Mick Pye sent in these great photos of of an unidentified band possibly from the coastal area south of London. Though nearly identical, there are small differences between the two. Mick tells me these are from glass negatives.
Any help with identifying these musicians would be appreciated. Mick also sent photos of Johnny Devlin and the Detours taken in 1962 or 1963, likely the same time period when these were taken.
Update, November 2012:
Luckily bassist John Garrett saw these photos and wrote to me with some information:
The band in the graveyard were Lee Tracy & The Tributes. Lineup: Lee Tracy (Graham Smithen) lead guitar; Martyn Pearse later to be replaced by Ray Flacke, rhythm guitar; Nick O’Brian; me, John Garrett on bass and Chris Hunt drums. The band members were from Arundel & Bognor.
The photo was taken in 1963. We played at most of the local venues: Top Hat, Mexican Hat, Rex Ballroom, The Green Topper, plus all the surrounding village halls. More information can be found in Mike Read’s book, The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960′s.
Hi, I can identify the band in the graveyard, I’m in it, thats me 2nd left at the back.Regards John Garrett
I took the pictures in St Nicks graveyard next to Arundel Priory. That was 50 years ago.
What was the band name? Who were the other members? Did you do any recording? Thanks
Hi Chas,The band in the graveyard were,Lee Tracy & The Tributes,Lineup,Lee Tracy(Graham Smithen)Lead Guitar,Martyn,Pearse later to be replaced by Ray Flacke,Rhythm Guitar, Nick Obrien,me John Garrett on Bass and Chris Hunt drums.The band members were from Arundel&Bognnor,The photo was taken in 1963,we played at most of the local venues,Top Hat,Mexican Hat,Rex Ballroom,The Green Topper,plus all the surrounding village halls.more information can be found in Mike Read’s book. The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960’s. Best Wishes, John Garrett.
Hi John
That was a long time ago, do you remember the time the prop shaft on the van broke on the way to a gig, we did three trips in my car with the kit.
and the trip to the Oak recording studios in surrey, what happened to the demos ?
John G
Hi John, I remember the problems with our van, the dreaded Bedford Dormobile!!!, also our session at the Oak recording studio, but I have to admit with some embaresment, I don’t remember you, could you refresh my memory, with regard to the dem’os Graham had the only copy that I’m aware of, and I’m no longer in contact with him. Regards, John
Well it’s been a long time, since the gigs at the top hat, my now ex wife Marie and myself lived in Dean close, we had two boys at the time, John & David, I was an electrician, I had been in the RAF for 5 years, I went back into the RAF while living at Dean Close.
Hi John, I know who you are now and do remember you, but it’s funny how time plays tricks with your mind, I could have sworn that I didn’t meet you & Marie till after I left the band, but as you say it was a long time ago. Regards John,
I’ve got copies and the original acetate cut of the demos. I also remember recording with Graham Smithen (spelling?) (Lee) at Oak. Straight to desk, direct injection if I remember correctly. I played bass at the time. Contact me via my website if you wish. havvit dot com
Hi Alan, I tried to E mail you, but havvitdot com not found, is this the correct address, or have got it wrong. Regards John
Yes, I have changed my web address to http://norfolkpianists.weebly.com/
Don’t know if this site will allow a direct email address, but here goes: alandakerharley@gmail.com
That is: alandakerharley at gmail dot com
Hope this works.
It would be good to hear from you.
havvit.com is no longer available.
Email is: alandakerharley@gmail.com
Just a few lines to let you know that after Graham left your group and moved to London he started another group also called Lee Tracey and the Tributes and I was the rhythm guitarist. We played 50’s and 60’s music, especially Gene Vincent and although not billed appeared with him at the London Palladium in 1969. I have several photos of this show.
Hi Roy, I knew that Graham had reformed the band, he came to stay with me for a few days I think in the mid 80’s, the last time I tried to contact him, his told me that he was very ill. do you have any further information. Regards John
Message for Roy. I was in the Tributes with you Roy. I played bass at that time. Couldn’t afford a keyboard in those days. Only choices then were vox continental or a farfisa. I believe we did get a guy in who had one. I went on to play in Roy Orbison’s band and toured the world in 1971. If you go to my website my phone number is there. Give me a ring.
Hi Alan long time no see. Pat and I broke up in 1983 and I had to raise our two girls. I am now married again and live on the border of Lincolnshire and Norfolk . Hope you get this and we can keep in conyact as I am jn contact with Jay in Hampshire. Best wishes Roy
Hi Alan, if you are in tonight I will give you a call and have a short chat to find out how you are. If not then maybe you could text me with a more convenient time and date. Roy
I recall the band in London playing at the Northcotte Arms in Southall. They appeared there in 1969 with Gene Vincent. I thought Lee Tracy had a terrific voice and still to this day regarded the band as one of my favourite from those days. I was always led to believe that Lee Tracy gave it up after he got married, not sure if that’s true too much playing gigs.
Allan, did you receive my E mail, regarding Graham ?, regards John
Hi guys, I am a musician that has played at the 59 motor cycle Club for over 40 years.
I was talking to Mike Cook the club leader last night (7/3/15) and we were talking of all the acts we have ever had at the club..! and we both agree that Lee Tracy and the Tributes were in a class of your own, with your instrumentals, as well as the silk voice of Lee Tracy, you had it all.
It was you guys that inspired me to form the Traumatics in 1970 and were runners up in the national Battle of the bands competition in 1974.
At the 59 Club were let down by a band, must have been around 1969? and the booking agent said he could send a band unknown to us..!! called Lee Tracy and the Tributes, well it was one of those times when we were worried, as we knew the place would be rammed..! and if we put on a band that might not be up to the standard the we were use to,… like Shakin Stevens and the sunsets, the House shakers, Rock n Roll all Stars,. then we would be in the brown smelly stuff..!! but when the curtains opened, and you boys started, the whole place erupted into a frenzy, and the rest is history as they say..!
We are church run Club, and I think God was smiling on us that night..!! well done boys.!! wish we could see you one last time..
From all at the 59 Club, thank you for the memories, and we wish you all good health…… Terry Batt
Terry, it’s interesting to read your comments about the band, As you will see from these blogs, I played bass in the original band, formed in Sussex in 1963 and kept in touch with Lee from time to time when he reformed the band in London. I found out a short time ago, sadly, that Lee died a few years ago. RIP Lee Tracy
Hi
I’m an author currently working on a UK youth fashion history book called The Bag I’m In, which’ll focus on music scene derived styles from 1961-91.
It’ll be published in September by north London independent Cicada Books.
I’d love to include one of these fab photos if possible? Let me know what you think.
All the best
Sam
Hi Sam, as far as I’m concerned you can go ahead with the photo, I’m not aware of any copyright issues, please keep us informed about your book,
Regards, John
Thanks John
I’ll keep you posted
Best
Sam
Hi John, Roy, Alan & Terry.
I’ve just found this by accident and what a great surprise, I was the drummer in the London band and its really sad to hear of the death of Graham (Lee), have you any idea how?
Terry, I remember that first night playing at the 59 club in 1969, in fact I still have a copy of the magazine with photos in it that reported that great night. I believe (and Alan & Roy might be able to confirm this) that the band that started that evening were called “Good Earth” and 6 months after that changed their name to Mungo Jerry and were top of the charts with “In The Summer Time”.
I have an address for Roger Brown the lead guitarist of the London band, perhaps we could arrange to meet up for old time sake, we could pick an area that’s central to everyone. Let me know if you agree I would be pleased to see how you all are.
Regards to you all, Jay.
Just stumbled on this whilst looking for something else 😉
In case you don’t know, Graham (Lee) died on 21st September 2007 of pancreatic cancer, leaving his widow, Sandra, and two daughters.
He and I shared a sense of humour and I was one of the last to see him before he passed away.
Hi Geoff.
Thanks for the details of Lee passing, so sad and the date happens to be my wife’s birthday. He would never divulge his age while he was in the band but perhaps you could let us know now?
After the band broke up, Roger and I tried several years later to get him to join a new band we were forming but he wasn’t interested and we never saw or heard from him again.
I know it’s a few years ago but if you are still in touch with his widow (Sandra) and daughters, on behalf of all the other guys please give them our condolences.
Hi Terry,
I have no idea why Graham (Lee) wouldn’t divulge his age, although I can imagine that it might be something he’d do. If I recall correctly, at the time of his passing he would have been around 63.
From what I understand, he made the decision back all those years ago that if he was going to get married and have a family, then he had to settle down and get a ‘proper’ job – and that meant giving up bands and gigging, which is what he duly did. He wasn’t the sort to change his mind easily once it was made up, which might explain his reluctance to have much to do with his ‘old’ life after that.
I believe he supplied some pictures and background material to Mike Read for his book, “The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960′s” and received a copy from Mike when it was published.
I am still in touch with Sandra and one of his daughters (to whom I used to be married, in case you’re wondering what the connection is) and will pass on your condolences.
The year before he died (by which time he was already quite ill), his younger daughter (my ex-wife) took an old recording of the band doing “Ooh! What You’re Doing To Me” and, as an experiment, added a new harmonisation track which turned it into a time-hopping duet with her own father!
All the Best
Hello Geoff
I was lead guitarist in the London band The Tributes and the track Ooh! What you’re doing to me” is one of the numbers I wrote for the band back in the early days with 3 others on the EP.
It’s nice to know they are still being listened too after all these years, and to have a harmony put to it, that sounds really good, I’d would really enjoy listening to that.
The band played it brilliantly at the time, and an extra vocal on it should sound amazing!!!!
Let us know if you think of any more news of this nature.
Take care regards………Roger
Terry / Roger,
At huge expense turning my loft upside down and slaving over a hot CD ripper, I have finally managed to track down the recording of “Ooh! What You’re Doing To Me” with Lee (Graham) and the harmonisation with his younger daughter. It was taken from an old cassette tape recording with the harmonisation added.
This can be found at the following URL: http://tiggernet.webhop.org/Share/Ooh_What_Youre_Doing_To_Me.htm
Enjoy!
(If you have any problems accessing it, let me know)
Hello again Geoff
Just to say I listened to the remix of Ooh! What you’re doing to me, and it’s brilliant, the harmony vocal has given the number a real punchy Country Rock flavour I’m very impressed with the sound of Lee’s daughter’s voice, it’s got a real country kick to it. I’ve downloaded it so I can listen to it many times in the future.
Thank you for doing that Geoff and thank Lee’s daughter when you see her for doing the vocal she’s a REAL STAR in my book, I’ll let the other lads know about it they will be well chuffed.
Thanx once again for taking the trouble your a one off.
Take care………….Roger
Hello Jay, Roy and Alan!
I’ve just found this by chance, I was the lead guitarist for the London band The Tributes, I could’nt believe it when I saw your names and comments on this site, it gave me the shivers (in a good way) it was like stepping back in time to our teenage years all the memories came flooding back, what a thrill it was. Do you still play, I still play my old Strat which I used in The Tributes. The Tributes still live on by the look of it (it’s a shame about Lee) if he was still here it would be the icing on the cake, take care lads i’ll be looking forward to your comments in the future.
Rock’n’Roll All the best Roger
Hi Roger, I am now playing a Fender Strat, ( one of my seven guitars I now have) but only for my own enjoyment. I no longer play in a band since I left the Tributes in 1973, but I do play almost nightly in the room dedicated to music in my house. I have the photos taken at the Palladium on the wall as well as a print of a poster Jay sent me of one of the bookings we had in Southall supporting Gene Vincent. All my best wishes and hope that we can keep in touch in the future.
Hi again Roger, forgot to say I now live in Lincolnshire, and my email is annenroy3@sky.com. Would be great to hear from you, and maybe we can arrange a group meeting!
Hi Roger, Roy & Alan.
Great to hear something from everyone.
I am in Spain at the moment I will try contacting you when I get home after the 17th September, perhaps we could arrange a meeting.
Have you an email address Roger?
Mine is eltel.linda@gmail.com
hello Jay,
Thanks for getting back to me it’s nice to know i’m still remembered after all this time, my email is 62strat@sky.com have a nice holiday, Rock On,
Take care, Roger
Hope we can all keep in touch and maybe at a later date meet and talk over the old days and catch up on our present lives . Roy
Hello again Roy
I sent you an email but I have’nt heard from you I hope you got it ok, It would be great to hear from you, it’s good to know your still playing at home, get in touch soon. Looking forward to it……….Roger
The site will no accept a web address. That’s the reason for no posts but my email is ….alandakerharley@gmail.com….If you get this, can you forward to the others. We must get in touch. Here is my phone number without any spaces01603734733in case it is rejected.
Hi again Roger, I would certainly like a copy of the Shads backing tracks as I have a disc but it only has a few Shads on it, along with other bands. If you let me know how much and how I can get the money to you I will send it. I think Anne is getting fed up with the six I insist on playing all the time . She is looking forward to an opportunity of meeting you after all the stories I have told her about our years in the Tributes. How often do you get a chance to practice, I am in the music room most evenings. We often go to a local theatre where several tribute bands perform, last Tuesday it was Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (our second time) and they are brilliant. If you can visit we will try to get tickets and then really get into nostalgia mood depending on who is performing. Give our best wishes to Sandra and hope to hear from you soon. Roy
Hi Roger, I have sent you two e mails but for some reason they could not have got through as I have had no reply from you. I hope you are ok as I was so pleased to be in contact with another Tribute. Hope we will be able to keep in touch as Anne would be pleased to meet you and get the gen on what I got up to with the band. She has heard the LP and a tape I made of my reception when I made that disaster of a marriage to Pat. Hope to hear from you soon. Roy
Hi Roger, I am now trying this way of getting in touch with you’ hope this one works. If you get this mail let me know and we will keep in touch. Roy
Hi Roger, I am still unable to get an e mail through to you. Anne has tried as well but has also been blocked for some reason we cannot understand but we will keep on trying. Roy
Hello All, Just had a look at this site for the first time this year, I’m amazed at how much the thread has grown, from me quite by chance seeing the photo of the original 1963 Sussex band,to all you guys who played in the
London band ,I’m sure bringing back mostly happy memories of those days.
Best wishes to you all John
Hello John
It’s good to see you’re still contributing to The Tributes blog, seeing you were the one that started it all, it’s amazing how it’s all kicked off. I was lead guitar of the London Tributes, I feel in some way we’re all part of the Tributes family.
Do you still play bass guitar John it would be great to know if you do. Do you keep in contact with any of the Sussex Tributes if so get them on the Blog too it would be like a family reunion we could share all our good times with the band. That’s the great thing about music we’re ll a band of brothers, Rock’n’Roll. !!!!!.
Take care John and speak soon……………Rog
Hello Roger, Had’nt looked at the blog for some time, I hav’nt played seriously for a long time, the Bass now hangs on the wall. with regard to the other guys, Nick no longer playing, Chris still drumming, played for Lonny Donegan for years,Ray Flacke in USA, top country guitarist, occasionally in touch via F/B, You may be able to answer a question for me, I have a vynil l/p called Rock& Roll Party, track 1, My Babe, Lee Tracy, do you know anything about this track, it’s a number we used to play,no doubt you did too,were you involved, as there is no credit for the band.Best Wishes, John
Hi John,
Lee’s wife here! Sorry it’s been so long.
I have recently been trying to get in touch since your phone call to me (21/1/15) as I think I now have a copy of ‘But not today’ from my daughter. Just before Graham died, she was able to get him to compile a CD of 21 tracks of Lee Tracey & The Tributes that he obviously had original recordings of and I daresay they still maybe somewhere in my house! However, sadly, he bacame too ill to provide any information as to the exact titles, the individual recording dates and who wrote them. Some, I know, are from the very early years judging from the sound quality of the acetate recordings. and I would be so grateful if you, or any of the guys in the group, could now enlighten me as to any accurate information regarding these tracks. If any members of the band would like a copy of this CD, I would be very happy to send them all one as I know now, how very important this history is. It has been a great passion in all of your lives and becomes a treasured memory of the past, not only to you, but all your closest loved ones.
Anyway, unfortunately, I think I remember you saying you were thinking of moving as I find the phone number you left with me is no longer registering! If you would like me to send you a copy, please do phone me again so I can send this CD on to you.
P.S. I’m a complete novice with these websites and don’t really know how this all operates but do hope this finds you. If it gets published for all the other guys in the band to read too, I am delighted that you are all still in contact with each other – and Lee would be too, so keep it up! It’s amazing what we all have stored away and have forgotten about . . . but can suddenly come to light!
For all those that may remember me, my kindest regards to you all and hope to hear from you.
With all good wishes, Sandra Smithen (Lee’s wife)
Hello Tributes,
I hope that you are all well and living the dream. I am Tracey Smithen – now Spencer – Lee Tracey’s youngest – although I am now 40 – and I have always adored my father’s band. I managed to obtain “Ooh, Watcha Down To Me” from acetate and have a recording sent to Mini Disc after I had parted company with Geoff – although he is still a very close friend in my life – and managed to harmonise over the top of the track with help from my then cousin at the time, Andy Welland. I recorded an EP which I was lucky enough to give to my father 1 year before he died along with extra recordings of “Hold The Line” – a cover that I used to perform by Toto and a self written track called “Thank You” dedicated to Dad and his band. All of you were truly amazing and the CD 💿 I have of all your original recordings is played so often, I’m surprised it doesn’t get worn out! Lol. I have managed to compile a duplicate which I have given to my Mum – Sandra – which hopefully you have received. Thank you so much for your wonderful comments on my voice… I am very flattered and honoured to have picked up my Dad’s vocal talents. If ever anyone wishes to get in touch, my email address is Tigatails [at] gmail.com. My father was the most wonderful, kind and caring man that anyone could have met and he always spoke so highly of you all. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. If anyone would like a copy of his music, please feel free to drop me a line.
With much love to you all, Tracey. Xxxx
Hello John,
Yes we are playing the backing on ”My Babe” I think the reason we did’nt get a mention the name was too long to fit on the label, we did all the work and got none of the credit, just our luck. Actually when we were in the studio we were going to record a totally different number I can’t recall which one it was at the moment, but they told us we could’nt do it because someone else had recorded it just before we went in the studio, and all the classic rock numbers had been taken so we had no choice but to choose a number that no one else was doing so we chose ”My Babe” and raunched it up while waiting for the tech team to get ready to record it, all done in a bit of a rush, and it possibly sounds like it. Well I hope this has answered your question John, it’s nice to talk to you again, let’s keep it going, ”Keep Rockin”’ …………..regards Roger.!!!!!!
Have you all considered a get together on the home turf? I’d love to see the band…. Especially after my father’s death….. I think that he would have loved a jam…..
Tracey Smithen (Graham’s youngest, singer and songwriter) Xxx
Hi Guys,
Me again! (Lee’s widow) Just realized my message has been printed here and looking at previous comments from all of you, I see some of you have provided your E-mail address. So if anyone wishes to contact me . . . here’s mine . . . and so appropriate too! It was of course Lee’s, but I am very sentimental and haven’t had the heart to change it!
graham@leetracey.freeserve.co.uk
All the best and hope to hear from you.
Hi Lads,
Have you thought about a get together on the home turf? I’d love to see the band as would my Mum (Sandra Smithen) especially after my Dad’s death…..and he’d love to watch over another jam session. 😀. Let me know as Bognor Regis is a soft spot for me and I’m often summoned there for work. Ha ha.
Tigatails@gmail.com
With much love and affection,
Tracey Smithen. (Graham’s youngest, singer and songwriter) Xxx
Hi all
I am Gary Stevens,I have been trying to get in touch via this blog.
I joined the Tributes at Camber Sands on a borrowed bass, I think Rodger
lent me a Burns nova bass and a 15watt Bird valve amp.
Any way sorry to hear of Lee”s (Graham’s) passing.
I have Palladium, photos Oak LP and programmes Hound dog,and 59 motorcycle club as Jay’s.
Hiya Gary,
I hope that you are well. I am Graham’s youngest daughter who also walked the line of entertainment in various rock and blues bands and managed to dub a track that the tributes composed in harmony with my father’s voice. I’ve recently been in touch with Jay and I was so excited to hear from him…. It shows another side to my Dad and his love of music. It may be an idea to get in touch with Jay as I’m hoping that we will all meet up soon. It’ll be great to see some photos of the band.
I look forward to catching up with you all soon.
Kindest regards,
Tracey. X
Hi Gary and all,
I was at the camber sands do, and I remember that you took over as one of the members did not turn up.
It was a christmas office party for members of Hoovers work force.
At that do I purchased a copy of your LP, it was in a record sleeve that was plain white, I still have it now.
Glad I found this site, often wonder where you all are now.
Graham
Hi all.
For those of us in the London band, if you remember the 2 girls who ran our fan club, Sue Ellis and Jaqueline Wright, I found out last week that Sue sadly passed away 2 years ago, Im sorry but I have no other news of her or Jaqueline.
Jay
Hello all you Tributes,
Hav’nt looked on this site for quite some time, no updates, so I,ll wish you all a Very Happy 2019. JG.
Hi all very sorry to say Terry ( Jay) died in February 2024, I got on well as the Bass player Gary. London band.
Hi All, Also on a sad note, Roger Brown passed away over Easter this year, 1St April.
Hi there Tributes all. Sorry to hear about all those that have passed on!💐
I played in what I believe was the second version of this band when I took over from Martyn Pearce when, if I recall correctly, he left to pursue Karate or some such and what with breaking pieces of wood with his hands couldn’t do both anymore, so he gave it up. This is how I remember it, but at 76 I will err on the side of caution and see if anybody else could confirm that?
I do remember that Lee would, ever humorously, never share his age, so maybe I’m more “mentus” than non compos mentis regarding the karate thing.🤷♂️😄
It was with this band along with muckers Chris Hunt, John Garrett and Nick O’Brian that I played my first off the top of my head solo in Good Golly Miss Molly. Up until then it had been just copy the record, if we could? I wonder how bad that solo might have been at that tender age? 🙉
John sent me that cd a long time ago and told me the Lee and I co-wrote either the first tune or the second one. I have no recollection of that whatsoever! It wasn’t bad and we were nicely in tune which one doesn’t necessarily expect from kids that young?
I was 15 then and we used to “practice” in a little church like place in Arundel, owned by Foti, can’t think of his first name.
Well, I just stumbled upon this page by happenstance and glad I did! Good luck to you all!
Cheers
Ray Flacke
Nashville
Tn