The Monotones’ first rhythm guitarist Ian Middlemiss sent these photos and clippings of his time in the band from 1958-1962.
The photo captions are by Ian:
Earliest photo of the Monotones at St Cedds Church gig early in 1960 From left: Pete Stanley, Brian Alexander, Ian Middlemiss, Nigel Basham, and Barry DavisIan Middlemiss with a Hofner Club 50 (?), never stayed in tune for more than 10 mins. June 1960, venue cannot rememberA clip from the local paper, gig at St Cedds in May 1961St Cedds May ’61. Clearly this is in open E. Middlemiss has got a Strat copy, Alexander exploring the possibilities of the Mixolydian mode in position 1? This I doubt. Alexander’s thrashing about trying to find notes that roughly match the melody.April 1962, from left: Jim Eaton, Barry Davis, Paul Dunning, Brian Alexander and Ian Middlemiss. Stanley got fed up and had a six month sabbatical. He did come back eventually.From left: Nigel Basham, Barry Davis, Paul Dunning, Brian Alexander and Ian Middlemiss. A half decent shot of Stanley’s bass made by his Dad. Basham and Eaton shared the vocals or should I say Mark Lloyd and Thurston Crane (tee-hee). In 1962 to sing vocals you had to wear a suit and tie and pretend that you were a gentleman.200 people at 2/6 a pop = £50 divided by 5 = £10 per member which is more than a 1960s weekly wage. Remember most of us were at WHSB and you get a 5 gallons of petrol for £1, pie and chips for 1/6d and get trousered for £2. No small wonder that Brian A. hired the White Hall for our debut performance. The downside of the White Hall was that they had no alcohol license. Brian hired the dance hall at the Elms which was much bigger (300). An immediate success but the manager saw the potential and in the end got the beer money and the gate. We were not too bothered, the ladies were more important.Who were the Strangers, Ebonies and O B Swing 5?
23 thoughts on “The Monotones – early years 1960-1962”
That’s no Strat copy- it’s a glorious Futurama II!
The ones that are puzzling me are the Basses though…can’t the one in the first picture looks Burns Weill-ish or perhaps Supersound?
Is the other one homemade? They both seem to have name badges on the headstocks, but I can’t quite make em out…
Doubt if any recall me, often spoke to Monotones at the end of the night as I did with many groups local and visiting…Roy H was the pub manger at the time, knew all the and barmaids doormen Terry etc Barry DJ fun times Ray I lived at Tarpots then best to all if still around! rayandmandy@live.co.uk
Hi I was the lead singer for Robbie Strange and the Strangers, one of the Southend rock groups back in the 60’s.Whilst we played at a number of venues with the Monotones we had a regular gig at the Ancona Club on the Southend Arterial Road. Our group were later known as Robbie Flame & The Foreros and as I now reside in West Sussex have long lost touch with the members of the group. Doug Sheldrake was our lead guitarist and and whilst Jim Clements (drummer) Dave Johnson (rhythm) and Rob Crawford (manager) were all from Westcliff High I met them through my brother Malcolm as I was a Rayleigh Sweyne pupil. We also had an excellent base player Mick who joined us a little later and I remember us all cutting a disc with a guy called Curly Clayton in Highgate London.
Hi Rob. Have just stumbled across your note of June 13 2011 on Garage website. You may remember me from the 60’s when I was following the Strangers and Monotones. All those names in the band I remember. You and the band and girlfriends, used to come to my Mums house in Cranley Road, Westcliff when we all lounged around and she would bring us in coffee and cheese on toast. Lots of canoodling in the dark. You lived in Benfleet near Tarpots. We all used to walk along the Pier just for somewhere to go and lark about. Is anyone still around to catch up with
Taking the St Cedds piccy and from left to right…… Brian Alexander threshing a Futurama Ian Middlemiss deffo on a really awful Strat copy. Pete Stanley on a homemade bass. Trust me, I was there. Regards Ian Middlemiss
thanks for the ID on the bass…thought it wasn’t a standard model. Any ideas on the bass in the first pic?
RE: Strat copy- this is a particular bugbear of mine, so excuse the pedantry. 😉
To me, a ‘Strat copy’ is something that is a complete copy of a Fender Strat- three pickups, bridge one angled, trem routed from the rear, bolt on neck- same shape as a Strat.
Your Futurama had a set neck, two pickups, top mounted trem/tailpiece with separate bridge, completely different shape- as well as being thinner, and much, MUCH smaller than a strat. I’ve had both of them at one time or another, and believe me, if you remember that as anything like a Strat (regardless of perception of ‘quality’- I’m a big fan of the Gracioso/Futuramas), your memory is playing tricks on you. It’s a completely different beast.
Also recall Brian who took over hiring bands, sat there with Brian taught me how to pick out the instruments being played Good or Bad he later involved with Silver Wheels band if I recall correctly, last spoke with Brian by chance in Bread & Cheese pub on top of same name hill Benfleet.. where he thanked me for helping him through a tough emtional period, was long ago 1970ish?
I’ve enjoyed looking over your photos of the Monotones. Remember fusing the lights at a gig with “The Counts” at Victor Sylvester’s Dance Studio in Southend? What are you up to these days? Cheers, Andrew Rainbow
My name is Heidi Johnson but before I was married it was Basham..yes Nigel was my dad….also know as Mark Loyd……my heart is still broken to this day with his passing …he was my world….I was his only child and he treated me like gold every day of his life…he has two grand children that he left behind….Latrell who is soon to be 18 and Jayden Mark Johnson who was born 2 months after his passing…Jayden shares his love of music already….even loves to drum like dad did….dad was a lefty even though he could still do heaps with his right hand….jayden is the same way…..if he is half as talented as dad and even half the man he was then Jayden will be truly blessed……I love the old pictures and even remember some of them as I was born in 71…. I just want everyone to know that he was an honest ,loving ,caring man who sang from the heart and truly loved the industry …….
I miss you dad… Love you madly every minute of the day Heidi……
I went out with your dad and was at the elms with him then traveled to other venues when he went solo . I loved him with all of my heart and I’m so sorry he has passed away . I was hoping we might have met up again one day .
Hi all, am looking for information on “the mustangs” form in Southend in the late 60’s, am interested in Elliott Burchmore, my dad, know he currently resides in Denmark, but have no way of contacting him.
Hi, its great to finally get a response from someone who knew dad, have tried valcom.com but cant access the server?? Dont know why …can you help? If not would you know of anyone else who may know him?
Marc. Elliott & I were occasional friends in late 50’s as our mothers were buddies. After Margo died we lost touch and I’ve often wondered where he might have ended up. As a break from my family history I simply Googled his & your names – which led to here, simply curiosity on my part. I went to WHSB but never part of the music scene, Elliott went to Eton House if I recall correctly. Good luck with your search
I worked alongside Nigel Basham and Brian Alexander at their nightclub Alexanders in Hampton Court I am so sad that Nigel/Mark has gone such a wonderful guy who I will always remember with fondness.
On one of your photos you could not remember a group called The Ebonies. Well they consisted of George Bird, (who now sings with one of the groups touring as The Roubettes), Barry Scanling, who moved to Canada, Ray Emmans, Guy Rustall and myself. I`m still managing to annoy people as a solo entertainer. I remember that first gig at the Elms as we went on to do the Crown in Rayleigh the on to the Foxhunters on the same night. Happy days!
I recall picking up Radio Luxemberg in mid Atlantic when heading home from New Zealand on mv OTAIO in April 1962 only to hear the Monotones and my old Westcliff High School class mates Brian, Peter and Ian playing. perhaps I would not now be in Australia if I had been able to master the guitar when they did!
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That’s no Strat copy- it’s a glorious Futurama II!
The ones that are puzzling me are the Basses though…can’t the one in the first picture looks Burns Weill-ish or perhaps Supersound?
Is the other one homemade? They both seem to have name badges on the headstocks, but I can’t quite make em out…
Doubt if any recall me, often spoke to Monotones at the end of the night as I did with many groups local and visiting…Roy H was the pub manger at the time, knew all the and barmaids doormen Terry etc Barry DJ fun times Ray I lived at Tarpots then best to all if still around! rayandmandy@live.co.uk
Hi
I was the lead singer for Robbie Strange and the Strangers, one of the Southend rock groups back in the 60’s.Whilst we played at a number of venues with the Monotones we had a regular gig at the Ancona Club on the Southend Arterial Road.
Our group were later known as Robbie Flame & The Foreros and as I now reside in West Sussex have long lost touch with the members of the group.
Doug Sheldrake was our lead guitarist and and whilst Jim Clements (drummer) Dave Johnson (rhythm) and Rob Crawford (manager) were all from Westcliff High I met them through my brother Malcolm as I was a Rayleigh Sweyne pupil.
We also had an excellent base player Mick who joined us a little later and I remember us all cutting a disc with a guy called Curly Clayton in Highgate London.
Hi Rob. Have just stumbled across your note of June 13 2011 on Garage website. You may remember me from the 60’s when I was following the Strangers and Monotones. All those names in the band I remember. You and the band and girlfriends, used to come to my Mums house in Cranley Road, Westcliff when we all lounged around and she would bring us in coffee and cheese on toast. Lots of canoodling in the dark. You lived in Benfleet near Tarpots. We all used to walk along the Pier just for somewhere to go and lark about. Is anyone still around to catch up with
Taking the St Cedds piccy and from left to right……
Brian Alexander threshing a Futurama
Ian Middlemiss deffo on a really awful Strat copy.
Pete Stanley on a homemade bass.
Trust me, I was there.
Regards Ian Middlemiss
Hi Ian-
thanks for the ID on the bass…thought it wasn’t a standard model. Any ideas on the bass in the first pic?
RE: Strat copy- this is a particular bugbear of mine, so excuse the pedantry. 😉
To me, a ‘Strat copy’ is something that is a complete copy of a Fender Strat- three pickups, bridge one angled, trem routed from the rear, bolt on neck- same shape as a Strat.
Your Futurama had a set neck, two pickups, top mounted trem/tailpiece with separate bridge, completely different shape- as well as being thinner, and much, MUCH smaller than a strat. I’ve had both of them at one time or another, and believe me, if you remember that as anything like a Strat (regardless of perception of ‘quality’- I’m a big fan of the Gracioso/Futuramas), your memory is playing tricks on you. It’s a completely different beast.
http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/hofnerfs/futurama/gal7.html
The other Futurama in the picture is more inspired by Strats- but is still a pretty unusual design, and 100% not a copy of anything.
It wasn’t until the seventies that the real ‘strat copy’ era started- with all the japanese plywood things that cropped up.
Also recall Brian who took over hiring bands, sat there with Brian taught me how to pick out the instruments being played Good or Bad he later involved with Silver Wheels band if I recall correctly, last spoke with Brian by chance in Bread & Cheese pub on top of same name hill Benfleet.. where he thanked me for helping him through a tough emtional period, was long ago 1970ish?
Hi Ian,
I’ve enjoyed looking over your photos of the Monotones. Remember fusing the lights at a gig with “The Counts” at Victor Sylvester’s Dance Studio in Southend? What are you up to these days? Cheers, Andrew Rainbow
My name is Heidi Johnson but before I was married it was Basham..yes Nigel was my dad….also know as Mark Loyd……my heart is still broken to this day with his passing …he was my world….I was his only child and he treated me like gold every day of his life…he has two grand children that he left behind….Latrell who is soon to be 18 and Jayden Mark Johnson who was born 2 months after his passing…Jayden shares his love of music already….even loves to drum like dad did….dad was a lefty even though he could still do heaps with his right hand….jayden is the same way…..if he is half as talented as dad and even half the man he was then Jayden will be truly blessed……I love the old pictures and even remember some of them as I was born in 71…. I just want everyone to know that he was an honest ,loving ,caring man who sang from the heart and truly loved the industry …….
I miss you dad…
Love you madly every minute of the day
Heidi……
I went out with your dad and was at the elms with him then traveled to other venues when he went solo . I loved him with all of my heart and I’m so sorry he has passed away . I was hoping we might have met up again one day .
Hi all, am looking for information on “the mustangs” form in Southend in the late 60’s, am interested in Elliott Burchmore, my dad, know he currently resides in Denmark, but have no way of contacting him.
Thanks in advance
Marc
I knew Elliot many years ago and have no idea of his whereabouts but would be pleased to hear from you, try colin (at) valcol.com
Hi, its great to finally get a response from someone who knew dad, have tried valcom.com but cant access the server?? Dont know why …can you help? If not would you know of anyone else who may know him?
Thank you
Marc
Marc. Elliott & I were occasional friends in late 50’s as our mothers were buddies. After Margo died we lost touch and I’ve often wondered where he might have ended up. As a break from my family history I simply Googled his & your names – which led to here, simply curiosity on my part. I went to WHSB but never part of the music scene, Elliott went to Eton House if I recall correctly. Good luck with your search
I worked alongside Nigel Basham and Brian Alexander at their nightclub Alexanders in Hampton Court I am so sad that Nigel/Mark has gone such a wonderful guy who I will always remember with fondness.
On one of your photos you could not remember a group called The Ebonies. Well they consisted of George Bird, (who now sings with one of the groups touring as The Roubettes), Barry Scanling, who moved to Canada, Ray Emmans, Guy Rustall and myself. I`m still managing to annoy
people as a solo entertainer. I remember that first gig at the Elms as we went on to do the Crown in Rayleigh the on to the Foxhunters on the same night. Happy days!
I am guys wife . Unfortunately he passed away ten years ago . They were wonderful days
Hi,
Was just wondering if anybody has any information on the whereabouts of Brian Alexander, just trying to make contact with him.
Thanks.
I recall picking up Radio Luxemberg in mid Atlantic when heading home from New Zealand on mv OTAIO in April 1962 only to hear the Monotones and my old Westcliff High School class mates Brian, Peter and Ian playing. perhaps I would not now be in Australia if I had been able to master the guitar when they did!
i remember my maths teacher mr. absolam at southchurch high school in the 60s who was a member of the monotones of him … any one know?
Love it! Worked in the Elm in the ’60s and had these guys most nights of the week. Good times….
Is this the band that released the single
“What Would I Do”
in 1964
People thinking about it again with the passing of film director Michael Apted
as it features in the first film of his amazing 7 Up documentary series
Yes, full story on the band is here : https://garagehangover.com/monotones/