John Maskell wrote to me about his group the Beat Syndicate and sent in the great promotional photo seen here. Has anyone come across their unreleased demo?
I was a vocalist for a group called The Beat Syndicate.
Attached is a photo of the group circa 1965. From the left, Tony the drummer, Jim Newton the rhythm guitarist, John Maskell, John the bassist and Mick George the lead guitarist. I am afraid I cannot recall two of the surnames of two that are mentioned.
On 25 September 1965 we appeared at the Cellar Club supporting The Nashville Teens. Arriving about 7 pm we started the show at 7.30 pm. We played on and then had a 15 minute break, when we were informed the Teens had been fog bound in Manchester where they were recording Top of the Pop’s. We were asked to play on to keep the show going as they were not sure what time the star act was going to arrive. Two guys who had left Screaming Lord Sutch’s group to form The Plebs, Danny McCulloch and Derek Sirmon gave our drummer and bassist a break. We eventually finished at just after midnight and the Teens went on at 12.30 am..
We won a beat competition at Coronation Gardens Leytonstone, where we were based, and were given a recording test at Pye studios. Alan A. Freeman was the producer. We recorded a song that the lead guitarist and I wrote with a standard on the B side. The record was never released and I lent my copy to an agent who said he would get me some work after I left the Beat Syndicate but I never saw him or my disc again.
There were two recording sessions one at Pye Studios, the single and one recorded at Leytonstone Library, early one Sunday morning. We recorded three tracks for the second recording, these were the numbers performed that won us the beat competition at Coronation Gardens, Leyton which was compiled on an L.P. with all the other entrants performances. This was pressed by a company called the Audiophonic Recording Co and discs were distributed by Leyton Electric Company. Unfortunately for me I was never told of the existence of the disc which I would have purchased had I known. I found most of this information contacting ex members of groups who were in the competitions around that time.
I left The Beat Syndicate rather acrimoniously, as at the time of the Pye test we were given a contract to tour professionally, however the rest of the band turned the opportunity down. I was a bit miffed as I thought that was what we were in the music business for, to progress to professionals. The band carried on for a couple of years and disbanded some time in 1968.
Disillusioned, I didn’t pursue my singing career any further, but I have sung with the odd band or two in recent years.
Previously in 1963, I had been with a group called Johnny & the Bobcats, we changed the name to Group 004 + 1 after a while.We were based in Tottenham, North London and had a residency at the White Swan for about a year or so. We had success supporting groups such as Georgie Fame, The Kinks, The Paramounts and Gene Vincent & the Shouts to name a few.
John Maskell
Great story and great band name!
Pity about losing the demo John.
Someone out there must have a copy…..fingers crossed.
Hi John,
Thanks for your interest, I doubt if I will ever find that needle in a haystack.
There were three songs recorded in a Library foyer in Leytonstone, early one Sunday morning. These were put on an L.P. which was recorded by the Audiophonic Recording company, distributed by Leyton Electric Company but I was never given a copy. No one appears to have heard of the recording company. I have tried to trace it without success.
Kind Regards
John
Hi John
As you were interested in the story I thought I would let you know that the article found the attention of one of the group and I am now in touch with all the members. The lead guitarist has said he has the recordings and is going to put them on a disc for me.
My thanks must go to this website that puts all the hard work in making things work.
I may now get my music back at some stage.
kind Regards
John Maskell
That is great news John, hopefully you will have all the recordings on a disc.
Superb!
The memories will come flooding back.
Hi John were you related to the maskell family that lived in high cross Rd Tottenham, they were a family of coal merchants s lovely crowd a real n London family
Hi Tony, Long time no see, how are you. You got the right bloke, I used to go to Down Lane School with you.
I have been trying to get in touch with Tottenham lot for some time.
My last success was John Cassidy who I e-mailed recently.
Use my e-mail address and get in touch, we have a lot to catch up on .
Kind Regards
John Maskell
Hi again Tony,
My e-mail address is johnbmaskell [at] hotmail.co.uk and I look forward to hearing from you again after all this time.
Kind Regards
John Maskell
Hi Tony,
I have been waiting for you to e-mail me.
My e-mail address is johnbmaskell@hotmail.co.uk
I look forward to a long catch up with you.
Kind Regards
John maskell
Hi I am Tony the drummer in the picture of the Beat Sydicate. I was one of the founder members of the group, the original members were Mick George (guitar), John Powis (bass), Dave White (lead guitar), Mike Precious (Lead vocals) and me Tony Smith (drums). The band continued with several changes for around 12 years from it’s beginning in 1961. I played for them for about two years then left them to hopefully find a group as good as them, who would be prepared to go professional, this did not happen, I rejoined the banf for another two years ish before moving on again. I carried on playing with many groups bands and combo, s untill the end of 1998 when I decided enough was enough.
I hope that John is keeping well and doing ok.
Tony
It is nice to hear from you, yes I am keeping well and I hope you are.
I am glad you spotted the article. Like you I was bitterly disappointed that the group did not take advantage of the chance we had to turn pro. I assumed at the time that was what we were in it for.
Do you have any memorabilia of the group in our time, I would be interested. I put the picture of the group on some sites because I
thought we achieved a great sound in those days.
Kind Regards
John
My e-mail address is johnbmaskell@hotmail.co.uk
P.S Thanks for reminding me of a couple of surnames I could not recall, It’s age.
Hi Tony, I found this article on Google which I think might be from some time ago , I was just curious to know if the band was still around, i don’t know if you remember me, I am Christine Thomas, née pope, we used to go out together for a while, I lived in 88 St John Street, E C 1, you lived in Walthamstow, with your lovely parents and sister Janet and brother Andrew, I eventually married John Thomas. sorry to hear about Jim Newton, I don’t know if John knew. I know his other friend was Dave cutting. any way I hope life has been good for you , best wishes from criss.
HI – MY NAME IS MICK GEORGE AND I WAS A FOUNDER MEMBER OF TH BEAT SYNDICATE THE ORIGINAL LINE UP WAS TONY SMITH(DRUMS) JIM NEWTON (GUITAR) JOHN POWYS(BASS) MICK PRETIOUS(VOCALS) AND MYSELF ( GUITAR) – I HAVE SOME PICTURES AND ARTICLES ON THE BAND AND ALSO AN ACETATE OF A PERFORMANCE AT THE CORONATION GARDENS IN LEYTON – I HAVE CONTINUED TO PLAY GOING PRO FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS – I STILL HAVE A SIXTY’S BAND WHICH DOES ABOUT 15 GIGS A YEAR – FOUR PIECE INCLUDING 3 VOCALS WE DO BEATLES, HOLLIES, BEACH BOYS , EVERLY’S
Hi Mick,
I am glad to see you are still out there, and you have found the article.
I put the article on the site because I thought, in my time anyway, we were one of the best bands around and achieved it in a very short period of time. That said it needs documenting.
There are some questions I would like to ask you as I have been researching my time in the groups.
If you let me have your e-mail address I will get in touch.
Mine is johnbmaskell@hotmail.co.uk
The only one not mentioned between you and Tony is John, is he still around ?.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards
John Maskell
Hi John,
I have contacted Mick, and emailed you direct, there may be some good news regarding the recording
Tony
SLIGHT CHANGE TO MY FIRST REPLY – THE ORIGINAL LEAD GUITARIST WITH THE BAND WAS DAVE WHITE, HOWEVER HE LEFT AFTER A SHORT PERIOD AND JIM NEWTON JOINED
Hello to you all,
I am the daughter of Jim Newton and we are honouring him tomorrow with a beautiful service mentioning the beat syndicate. I loved the stories he told and he continues love of the band. Looking back now it sounded a great experience that we all wish we had. From his favourite daughter xxx
As a former lead vocalist with The Beat Syndicate I was very upset to hear of Jim’s passing as I had visited him and his wife Pat just over a year ago.
Jim was a great guy and he will be missed by all.
Hi,
I have just read your note on the website about my death on October the 30th, which means dead men can type as I am John Maskell. For the record I have not lived in Tottenham since 1956.
Are you getting me confused with someone else.
Regards
John Maskell (Not Deceased)
Are you related to John Maskell the guitarist who used to play in the Dave Kelly Band?
Hi Dylan,
No, sorry, I am not related my namesake in the Dave Kelly band.