The Dignitaries of North Adams, MA, April 17, 1969
The Dignitaries cut a fine r&b instrumental, “Steppin’ Out” on Darec VSS 81943. They recorded at Vibra Sound Studio in Schenectady in early 1969.
The group came from North Adams, Massachusetts. Members on the record were:
Dick Gigliotti – Cordovox and leader of the group Chuck Sweeney – bass “Doc” Everett Rivers – drums Robert Trottier – drums Andy Durocher – vocals
Darec is their own label, made of the first letter of their first names. Richard Gigliotti wrote “Steppin’ Out”. The flip is a ballad, “You Want to Be Free” by J.C. Thompson. Robert Barry Music has publishing credit on both songs, as it did on most of the Vibra Sound studio output, but does not seem to have registered them with the Library of Congress.
First notice I can find for the Dignitaries, in the Bennington Banner, October 23, 1968The North Adams Transcript had a feature on the band on April 17, 1969:
‘Dignitaries’, New Band, Cuts First Record
The five men, Richard “Dick” Gigliotti, 23 (he’s single girls), is the group’s leader and emits on the Cordovox; Charles “Chuck” Sweeney, 24 is a master of the bass guitar. Robert “Bob” Trottier, 22, on drums; Everett “Doc” Rivers, 27 on another set of drums; and Andrew “Andy” Duroucher, the “old man” of the group at 35, is its outstanding vocalist.
They have worked as a group for the past six months, and prior to that as a four-man group for six months and in the very beginning as a trio.
The original trio, Dick, Chuck and Bob, was first known as the Taconic Trio and played most of their engagements at the Taconic Park Restaurant in Williamstown. The name was changed to the Dignitaries eight months ago when they began to branch out and played various supper-clubs in the area.
It also notes that Chuck Sweeney had been in the Four Knights. Everett “Doc” Rivers had been in the Electros, Doc and the Interns, and the Other Guys. The article includes extensive information on their backgrounds and education.
The Troy Record and the Times Record ran nearly identical profiles of the Dignitaries on May 6, 1969 for their opening at Mario’s Theater Restaurant on Campbell Ave in Troy, NY:
Dignitaries Provide Potpourri at Mario’s
“Dick, Chuck and Bob started as the Taconic Trio. Six months ago they spread to a quintet and got down to the serious business of seeing what they can do in musical circles …
The music offered by the Dignitaries is not saturated with rock, nor is it steeped in psychedelic; rather it is a meshing of listenable, melodious tunes on the one hand, driving, vibrant beat on the other. They can go both ways, and do.
“We’re making the big effort now,” Sweeney, a darkly handsome young man, admitted with a grin. “I know, home in North Adams isn’t all that far away, but Troy at least affords a real springboard for us.”
Their top thrills to date probably are two in number – appearing on stage with the Irish Rovers and cutting their first record, Stepping Out.
On August 30, 1969 there was a notice of the Dignitaries appearing on Dialing For Dollars on TV Channel 10.
On April 16, 1970, the North Adams Transcript ran an item for their May 2nd show for a Lebanese Social Club dance at the Armory on Park Street. It looks like the group was down to a quartet, without Bob Trottier. The Dignitaries also had an upcoming engagement at the Cloud 9 Lounge of Bradley International Airport.
On August 28, 1971, the North Adams Transcript ran a photo of Charles Sweeney signing a contract for the Dignitaries to play the Fall Foliage Festival Dance. Bernard Robinson is mentioned as a member of the group, and co-owner, with Sweeney, of the Mountainview Restaurant in Clarksburg.
The Silver Byke at Arthur’s, photo courtesy of Reggie WardThe Silver Byke released only one single, “I’ve Got Time” / “Who Needs Tomorrow” on Bang Records B-557.
Charly Cazalet wrote “I’ve Got Time”, while “Who Needs Tomorrow” is credited to Cazalet, Nelson, Platania, and Ward.
Cash Box gave it a favorable review in April, 1968. It was also released in the UK on London Records.
Supposedly the group had more songs completed for an album when Bert Berns of Bang Records passed away on December 30, 1967. If they still exist, I’d love to hear them!
Members were:
Reggie Ward – lead vocals and rhythm guitar John Platania – lead guitar Charly Cazalet – bass guitar Michael Nelson – drums
An unsigned profile of the Silver Byke appeared in the May 4, 1968 edition of the Kingston Daily Freeman:
Silver Byke Rolls Along Sporting Guitar and Song
The Silver Byke is a recording group out of Poughkeepsie …
The Silver Byke was the last group to be signed to a recording contract and become proteges of the late great Bert Burns [sic] of Bang Records. Two of their recent releases on this label are “I’ve Got Time” and “Who Needs Tomorrow”.
Among the many successful college concerts where the Silver Byke has made its sound are Vassar, Harvard, Bard and Finch…
Founder of the group is Michael Nelson, a drummer who began his career several years ago with the Lost Souls. He later recorded with Bobby Dylan. After a stretch on the New York music scene he returned to the Hudson Valley where he had spent most of his life after coming over from his native England.
Charlie Cazalet [sic], bass guitarist, immigrated here from France and stepped right into the music scene at 17. After accompanying well known groups here and in Canada, he joined Mike in The Silver Byke, then under the name of The Meek and Obscure.
Most recent member of the Byke brigade is 20-year-old John Platania, lead guitarist. A well known instructor in upstate New York, John gained fame as lead singer and guitarist with the big city group, Love’s Body.
Formerly a member of the Dirty Elbows recording group, Reginald Wald [sic], also 20, does honors as lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the Bykes. He also switches from guitar to trumpet and does a good deal of horn dubbing for the Bykes recording sessions.
Recent engagements have been two weeks at the Discotheque Arthur in New York City and weekend performances at the Dew Drop Inn, Eddyville.
from the Daily Freeman, October 17 1969I can find listings for the band around the Poughkeepsie area from December 1967 until April 1969, including at the Dew Drop Inn on Route 213 in Eddyville, and at the “Us” teen club at Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park.
Then in October 1969, an ad for the Pleasure Yacht in Eddyville announces the Bak Steppe, “including members of the Famous Silver Byke”.
Charly Cazalet wrote a partial history of his career for his release Rough Mix-NYC, which I’ll excerpt here:
The Silver Byke, photos courtesy of Reggie Ward
My first professional performance was with my first band ‘The Outsiders’ at the Steve Paul Scene nightclub in New York City, the fall of 1964. I was sixteen years old and the band had already recorded two songs at Mirror Sound for a couple of writers from the infamous Brill Building. Soon after we signed with Audio Fidelity Records. Over the next few years I continued to perform in NYC clubs, The El Mio, Ondine’s, The Phone Booth, Arthur’s, The Bitter End and The Salvation to name a few.
In May 1966 after a four month tour in Quebec with French Canadian rock star Tony Roman I came home to NYC and met the band ‘The Left Banke’. They had just recorded “Walk Away Rene” and were looking for a guitarist to join the band. I didn’t join the band but maintained a professional and personal relationship with some of the band members until today. I played bass guitar on most of the tracks for The Left Banke’s third and last album ‘Voices Calling’ around 1978 that was released in Britain in 1988.
The Left Banke lead singer Steve Martin Caro co-wrote and sings lead on track 1 and 4 and sings harmony vocal on track 8 [on Rough Mix-NYC]. The Left Banke drummer George Cameron plays on track 5, 6, and 8. These five songs were recorded between 1978 and 1979. Reginald Ward sings lead on Track 5.
Reggie and I performed in a four piece band called The Silver Byke with John Platania and Mike Nelson between 1967-1970. We signed with legendary music producer Bert Berns, but Bert passed away before we recorded and released a 45 rpm for his label Bang Records. Chris Houston from the British rock band The Undertakers produced the session.
I asked Charly about how he joined the Silver Byke and he wrote to me:
I met Mike Nelson around early 1965 at a club called Ondine in midtown Manhattan. He was playing there with his band The Lost Souls. When they finished the set I went up to him and started talking with him.
At the time I was in a band called The Outsiders and we were the house-band at the El Mio club not to far away from Ondine. A short time later he quit his band and started spinning records at El Mio for a while. My band left El Mio and broke up soon after and some time after that I ran into Mike and he didn’t have a place to stay so, I took him to my parents and they said he could stay with us. To make a long story short, he got a recording gig with Bob Dylan and made a bunch of money $500, so we got an apartment together.
After playing in a number of bands together we formed The Sliver Byke. When the lead guitarist quit we got John Platania to fill in. We broke up in Jan. 1969. I played with John for a while, until he sent on to play with Van Morrison. Mike and I parted ways.
John Platania would go on to play on albums by Van Morrison, Chip Taylor and Genya Ravan, among many others. See www.johnplatania.com for more info on his career.
The Los Angeles Times profiled Mike Nelson in January, 1987, describing his move to California while playing fusion jazz, then leaving music to become a sculptor.
Thank you to Reggie Ward for sending in the photos of the group seen here. Reggie was in a group called Easy Street in the 1970s.
Photo may be subject to copyright: The End, late 1967. Left to right: John Horton, Hugh Attwooll, Dave Brown, Colin Giffin and Nicky Graham
Colin Giffin – lead guitar, saxophone, vocals
Nicky Graham – organ, vocals
Dave Brown – bass, vocals
John Horton – saxophone
Roger Groom – drums
Formed around May 1965, The End brought together musicians from two Surrey bands. Giffin (b. 21 September 1943, Edmonton, Middlesex) and Brown (b. 2 July 1943, Carshalton, Surrey) had first worked together in 1961, playing with Bobby Angelo & The Tuxedos, who also included Groom (b. 10 November 1939, Walthamstow, east London) before he joined The Nashville Teens.
During 1963, Giffin and Brown joined Mike Berry’s new band, The Innocents who toured with The Rolling Stones on two national tours in 1964, during which time they befriended Bill Wyman who would later produce The End.
On 18 November 1964, the pair brought in Groom (who’d been replaced by Barry Jenkins in The Nashville Teens) and keyboard player Graham (b. January 1945, Durban, South Africa; d. 3 February 2024) from Dickie Pride & The Original Topics to record two tracks at RG Jones studio in Morden. The recordings, which were not released until 1996, paved the way for The End a few months later.
Nicky Graham on keyboards with The Original Topics. Photo: Malcolm Penn
Graham had previously played with Kingston upon Thames area bands, including The Electrons and The Classics.
1965
During March/April 1965, the same quartet recorded six more songs, which all remained unreleased until 1996.
John Horton far right. Thanks to Alan Collins for the photo
Completed with sax player John Horton (b. 14 November 1945, Surbiton, Surrey; 25 September 2023), who’d worked with Kingston upon Thames group The Outsiders and then Dickie Pride & The Original Topics, The End initially backed singers Kenny Lynch and Helen Shapiro.
19 June 1965 – Wilton Hall, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire with The Proof (Bletchley District Gazette) Presume this is the same band
On 26 August 1965, The End recorded Brown and Giffin’s “I Can’t Get Any Joy” and “Hey Little Girl” with Bill Wyman and Glyn Johns producing. They also cut the pair’s “Searching for My Baby”, which was shelved until 1996.
24 September 1965 – Astoria, Finsbury Park, north London with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Tottenham Weekly Herald)
May be gig missing on 25 September 1965
26 September 1965 – Colston Hall, Bristol with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
27 September 1965 – Odeon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
28 September 1965 – Capitol Cinema, Cardiff, Wales with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
29 September 1965 – Granada, Shrewsbury with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
May be gig missing on 30 September 1965
1 October 1965 – ABC Chester, Cheshire with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
2 October 1965 – ABC Wigan, Lancashire with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
3 October 1965 – Odeon Manchester with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
4 October 1965 – Gaumont, Bradford, West Yorkshire with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
5 October 1965 – ABC Carlisle, Cumbria with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
6 October 1965 – Odeon Glasgow, Scotland with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
7 October 1965 – City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
8 October 1965 – ABC Stockton-on-Tees with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
9 October 1965 – Odeon, Leeds, West Yorkshire with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
10 October 1965 – Empire, Liverpool with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
11 October 1965 – Gaumont, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
12 October 1965 – Gaumont, Doncaster, South Yorkshire with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
The End with Bill Wyman, October 1965. Left to right: John Horton, Nicky Graham, Dave Brown, Bill Wyman, Roger Groom and Colin Giffin
13 October 1965 – De Montfort Hall, Leicester with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
14 October 1965 – Odeon Birminingham with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
15 October 1965 – ABC Cambridge with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
16 October 1965 – ABC Northampton with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
17 October 1965 – Granada, Tooting, southwest London with The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron and Charles Dickens & The Habits (Beat Instrumental)
On 22 October 1965, Philips released “I Can’t Get Any Joy” c/w “Hey Little Girl” as a single, but it failed to chart.
5 November 1965 – Cricketers Inn, Southend, Essex with The Orioles (Southend Standard and Essex Weekly Advertiser) Billed as Mike Berry & The End
During December 1965, The End toured with singer Billie Davis and former Presidents’ drummer Eddie Patterson played some of the dates (either replacing Groom or filling in for him).
4 December 1965 – Coronation Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent with The Cygnets (East Kent Times) They backed Billie Davis
Photo may be subject to copyright. The End, late 1965. Left to right: John Horton, Roger Groom, Nicky Graham (sitting), Dave Brown and Colin Giffin
1966
4 February 1966 – Parkside Hall, Ampthill, Bedfordshire with The Donna Boys (Luton News) They backed Billie Davis
Roger Groom left to replace Barry Jenkins in The Nashville Teens and Hugh Attwooll took over drums.
Around the same time, Gordon “Gordie” Smith took over from John Horton on saxophone.
Photo: John Treais
10 April 1966 – Bluesette Club, Leatherhead, Surrey (Poster from John Treais) Billed as The Ends
30 April 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Anteeks (Melody Maker)
14 May 1966 – House of Eden, Witham Public Hall, Witham, Essex with The Solents (Essex County Standard) Says The End are going on Stevie Wonder tour in June 1966
29 May 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Next Move and The Knack (Melody Maker)
4 June 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Keith Powell and Billie Davis, The Manchester Playboys, The Humperdinks and The Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Standard)
4 June 1966 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (Live Music website)
14 July 1966 – Granville Club, Nottingham with Don’s Gear (Nottingham Evening Post)
28 July 1966 – Blue Triangle Club, Ealing, London (Fabulous 208)
2-8 August 1966 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)
6 August 1966 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (Live Music website)
14 October 1966 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (Live Music website)
15 October 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) This might be a different The End from the southcoast
18-23 October 1966 – Cleopatra Clubs, Cardiff, Wales and Bristol, Avon (Fabulous 208) Backing Elkie Brooks
31 October 1966 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent (East Kent Times)
Photo may be subject to copyright. The End’s debut Spanish 45, 1967. Clockwise from bottom left: Nicky Graham, Hugh Attwooll, Dave Brown, Gordon Smith and Colin Giffin
On 1 November 1966, The End recorded a cover of Joe Tex’s “You Better Believe It Baby” and Don Covay and Ron Miller’s “Please Do Something” with Bill Wyman producing. The two tracks were paired for a Spanish 45.
12 November 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) This might be a different The End from the south coast
According to Nicky Graham, The End played in Zemmat in Switzerland for three weeks over the Christmas period.
Photo may be subject to copyright. The End, 1967. Left to right: Nicky Graham, Colin Giffin, Hugh Attwooll, Dave Brown and Gordon Smith
Smith’s former neighbour Sandra Le Brocq, a dancer/choreographer, was working for Spanish record label Sonoplay, and instrumental in setting the group up with three months’ of work in Spain in March 1967.
1967
21 January 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, southwest London (Peckham & Dulwich Advertiser/Clapham Advertiser)
11 February 1967 – Alkham Social Club, Alkham Village Hall, Kent (Folkestone & Hythe Gazette)
On 24 February 1967, The End recorded Dave Brown and Colin Giffin’s “Why” and “Yo-Yo” with Bill Wyman producing.
Photo may be subject to copyright
In March, The End moved to Madrid and played in Spain for three months. Soon after arriving, Sonoplay paired the two latest recordings as a single.
16 June 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, southwest London (Peckham & Dulwich Advertiser/Clapham Advertiser)
5 July 1967 – Steryodelik Dance, Church Hall, Easthampstead, Berkshire (Bracknell News)
On 12 July (possibly while Hugh Attwooll still in Spain), The End with Chris Winters on drums recorded Brown, Giffin and Graham’s “We’ve Got It Made” with Bill Wyman producing at RG Studio in Morden. The track, however, was shelved until 1996.
Gordon Smith meanwhile had remained in Spain and would leave the band when they returned to the UK.
7 August 1967 – Worsley Civic Hall, Greater Manchester with Richard Kent Style (Bolton Evening News)
On 17 August, The End recorded a cover of Bonnie Dobson and Tim Rose’s “Morning Dew” with Graham’s former band mate from The Original Topics’ Lennie Neldrett guesting on lead guitar.
Photo may be subject to copyright
Around September/October, The End recorded a cover of Don Covay’s “Daddy Loves Baby” with Bill Wyman producing which was shelved until 1996.
Guitarist Terry Taylor, who had met The End in Spain during spring 1967 while playing with London bands The High Society and The Mode (the latter recorded a lone 45 for Sonoplay) appeared on Giffin’s “Little Annie” around this time but the track remained unreleased until 1997.
Photo may be subject to copyright
On 4 September, the band recorded Bill Wyman and Pete Gosling’s “Loving, Sacred Loving”, which had previously been cut by Moon’s Train, at Olympic Studios in Barnes with Wyman producing.
Photo may be subject to copyright. John Horton (centre) returns briefly in late 1967
On 8 November, with John Horton briefly back in the fold, the group recorded Bill Wyman and Pete Gosling’s “Shades of Orange” with Bill Wyman producing at Olympic in Barnes.
The track, which had previously been cut with Gosling’s band Moon’s Train (featuring Graham’s old band mate Malcolm Penn from The Original Topics on drums) was shelved and released in 1996. Charlie Watts from The Rolling Stones played tabla on the recording.
Photo may be subject to copyright
1968
John Horton, who was pictured extensively with The End during this period and would appear on the cover of the band’s LP (he also came up with the original sleeve design) left around early March and Terry Taylor (who had been living in Sweden after leaving The Mode) joined on lead guitar. Horton is mentioned in an article printed in the Daily Mirror on 29 February entitled “The Beginning of The End”.
According to Melody Maker, “Shades of Orange” (featuring Horton on sax) was released on 9 March.
Photo may be subject to copyright. The End late 1967 before John Horton (far left) departed for a second time.
Ten days later, on 19 March, The End began to record material at Decca’s studio in West Hampstead (and also Olympic Studios in Barnes) that subsequently appeared on their Introspection LP. Produced by Bill Wyman, the sessions continued up until late June but the LP was delayed and finally released in November 1969.
On 24 April, The End recorded the Brown/Giffin/Graham/Taylor collaboration “Building up a Dream”, which remained unreleased until 1997.
On 25 May, the band recorded Brown and Graham’s “Today Tomorrow”, another track that is shelved until 1997.
Photo may be subject to copyright
In June, sessions for the band’s LP wrapped up. The track “She Said Yeah” featured sax player Ken Leeman from Moon’s Train and Taylor’s former Mode compatriot Jim Henderson on harmony vocal.
20 September 1968 – Roebuck, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)
22 September 1968 – Roebuck, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)
6 October 1968 – Roebuck, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)
10 October 1968 – Roebuck, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)
11 October 1968 – White Hart, Didcot, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)
13 October 1968 – Roebuck, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)
8 November 1968 – Regal Ballroom, Bonnyrigg, Scotland with The Flirtations and Cream Puff War (South Midlothian Advertiser)
30 November 1968 – Middle Earth, Covent Garden, London with The Pretty Things and Auriel (Melody Maker)
13 December 1968 – Roebuck, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)
In December, Giffin left for a solo career and Attwooll returned to Spain and worked with Miguel Rios among others.
New drummer Paul Francis had previously played with Tony Jackson & The Vibrations, The Stuart James Inspiration and Pepper among others.
Returning to Madrid, The End played at JJs and Piccadilly.
1969
Having returned to England, the new line-up recorded the group composition “Son of Lightning” with Bill Wyman producing at Olympic Studios on 4 March. The track was left in the can and finally released in 1999.
9 March 1969 – Toby Jug, Tolworth, southwest London (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
1 April 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London with Led Zeppelin and Pale Green Limousine (Melody Maker)
On 3 April, The End recorded another group composition “Second Glance”, which wasn’t released until 1999. Another band collaboration “North Thames Gas Board” cut on 15 April likewise was shelved until 1999. The track featured Ian Stewart guesting on piano.
During May, The End appeared at the Star Club in Hamburg, sharing the bill with The Ace Kefford Stand (featuring Cozy Powell on drums).
Returning to the UK in June, The End headed back to Spain for several months during which time they toured backing Billie Davis. During this time, Th End backed Spanish singer Miguel Rios on his LP Despierta.
Photo may be subject to copyright
On 10 December, The End recorded two band collaborations that were shelved at the time: “So Free” and “My Friend”. The latter was re-cut by Tucky Buzzard.
1970
On 23 January, The End cut the group collaboration “Turn on Waterstone”, which was finally released in 1999.
On 13 February, the band laid down another band co-write “Mistress Bean” with session guitarist Chris Spedding guesting on the track. Taylor’s “For Eleanor” was recorded the next day but like “Mistress Bean” it was shelved until 1999.
Photo may be subject to copyright. The End, 1970. Left to right: Nicky Graham, Terry Taylor, Paul Francis, Dave Brown and Jim Henderson
Shortly afterwards, Taylor introduced his former band mate from The Mode, Jim Henderson as a front man. The group returned to Spain and changed name to Tucky Buzzard.
Left to right: Jimmy Scott, Dickie Pride, Boz Burrell and Johnnie Marshall, 1966
Dickie Pride (lead vocals)
Gery L Thompson (lead vocals)
Len Neldrett (lead guitar)
Jimmy Scott (congas)
Matthew Hutchinson (piano)
Mark Charig (trumpet)
Johnnie Marshall (baritone sax)
Tex Makins (bass)
Malcolm Penn (drums)
+
Boz Burrell (second lead vocals)
The Sidewinders pre-existed sometime before mid-1965 but Malcolm Penn says the line-up above dates from May that year when the remaining members of the original formation joined forces with players from Dickie Pride & The Original Topics.
Dickie Pride, Len Neldrett and Malcolm Penn had all previously been members of The Original Topics, formed in the Tolworth, Surbiton and Chessington area of Surrey.
Prior to joining the Sidewinders, Tex Makins and Johnnie Marshall (real name: John Renforth) had both played with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames.
Nigerian conga player Jimmy Scott is best known as the musician who inspired Paul McCartney to write “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, a phrase he originally used. He had also done some work with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames before joining.
Marshall, Scott and Matthew Hutchinson had all been in the original band, which was led by Jamaican singer Gery L Thompson who only stayed until about early September 1965.
The original formation also included Jamaican trumpet player Roy Edwards, future Led Zeppelin bass player John Baldwin (aka John Paul Jones) and a drummer called Min.
Some of the gigs during June-August were billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders.
Left to right: Malcolm Penn, Jimmy Scott, Len Neldrett, Marc Charig, Tex Makins, Johnnie Marshall, 1966
In early November 1965, Boz Burrell, who years later found fame with King Crimson and Bad Company, joined as a second lead vocalist after his group, The Boz People, had folded. The group’s keyboard player Ian McLagan had joined The Small Faces in the first week of November just before the group splintered.
Burrell had initially deputised for Pride when he was unavailable. It was so successful that the group decided to carry on with two singers when Pride returned. While with The Sidewinders, Burrell released two singles on Columbia.
Malcolm Penn
When The Sidewinders folded in June 1966, Malcolm Penn (and Len Neldrett) joined south London band, Moon’s Train, managed by Rolling Stones’ bass player Bill Wyman who oversaw the group’s recordings, including their debut single “Deed I Do”.
Len Neldrett who was studying graphic design subsequently did sessions for The End, featuring his old friend Nicky Graham. He later moved to Spain and worked with former Los Bravos singer Mike Kennedy.
Left to right: Mark Charig, Johnnie Marshall and Dickie Pride, 1966
Mark Charig briefly worked with Sonny Childe & The TNT before joining Bluesology, just before Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) left. David Else notes that he subsequently worked with The Keith Tippett Band and The Brotherhood of Breath.
Jimmy Scott later did session work at Maximum Sound and also recorded material there, which was released by Revolution Records. Years later he worked with Bad Manners.
David Else says that Johnnie Marshall rejoined Georgie Fame before later working with J J Jackson. Marshall died on 15 May 2017.
Photo: Hillingdon Mirror
Boz Burrell released two singles on Columbia in quick succession – “Pinochio” on 10 June 1966 and “The Baby Song” on 29 July 1966.
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail
He then reformed The Boz People for a tour with Dusty Springfield (27 September-8 October 1966), which featured Groundhogs’ guitarist Tony McPhee and former Mark Leeman Five keyboard player Tom Parker in his group.
Left to right: Mark Charig, Boz Burrell and Johnnie Marshall, 1966
Burrell returned to Norwich where he joined local band Feel for Soul in June 1967 and stayed until October.
Re: Melody Maker. Boz backed by The Soul Reason, 21 October 1966 at Location, Woolwich
He then reunited with Makins in the short-lived Panorama in December 1967 alongside guitarist Colin Pincott, drummer Roy Mills and Australian Hammond organist Peter Beagley (later musician Peter Head). David Else notes that the original keyboard player was Mike O’Neill (not Nero of The Gladiators) and the drummer was originally Pete Williams.
In 1968, Burrell recorded two further singles for Columbia Records. Beagley confirms he was on the cover of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released”.
Makins meanwhile joined The Flowerpot Men in February 1968. The English pop group, which was created in 1967 as a result of the single, “Let’s Go to San Francisco”, was a studio recording construct created by John Carter and Ken Lewis, originally the main songwriters for The Ivy League. Makins toured with David Garrick later that year alongside drummer Carlo Little.
Len Neldrett notes that The Sidewinders (minus Makins who was replaced by Boots Slade) reunited for a one-off gig as Jimmy Scott’s Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Band on 2 December 1968.
The group comprising Jimmy Scott, Dickie Pride, Len Neldrett, Malcolm Penn, Johnnie Marshall, Mark Charig, Matthew Hutchinson and Boots Slade played at the Orchid Ballroom in Purley, Surrey.
Dickie Pride died of a heroin overdose on 26 March 1969.
In June 1969, Makins reunited with Jimmy Scott to form the short-lived Jungle Soup which subsequently morphed into The Last Supper.
Photo: Melody Maker (June 1969)
Selected Sidewinders’ gigs:
28 June 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
1 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alex Harvey Soul Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
4 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London (NME) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
8 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers (NME/Record Mirror) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
15 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alex Harvey Soul Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
17 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (NME/Record Mirror) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
23 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with Five Proud Walkers (NME/Record Mirror) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
29 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Graham Bond Organisation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
30 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with The RBQ (NME)
5 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Mike Cotton Sound (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Graham Bond Organisation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
19 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Steampacket (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
20 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
24 September 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser) Billed as Garry & The Sidewinders
15 October 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with Keith Powell & The Rivals (Surrey Advertiser)
5 November 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with The Overriders (Surrey Advertiser) Billed as Sidewinders with Boz
2 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) Billed as Boz & The Sidewinders
4 December 1965 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with support (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) Billed as Boz & The Sidewinders
19 December 1965 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
31 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London followed by a private party in Highgate Village (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
Left to right: Malcolm Penn, Len Neldrett and Tex Makins, 1966
1966
9 January 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with The Emeralds (Aldershot News/Camberley News) Advert mistakenly says ‘Original Georgie Fame Group featuring Phil Seaman on drums’
14 January 1966 – Co-op Hall, Grays, Essex (Melody Maker)
19 January 1966 – Cromwellian Club, South Kensington, west London with Lee Dorsey & The Krew (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
20 January 1966 – Briefing for start of the Stevie Wonder Tour (no rehearsal!) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
21 January 1966 – Flamingo Club, Wardour Street, central London (start of Stevie Wonder tour) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
21 January 1966 – The In Place, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
21 January 1966 – Flamingo Club, Wardour Street, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Allnighter) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
22 January 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Little Stevie Wonder (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
22 January 1966 – All Star Club, Bishopsgate, east London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
23 January 1966 – Oasis Club, Manchester with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
23 January 1966 – Cavern Club, Liverpool with Little Stevie Wonder and other acts (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
26 January 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
26 January 1966 – Cromwellian Club, South Kensington, west London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
27 January 1966 – Ricky Tick Club, Windsor, Berkshire with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
28 January 1966 – Mr McCoys Club, Middlesborough with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
29 January 1966 – Birmingham (first venue, no record of the club venue name) with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
29 January 1966 – Birmingham (second venue, no record of the club venue name) with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
30 January 1966 – Flamingo Club, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
30 January 1966 – Macador Club, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
1 February 1966 – Klooks Kleek, Hampstead, north London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
1 February 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
2 February 1966 – TWW TV Studios, Bristol with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
3 February 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with Little Stevie Wonder (Birmingham Evening Mail)
4 February 1966 – Manchester (first venue, no record of the club venue name) with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
4 February 1966 – Manchester (second venue, no record of the club venue name) with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 February 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Greenford, west London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 February 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
6 February 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary) David Else says Charlie Foxx was on the bill as well
7 February 1966 – St Joseph’s Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire with Little Stevie Wonder & The Alan Bown Set (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)
7 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Little Stevie Wonder (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) This was the end of the Stevie Wonder tour
9 February 1966 – Playhouse Theatre, Charing Cross, central London (BBC Jazz Beat Recording) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
Boz Burrell’s debut single on Columbia “Isn’t That So” was released on 11 February.
11 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
12 February 1966 – Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
4 March 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 March 1966 – Zambezi Club, Hounslow, west London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary) David Else has the band backing Sonny Childe at the King Mojo on this date
12 March 1966 – University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
12 March 1966 – All Star Club, Bishopsgate, east London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
18 March 1966 – Railway Hotel, Wealdstone, northwest London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
20 March 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
21 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) This is billed as Boz and new group but most likely The Sidewinders
Left to right: Jimmy Scott, Tex Makins, Mark Charig, Boz Burrell and Johnnie Marshall, 1966
25 March 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
26 March 1966 – Holbeach, Lincolnshire (no record of the club venue name) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
27 March 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London with The Soul Pushers (Melody Maker)
31 March 1966 – The Village, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
1 April 1966 – Farnborough, Hampshire (no record of the club venue name but possibly Carousel Club) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
1 April 1966 – Cromwellian Club, South Kensington, London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
2 April 1966 – Jigsaw Club, Manchester (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
2 April 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
3 April 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
Boz Burrell’s second Columbia single “Meeting Time” was released on 7 April
13 April 1966 – Britannia Boat Club, Nottingham (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
14 April 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
15 April 1996 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
16 April 1966 – Oasis Club, Manchester (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
17 April 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
23 April 1966 – Patrick (Tara) Browne’s 21 Birthday party, Luggala, Co Wicklow, Eire (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
1 May 1966 – Downes Hotel, Hassocks, West Sussex with Beryl Marsden and also Four and Seven Eights (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary/Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Boz, The Sidewinders, Dicky Pride and Beryl Marsden
5 May 1966 – Klooks Kleek, Hampstead, north London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
7 May 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with Jackie Edwards (Aldershot News/Camberley News)
14 May 1966 – Stamford R&B Club, Stamford Hotel, Stamford, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal) With Sonny Childe
15 May 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
29 May 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)
25 June 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, north London (final Sidewinders gig) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
I’d especially like to thank Malcolm Penn for providing the photos on the band and for also providing some background information on the group. Thank you too for correcting and adding to the gig list above.
Massive thank you also to David Else for helping out with research, correcting some facts and adding material.
Formed from musicians drawn from the Tolworth, Surbiton and Chessington area of Surrey in April 1964, The Original Topics evolved out of the final version of The Classics and added John Horton (b. 14 November 1945; d. 25 September 2023) from The Outsiders.
Len Neldrett and Malcolm Penn had both attended Surbiton County Grammar and had earlier played in rival local bands The Gremlins and The Electrons.
In November 1964, Dickie Pride (b. 21 October 1941, Thornton Heath, Surrey; d. 26 March 1969), one of the late 1950s home-grown English rock stars from the Larry Parnes stable, including, among others, Marty Wilde, Billy Fury, Vince Eager, Georgie Fame, Lance Fortune, Duffy Power and Johnny Gentle (John Askew), joined as their new front man. Tragically, he later died of a heroin overdose in 1969
However, around March 1965, Nicky Graham (b. January 1945, Durban, South Africa; d. 3 February 2024) (quickly followed by John Horton) departed to form The End, a band that developed close links with Rolling Stones’ bass player Bill Wyman.
Wyman would oversee many of that group’s recordings. He would also remain friends with Nicky Graham who later formed Tucky Buzzard and worked with David Bowie in the early 1970s.
Stan Marut briefly took over from Graham and remembers playing at the Cromwellian while with the group.
In May 1965, Dickie Pride, Len Neldrett and Malcolm Penn joined a new central London-based outfit called The Sidewinders. Marut meanwhile joined The Jynx Pack and then Julian Covey & The Machine.
Photo: Malcolm Penn
Selected gigs:
17 July 1964 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, Surrey with The Searchers and Cats Whiskers (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 July 1964 – King George’s Hall, Esher, Surrey with The Yardbirds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
8 August 1964 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London with The Cheynes (Record Mirror)
29 August 1964 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Record Mirror)
12 September 1964 – Galaxy Club, Town Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire with The Westsiders (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)
19 September 1964 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London with Dave Davani (Record Mirror)
3 February 1965 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London with Screaming Jay Hawkins (Record Mirror) Billed as The Topics with Dickie Pride
12 February 1965 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Poster) Billed as The Topics with Dickie Pride
Image may be subject to copyright
22 April 1965 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex with The Plus Three (Sussex Evening Express)
Thanks to Malcolm Penn for the photo
31 August 1965 – Co-op Hall, Halstead, Essex with Heinz & The Wild Boys, Cops ‘N’ Robbers, The Fairies and Soul Foundations (Essex Chronicle) This is very unlikely unless it was a different band (possibly The Sidewinders?)
Left to right: Len, Dave and Nick. Photo: Malcolm Penn
A huge thanks to Malcolm Penn for providing the background notes and all of the photos for The Original Topics. Thanks to David Else for helping with some gigs from Record Mirror.
British band The Mode arrived in Spain during 1966 and cut a lone (rare) 45 for Sonoplay: “What You Been Doing” c/w “Love is to Blame, Not You”, composed by Henderson and Taylor.
Although Colin Giffin of The End, who the musicians befriended while in Spain, is sometimes credited for appearing on the recording, the single’s picture sleeve shows a five-man group (and not including Giffin), so it looks like there was a bass player whose name is missing from the list above.
It’s not clear when the band split up but Taylor did sessions for The End in late 1967 and joined the group back in London in March 1968 as a permanent member. Jim Henderson also joined The End (but in spring 1970) just before the band changed name to Tucky Buzzard.
He is also rumoured to have recorded some solo material before joining The End but it’s not clear if it was as The Jimmy Henderson Set.
Both Bircumshaw and Thackway stayed in Spain. Bircumshaw went on to join Canarios and appeared on their LP Libérate!
Thackway also stayed in Spain and went on to play with La Mosca among others as well as Miguel Rios. He was last heard of teaching English.
We would love to hear from anyone who can add more information about the band and its origins.
This was Edwin Starr’s third tour of the year, such was the demand for his music in Britain in the late 1960s.
Little is known about who provided support for the soul legend but it appears that The State Express, who’d backed him on his previous tour, did play some dates on this one (notably the Retford gig at the Broken Wheel Scene on 29 September).
Quite a few of the bookings also list a group called The National Hot House as the singer’s backing band. I’ve not been able to find anything on this group and we’d welcome any information from readers in the comments below.
The Reading Evening Post from 21 December 1968 does list a gig for The National Hot House at St Matthew’s Hall, Southcote and says they are ex-Memphis Gents. It looks like they might have moved on to back London-based black soul outfit The Sound Casters.
Interestingly, an advert in the North Wales Weekly News from 3 October lists a band called The Pure Medicine which it says is playing at the Ritz Ballroom, Rhyl direct from their recent tours with Edwin Starr and Ben E King. It’s not clear if this means The Pure Medicine were the backing band or just happened to be on the same tours.
Melody Maker lists the group quite a bit in the latter half of 1968 and its 7 September 1968 issue has an advert which notes that they are France’s Number One group.
I have found the following gigs and would welcome any further information in the comments below:
10 September 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Terry Reid (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
21 September 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with The National Hot House and Beryl Marsden and Sinbad (Cheshire Observer) Backed by The National Hot House
Image may be subject to copyright
21 September 1968 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with The National Hot House and Benedict Arnold (Crew Chronicle) Backed by The National Hot House
Image may be subject to copyright
23 September 1968 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)
24 September 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, central London (Poster at Jonathan Marks’ website: https://imgur.com/a/sWtBd#0)
29 September 1968 – Broken Wheel Scene, Retford, Nottinghamshire (Melody Maker) Backed by The State Express
Image may be subject to copyright
5 October 1968 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Music Hath Charms and Django’s Castle with The National Hot House (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next) Backed by The National Hot House
5 October 1968 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Eyes of Blond (Cambridgeshire Times) Most likely backed by The National Hot House
Image may be subject to copyright
6 October 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
Formed sometime in 1962/1963 in the Tolworth area in Surrey, The Outsiders included guitarist Mick Wayne (b. 7 October 1943, Hammersmith, west London; d. 26 June 1995, Michigan, USA), who subsequently played with The Hullabaloos, The Bunch of Fives (with Viv Prince) and The Tickle. Wayne formed Junior’s Eyes in early 1968 and later appeared on David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”.
Collins (b. 22 November 1944, London) and Wayne had met at Kingston School of Art after Wayne had attended Wimbledon Grammar School. Tim Easton (b. 26 August 1943, Tolworth, Surrey) was the original drummer.
Apparently, the band split for a while at Christmas in 1963.
Mick Brill (b. 21 June 1945, Tolworth, Surrey) joined the group in April 1964 after he left The Classics, taking over from McIlldowie. Horton (b. 14 November 1945; d. 25 September 2023) left the same month to join The Original Topics.
Dutch Mills (real name: Nigel Reevely Mills) was close friends with Eric Clapton and had started out with The Dustbowl Refugees.
He adds that Jimmy Page was always around and convinced him to join Bedford band The Authentics sometime in 1964 with whom he recorded a cover of Jackie DeShannon’s “I Don’t Wanna Be Without You”, which was shelved. The Authentics were regulars at the Marquee.
Mills moved to Canada in 1966/1967 and worked with folk singer Vicky Taylor and later Jesse Winchester and Willie Dunn before moving back to the UK in 1990.
With Mills gone, The Outsiders recorded a lone 45 for Decca Records – “Keep On Doing It” c/w “Songs We Sang Last Summer”, which was released on 20 August 1965. Both sides were written by session player Jimmy Page with Mick Wayne. Page also produced the sessions for the single.
Photo may be subject to copyright
Brill says The Outsiders started doing sessions for Immediate Records in 1965, which is where he and Collins met singer Doug Gibbons, a singer from Shepherd’s Bush. Gibbons subsequently changed his name to Thane Russal.
Interestingly, Doug Gibbons and The Outsiders were billed to play at the Top Twenty in Bridgwater, Somerset on 5 July 1965.
To clear up one confusion, Mick Wayne was from the Kingston upon Thames area not Hull as is often falsely reported. Brill says that when Wayne joined The Hullabaloos he had to dye his hair blond.
Thanks to David Else for the photo
Together with new drummer Pete Huish and new guitarist Bob Johnson, Thane Russal, Mick Brill and Alan Collins recorded “Security” as Thane Russall & Three.
Brill adds that when the single was released, it was rumoured that Jimmy Page had played on the recording to try and drum up some interest in the single’s release.
However, he explains that it was Bob Johnson. The solo on the recording was achieved by Huish hitting the neck of Johnson’s guitar with a drumstick.
Johnson, who joined in 1966 after Wayne had moved on to The Hullabaloos, departed when Thane Russal & Three landed a contract to travel to Italy in June 1966 and later joined Steeleye Span.
The remaining members added Martin Fisher from local band The Cavedwellers and decamped to Rome. You can read about the band’s career in Italy here at this excellent site.
A massive thank you to Mick Brill and Alan Collins for providing background notes and band photo. Thanks also to Dutch Mills for further information.
Thanks to David Else for helping with some of the research and providing additional material.
Photo: Terry Gore. The band outside the Greenford Hotel
Ian Stalker (lead vocals)
John Gater (lead guitar)
Terry Gore (bass/vocals)
Terry Toothill (keyboards/vocals)
John Warwick (drums)
After The Trekkers split up in early 1965, Terry Gore, Terry Toothill and John Warwick stuck together and formed The Cast.
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post. Photo may be subject to copyright
According to the Harrow Weekly Post, the group played at Acre Hall in Northwood, Middlesex on 9 April 1965.
The Evening Tribune lists the band playing at the Co-op Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire on 1 October 1965.
Photo: Evening Tribune. Photo may be subject to copyright
The band signed with the Bob Druce Agency and played in the circuit of clubs that the agency ran, most notably the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill and the Goldhawk Social Club in Shepherd’s Bush where on one occasion, the band opened for The Who on 3 December 1965. The Cast also played here on 31 December 1965.
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
During 1967, the band changed name to Tangerine Peel.
Many thanks to Terry Gore for providing the information. If you can add to this, please leave a comment below
South East London Mercury, September 1966. Photo may be subject to copyright
The Classics in 1964. Photo: Malcolm Penn. Left to right: Len Neldrett, Malcolm Penn (front), Nicky Graham, Dave Atkey and Mick Brill
Drummer Eddie Patterson says that he played regularly with this band from September 1961 through to April 1962.
According to an advert publicising the Grand Final of The Surbiton Borough News’ Rock & Rhythm Group Competition, which was held at Surbiton Assembly Rooms on 27 April 1962 (see below), The Classics line-up at the time comprised:
Headley Leate (lead vocals)
Dave Atkey (lead guitar)
John Kent (rhythm guitar)
Keith Sutton (bass)
Ken Bright (sax)
Eddie Patterson (drums)
Eddie Patterson (b. 16 April 1942, Epsom, Surrey) says that The Classics came joint second with The Presidents with 249 points, with The Electrons winning the competition with 262 points.
Thanks to Malcolm Penn from The Electrons for the photo
After the competition, Patterson left to join The Presidents, with whom he remained until July 1965. He then toured with The End briefly before hanging up his drumsticks and taking up a permanent job in December of that year. He says that Keith Sutton also played with Del Grant & The Roamers.
In 1963, The Classics (with a revised formation) entered the competition for a second time, billed as Dave Curtis & The Classics. John Kent and Keith Bright were still members.
However, in February 1964, Dave Atkey, who appears to have been the only member to remain throughout the band’s entire career, assumed lead vocal duties and put together an entirely new version, comprising:
Dave Atkey (vocals)
Len Neldrett (lead guitar)
Nicky Graham (organ)
Mick Brill (bass)
Malcolm Penn (drums)
Photo: Mick Brill. The Classics in 1964
Len Neldrett and Mick Brill (b. 21 June 1945, Tolworth, Surrey) joined from The Gremlins and Nicky Graham (b. January 1945, Durban, South Africa; 3 February 2024) and Malcolm Penn came in from Dene Lincoln & The Topics.
Neldrett remembers that the new line-up’s debut performance was in Guildford, Surrey, opening for Tommy Bruce. When the curtain opened, he recalls original members John Kent and Keith Bright were there and hadn’t been told that Atkey had formed a new version!
However, the new formation was short-lived and in April 1964, Mick Brill departed to join The Outsiders.
With Dave Atkey resuming bass duties, the remaining members brought in sax players John Horton (b. 14 November 1945, Surbiton, Surrey; d. 25 September 2023) from The Outsiders and Bernie Greenwood and became The Original Topics.
In November 1964, the musicians were joined by singer Dickie Pride (b. 21 October 1941, Thornton Heath, Surrey; d. 26 March 1969).
A huge thanks to Malcolm Penn, Eddie Patterson and Mick Brill for providing the background notes and photos for The Classics.
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
The music offered by the Dignitaries is not saturated with rock, nor is it steeped in psychedelic; rather it is a meshing of listenable, melodious tunes on the one hand, driving, vibrant beat on the other. They can go both ways, and do.
