Mike Tinsley (vocals)
John Stewart (lead guitar, vocals)
Tony Cockayne (rhythm guitar)
Ray Honeyball (bass)
Leslie Dash (drums)

1963

November Former Electrons lead singer Mike Tinsley (b. 16 December 1940, Portsmouth, Hants), guitarists John Stewart (b. 18 March 1941, Torphins, Kincardineshire, Scotland) and Tony Cockayne; bass player Ray Honeyball (b. 6 June 1941, Whickham, County Durham) and drummer Leslie Dash (b. 3 April 1943, Hillingdon, Middlesex) are all Royal Air Force ground crew based at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire, England. Captivated by the beat scene exploding in the UK, they decide to form a band, The Trendsetters. The quintet performs initially in the officers’ mess at RAF Wittering but then ventures out, debuting at the White Lion pub in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. After receiving a positive reception, they play at the Dorothy Ballroom and the Corn Exchange in Cambridge.

1964

The band changes its name to The Hedgehoppers; a nickname for the “V” bombers, which can fly a few hundred feet above the ground, under enemy radar to avoid detection and ground-to-air missiles. A local agent spots The Hedgehoppers playing the local pub scene and arranges live gigs to showcase the band at weekends. By June, The Hedgehoppers have opened for Unit Four Plus Two, The Hollies and The Kinks among others.

November (22) The Hedgehoppers make their first appearance in Cambridge, playing at the Alley.

December (26) The band performs at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge with The Cascades.

1965

February (7) The Hedgehoppers play at the Alley Club in Cambridge.

March (6) The Hedgehoppers appear at the Victoria Ballroom in Cambridge.

(14) The band returns to the Alley Club for another show.

April (1) The group performs at the Victoria Ballroom in Cambridge.

(17) The Hedgehoppers open for The Primitives at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge.

May  (8) The group plays at the Victoria Ballroom, Cambridge.

(22) The Hedgehoppers open for Brian Poole & The Tremeloes at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge.

July (3) The band returns for another show at the Victoria Ballroom in Cambridge.

(17) The Hedgehoppers appear at the Dorothy Ballroom in Cambridge with Bob Ludman and His Orchestra, The Seminoles and Ben Elliot and The Klan. Alan Laud (b. 13 March 1946, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire), who is a civilian living near the RAF base takes over from Cockayne on rhythm guitar after meeting the musicians in a local pub.

August The Hedgehoppers are playing at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge when they are spotted by Trinity College student Kenneth King (aka Jonathan King), who is working as a producer for Decca Records through his own company “Jonathan King Enterprises”. The aspiring producer is about to release the single “Everyone’s Gone To The Moon” under his recording name Jonathan King and approaches The Hedgehoppers to see if they will record another of his songs – “It’s Good News Week”. King, who is keener on becoming a producer than a singer, suggests that they add the Anonymous tag so that they can keep their fan base but protect their anonymity from the RAF, which is unaware of the recording. The band records “It’s Good News Week” under the musical direction of Arthur Greenslade, who adds session players, including guitarist “Big” Jim Sullivan, to back Tinsley on the track.

(14) Still billed as The Hedgehoppers, they play at the Victoria Ballroom in Cambridge.

September King’s tongue-in-cheek protest song, “It’s Good News Week” backed by “Afraid of Love” is released. The single’s success generates a huge amount of publicity but also creates problems with the RAF, which has not given the musicians the proper authority to find employment outside the Armed Forces. Hedgehoppers Anonymous make their debut TV appearance on ITV’s Ready Steady Go! They also appear on BBC TV’s Top of The Pops to plug the single.

(11) Billed as The Hedgehoppers, they play at the Victoria Ballroom in Cambridge.

October Tinsley successfully submits an application to the RAF for a discharge.

(1) Still billed as The Hedgehoppers, they appear at Bassingbourn Village College, Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire with The Hornets.

(15) NME reports that Dash, Honeyball and Stewart have applied to the RAF for a discharge but it is not known whether these will be accepted. Behind the scenes, London session musician Glenn Martin (b. 22 January 1946, Wembley Park, Middlesex), who is the resident drummer at the Ad-Lib club and has been playing with Ayshea Brough, takes over from Leslie Dash for live gigs while the drummer tries to gain a discharge.

(29) With Martin onboard, the new line up plays at the YOR Club, Parr Hall, Warrington, Cheshire with The Boys in support . On the same day, NME reports that the future of Hedgehoppers Anonymous is still in the balance as it is uncertain whether Dash, Honeyball and Stewart’s applications will be accepted. Soon after, Stewart successfully gains a release from the RAF. Meanwhile, the group is forced to turn down an offer to join the Gene Pitney tour because of the travelling involved.

(30) Hedgehoppers Anonymous perform at Altrincham Stamford Hall in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.

(31) The group makes an appearance at Peter Stringfellow’s Sheffield Mojo club, Yorkshire.

November (2) The band performs on Rediffusion’s Five O’Clock Funfair.

(3) Hedgehoppers Anonymous play at the Kingston Cellar in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey.

(4) They perform at the Swindon Locarno Ballroom in Swindon, Wiltshire.

(5) Hedgehoppers Anonymous play at Leighton Baths, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

(6) “It’s Good News Week” peaks at UK #5 and also reaches #48 in the US Billboard chart. On the same day, the band are billed to appear at Rawtenstall Astoria, Rawtenstall, Lancashire.

(7) Hedgehoppers Anonymous perform at the Carlton in Slough, Berkshire.

(8) The following day, the band plays at the Atalanta Ballroom in Woking, Surrey.

(10) Following a show at High Wycombe Town Hall the previous day, the group performs at the Stevenage Locarno in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

(11) They perform at Wisbech Rose and Crown, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

(13) The Grantham Journal lists the band appearing at Drill Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire with Them Dogs and The Scene.

(16) Hedgehoppers Anonymous appear at an All-nighter session at the Cavern in Liverpool with The Baskerville Hounds, The Verbs, The Drifting Sands, The Richmond Group, The Dresdens, The Almost Blues, The Harpos, The Masterminds and The Fourmost.

(18) The band plays at the 100 Club in Oxford Street, London.

(26) NME reports that Dash and Honeyball are likely to be temporarily replaced because their applications to buy themselves out of the RAF have been turned down a second time. The magazine goes on to say that Dash and Honeyball will return to RAF Wittering today and their availability for appearances – as close as next week – is still uncertain. The band’s agent Chris Peers tells NME that the two musicians will work on as many dates as possible, but for some bookings replacements will have to be brought in. Behind the scenes, however, Dash decides not to continue with the band and will later move out to South Africa where he currently resides. Glenn Martin takes over but will not be officially announced as Dash’s replacement until December. On the same day, the band appears Hillside Ballroom, Hereford with The Alan Walker Group .

December Decca rush releases a second single to capitalise on the success of “It’s Good News Week” but the Kenneth King written “Don’t Push Me” c/w “Please Don’t Hurt Your Heart for Me” sells poorly. Like Dash, Ray Honeyball cannot get a release from the RAF. Former Von Dykes bass player Lee Jackson is brought in and put on a retainer. The idea is that he will fill in for Honeyball whenever the bass player cannot honour an engagement. While on a retainer, Jackson plays some shows with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

(1) The band plays at Stourbridge Town Hall, Stourbridge, West Midlands.

(2) Hedgehoppers Anonymous perform at the Blue Moon club in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with The Alan Walker Group.

(3) They appear at Trowbridge Town Hall in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

(4) The group plays Redhill Market Hall in Redhill, Surrey.

(6) Hedgehoppers Anonymous appear at Bridgewater Town Hall, Bridgewater, Somerset.

(8) They play at Kidderminster Town Hall, Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

(11) Hedgehoppers Anonymous appear at Nelson Imperial in Nelson, Lancashire.

(12) The group plays a show at Manchester Oasis club.

(16) The band appears at the Pier Pavilion in Worthing, West Sussex.

(17) NME announces that Keith Jackson and Glenn Martin have formally replaced Ray Honeyball and Leslie Dash who have been unable to obtain discharges from the RAF.

(22) Record Mirror announces the new line up, introducing Lee Jackson. However, Jackson only appears in a few publicity photos before finding work elsewhere. He subsequently joins Gary Farr & The T-Bones and then The Nice. Londoner Tom Fox takes over on bass from The Beat Boys and Barry Edwards and The Semi-Tones.

(27) The group plays at Bath Pavilion, according to Western Scene.

1966

January Having signed up to Chris Peers Promotions the previous year, the new line up starts to pick up steady work around the country.

(15) Boyfriend magazine lists the group appearing at the George Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire.

(21-26) Boyfriend magazine reports that the band is touring Scotland.

(29) Boyfriend magazine has the group playing at the Town Hall in Bishop’s Stortford, Herts.

April Martin suggests that Hedgehoppers Anonymous cut a version of Chip Taylor’s “Wild Thing”, which is recorded and prepared for release. However, according to Martin, Kenneth King is not convinced about the song’s merit and persuades the musicians to record “Baby (You’re My Everything)” (a Little Jerry Williams ballad that Jonathan King had the rights to) instead. Shortly afterwards, The Troggs top the charts with their own version of “Wild Thing”, allegedly after hearing Hedgehoppers Anonymous’ unreleased version. However, Jonathan King relates “the demo of Wild Thing was first played to me by the publishers; I loved the song and allowed the guys to play on it but their version wasn’t even as good as the demo so I passed and the song was given to Larry Page who produced it with the Troggs.”

(22) The Southend Standard lists the band playing at the Cricketers Inn, Westcliff, Southend, Essex with Bubbles & Co.

May Having appeared on ITV’s Ready Steady Go! Hedgehoppers Anonymous return with a third single, “Baby (You’re My Everything)” c/w “Remember”. The band’s poppy sound, however, increasingly sounds dated, and the single does not chart.

June (10) Hedgehoppers Anonymous play at the California Ballroom, Dunstable with The Felders.

(11) Melody Maker reports that Mick Tinsley has been ordered to rest for a week after being injured by fans at the Star Rink Ballroom, West Hartlepool last weekend. The band appears on BBC Radio’s Saturday Club this weekend.

July (23) They appear at St Mary’s Hall in Bognor Regis, West Sussex with Listen.

August (26) The band moves towards a more harder-edge rock sound, which culminates in the mod/freakbeat classic “Daytime” which is backed by “That’s The Time”. Unfortunately, the single is not a chart success. “Daytime” is an adaption of Les 5 Gentlemen’s “Dis-Nous Dylan” (originally co-written by Jean Fredenucci of Les 5 Gentlemen and T. Saunders) with English lyrics by John Stewart. Les 5 Gentlemen also record “Daytime” with Stewart’s lyrics for a release on the Major Minor label as Darwin’s Theory.

September (10) Hedgehoppers Anonymous record for BBC Radio’s Saturday Club with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, The Fortunes and Glen Dale.

October The band plays at the Lyceum Ballroom in London on a bill that includes Tom Jones.

(12) Hedgehoppers Anonymous appear at Tiles nightclub on Oxford Street in central London with The Excels.

(15) The band plays at Leyton Baths Hall, Leyton, east London with The Plague.

(22)  Hedgehoppers Anonymous play at Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford with The Day-Stroms and The Tone Benders.

November (26) The band appears at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent with The Kingpins.

December (9) Final single Alan Laud’s “Stop Press” c/w “Little Memories” is another chart failure.

(17) Hedgehoppers Anoymous perform at Wilton Hall, Bletchley, Bucks with The Addix.

(23) The band appears Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex with The Zombies and The Teen Team.

1967

January (6) The band plays at the Winter Gardens, Droitwich, Worcestershire.

(7) Hedgehoppers Anonymous appear at the Marine Ballroom, Morecambe Pier, Lancashire.

(14) NME reports that the current Hedgehoppers Anonymous will split up on 11 February but that Martin and Fox are planning to form a new group, which will probably use the same name. On the same day, Mike Tinsley releases his debut solo single, “Let It Be Me”, produced by Kenneth King, on Decca. The publication also announces that Alan Laud and John Stewart will be forming a trio with ex-Overlanders’ member Terry Widlake but the collaboration never happens. Alan Laud later moves to Spain where he runs a bar in Torremolinos while John Stewart, who is intent on pursuing a career as a songwriter, subsequently relocates to the United States. He currently works in a recording studio in Tennessee. Rather than keep the Hedgehoppers Anonymous name going, Glenn Martin and Tom Fox get a job with blues singer Kenny Barnard, who is opening at the Bag O’Nails club after resident band The Peddlers have moved on.

(22) Martin (on his 21st birthday) and Fox back Kenny Barnard at the Bag O’Nails club. Soon after The Peddlers return to the Bag O’Nails and Barnard’s band finds itself without any work. The musicians go their separate ways. Tom Fox disappears from the music scene but allegedly commits suicide years later.

February (2) The band is advertised to play at the Embassy Suite, Thursday Club, Colchester, Essex with Hap and Unit 4.

(11) Hedgehoppers Anonymous officially disbands.

March Having moved to Halifax, West Yorkshire in February, Martin revives The Hedgehoppers Anonymous name and brings in lead guitarist Ian Atkinson from The Morton Fraser Harmonica Gang. Atkinson recommends his friend from Leeds, bass player Howard Livett. Keyboard player Vincent Crane joins for a few gigs but soon leaves to form The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Atkinson contacts his friend organist/singer Chris Lazenby, who has previously worked with the guitarist in Bradford band, The Del Rio 4. They also recruit a second lead guitar player from Oldham. The new version mixes band originals – “It’s Good News Week”, “Don’t Push Me” and “Daytime” with covers material.

April The new line up embarks on a busy schedule of nation-wide gigs that takes in venues as far flung as Glasgow and Leicester.

August Lazenby and the second lead guitarist depart when Martin convinces original singer Mick Tinsley to return to front the band. Lazenby joins the house band at Butlins in Minehead and reunites with Glenn Martin in 1970 when their band works the summer and winter seasons at the Butlins Hotels in Cliftonville near Margate, Kent.

(25) With Tinsley back onboard, the band performs at the Boogaloo, Castleford, West Yorkshire with The Move.

September (16) Hedgehoppers Anonymous appear the Top Spot Ballroom, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire with The Knack .

October Hedgehoppers Anonymous featuring Mick Tinsley, Glenn Martin, Howard Livett and Ian Atkinson embark on a short tour of Sweden and Lapland.

(6) While playing at the Cue Club in Gothenburg, Stoke-on-Trent band The Colour Supplement open the show. The band’s singer Phil Tunstall will join a new, completely unrelated, version of Hedgehoppers Anonymous in December 1968.

(18) Liseberg Pop In Club in Gothenburg.

November On their return to the UK, Tinsley resumes a solo career. He later becomes a co-writer for songs covered by Joe Dolan and Kelly Marie. In the late 1960s/early 1970s, Livett works on the Mecca scene with the band Huckleberry and spends over 10 years playing the Leeds City Varieties but passes away in August 2005. Martin joins Sandie Shaw’s backing group, The Streamliners, featuring Stoke-on-Trent musicians Tony Kaye (guitar), Dave Birkenhead (organ) and John Askey (bass). While with Sandie Shaw & The Streamliners, Martin will appear at the MIDEM Festival in Cannes in January 1968. When Martin leaves The Streamliners in February, Tony Kaye decides to use the Hedgehoppers Anonymous name for a new, completely unrelated, band, which with a modified line up will continue into the early 1970s, recording in South Africa as Hedgehoppers. Mick Tinsley sings “Wrap Me in Love” co-written with Peter Hawkins of Pickettywitch as a soloist for the UK at the Yamaha World Song Festival in Tokyo 1976. He co-writes songs with Peter Yellowstone for Joe Dolan and Kelly Marie.

2009

October Tinsley’s solo album My Surival is released on the British Academy Songwriters Composers Authors’ label. The album is produced by Tony Swain, who has previously worked with Spandau Ballet, Alison Moyet and Bananarma among others.

2010

June Prism Leisure Records re-release two CDs featuring Tinsley singing on the songs “Songs That Won The War” and “English Street Party” recorded in the 1990s. Glenn Martin, who has worked as a session drummer over the last 40 years is drum chair at the Surrey Jazz Orchestra.

December (4) Tinsley will be appearing at the Amersham Rock and Roll Club with Chris Farlowe, Vanity Fair, The Searchers and Honeybus.

Sources:

The Best of The Cellars – The Story of the Cavern Club by Phil Thompson, Tempus Publishing Limited, 2007.
New Musical Express, 1 October 1965 (page 9), 15 October 1965 (pages 9 and 13), 29 October 1965 (pages 6, 9 and 10), 26 November 1965 (page 9), 17 December 1965 (page 6), 14 January 1967 (page 8).

Many thanks to Mick Tinsley, Glenn Martin, Jonathan King, Chris Lazenby, Mick Cockayne, Lee Jackson, Jenni Livett, Christopher Hjort, Tertius Louw, Paul Green and Tony Walter for providing further details. Thank you to Paul Tinsley for the photo of Mick Tinsley in May 2010. Thanks also to Samuel Coomans for one of the sleeve scans and to Hans Olof Gottfridsson.

Mike Tinsley’s “My Survival” is available on the BASCA Academy Recording Digital label and can be purchased on Amazon.

Newspapers including Cambridge News.

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.

I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com