The Wranglers were a Southeast London band formed around 1963. Judging by early photos they were a four-piece outfit before joining forces with singer Kenny Bernard, who was from Trinidad, in 1965.
Prior to the link up, The Wranglers had released a lone single for Parlophone in 1964. After they became Kenny Bernard & The Wranglers, the group cut two singles for Parlophone before drummer Glenn Martin from Wembley joined them.
An article in the South East London Mercury newspaper, dated 13 August 1965 (see above), lists the line up as:
Kenny Bernard – vocals
John Taft – lead guitar
Trevor West – rhythm guitar
Colin McKie – bass
Ian Saunders – saxophone
Alan Reeves – organ
Glenn Martin – drums
Reeves had previously been a member of another local band, The Showtimers.
This line up cut the group’s third single with Bernard, “The Tracker” c/w “You Gotta Give” on Pye, released in August. The A-side was a cover of The Sir Douglas Quintet’s “She’s About a Mover”.
This line up became the house band at the Ad-Lib Club and live recordings by the band have been released by Acid Jazz Records.
Around September Glenn Martin left to work with singer Ayshea Brough and then a few months later landed a job with Hedgehoppers Anonymous.
Judging by a later article in the South East London Mercury, Martin’s replacement was drummer John Aldrich, who together with guitarist Trevor Brown (possibly the same person as Trevor West above) joined Alan Reeves’s former band The Showtimers in early 1966.
Bernard later went solo.
If anyone can add or correct any information above, please leave a comment.
‘Sir Douglas Quintet ‘The Tracker’ was actually the follow up to ‘She’s About A Mover’ a similar , but different song and its was ‘The Tracker’ itself that Kenny Bernard covered
I think also that Trevor West was also Trevor Brown.The wranglers were a good band.Did a good live show doing Shadows instrumentals.They had all the right guitars and amps for it.It was rumoured at the time that Trevor browns mother bought most of the equipment.and was also their manager.I remember her distinctly sitting in a quiet corner at their gigs in a fur coat lapping up the atmosphere,that was about 1962-3 at the St lawrences church hall Catford,which sadly is no longer there.They were good times compared to now.
I remember seeing the Wranglers at the Locherber hall in Lewisham!
I don,t remember the date but they must have made an impression.
The only person that I know of that remembers them is Bill Wyman. He mentioned them in one of the books that he wrote a few years ago.
Great days!
Hi, Have just watched the film ‘Be my Guest’ on Talking Pictures’ where Kenny and the Wranglers appear. That got me thinking about the Wranglers and brought me to this site. I used to see the Wranglers at Saturday Morning Pictures at the ABC in Catford (building still there, no longer a cinema – the Lochaber Hall is still there and still used as a community centre, if you mean the one in Bell Green, Lower Sydenham). That must have been about 1962/63. The Wranglers appeared a few times, before the main feature, which I recall as a Shadows type performance. They had the red jackets and the Shads step routine. There was no vocalist so only instrumental tunes. As a 11/12 year old hearing live rock and roll for the first time was brilliant. Absolutely loved them and have always wondered what happened to them. Good to know they had some sort of fame. The only other band at that time, of some note, from the Catford area were the Wild Angels who continued performing in various formats for a number of years.
The first advert in NME for Wranglers was in June 62 for “The Wranglers featuring Vern Brandon”. Another NME ad from July 63 shows “The Fabulous Wranglers with Vern & Ken” and by September 63 they are “The Fabulous Wranglers with Kenny Bernard”
Ads for the August 64 Parlophone 45 (“Liza Jane”) show Bernard with a 4 piece band.
A December 64 follow up (“Somebody Help Me”) is credited to Kenny & The Wranglers – produced by Pete Gage who apparently tried to get Kenny to front his new band (which became the Ram Jam Band).
Around this time The Wranglers included Roger Read on organ who was replaced by Alan Reeves who had been with Shorty & Them.
Kenny & The Wranglers had a third 45 on Parlophone (“Doobie Doo”) before signing with Pye
Kenny is a friend and neighbour of mine. If any one wanted info I would be happy to put you in touch.
Say hi to Kenny for me, I’m still drumming and I’m currently with the Surrey Jazz Orchestra. I’ve seen him on you tube, he can check me out there too.
A confession:
I was a bit of a groupie of the Wranglers and I had a crush on Johnny Aldrich….. I wonder where he is?
They were a great band and Kenny a really good singer. I think I still have the vinyl single of ‘Somebody help Me’ somewhere.
Say hello to him – although he won’t have a clue who I am!
Hi Kay
I met John when the band played in my home town in 1963, he came all the way from London to stay with me when I was still living at home with my mum and we used to write to each other weekly. It was never going to work as I wouldn’t move to London, (I was only 17) but he was a really lovely guy and I often wondered what happened to him (he would be 82 now!!)
He bought me Gerry & the Pacemakers ” I’ll be There” – I still think of him when I hear it
Just wanted to say that i love the clip of kenny in be my guest film. The song, somebody help me has been a favorite of mine for years , has a lovely feel about it. Kenny looks good in his sharp suit, with the slightly short trousers! Can you ask kenny if the song is on a compilation at all. Regards to kenny, thanks, terry
Would be good to chat to Kenny
Nick
Hi there
Can you put us in touch with Kenny?
Thanks
Hi Dave I remember you way back in the sixties when you had a band,don’t know if you are the same Dave ward I know,but I hope you are.
Does he know what became of John Aldrich? He worked for Valentine magazine in Fleet Street as well as being the Wranglers’ drummer…
Just seen Kenny and the Wranglers as talent contest entrants in the film Be My Guest, starring David Hemmings with Steve Marriott in a support role. They were singing Somebody Help Me (totally different song from the Spencer Davis Group hit).
Hi…do you know if the song …..somebody help me, is on any comp. albums. Thanks, terry
I have just found a June 1965 New College Oxford ball programme which lists “The Wranglers” performing. No idea if it is the same band.
Could you tell me who else was on the June programme and dates please? This is great info. Thanks
Hi.
Pleased this is of some interest.
It seems to be New College Ball, 21 June 1965. Others on the programme in the “Garden tent” and “Holywell Tent” are The Zephyrs, The Pretty Things, The Washington DCs, Michael Bentine, Bill Savill & his Orchestra, and Humphrey Lyttleton. Others are listed in The Red Room and The Night Club. I could send a scanned copy of the programme to an e mail address.