Norman Warren (lead vocals)
Maggie Yorke (lead vocals)
Brian Balcombe (lead guitar) replaced by Brian Brockie
Steve Stills (bass)
Geoff Rich (keyboards)
Jim Caley (alto sax)
Keith Fidge (tenor sax)
Mick Henley (baritone sax)
John Wilkins (drums)
The Honey Band began life in 1965 as Lo Limit, a successful semi-pro band based in Northfleet in Kent, fronted by singer Norman Warren from Aveley in Essex.
Some band members wanted to break free from the constraints of local pub work and drafted in some like-minded personnel to achieve their ambition.
In early 1967, the renegade section of Lo Limit comprising Geoff Rich (keys), Steve Stills (bass), Keith Fidge (tenor) and Brian Balcombe (guitar) and led by the aforementioned ‘Whizzy’ Warren recruited drummer John Wilkins from Peckham; female vocalist Maggie Yorke from Newcastle; and the multi-talented Mick Henley, who, at that time, had just completed his degree at the Army’s music academy, Kneller Hall, Twickenham.
The newly created Honey Band recorded a couple of unreleased singles, but it was their live performances that were attracting attention with great reviews. However, they were still seeking a bigger live sound and this goal was accomplished when alto sax player Jim Caley was ‘poached’ from local competitors Beathoven’s Soul Band.
A short time later, lead guitarist Brian Balcombe decided that a full-time music career was not for him and Brian Brockie, also a Beathoven’s Soul band man, was invited to replace him.
Following a series of intensive rehearsals in the ballroom of the now demolished Darenth Park Hospital, the band hit the road to play a hectic schedule of gigs between June ‘67 and February ‘68 across the UK, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Holland.
After a tour of northern Scotland, the band began to make occasional appearances at renowned London venues, including the Flamingo in Soho, the Ram Jam in Brixton and Billy Walker’s Uppercut in Forest Gate.
Much of this work was due to the influence of the band’s American manager Bill Berry, an ex-Radio England DJ, who also arranged for the musicians to support headline chart acts, including The Nice, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, as well as US soul star Madeline Bell; the group performed as her backing band on two theatre shows after just one hastily arranged rehearsal. Madeline went on to form chart toppers Blue Mink.
Following a successful audition at Kennington Granada in September ’67, the band were selected to become the live backing band for Pye recording artiste David Garrick whose previous supporting band had been the Iveys (later Badfinger). Garrick had a huge following in Europe, and in 2021 his 1966 hit “Mrs Applebee” weighed in at No 48 in the top 2,500 records in Holland between 1966 and 2000.
As a result, Maggie Yorke and Norman Warren quit and singer Gary Williams from east London stepped in.
However, the band was unable to sustain the level of work required to keep an ‘eight piece’ outfit fed and watered. Despite having forward scheduled gigs into the spring, after a succession of financial and logistical problems, the band split in March 1968.
Only guitarist Brian Brockie continued in the music industry professionally and joined The Button Hole Band (see their page on this site). He went on to play in a succession of bands and continues to do so at the start of 2022.
Thanks to Brian Brockie for providing all of the photos and the text for this article.
Great research, Brian. Thanks for sharing some great memories. We came close, Mate!
This is brilliant to see. My dad was Brian Balcombe and I knew very little about his band. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Emma
I was the vocalist in the Lo Limit from the middle of 1966 up to about Christmas when I left the group. I was 18 years old.
Your dad was the lead guitar. He was the best musician in the group. The songs were chosen by all the members of the group but he would direct the arrangements of the instruments. I played with them in Pubs & Co-op halls. We finished second in a competition held at the Silver Blades Ice rink. We backed the Troggs there. We were the support group to the Small Faces at the Gravesend co-op hall. I don’t have any photos from that time. Maybe you may have some. Your dad played a Orange colour Fender Stratocaster. That would be valuable now. I think his amp was a Vox AC 30. Good memories of my time with them. Sorry for your loss. If you want to make contact my email is davidlloyd150948@gmail.com
Lunar Two and The Honey Band
16 June 1967 – Blue Pacific, Bristol Hotel, Gloucester (Gloucester Citizen)
Two more gigs by Lunar 2 & the Honey Band ….
The Uppercut, London on Saturday May 8th, 1967 as support act for Chris Farlowe & the Thunderbirds.
Starlight Ballroom, Crawley on Friday 19th May as the main attraction.
…. I guess it was this HONEY BAND who undertook these gigs.
Later in 1967, Lunar 2 were teamed up with the Late (who became Unicorn in the early 70’s) and these two outfits performed together into 1968. Towards the end of 1968, the Late became Billy J Kramer’s backing band.
Hi John thanks for that information.. l didn’t join the band until end May 67 so it was very possible and probable that it was the Honey Band working with Billy and Emile (Lunar 2)
Saw Luna 2 and the honey band at the Crystal Palace hotel one Sunday evening, can’t remember the date, but the band were really good, and Luna 2 were off the wall.
Other acts at the same venue included spooky tooth, which I also saw at the marquay, wardor street.
Around about that time, led zeppelin were on at the marquay, and I was very pleased to be there.
Lots of great memories, I think the honey band could have been at least as successful as the average white band, but the time wasn’t right for the big soul band sound. Shame .