Originally published November, 2010, revised June 2012
From Ealing in West London, R&B band Frankie Reid & The Casuals were notable for containing several musicians that went on to fame and fortune in later years.
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #1 (Late 1960)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Mick Cosgrave – lead guitar (replaced before first gig)
John Donald – rhythm guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Mick Revelle – drums (replaced by Peter Stretch early on)
Born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Frankie Reid and his brother Ralph started performing in 1957 as the Reid Brothers. In February 1960, they moved to London and in their first week in the capital entered and won a talent contest, held at the Shepherd’s Bush Hotel.
In September, Frankie Reid was introduced to the manager of the Kew Boathouse in Kew, Middlesex, who hired him to sing at the club with the three resident bands – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Pat Creswell & The Crescents and Ray & The Riversiders. Signed up for six months, he performed six songs a night, split between each band.
Turning down an offer to play another six months at the Kew Boathouse, Reid chose instead to form his own group. Hearing about The Casuals who needed a new singer after Tony Craven had left; Reid met the musicians – John Donald, Mick Cosgrave, Danny McCullough and Mick Revelle – at a rehearsal hall in Askew Road, Shepherd’s Bush.
Originally known as The Avro Boys, who had won a talent contest at the Gaumont in Shepherd’s Bush, the group appeared in a BBC documentary on how the guitar had taken over from the piano in the home. Produced by Ken Russell, “Guitar Craze – From Spain to Streatham” was screened on BBC TV’s “Monitor”, presented by Huw Weldon. Soon afterwards, the group linked up with singer Tony Craven and became Tony Craven & The Casuals.
Not long after Frankie Reid had joined forces with The Casuals, the band took on Bill Dunton as their manager. Dunton sold his Ford Zodiac/Zephyr to buy a van, which was painted with the band’s name and the individual group members’ names on the side.
Despite rehearsing about 60 songs, Mick Cosgrave left before a single gig and Roger Black (aka Bluck) took over on lead guitar. Soon after, Peter Stretch came in for Mick Revelle.
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #2 (Late 1960-late 1961)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Roger Bluck – lead guitar
John Donald – rhythm guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Peter Stretch – drums
One of the group’s earliest gigs was at the Pitshanger Lane Youth Club. The second line up also played at Battersea Town Hall and was regulars at the Brixton Maccabi Jewish club, St Mary’s Hall in Putney, the White Hart in Southall, Middlesex and the Clay Pigeon in Eastcote, Middlesex.
Sometime in late 1961, Peter Stretch left and a very young Mitch Mitchell took over. Originally from Ealing, Mitchell had taken drum lessons at Jim Marshall’s shop and was recommended to Reid by Marshall. Mitchell had briefly worked with The Crescents before joining The Casuals.
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #3 (Late 1961-spring 1962)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Roger Bluck – lead guitar
John Donald – rhythm guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Mitch Mitchell – drums
In early 1962, Roger Bluck, who worked at EMI as a record cover designer, got the opportunity to do some session work backing a pianist on an instrumental single and called the other Casuals to see if they could participate. Unfortunately, only Donald could make it and subsequently the session was cancelled.
A few months later both Donald and Bluck departed. While Donald would join Brian Connell & The Countdowns for about six months in 1963, Bluck would go on to become a member of David Bowie’s early group Davey Jones & The King Bees in November 1963. From there, he went on to play with The Spectrum from 1964-1968. Ian Holland came in on lead guitar and the band continued as a four-piece.
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #4 (spring 1962)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Ian Holland – lead guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Mitch Mitchell – drums
The new line up played gigs at St Mary’s Hall, Putney, the Ealing Club, Acton Town Hall, Ealing Town Hall, Wembley Town Hall, the White Hart in Southall, Middlesex and Southall Community Centre.
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #5 (May-circa July 1962)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Ian Holland – lead guitar
Brian Mansell – rhythm guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Mitch Mitchell – drums
Brian Mansell, a rhythm guitarist from Whitton, Middlesex had been playing with Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers, who changed name to The Condors in April 1962 for one tour. When the band’s guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left to join Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages, The Condors split and Mansell got a job with Frankie Reid & The Casuals. Soon after he joined, Mansell lobbied for his former band mate, Terry Mabey, to take over from Mitch Mitchell.
Mitchell was given his marching orders and joined Peter Nelson & The Travellers with lead singer Pete Nelson, bass player Tony Ross, rhythm guitarist Tony Hall and lead guitarist Vic Briggs (who years later joined Eric Burdon & The New Animals). In subsequent years, Mitchell played with Johnny Harris & The Shades, The Soul Messengers, The Next 5, The Riot Squad and Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames before ultimately finding fame and fortune with The Jimi Hendrix Experience in September 1966.
Notable gigs:
26 May 1962 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex
27 May 1962 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, Middlesex
31 May 1962 – Gifford School, Northolt, Middlesex
2 June 1962 – St Mary’s Hall, Putney, Surrey
9 June 1962 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex
11 June 1962 – Boathouse, Kew, Surrey
14 June 1962 – Hatfield College (Hatfield, Hertfordshire?)
15 June 1962 – Poplar Town Hall, Poplar, London
16 June 1962 – St Mary’s Hall, Putney, Surrey
17 June 1962 – Invicta Ballroom, Chatham, Kent
18 June 1962 – Howard Hall, Ponders End, Enfield
22 June 1962 – Poplar Town Hall, Poplar, London
23 June 1962 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex
25 June 1962 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, Middlesex
26 June 1962 – Roxeth School, South Harrow, Middlesex
29 June 1962 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon
30 June 1962 – St Mary’s Hall, Putney, Surrey
2 July 1962 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, Middlesex
6 July 1962 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex
7 July 1962 – Atheneon, Muswell Hill, London
8 July 1962 – Irish club, Cricklewood, Middlesex
13 July 1962 – Woking (Atlanta Ballroom?), Surrey
14 July 1962 – Royal Oak, Dagenham, Essex
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #6 (Circa July-September 1962)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Ian Holland – lead guitar
Brian Mansell – rhythm guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Terry Mabey – drums
Having only joined the band a few months earlier, Brian Mansell handed in his notice at the end of September and dropped out of the music scene for several years, returning in 1966 with Sunbury, Middlesex band, The Missing Links.
The following year, he joined The All Night Workers and stuck with this group until 1969.
When Mabey wasn’t well enough to perform, Derek Sirmon, who had attended Kneller school in Twickenham, Middlesex with Brian Mansell and Terry Mabey, filled in on drums.
Notable gigs:
19 July 1962 – Hatfield College, (Hatfield, Hertfordshire?)
20 July 1962 – Hendon, Middlesex
21 July 1962 – Stanwell, Middlesex (afternoon)
21 July 1962 – Atheneon, Muswell Hill (afternoon)
22 July 1962 – Irish club, Cricklewood, Middlesex
24 July 1962 – Park Ballroom, Southampton, Hants
25 July 1962 – Hillingdon, Middlesex
27 July 1962 – Crayford Town Hall, Crayford, Kent
28 July 1962 – Tiptree, Essex
29 July 1962 – Invicta Ballroom, Chatham, Kent
1 August 1962 – Hillingdon, Middlesex
3 August 1962 – Hendon, Middlesex
4 August 1962 – Botwell Club, Hayes, Middlesex
9 August 1962 – Hatfield (Hatfield, Hertfordshire?)
10 August 1962 – Woking (Atlanta Ballroom?), Surrey
11 August 1962 – St Mary’s Hall, Putney, Surrey
15 August 1962 – Hillingdon, Middlesex
17 August 1962 – Winchester, Hants
18 August 1962 – St Mary’s Ballroom, Putney, Surrey
19 August 1962 – Southall Community Centre, Southall, Middlesex
22 August 1962 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, Middlesex
24 August 1962 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex
25 August 1962 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex
31 August 1962 – Park Ballroom, Middlesex
1 September 1962 – Botwell Club, Hayes, Middlesex
5 September 1962 – Hillingdon, Middlesex
7 September 1962 – Finchley, Middlesex
9 September 1962 – Carlton Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire
14 September 1962 – Dormers Pioneer Club, Southall, Middlesex
15 September 1962 – St Mary’s Ballroom, Putney, Surrey
16 September 1962 – Invicta Ballroom, Chatham, Kent
22 September 1962 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex
28 September 1962 – Crayford Town Hall, Crayford, Kent
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #7 (October 1962)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Ian Holland – lead guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Terry Mabey or Derek Sirmon – drums
Reduced to a four-piece, this was another short-lived line up of Frankie Reid & The Casuals.
In October 1962, Derek Sirmon and Danny McCulloch left to join Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages.
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #8 (October 1962-circa February 1963)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Ian Holland – lead guitar
Steve Hargreaves – bass
Terry Mabey – drums (replaced by Bill Dunton)
This was yet another short-lived line up of the band. In early 1963, Terry Mabey left to join Ealing band, James Royal & The Hawks.
Bill Dunton took over the drums for a while but didn’t stay long.
Notable gigs:
21 January 1963 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex (the band plays every Monday)
28 January 1963 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex (the band plays every Monday)
2-3 February 1963 – Plaza, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #9 (Circa February-April 1963)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Ian Holland – lead guitar
Chris Jackson – rhythm guitar
Steve Hargreaves – bass
John Kerrison – drums
John Kerrison attended Mellow Lane in Hayes in Middlesex where Keith Grant of The Downliners Sect also went to school.
At the age of 14, Kerrison played with The Cossacks from Greenford, Middlesex. The group’s line up also included Keith Lewis (lead guitar/vocals) and Merv Lewis (bass).
From there, he hooked up with Paul & The Alpines, featuring Paul Lonergan (vocals); Ray Kirkham (lead guitar); Dave Dove (bass) and Alf Fripp (rhythm guitar).
Managed by Sid Foreman, the band worked quite a bit for the Roy Tempest Agency. It was while he was drumming with this band that Kerrison got the call to audition for Frankie Reid & The Casuals at the Viaduct Pub in Hanwell, Middlesex after Bill Dunton left.
Soon after he joined, the band reverted to a five-piece by adding Chris Jackson on rhythm guitar.
Ian Holland and Steve Hargreaves both left in spring 1963, although Hargreaves would re-join Frankie Reid in later years in his group, The Powerhouse.
Ian Holland (sometimes known as Hollands) went to record with The Legends and also played with The Magic Roundabout.
Notable gigs:
25 March 1963 – King George’s Hall, Esher, Surrey
Frankie Reid & The Casuals #10 (Circa April 1963-December 1964)
Frankie Reid – vocals
Mick Liber – lead guitar
Reg Bodman – bass
Chris Jackson – rhythm guitar
John Kerrison – drums
Scots-born lead guitarist Mick Liber’s first notable band was Ealing group Clay Alison & The Searchers led by guitarist and future lawyer, Andre de Moller.
Liber was also friends with Pete Townshend, who had rented a flat off Liber’s dad in Sunnyside Road in Ealing during his time at Ealing Art College, and taught Liber how to play feedback.
Originally from Peckham in south London, Reg Bodman had started out in 1960 with local band, The Talismen, which included drummer Al Alison from Emile Ford & The Checkmates for a while.
When Frankie Reid & The Casuals broke up in the December 1964, John Kerrison joined The Rocking Eccentrics and then went on to work with The Horizons, The Dae-b-Four, The New Pirates, Episode Six and The Beachcombers.
Reg Bodman filled in for a number of bands around the Ealing area, including The Ealing Redcaps, The Pirates and Morgan James before joining a soul band in Southeast London called The Sassenachs, who played top Soho clubs like the Flamingo and the Marquee.
After playing with this band for over ten years, Bodman relocated to Kent and worked with the blues band TwoSixNine. He then went on to work with a soul band in Dorset (where he currently lives) called Soul Intention.
Mick Liber had guested with Ealing group, The Unit 4 led by his friend Frank Kennington from mid-1964.
The pair reunited in Sydney, Australia in January 1965 and formed a new (Australian) version of Unit 4 (see pic below).
They also worked together in The Denvermen before forming the original Python Lee Jackson in Sydney, Australia in December 1965.
Liber returned to the UK with a new version of Python Lee Jackson in October 1968 and subsequently reunited with Frankie Reid (see below).
Frankie Reid dropped out of the music scene briefly before returning in 1968 with a new band, The Powerhouse, which he led until 1974.
Notable gigs:
23 May 1963 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday)
13 June 1963 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex with Jimmy Royal & The Hawks (Thursday)
20 June 1963 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex with Jimmy Royal & The Hawks (Thursday)
30 July 1963 – Top Twenty Nite Club, Swindon, Wiltshire
2 February 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Harrow Observer & Gazette) (Sunday)
9 February 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)
11 April 1964 – Rock Stars, Adeyfield Hall, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with Sounds Five (Hertfordshire and Hemel Hempstead Gazette and West Herts Advertiser)
20 April 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Monday) (Billed as The Casuals)
27 April 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Monday) (Billed as The Casuals)
18 June 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday)
25 June 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday)
30 June 1964 – Jolly Gardeners, Isleworth, Middlesex with Mark Leemen Five (billed Frankie Reed & The Casuals)
2 July 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday)
9 July 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday)
16 July 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday)
23 July 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday)
25 July 1964 – “The Cavern” at the West Cliff Hall (near Ramsgate), Kent with The Satans
30 July 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday)
10 September 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Harrow Observer & Gazette) (Thursday)
17 September 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Thursday) (special guest Jimmy Royal)
24 September 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex with Jimmy Royal & The Hawks (Thursday)
25 September 1964 – Lynx Club, Borehamwood, Herts with The Fenmen (Simon Gee research – see comments section below)
26 November 1964 – Ealing Town Hall, Ealing, Middlesex with The Second Thoughts
28 November 1964 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Applejacks
29 November 1964 – Rocky Rivers Top 20 Club, Conservative Club, Bedford
Frankie Reid & The Powerhouse (1968-1969)
Frankie Reid – lead vocals
Mick Liber – lead guitar
Steve Hargreaves – bass
Peter Abbot – drums
Frankie Reid returned to the West London live scene with The Powerhouse, featuring former Casuals bass player Steve Hargreaves.
After arriving back in England from Australia in late 1968, Liber reunited with his old band leader.
In 1969, the latest version of Python Lee Jackson, which included drummer David Montgomery, recorded the classic “In A Broken Dream” with Rod Stewart.
In 1970, Liber introduced Montgomery, keyboard player David Bentley and former Easybeats drummer Tony Cahill, who was now playing bass, all current members of the UK-based Python Lee Jackson, to the latest line up of Frankie Reid’s Powerhouse. The second incarnation recorded some material that remains unreleased.
Frankie Reid & The Powerhouse (1970)
Frankie Reid – lead vocals
Mick Liber – lead guitar
David Bentley – organ
Tony Cahill – bass
David Montgomery – drums
(Early-mid 1970s)
John Hawken – piano
Neil Korner – bass
While working with The Powerhouse, Liber also toured and recorded with Ashton, Gardner & Dyke. Together with Bentley, Cahill and Montgomery, he continued to record with Python Lee Jackson, and later did studio work with Third World War and live work with Thunderclap Newman. In 1973, Liber returned to Australia and continued to perform with a number of artists, most notably Dana Gillespie and Blerta.
After The Powerhouse split up in 1974, Frankie Reid formed The Frankie Reid Band. In 1978, he formed Flying Fox with drum legend Carlo Little and bass player Nick Simper, best known for being an original member of Deep Purple. In November 1979, however, he emigrated to Australia and currently lives in Perth.
Many people helped piece this story together. Thanks to Frankie Reid, particularly for the use of photos/images.
Thanks to Brian Mansell for the list of concert dates from May-September 1962, which were taken from his diary.
I’d also like to credit John Kerrison, Mick Liber, John Donald, Colin Reece, Nick Simper, Reg Bodman and Terry Mabey for their invaluable input.
Concert dates were also taken from several newspapers, including the Ampthill News & Weekly Record, East Kent Times & Mail, Harrow Observer, Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette, the Middlesex Chronicle (Hounslow Edition), Surrey Comet and Swindon Evening Advertiser.
Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any form 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
More then great blog, love it!!! Thank you so much for the great work!
John Kerrison’s post Casuals band appeared at the Silver Blades in Streatham, London on 26-27 March 1965 according to the Streatham News
Mick Liber told me a bit more about his early ’60s bands. His first band, around 1960-1961, was Clay Alison and The Searchers, led by guitarist Andre de Moller, today a successful barrister in London. They played around Ealing and Greenford in West London and Soho.
When that broke up (de Moller spent some time in Australia), Liber joined Frankie Reid & The Casuals around ’63. After leaving that band in ’64, he hooked up with the late Frank Kennington (lead vocals) in Ealing band, Unit 4, which also featured:
Martin Davis – bass
Ian Gomme – rythmn guitar (later in Brinsley Schwartz)
Simon Behar – drums
Kennington ended up going out to Australia in late 1964. Liber followed on 28 January 1965.
They briefly carried on with the Unit 4 name including future Python Lee Jackson bass player Lloyd Hardy (aka Virgil East). The line up also included Roger Homan on rhythm guitar and two other musicians. Another expatriate Brit, Shane Duckham sat in on harmonica.
It didn’t last long and Liber ended up with The Denvermen for a short while before reuniting with Kennington in the original Python Lee Jackson (the name coming from his former band leader Andre de Moller) in late ’65.
John Donald sent me an email with some kind words for Roger Bluck that I think are appropriate to add here:
GOOD TO READ ABOUT THE OLD DAYS AGAIN ,,I now reside behind where Brian Mansell lived in those days in Whitton and still play and record for my U tube channel with my 12-guitars and other equipment ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Very happy days.
I was a School friend of Brian Mansell and worked with him with Mike Dee and The Jaywalkers, Brian Sell (Lead Guitar) Terry Mabey (Drums) Brian Mansell (Rhythmn Guitar) Dave Tippler (Bass)
Terry Mabey suffered a period of ill health and I was recruited to fill in and continued to do so on several ocassions. Ritchie Blackmore came in to replace Brian Sell, ( Never knew why – politics I think)
I joined Frankie Reid and The Casuals and then moved on to join Screaming Lord Sutchs’ Savages. (Ritchie has a lot to answer for!)
Before all this happenned, I was drummer for a band called “The Conchords” who eventually went on to be called “Mungo Jerry” wonder what ever happened to them?
God bless to all who were part of my life and still are.
i Remember u and Danny leaving to move on to Lord Sutch LOL I think we were playing St Marys Hall Putney when we found out bout it
Found some gigs for Frankie Reid & The Casuals at the Ealing Club in the Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette (under coming events section at the back), which suggest that the band carried on until at least October 1964, so perhaps with new members instead of John Kerrison and Mick Liber. The band appears to have played Thursdays.
These are the gigs I dug out. All Thursdays:
9 July 1964
16 July 1964
23 July 1964
30 July 1964
17 September 1964
24 September 1964
Found more dates for Frankie Reid for 1964 at the Ealing Club:
9 February 1964 (Sunday)
20 April 1964 (Monday) – billed as Casuals
27 April 1964 (Monday) – billed as Casuals
18 June 1964 (Thursday)
25 June 1964 (Thursday)
2 July 1964 (Thursday)
My weekends started on a Thursday night…train to Ealing Broadway from West Drayton, cross the road diagonally , stumble down the flight of stairs and yell hello to Ferry…and see who was playing! My old mate Mick Liber would play with anybody, but I think he shone with AG&D. I used to borrow Kim’s monstrous Fenton-Weill bass and give him a pack of twenty Rothmans for the privilege. Seeing that Burns Black Bison was a buzz…and FR and the Casuals played riverboat gigs around that time, too.
The sad passing of Mark Leeman was a shattering blow. Blinky Davison went on to drum for ‘The Nice’, and ‘The High Numbers’ became The Who…Ronnie and Kim were the driving force behind ‘The Birds’….memories!
Would like to add some information on Ian Holland(s) post Casuals career:
MAGIC ROUNDABOUT
45 Standing on the dark side of the moon c/w ???? (Decca?) 1969
Personnel:
RAY BROWN – bass/vocals
JOHN CHINNERY – rhythm guitar/lead vocals
JOHN ELLIOTT – keyboards
IAN HOLLANDS – lead guitar
ROGER WILLIS – drums
This Ealing, west London band was formed in late 1968 and was notable for including future Capability Brown drummer Roger Willis. Ray Brown had previously worked with Jeff Curtis & The Flames, The Kool and Champagne while Hollands had been guitarist in Ealing band, Frankie Reid & The Casuals in 1962-1963 and had then worked with an R&B group from Teddington, Middlesex.
Magic Roundabout cut a rare, obscure single – “Standing on the dark side of the moon”, which was arranged through the John Edwards Agency, who also arranged gigs for the band.
The group’s equipment was stolen from their van at Toddington Services on the M1 following a gig at RAF Cranwell in November 1969.
After borrowing gear to play their final gig on New Year’s Eve, the band split. Brown joined Easy Virtue and later played in Crackers where he reunited with Roger Willis. Hollands subsequently went onto to progressive rock band, Mobius.
Thanks to Ian Hollands and Ray Brown
A couple of points I can hopefully clear up and a little background to add.
I can confirm that both Gifford Infants and Junior Schools were indeed in Northolt, Middx as I attended both
Pitts Hanger Lane is actually Pitshanger Lane
Chris Jackson continued playing in working bands after Frankie Reid and the Casuals and was still gigging when I first met him around 1975/6 at which time his a partner with Ted McDowell in a guitar shop in Station Road, Hanwell, Middx called ‘Monterey Music’ which subsequently was taken over by then guitar builder Peter Cook and survives to this day as Peter Cook’s Guitar World. At that point Chris was working full time for Pan-Am (I think) and theat allowed him to cheaply freight vintage UK guitars and amps to the US and trade for vintage US guitars and amps. That shop was always filled with now highly collectable vintage Gibson’s (At one time I recall drooling over half a wall full of early 335, 345 and 355’s), Fenders etc not to mention being the first place I saw the original beige Fender amps and combos. I subsequently ran into Chris again in the late 80s/ early 90s at which point he was still gigging. I believe that some time after that Chris passed away, but can not remember exactly when.
Chris lived at 2 Stanwell Road Ashford Middlesex from 1981 until his premature death from a heart attack in December 1998. I only got to see Frankie Reid and the Casuals once, which I believe was in 1977 at the Hop Bine in Wembley. Dana Gillespie sang that night, as well as Frankie. I believe it was Tony Hall and Sid Phillips on saxes, Chris played rhythm guitar.
I would add that I was told Ted McDowell had also passed away, but I have no dates
Found a great article on Mick Liber from the Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette, date: 3 February 1967, page 2 (Teen Scene).
Talks about why he left London and joined Python Lee Jackson
After the Mick Liber, Tony Cahill and David Montgomery left Powerhouse for new projects in March 1972, guitarist John Gourd, who subsequently formed the Radical Sheiks , ex-Python Lee Jackson bassist Chris Belshaw who later played with Andy Bown and ex-Manfred Mann Chapter Three drummer Craig Collinge joined Frank in the new version of Powerhouse.
The band was sometimes augmented by sax players Malcome ? or Greg McGregor, who played with The Stormsville Shakers and many other 60’s soul bands, and on piano, John Hawken, when he was in town.
wow!! I was researching about my grandad’s old band in the 60’s and I saw how much work he had done, thank you for making this, from josh Nye (John Donald’s grandson)
Josh, You are very good on the Ukelele. Move on up to six strings unless you give the bass a try.
LOVE,
Grandad.
p.s. Check out Danny McCullough from 1967 onwards.
Frankie Reid passed away on the 16/12/2015 in Perth Australia. He was my brother in law. Such a talented singer, loving father and husband. Frank had many talents and strengths and many friends in the music business. Frank was a generous kind man, will be sadly missed.
So sorry to hear this news.
Frank was a cool guy and Powerhouse a great R&B band. Later in the 70’s I bumped into Frank when we started attending the same Karate club.
Chris
frankie was a friend of mine,he played at the florida rooms brighton sussex and gave me a signed photo wwhich i still have,he will be missed so much.
I can’t believe Frankie never made a million records. He was so popular around West London and further abroad eventually. Our only demo was ‘I wish you never told me’ We recorded it for a songwriter in 1961 for something akin to Eurovision. Well according to him that was the case. If any members who came after us in 1961 have recordings other than the 1978 ones please let me know it would be good to have more evidence of what a real good vocalist Frankie was. This news gutted me as I had just made contact with Frankie after many years. God Bless you Frankie. JD.
Hi John
I remember you saying that you later played with Brian Connell & The Countdowns (Round Sound?). Were you on the demo recordings that were done and can you recall the other members of the band please?
Nick (author of this piece)
Had the plesure of working with frankie in Perth we were an Irish band called The sons of Rosin he always put a lot energy in his show a lovely man funny he played with another guy with the same name as myself Tony Cahill RIP Mate
Frankie Reid is my dad. He passed away just before Christmas just gone 2015. He was still gigging weekly and sounded Amazing until he was 70 in One Way Street. He always spoke so fondly of his band days and friends. I listened to the record he did in 78 with Carl Perkins last night “It’s Rockn Roll 2” our family is very grateful for this archive of his UK bands.
Dad is survived by his wife Paula and 4 children who have all been in bands. Notably my sister Belinda-Lee was in pop act Lash who wrote the songs featured in Freaky Friday movie, my brother Daren is in a well known Perth band the Soul City Groove and I have released songs featured in commercials in Digital Dolls. Dads music genes live on.
More than music he inspired a full life, was loyal to his family and never screwed anyone over. Rare for any industry. We miss him so much.
Ophelia
Dear ophelia
My cousin came across this thread and passed it to me. I’m. A journalist based in Sri Lanka and am
Keen to do
A story on your dad and his music for the publication I work
For. My email
Address is tinaeg@gmail.com or you can reach me on Facebook via Tina Edward Gunawardhana
I am always keen to write about people from Ceylon who excelled in their various fields. Thanks
Hi Ophelia Were you at the Hop Bine Wembley gig around 1977? If so are there any photos?
Hi David, my daughter Ophelia was born in 1978. I’m her mother Paula and l was at the Wembley gig as I helped with the arrangements. We actually did two gigs at that venue and were all amazing and have photos as well.
Thanks for your message.
Paula, Frankie’s wife.
I had known Frank & Paula in Perth in the 1980s, but we moved in different circles and unfortunately lost contact with each other.
To me, Frank was what we call “a good bloke”, and the motto “do the right thing” was a label easily applicable to Frank.
Let me echo the sentiments others have applied to a wonderful person.
TT
Hi Paula
It would be great to see the photos of that great night. Still living in Ashford, I passed Chris Jackson’s old house today, and was reminded that it is around this time of year that he passed, and it is now 24 years ago.
My e-mail is whitesidewalls@aol.com
Kindest Regards
David Byng
My wife & I followed Frank & Powerhouse in the late sixties and used to see his band play at The John Bull Chiswick. A brilliant band and a great inspiration to me as a keyboard player/musician. We have always wondered how his life has gone and are so sad that he is no longer with us. I remember at one gig that I had a gig to go to but my wife wanted to stay and listen to his band and not mine. So Frank offered to take her home after his gig so she could stay. He lived in Greenford then so to go to Hanworth was well out of his way but he did it ! A kind, sincere man. He was with Bonnie then from Chiswick. Daughter of my bakers Barton’s owner in Acton Lane . What happened to her ? Thanks for the memories Frank. RIP.
Bill – If you are still with us – find me on Facebook and send me a message.
God bless – Derek (Degs) Sirmon
God bless
Simon Gee very kindly got in touch regarding his research on the Lynx Club in Boreham Wood and Frankie Reid & The Casuals opened for The Fenmen on 25 September 1964. Must have been one of their final gigs.
Hi my name is Paula lm Frankie Reid’s wife.
It was an amazing time the 60s and he told me once it was one of the best times in his life, even when we lived in Australia he had a band called One Way Street and played right up to the time of his death.
Unfortunately my Frankie passed away in 2015 during an operation on his aorta.
I’m in the process of writing his book he never got to finish.
Like all the great musos and singers that have left us they are in heaven and Frankie is together with his mates.
Hi Paula
Hope this website helps. I am in touch with some of the surviving musicians if you want to contact them
Nick
Hi my name is Monty i worked with frankie for many years, we were both machinists at the same company.You could not meet a more genuine and nice guy.
Hi Monty, I was Franks mate at Camco and he told me about you putting Alan Leese in the rubbish bin, brilliant, I don’t know how long it was till you found out about Frank, I tried to find you but of course the firm had closed, i tried to find your ex boss but drew a blank there as well, he was a great bloke and I think of him a lot especially when I hear, Doctor Doctor ( bad case of lovin you )
Ron Byrne
Hi Ron, thanks for contact.I retired 3 years ago, Paul my boss had cancer and sold the company. I saw Frankie a couple of days before his operation,when i heard he had died it was such a shock.He was his usual cheerful self and so full on. i still think of him a lot.
The Mculloch Family used to live 2 doors away from me at Ashchurch Park Villas Shepherds Bush in the early/ mid 1960’s. I knew that Danny played in the Screaming Lord Such Band and also The Animals Pop Group round about that era. The Family moved away circa 1969 and I never knew anything about them thereafter.
Frankie Reid was my Father i spend my early years in London. I have heard these storys all of my life.
I was speaking with Terry Marshall resently he told my Dad band was one of the first band ever to Marshall amps and PA and where maybe the first sponsored act.
I have read members of Deep Purple would like the Marshall sound Dad used. This Funny but true. thanks for the great site .
Brilliant and well researched website. Thanks Nick. Those days…weren’t they great! I wish I had payed more attention to what was happening. Not anticipating that I would be looking back some day.
All good memories.
I’m creating a website. Will keep you posted when its published.
mick
God bless you and Frankie – I spent many happy months and times with your husband before joining Screamin’ Lord Such’s Savages. Both Danny and I moved on to Alvin Ailey’s Ballet company and The Animals (Danny) _ God bless you and your family – we all owe a lot to Frank. xx