A Scottish rock band, who later moved to Farnham, Surrey, Miltons Fingers are best known for including future Genesis drummer John Mayhew who worked with the group for a year, between 1968-1969.

The group was formed in North Berwick, Scotland in late 1965/early 1966 with the following line-up:

Milton Mclachlan – lead vocals

Tony “Spike” Milligan – lead guitar

Mike Sinclair – rhythm guitar

Bert Coupe – bass

Dave Berry – drums

Milton Mclachlan, who was studying at art college in Farnham, says the group was managed by Neil Warnock and signed to NEMS Enterprises. During their time together Miltons Fingers played at the Millstream in Farnham, Feltham R&B Club and the Overseas Visitors Club in Earl’s Court, London. The singer recalls sharing the bill with The Zombies, Deep Purple and David Bowie.

Through the Chiswick-based Norton York Agency, they also worked in West Germany. Mclachlan also remembers other European gigs in Denmark and Switzerland.

Between 1966-1970, Miltons Fingers also played regularly at Kew Boathouse (and some of the gigs are listed below).

Like early Genesis, the band went through quite a few drummers in their time together. In 1967, Alan “Frog” Ridley took over from Dave Berry. Ridley was succeeded by Alan Stevenson who then made way for John Mayhew in 1968. During Stevenson’s time with the group, Mike Sinclair left and the group continued as a four-piece.

At some point, the group cut two tracks on an acetate – “Jenny’s Mother” and “Light of My Life”.

Mclachlan remembers the group renting a seven bedroom house in Farnham and a few of Genesis used to come round and listen to the musicians rehearse before Mayhew joined them. Charterhouse school was not far away near Godalming.

After Mayhew left, the group carried on until 1970.

18-20 September 1967 – Kew Boathouse, Kew, west London (Hounslow Post)

9-12 October 1967 – Kew Boathouse, Kew, west London (Hounslow Post)

16-18 October 1967 – Kew Boathouse, Kew, west London (Hounslow Post)

1 December 1967 – Star Palast, Kiel, West Germany with Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages, The Thin Red Line and Dick Scott & Company (Rolf Hannet’s research)

24 February 1968 – Andromeda, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

2 March 1968 – Star Palast, Kiel, West Germany with Paul Raven & The Boston Showband, Princes of Israel and The Barriers (Rolf Hannet’s research)

6 September 1968 – Andromeda, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

13 September 1968 – Andromeda, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

9 October 1968 – Westcliffe Hotel, Southend, Essex (Essex County Standard)

12 October 1968 – Centre 185, Egham, Surrey with The Skatarlites (Staines & Egham News)

8 November 1968 – Centre 185, Egham, Surrey (Staines & Egham News)

29-30 November 1968 – Wellington Manor Country Club, Crowthorne, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)

The following gigs are from the website: http://www.45worlds.com/live/artist/miltons-fingeres

7 June 1969 – The Cobweb, St Leonards, East Sussex with Gold Dust

5 July 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

26 July 1969 – Wimbledon Town Hall, Wimbledon, southwest London with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound

5 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

26 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

13 September 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

20 September 1969 – The Cobweb, St Leonards, East Sussex with Virgin Circle

Many thanks to Milton Mclachlan for providing information on the band