Johnny Eaton – lead vocals
Dave Thompson – lead guitar
Louis McKelvey – rhythm guitar
Dave Wigginton – bass
Alan Worrell – drums
Johnny & The Pursuers was a short-lived R&B outfit from Twickenham, Middlesex, formed around 1961. Drummer Alan Worrell had gone to Spring Grove Grammar School in Isleworth and was classmates with future Small Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan. They had previously worked together in a skiffle group with Terry Munro.
According to Worrell, Ian McLagan designed and produced the group’s business cards in black and silver (see bottom).
On 28 April 1962, the band took part in the Twickenham Rhythm contest alongside local rivals Colin Shane & The Shannons and The Bullets. They also played at Wimbledon Theatre for a week in the Tommy Trinder variety show.
In early 1963, Dave Wigginton and Louis McKelvey departed to join Jeff Curtis & The Flames while Worrell went on to play with Colin Shane & The Shannons.
Garage Hangover would be interested to hear more about this band and what happened to its members.
Thanks to Alan Worrell for the information and images.
I played guitar and banjo with Alan Worrell and John Eaton in a group called the Cicardas. Then a few gigs with other groups, onto Clive Sheridan and the Blue Stars which became Miston Tuac.
Were The Cicadas before Johnny & The Pursuers or after?
Before / early days
I was in the same class at Chatsworth with Terry and Alan, and later went around with Colin Shane and the Shannons Colin is my younger daughters godfather and now, 55 years on, we( my husband Tony and I) live around the corner from David Thompson on the south coast.
Lynne Lowe( nee Barnett)
Dave Thompson is the last member of The Pursuers I havn’t been able to make contact with, would appreciate any contact details..After The Pursuers, I played with The Shannons and am in regular contact with Colin…..
Aka you can contact me on lynnelowe@ outlook .com.
Allan you can contact me on lynnelowe @outlook.com for information and Tony and I would love news of Colin and Brenda.
Must apologise to Nickfor using this site to get in touch with “old” mates.
My earliest memory of the Pursers was at the Crown in Twickenham, Johnny singing ‘one night with you’ and girls screaming! The Shannons also played the Crown and of course Firestone club on the Great west rd and Eel Pie Island.
I remember being terrified by Screaming Lord S,jumping off the stage 2inches from my face shouting “Welcome to the shit house”The stones also were on the island and I have the enduring memory of Mick Jagger sitting on a stool eating crisps and picking his nose.Put me off crisps for months and Jagger for ever.
Hi Lynne
What was the history of Colin Shane & The Shannons please? I did have a bit of information that I used years ago here:
https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/interviews/the-all-night-workers-part-1/
I can put a bit of a potted history together on this site if you can send some more information or shall I email you above?
Hi Lynne
I understand that the band morphed into Delroy William’s backing band:
https://garagehangover.com/delroy-williams-the-sugar-banddelroy-williams-show/
No problems. Great to have the memories. Dave Wiggy is in Somerset. Louis died in Toronto in Nov 2017
Just found and earlier pic taken at a private party ,around early 60’s.
Hi Nick, sadly a couple of days ago, my old friend from those early days, Johnny Eaton, fantastic singer from Johnny and The Pursuers , died peacefully after a short illness. Message given to me by his son Nathan , who I keep in touch regularly …….Alan Worrell.
So sorry to hear that Alan. Thanks for letting us know
Just to add to this. Dave Wiggy now lives up near Halifax
The bullets won contest at York house 1962 and 1963 played at Station hotel and athletic ground in Richmond. Singer Ernie Biggs. I was the bass player. Also played at Twickenham rugby ground fair. Lead guitarist Pete Ravenhill.
Hi John / are you still playing and local / i thought your group The Bullets were brilliant / I’m bias as being a drummer yours was a natural and a real driving force …have you any photos from those days ..alan
To John Bennett. You are right the picture labelling The Shannon’s win says 1963 but I am sure that it was 1964 as DAVID THOMPSON was still the bass player with the Shannon’s until early 64. Not Dick Merrit who was busy getting married in 63 and becoming a father in 1963.