Frank Kennington – lead vocals
Ian Gomm – rhythm guitar/lead guitar and vocals
Martin Davis – bass
Simon Behar – drums
+ Mick Liber – lead guitar
The band started around 1962/1963 and was formed by Ian Gomm, Martin Davis and Simon Behar, who were all pupils at Ealing County School for Boys (another student was Lee Brilleaux who later formed Dr Feelgood).
Soon after forming, Frank Kennington, who was older than the others, joined as lead singer and they became Unit 4 (not to be confused with the Unit 4 + 2).
One of the bands Unit 4 opened for around 1963 was Del Angelo & The Detours, which included singer Del Angelo, lead guitarist Roger Daltry, rhythm guitarist Pete Townshend and bass player/horn player John Entwistle. The latter three went on to become The High Numbers and more famously, The Who.
Kennington became a close friend of The Who and would work with that band in later years. Mick Liber, who was playing with Frankie Reid & The Casuals and (and previously) Clay Alison & The Searchers (Ed. Liber had been taught feedback by Pete Townshend), guested with Unit 4 from the summer of 1964.
Around October 1964, Kennington left England and moved to Sydney, Australia, and Unit 4 broke up.
Liber subsequently re-joined Frank Kennington in Sydney on 28 January 1965 after leaving Frankie Reid & The Casuals.
The pair formed a new version of Unit 4 (see pic below), who included (at various times) Australians Lloyd Hardy (bass), Roger Homan (rhythm guitar) and John Webber (drums) plus British expat, Shane Duckham (harmonica). However, the revived band was short-lived.
By mid-1965, Kennington had briefly joined Sydney group, The Missing Links and then reunited with Liber in The Denvermen.
They then left to form the original version of Python Lee Jackson in December 1965, named by Liber’s former band leader from Clay Alison & The Searchers – Andre de Moller, who was living in Sydney at the time.
Kennington was subsequently deported and returned to the UK, where he roadied for The Who and eventually moved into rock management. He was Motorhead’s first road manager and moved out to California in the 1970s. He died in 1998.
Liber kept Python Lee Jackson going with various different line ups and recorded a string of singles for CBS. After working with Australian rock legend, Billy Thorpe, he reformed Python Lee Jackson and returned to the UK around October 1968.
After the London-based Unit 4 broke up in late 1964, Ian Gomm and Martin Davis went on to work with local band, The Unknowns.
Gomm subsequently played with West London bands The Triangle, The Generation and The Daisy Showband before joining Brinsley Schwarz in September 1970.
He co-wrote Nick Lowe’s worldwide hit “Cruel to Be Kind” with Lowe when they were both members of Brinsley Schwarz. He also had his own US top twenty hit “Hold On” in 1979 when the Ian Gomm Band supported Dire Straits on their epic “Sultans of Swing” US tour. “Hold On” was Stiff Records’ only US chart success.
Great thanks to Ian Gomm for supplying the photos (apart from the Australian Unit 4) and background information. Also, thanks to Mick Liber for his contributions and putting me in touch with Ian.
Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.
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Where is the free music I do miss listening to the music that’s why I come on this site please pit the music back up
Not sure what Mick Liber’s relationship actually was with this band because there are gigs for Frankie Reid & The Casuals listed up to the end of November 1964 and Ian Gomm doesn’t remember him being a member so I wonder whether he just guested with the band from summer until Kennington left for Australia around October 1964.
Hello , I knew FRANK KENNINGTON – We all called him “English” Frank – And as I remember I met him in the spring or summer of 1982 at the Cathey De Grande club in Hollywood , California – I played there every Wednesday night – HE was in the audience of one of my MANY gigs there – a bit tipsy on booze – but very kind – we later went on to become the HOOLIGANS in 1984 – on youtube.com I posted a few of one of those shows – and you can hear some of his original songs Joe Nania ( also known as “Hollywood” Joe )
Hi just wanted to really thank you for everything you have archived. My dad was Frank Kennington I really appreciate you taking the time to do this and I really hope you get this message as I see it was 2yrs ago I came to see my dad a few times in LA but I was mad at him for leaving me,well that’s how I saw it after my mum died . I loved him and understand why now he had to do it. Thankfully Daisy Kennington xxxx
Hello Tara or is it Daisy ? I read your message dated September 13 2023 – – just today November 28 2023 – – and If you wish you can e – mail me at hollywoodjoe@usa.com – I can tell you were sad that you and your dad Frank were separated – And I would like to share some fond memories of HE and I when we both lived and played music in a band in Hollywood , Please contact me at this e – mail address hollywoodjoe@usa.con Thank you , Joe Nania a.k.a. “Hollywood” Joe
I went to school with your dad and we were great friends in the same class at St Benedicts ealing. I’d love to hear more about him. I never saw him again after I left for Australia in 1960. We all used to laugh at him trying to sing ‘teenager in love’ when he was about 14. Mick lieber went to the same school. Love from john clarke.
JOHN CLARKE – I have a few videos of FRANK KENNINGTON posted on youtube – Look for ” English ” Frank Kennington – Hollywood Joe – And there you can hear he and I in a band called the HOOLIGANS . Joe Nania also known as ” Hollywood ” Joe
I remember you.
Hi…my name is John clarke and your Dad Frank was my close friend in St benedicts school ealing. We often stayed at each other’s homes in our youth. I had no idea he had a daughter. Did you know his mum and dad.? I m now 80 and have lived in Australia for most of my life.
I am also 80yo. I live in mid north coast NSW.
HELLO anyone ? I would really like to add some information about the band known as UNIT 4 from Easley , England ! In that I knew the original singer FRANK KENNINGTON who was in a band here in Hollywood with me known as the HOOLIGANS ! “English Frank” as we all called HIM – told me of HIS past in England as well as in Australia playing in bands at both locations – I have posted on youtube.com a few videos that are from a live onstage show in October 1984 at the Music Machine on Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles , California – You can hear HIM singing HIS original songs there – I met HIM when HE was in the audience of one of my shows in 1982 at the Cathay De Grande night club in Hollywood ,California and we went on to become great friends over the years
Joe Nania (also known as “Hollywood” Joe )
I worked with a guy called Ron Suly ,in the famous video of them playing ,he was playing the red guitar,did he go by another name in those days ?thanks Nick
Hi My name is Laurent, I live near Paris in France. Just before Frank moved to the US, he lived in my house for about 8 months. We had good times and used to play together during 1981 (as long as can remenber). I met him again in 92 in La and we play some gigs together to. We recorded in 81 ou 82 in London at the Matrix’s studio. So many memories. You can email me, and i will do my best to make with my English. God bless. Laurent lrnt.rossi@gmail.com