born Victor Harold Flick on the 14th May 1937 in Hill Crescent, Worcester Park, Surrey.
Keith Kelly (lead vocals) was born Michael Pailthorpe, in 1939, in Selby, Yorkshire.
|
-
|
Kerry Martin
 |
T1,T2
|
?
|
|
King Brothers
 |
15
|
Born Denis King, 25th July 1939, Michael King, 25th April 1935 and Anthony King, 31st January 1937 all in Essex. The King Brothers were voted Britain's top vocal group of 1957 by readers of the 'New Musical Express' and had some minor success with cover versions of softer rock and roll songs. Because of their anachronistic style, demand for the group waned dramatically in the 1960's and they disbanded before the decade was out. Denis King made a successful career writing stage, TV and film themes.
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-
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Lonnie Donegan
 |
20,32
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Born Anthony Donegan on 29th April 1931 in Glasgow, Lonnie Donegan is widely acknowledged as the 'King Of Skiffle'. Formerly an accomplished banjo player with the Chris Barber jazz band Lonnie set out on his own to play 'Skiffle' music. With his energy and dazzling skills he was a popular musician with audiences. This, together with his extrovert originality and humour, made him an even more popular recording artist. A long series of chart successes followed which inspired other competitive groups all over the country. However, Skiffle ceased almost as abruptly as it had started. After seven years of almost continuous chart presence Lonnie's reign came to an end but then enjoyed new success in the late 1990's with record releases and packed concert tours. Lonnie, a great showman and pioneer, suffered several heart attacks late in his career and sadly died in November 2002 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, whilst on another successful tour.
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November
3, 2002
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Lord Rockingham's XI
Harry Robinson-MD
Cherry Wainer- Organ
Don Storer- Drums
Reg Weller- Percussion
Red Price- Tenor Sax
Rex Morris- Tenor Sax
Benny Greene- Baritone Sax
Cyril Reubens- Baritone Sax
Ronnie Black- Double Bass
Bernie Taylor- Guitar
Eric Ford- Guitar
(2 more added later)
Kenny Packwood- Guitar
Ian Frazer- Piano
|
T1,T2,
1,2,3,
4,5,6,7,8,
9,10,11,
12,13,14,
15,16,17,
18,19,20,
21,22,23,
24,25,26,
30,31,32,
33,34,35,
36,37,38
|
Info coming soon!
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Benny Greene
June 22 1998
Red Price
February 7 1984
Don Storer
August 21 2006
|
Lorie Mann
   |
3,11,
30,31,
32,38
|
Lorie was born Barbara Burke on the 21st of December 1931 in Paddington, West London and attended St. Augustine's School in Kilburn. She was the eldest of five children born to William and Iris Burke and as a child undertook singing and dancing lessons.
Along with the rest of her family she was evacuated to Wales during the Second World War, and entertained the troops at the young age of twelve. Later she joined an acrobatic group called `Oika Troika' - you can see her bending over backwards in one of the photos at left.
She met her future husband, Austin Newman, at Butlins Holiday Camp in Scarborough where she also worked and he later became her manager - he was also the manager of stars such as Helen Shapiro, Donovan, Nancy Whiskey, and the King brothers to name a few.
Lorie appeared and sang in several advertisements for Timex watches and VP wine amongst others. She was a guest on the Dave King Show and appeared in 'Jazz Jamboree' at the Gaumont State Theatre in Kilburn on Sunday 23rd June 1958 as vocalist with the Oscar Rabin Orchestra.
Her most popular recording was a version of Brook Benton's “So Many Ways/I Wonder” released in 1959 on Top Rank records JAR 237. Other releases for that label included JAR 116 “A Penny A Kiss, A Penny A Hug” and “Just Keep It Up/You Made Me Care” on JAR 148.
Unfortunately her marriage failed and she and her husband were divorced. Sadly, Lorie suffered a stroke and was never the same after that and died in 1998.
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1998
|
Marino Marini Quartet
 |
29
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Marino Marini was born 11th May 1924 in Seggiano in the Grosetto region of Italy. Toured the UK in 1959 appearing at the famous 'London Palladium' and had hit records with covers of Domenico Modugno's "Volare/Come Prima" and Rocco Granata's "Marina" - All issued in the UK on the Durium label. Appeared in the San Remo Festival in Italy.
A very popular, versatile Italian quartet.
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|
Marion Ryan
  |
26
|
Born in 1931 in Leeds, Marion Ryan, the singing star of the 1950's and 1960's was once described as Britain's answer to Marilyn Monroe. She was the quintessential blonde bombshell with a voice to match.
Marion worked her way up from dingy Leeds dance halls, where she was spotted by band leader Ray Ellington, to financial success, presenting ITV's 'Spot The Tune' twice a week in 1959. Her hard work paid off when her single, 'Love Me Forever' - released on UK Pye label in 1958, became a big hit and regular appearances on the royal variety performances in the 1960's guaranteed her a place in the hearts of the British public.
In America, her career took off with an appearance on The Bob Hope Show and a song with Bing Crosby. And she made a film - 'It's All Happening' - alongside Tommy Steele. An early marriage produced twins, Paul and Barry Ryan, the 1960's pop singing duo.
Marion retired in 1967 and married for a second time to millionaire impresario Harold Davison, a concert promoter with Frank Sinatra and Engelbert Humperdinck among his clients. The couple, who had a daughter, Caroline, moved to Florida over 10 years ago.
Marion was admitted to Boca Raton community hospital in Florida suffering from pneumonia where she tragically died of a heart attack at the age of 67 in 1999.
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January
19, 1999
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Marty Wilde
  |
1,2,3,4,6,
22,23,24,
25,26,28,
31,34,35,
36,37,38
|
Born Reginald Smith on April 15th 1936 in London. Marty Wilde, then calling himself 'Reginald Patterson' was discovered by rock and roll entrepreneur Larry Parnes who quickly changed him into 'Marty Wilde'. Marty's big break came with the advent of the UK's first rock and roll TV show, 'Six-Five Special' but following Jack Good's dismissal by the BBC, Marty transferred himself to Jack Good's new ITV show 'Oh Boy!'
Although Marty's covers of US songs continued to chart, they were in direct competition with the originals and by the early 1960's Marty was struggling to make even the top 20. Despite the downward slide in his record sales most of his records were well made. Marty Wilde married Vernons girl Joyce Baker. He later re-established himself as a premier act at rock and roll nostalgia concerts.
Marty still tours regularly and retains that excellent singing voice that gave him such a good start in his long show business career.
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-
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Maureen Kershaw
|
35
|
?
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Michael Cox
  |
33
|
After an audition for"Oh Boy!"(arranged without his knowledge by his four younger sisters!), Michael was immediately signed up by a very impressed Jack Good. His first song on "Oh Boy!" (in April 1959) was Ricky Nelson's "Never Be Anyone Else But You". This was just shortly before "Oh Boy!" came off the air, to be replaced by "Boy Meets Girl".
Although Michael had released a couple of records already (produced by Jack Good for the Decca label) he did not click with the public until he recorded a John D. Loudermilk song entitled "Angela Jones" for Joe Meek's tiny Triumph label. "Angela Jones" put Joe Meek's name firmly on the map and after singing this number on "Wham!" the record went straight into the charts at #20. Unfortunately, Triumph could not handle the public's demand for copies and so what could have been Michael's (and Triumph's/Joe Meek's) first #1 record only achieved #7
Michael Cox had a busy recording career for many years on the Decca, Pye, Triumph, HMV and Parlophone labels , all produced by the well-known Joe Meek. Lack of another 'big hit' got Michael changing direction and after attending drama school he appeared in TV plays, commercials and films. Near the end of the 1970's he began working the cruise ships where he met his future wife. This led to appearances in the US and eventual emigration there. In 1981 he and his wife moved to New Zealand (her birthplace) where he continues to work as Michael James.
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|
Michael Holliday
 |
13
|
Born Michael Milne (changed by Deed Poll from Miller) on 26th November 1928 in Liverpool. Michael Holliday had a method of crooning that was heavily influenced by Bing Crosby; although his overall style was probably closer to that of Perry Como. His career peaked during the late 1950's at a time when it was common for multiple cover versions of the same song to be released. In fact much of his recorded output, in common with other British MOR artists, were covers of American songs. He was also a popular TV performer. Sadly, despite his popularity as a performer, his chart presence was erratic and the 1960's brought a long series of failures.
Michael Holliday died from a drugs overdose in 1963 at Croydon, Surrey.
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October
29, 1963
|
Mike Jackson
|
36
|
?
|
|
Mike Preston
 |
20,25,26,
30,34,
36,38
|
Mike recorded several records for the Decca label, including "Dirty Old Town" (released March 1959) produced by Joe Meek and "Mister Blue" (released 31st October 1959)
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|
Mona Baptiste
 |
18,19
|
Born on June 21, 1928 in Trinidad. Mona emigrated to England onboard the M.V. Empire Windrush and arrived in June 1948 to pursue a career as a singer. She settled in London and found work with the Ted Heath Band and appeared primarily as a singer in several German films:
1954: 'An jedem Finger zehn', and 'Tanz in der Sonne'
1955: 'Stern von Rio' and 'Wie werde ich Filmstar?'
1956: 'Symphonie in Gold'
1959: 'Madchen fur die Mambo-Bar'
1961: Filmmagazin Nr.2, 'Achtung 8 x aufgeblendet
1968: Sunde mit Rabatt
She was very popular in Germany where she recorded many songs and it was there that she died of natural causes in Krefeld, in 1993
|
June 25
1993
|
Mudlarks
|
23
|
Released many cover versions of US hits including "Tell Him No" "Lollipop" & Book Of Love"
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|
Neville Taylor
 |
T1,T2,1,2,3,
4,5,6,7,8,9,
10,11,12,13,
14,15,16,17,
18,19,20,21,
24,25,26,27,
28,29,30,32,
33(Cutters),
38
|
Neville Taylor and his band, the Cutters, were among the handful of black rock & roll acts working in England during the late '50s. The West Indian-born Taylor had an excellent ballad style, but on the hard-rocking numbers he was heavily influenced by Little Richard's vocal style. The group was signed to EMI's Parlophone label, where their first release included the excellent "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" as a B-side of "House of Bamboo". Their three follow-up singles were "I Don't Want to Set the World On Fire" b/w "Tears on My Pillow," "The Miracle of Christmas" b/w "A Baby Lay Sleeping," and "Crazy Little Daisy" b/w "The First Words of Love," the latter released in 1959.
They never charted a single, but were influential as a television phenomenon. Their sound was already considered out of date by the turn of the 1950s into the 1960s.
Neville's backing group The Cutters (Wilf Todd, Basil Short and Sonny McKenzie) had a release on UK Decca F11100 "I've Had It / Rockaroo" in 1959. He also released "It Ain't Necessarily So" for the Embassy label.
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|
Nicky Martin
|
33
|
?
|
|
Pat Lawrence
|
10
|
?
|
|
Peter Elliott
 |
7,8,9,10,
11,12,13,
14,15,16,
17,18,19,
23,27,38
|
Before becoming a pop star, Peter was better known for his athletic swimming abilities as the British National Springboard Diving Champion, coached by Sid Dalton.
|
|
Pierce Rodgers
|
29,31,32,36
|
?
|
|
Red Price
 |
1,2,3,4,5,6,
7,8,9,10,11,
12,13,14,16,
17,18,19,20,
21,22,23,24,
25,26,27,28,
29,30,31,32,
33,34,35,
36,37,38
|
Born in Liverpool in 1933, he played in the Ted Heath Band,later joining Don Lang's Frantic Five and then became the featured sax player with Lord Rockingham's XI. He later played the saxophone with Frankie Vaughan's backing group 'The X Men' amongst others.
A very talented saxophonist - a hard working, hard blowing and hard playing man. He sadly passed away in Honk Kong in 1984.
Played with:
Lord Rockingham's XI, August 1958 - 1960.
The New Orleans Rockers, Autumn 1960.
The Red Price Combo, early - June 1961.
Billy Fury and the Blue Flames, June - December 1961.
Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, February 1962 - April 1964.
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February
7 1984
|
Renee Martz
|
37
|
Renee Martz was an American teenage preacher!
|
|
Rikki Henderson
|
24
|
During 1958/59 Rikki was the vocalist with the Denny Boyce Orchestra and he entered a talent contest, organized by the teenage magazine Mirabelle, and won a recording contract as a prize with Woolworth's 'Embassy' record label.
He recorded cover versions of songs by Perry Como ("Catch A Falling Star"), Cliff Richard ("High Class Baby" and "Dynamite"), Ricky Nelson ("Never Be Anyone Else But You"), Dion ("A Teenager In Love"), Sam Cooke ("Only Sixteen"), Jim Reeves ("Welcome To My World"), Eddie Cochran ("Three Steps To Heaven"), Del Shannon ("Runaway"), Lloyd Price ("Personality"), Dion ("Teenager In Love") and Chubby Checker ("Let's Twist Again")" to name a few.
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|
Ronnie Carroll
 |
1,2,3,
4,5,6,
29
|
Ronnie Carroll was born Ronald Cleghorn in Belfast, N. Ireland on the 18th of August 1934.
He began his singing career in his home town and whilst working the variety theatres he met and fell in love with Millicent Martin, whom he married. Soon after getting married, Millicent found fame appearing on TV's 'That Was The Week That Was'.
With regular record releases, which began in 1956, Ronnie was a popular 'crooner' and was chosen to represent the UK in the 1962 Eurovision Song Contest with "Ring-A-Ding Girl" which achieved 4th position.
Due to lack of decent singing material, his chart success faded and his last singles were issued in 1964. At the same time, his marriage broke down which resulted in separation.
By the end of the 1960's, Ronnie's TV appearances had dwindled. During the 1970's he quit his singing career to start a business in the Windward Isles which unfortunately failed. He later returned to London, and utilised his entertainment knowledge to become a manager in the entertainment world.
Besides his "Ring-A-Ding Girl", most people will fondly remember Ronnie's biggest chart success "Roses Are Red (My Love) which reached #3 in 1962.
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|
Roy Young
  |
20
|
After 'Oh Boy!' ended, Roy (dubbed England's Little Richard) appeared many times on TV including 'Boy Meets Girl', 'Wham' (both produced by Jack Good) and 'Drumbeat' . Young's boogie-woogie piano and vocal style is aptly described as a mixture of Little Richard, Ray Charles and Joe Cocker. Those qualities have had a tremendous influence on some of the biggest names in rock history including Elton John, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. By 1961, Young was an international rock'n'roll star playing the now legendary stages of Hamburg, Germany. There, The Beat Brothers were formed at the Top Ten Club, with Tony Sheridan, Ringo Starr, Colin Milander and Roy Young.
In 1962, the owner of the Star-Club, Hamburg, offered Roy a lucrative contract to appear at his club as a solo artist where some months later he formed the Star Combo, giving birth to the clubs' house band. The Beatles invited Roy to play with them during their time there.
Young joined Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers after which, Roy met Laurie O'Leary who became his manager and a very close friend. It was Laurie's foresight that recognized the talent in Roy and decided to form The Roy Young Band. Roy was featured in several movies with Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine, Suzanna York and Albert Finney. Roy later decided to tour The Roy Young Band throughout Canada, USA and Europe. His agenda also included The British Invasion concerts in the USA with Gerry and the Pacemakers, Peter Noone, Eric Burdon, The Hollies, The Searchers, Manfred Mann and The Troggs. In 1995, Roy was headlined in a Star-Club reunion concert in Hamburg, Germany, with the Pete Best Band and Cliff Bennett and The Rebel Rousers. Later that year he returned to England to reunite with Tony Sheridan (The Beat Brothers) and Howie Casey (Roy Young Band and Paul McCartney's 'Wings') to record a CD and video entitled 'LEGEND, History of The Beat Brothers', with The Beatles'.
"Roy Young is one of the most highly regarded musicians of our era." said David Bowie.
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|
Shirley Bassey
  |
21,23
|
Born in January 1937 in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales, Shirley Bassey was the youngest of seven children. Her parents, a Nigerian sailor and an English woman, divorced before she was three years old, but they kept the family together for the most part, and Shirley was able to sing duets with her brother at family get-togethers. After finishing school, she found a job at a local factory, and earned extra money singing at men's clubs after-hours. Bassey travelled around the country in revues during the early '50s, and made her big breakout in 1955 at a London Christmas show given by comedian Al Read (though it was promoted by bandleader Jack Hylton, who had caught Bassey's act at the nearby Albany Club). Soon after, Shirley Bassey began appearing in Read's revue, 'Such Is Life'. The show ran for over a year, and gained her a recording contract for Philips Records. "Banana Boat Song" hit the British Top Ten in early 1957, followed by her number one hits, 1959's "As I Love You" and 1961's "Reach for the Stars/Climb Every Mountain."
A 1962 pairing with arranger Nelson Riddle increased her prestige in America, and a vaunted live show gained her headlining spots in both New York and Las Vegas during the early '60s. Popular recognition in the United States came in early 1965, when "Goldfinger" hit number eight in the American charts, instantly becoming her signature song across the Atlantic. (Strangely though, it missed even the Top 20 in Great Britain.)
Bassey's hits in the U.K. continued into the mid-'70s, led by Top Ten entries such as "Something," "For All We Know" and "Never Never Never." After the crowning achievement of her career, a 1977 Britannia Award for Best Female Solo Singer in the Last 50 Years, Shirley Bassey gained her own highly rated BBC-TV show in the late '70s, but gradually slowed down her busy schedule during the next decade. Semi-retired to Switzerland by 1981, she nevertheless emerged quite frequently, spurred by the recording of several television specials and LPs, including a 1987 date with the synth-pop group Yello. She became much more visible during the '90s, opening a nightclub in Cardiff, and touring the world several times.
Shirley remains one of the most glamorous and significant performers to have emerged from the UK entertainment industry.
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-
|
Teddy & Freddy
|
27
|
?
|
|
Terry Dene
  |
18
|
Born Terence Williams on December 20th 1938 in S.London. Terry was one of the many early UK rock and rollers that sang at London's 2 'I's Coffee Bar. This was the same venue that helped launch the early musical careers of Tommy Steele, Cliff Richard, Adam Faith and many others.
Terry Dene was convinced that he could sing as well as the American stars and was noticed by Jack Good and so got the opportunity to record with Decca and to find a weekly spot on the BBC's 'Six-Five Special' and other Jack Good productions.
His early releases were moderately successful but Terry fell foul of the press following a drunken incident which led to his arrest. He appeared in the film 'The Golden Disc' and in early 1958 the already mentally stressed singer was called up for National Service but because of his emotional state he was discharged after a few days - the press crucified him and his chart career ceased at that point.
After recovering from a nervous breakdown that followed the end of his professional music career, Terry turned to religion during the 70's singing gospel music. Despite the adverse publicity of his early career, the artist eventually became accepted by fans as one of Britain's early Rock'n'Roll pioneers. He now appears at nostalgia and revivalist concerts.
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-
|
Terry White
 |
37
|
?
|
|
Tony Hall
 |
2,4,6,8,
10,1214,
16,18,20,
22,24,26,
28,30,32,
34,36,38
|
Made an appearance in the 1957 UK movie "Rock You Sinners".
|
|
Tommy Steele
 |
8
|
Tommy Steele was discovered by John Kennedy in September 1956 singing at the 2 I's coffee bar in Old Compton Street, Soho.
Paul Lincoln who owned the Two I's had invited Kennedy along that night to listen to "The Vipers" skiffle group. Kennedy was looking for someone that would set London's West End 'alight'. During a break in the Vipers performance, a young lad in a blue shirt got up on the stage, and with The Vipers backing him started singing "Heartbreak Hotel", the Elvis number that had only just been released in Britain. The boy in the blue shirt was 19 year old Merchant Seaman Tommy Hicks, whose extraordinary personality captured Kennedy's attention. The crowd of youngsters in the 2 I's loved it and after two more numbers, Tommy left the stage.
Tommy left the 2 I's and walked to another nearby coffee bar where he again took to the stage and took charge of the proceedings. Kennedy, who had followed him, waited for him outside. Tommy came out and Kennedy introduced himself and put forward his ideas on finding someone who could give Rock'n'Roll a decent name.
Tommy was due back at sea in two weeks time and so said to Kennedy "I'll tell you what I'll do, I'm going back to sea in a fortnight - I'll do what you tell me until then. If we get anywhere I'll stay on".
Kennedy rushed to his office in Fleet Street to start making phone calls. A repeat performance in the 2 I's was planned for that evening with The Vipers to back Tommy again with Hugh Mendl, the A&R man for Decca Records to be present, which he was. On that evening Tommy got up on stage with The Vipers. After only 5 numbers the Decca man got up to make his exit, Kennedy asked Mendl what he thought. Mendl smiled and asked him to bring Tommy with him to do a Decca sound test for the following day.
The next day Kennedy and Tommy arrived at the Decca studio, where Tommy sang "Rock With The Caveman" & "Rock Around The Town". The songs were cut to disc and they ended up agreeing a royalties deal. The name Hicks they changed to "Steele" after one of Tommy's grandparents.
Kennedy decided to arrange a covert publicity party - it went well and Tommy Steele who had been singing at the party almost non-stop for four hours went down a storm. At 3am he had only two strings from the original six left on his guitar. After nearly eight hours of singing the ploice arrived after complaints from neighbours about the noise.
The Sunday papers had Tommy on the front cover under the headline "Rock`n' Roll has got the Debs too'. 15 million people read the article on Tommy that day. Using clippings from the papers, Kennedy secured an audition at the Stork Club, off Regent Street, London, where after just one number he was signed to play for the next two weeksat the princely sum of £20.00 a night plus supper. After the first night's performance he was re-booked for another two weeks at £25.00 per night. Tommy did not go back to the Merchant Navy.
Several weeks went by when an old friend of Kennedy's - Larry Parnes walked into the Stork Club. Whilst they chatted Kennedy realised Parnes was the man to help Tommy's career and so a proper contract was drawn up.
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-
|
Tony Sheridan
 |
25,27,
28,30,
32,35
|
Tony was born Anthony Esmond O`Sheridan McGinnity on 21st of May 1940 in Norwich, England, the son of an English mother and Irish father. He learned the violin at an early and later dropped out of grammar school to attend art school where he abandoned his violin for a guitar. He formed a skiffle group in 1956 and visited London in late 1957, finally settling in Soho in 1958 where he frequented the 2 I's Coffee Bar with a host of other budding musicians. He soon became a sought-after session musician, accompanying many U.S. artistes such as Conway Twitty, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran on U.K. tours. In 1958/59 he played lead guitar in Vince Taylor`s Playboys.
On the “Oh Boy!” TV show, Tony became the first young rock musician ever to be allowed to play live electric guitar on British T.V. In 1960, Tony was on tour with Brian Bennett and “Liquorice” Locking backing Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran when Eddie was tragically killed in a road accident near Bristol.
In June 1960 Tony and a make-shift group from Soho named The Jets appeared at the “Kaiserkeller” in Hamburg. Soon after he went to the Top Ten Cub in the same city. There he met a group called The Beatles who backed him on stage – they became such good friends that they all lived together for a while. During this time Tony taught Paul, John and George many musical techniques, tips and tricks which led to them calling Sheridan the “Teacher”, a term which Paul uses to this day when speaking of Tony.
In 1961, Tony Sheridan and the Beatles recorded several titles for Polydor at the suggestion of Bert Kaempfert . Tony was awarded a gold L.P. for well over 1,000,000 sales of the Sheridan / Beatles L.P. On their return to England, Ringo Starr joined Tony`s band in Hamburg, Ringo gaining much experience for his later move to the Beatles. A reunion with the Beatles (now with Ringo) took place at the opening of the Star-Club in 1962 where Tony and the Beatles appeared on the same bill. Whilst in Hamburg, Tony recorded several albums for Polydor with diverse groups, the most popular -“Skinny Minny” being with the Big Six from Glasgow. In 1964 Tony was invited to tour Australia because of the popularity of his song “Why”, which was in the charts there. After playing in Germany for 7 years, and touring Switzerland, Austria, France, United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Ireland & Norway, Tony accepted an offer to play for the U.S. troops in Vietnam. The initial gig was for two months – he stayed for nearly two years!
In 1969 Tony appeared mainly in Germany and the U.K., playing folk & blues.
In 1978 he went to Los Angeles where he lived for a year, recording with Elvis Presley`s TCB Band, the first artiste to be so honoured after Presley`s death. In 1986 Tony went to Milan, where he recorded an L.P. of his own material, joined by his old friend guitarist Albert Lee. In the following years, Tony remained active in the music business and in July 2002 Tony released a new album worldwide entitled "VAGABOND"comprising of rock, r`n`b, country, ballads and critical songs.
Tony Sheridan continues to reach new fans, ensuring his ever growing popularity among music lovers of all age groups and has no intention of ever retiring from the music business!
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|
Valerie Shane
|
5
|
?
|
|
Vernons Girls
Barabara Mitchell
Maggie Stredder
Betty Prescott
Maureen Kennedy
Margot Quantrell
Francis Lea
Jean Owens
Vicky Haseman
Jean Ryder
Vera Brooks
Lynn Cornell
Ann Simmons
Mary Redmond
Ann O'Brien
Joyce Baker
Carmel French
Helen Taylor
Rae Parker
Dilys Jones
Sally Sallis
Gill Graham
Eleanor Russell
Sheila Prytherch
Dorothy (Stevie) Parkin
Eileen Byrne
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ALL
|
The original full troupe soon disbanded after the beginning of the 1960's, but a smaller unit carried on- headed up by Maureen Kennedy. Most of the girls seem to have continued- at least for a while- in show business ventures. Lynn Cornell became a successful soloist and managed a chart hit with 'Never On Sunday'- she later became one of the 'Pearls'. Vicky Haseman married singer/ guitarist Joe Brown and brought up singing daughter Sam Brown. Joyce Baker married Marty Wilde- they formed a trio with Justin Hayward called the 'Wilde Three'- and brought up world famous singing daughter Kim. Most of the others seem to have banded together as duets and singing trios; these include the 'Redmond Twins', 'The Breakaways', 'The Pearls', the 'Two Tones'; the 'DeLaine Sisters' and -probably the longest surviving and best known, 'The Ladybirds'.
For the past ten years Maggie Stredder, Sheila Bruce, together with ex-Ladybird Penny Lister, have brought new life to the Vernons Girls and now regularly recapture some of the old magic on tour with their friends as part of the Solid Gold Rock 'n' Roll Show.
Maggie Stredder (born Margaret Elizabeth Stredder, 9.1.1936, in Birkenhead, Cheshire) (Later in the Ladybirds, married writer Roy Tuvey, 1.10.1966);
Vicky Brown vocals (born Victoria Mary Haseman, 23.8.1940, in Liverpool, Lancashire died 2004) (later in The Breakaways) (married singer Joe Brown, 10.12.1963);
Joyce Smith vocals (born Joyce Baker, in 1941) (married singer Marty Wilde, 2.12.1959);
Lynn Cornell vocals (later in The Pearls) (married session drummer Andy White (born Andrew White, in 1930, in Scotland); Maureen Kennedy vocals;
Jean Owens vocals;
Francis Lea vocals.
|
Maureen
Kennedy
1967
Vicky Haseman
year?
Eileen Byrne
1983
|
Vince Eager
 |
4,26
|
Born Roy Taylor in Grantham, Lincolnshire. He teamed up with 2 pals to form the "Harmonica Vagabonds", later to be the "Vagabonds Skiffle Group" - hugely popular in Grantham and came 2nd in the World Skiffle Championships which was televised by the BBC. This led to a residency at the famous 2 I's Coffee Bar in London's West End. Soon after, they were booked by pop Svengali Larry Parnes who turned Roy Taylor into 'Vince Eager'.
Vince became a household name with over 100 TV appearances but his recording career was dogged by a conflict between him and Larry Parnes. Touring with Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Marty Wilde, Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Fury and many more top stars gave Vince the opportunity to hone the stage skills which still serve him to this day.
The death of his best friend Eddie Cochran was to prove a turning point in Vince's career. He was disgusted with the manner in which Parnes sought to gain publicity from the accident and he began to 'get away' from the 'Parnes Stable' of popsters. In the years that followed the Parnes era,
Vince was prolific on the British and overseas cabaret circuit, theatre, pantomime and for 5 years he starred in the Sir Laurence Olivier Award winning West End musical "ELVIS". In 1986 Vince took up residency in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for twelve years, returning to the UK along with his wife Anette and is now based in rural Nottinghamshire. Since returning to England, Vince has rekindled his association with legendary guitarist Big Jim Sullivan in presenting a show of musical and anecdotal nostalgia.
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-
|
Vince Taylor
 |
15,16,
17,18
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Born Brian Maurice Holden on July 14th 1939 in London. His family decided to move to the USA and they settled in New Jersey, where his father found work in the mines. In college, Brian sang at private parties, imitating his idols Elvis Presley and Bill Haley. In 1955, his sister married the co-founder of the firm Hanna / Barbera and the entire family moved to California.
Passionate about Rock'n'Roll music, Brian performed increasingly often in clubs there. During a trip to New York, he discovered the rock fever incited by Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly. He went to London and discovered the famous '2 I's' coffee bar. Brian started up his own band called The Playboys and named himself 'Vince Taylor'. His first hits came in 1960 and International success followed during their 1961 European tour. In 1962, Vince and the Playboys were at the height of their glory but then he began spouting mysticism, accentuated by an explosive mix of alcohol and drugs. He fell in a downward spiral to oblivion.
In 1983, Vince Taylor moved to Switzerland in an attempt to break with his past. He married that same year in Epalinges, near Lausanne, later moving to Lutry on the shores of Lake Geneva. He tried many come back appearances but with no success. He died in Lutry in August 1991.
Band members (several line-up changes):
Alan Le Clare - pianist (born Alan Cocks, 26.8.1938, in Dulwich, S.E London); Brian Bennett drums (born Anthony Brian Bennett, 9.2.1940, in Palmers Green, North London) (later in The Shadows);
Tony Sheridan guitar, vocals (born 1940 see above);
Tex Makins bass player (born Anthony Paul Makins, 3.7.1940, in Wembley, Middlesex);
'Liquorice' Locking bass (born Brian Locking, 22.12.1940, in Bedworth, Warwickshire) (later in The Shadows);
Tony Harvey guitar (born Anthony Harvey, in 1940 died 23.3.1993);
Johnny Vance bass player (born David John Cobb, in 1940, in Portsmouth, Hampshire);
Bobbie Clarke / Woodman drums (born Robert William Woodman, 13.6.1941, in Coventry, Warwickshire);
Tony Meehan drums (born Daniel Joseph Anthony Meehan, 22.3.1943, at the New End Hospital, New End, Hampstead, North-west London died 28.11.2005, at St Mary's Hospital, South Wharf Road, Paddington, West London) (later in The Shadows).
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August 28
1991
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William Marshall
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16,17
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