Roger Semon (lead vocals)
Derek ? (lead guitar)
Alan ? (keyboards)
Mac Bruce (rhythm guitar)
Martin Cheeseman (bass)
Alan Brown (drums)
This northwest London band was formed around 1964 with the above line-up.
The group got the opportunity to open for a number of high-profile artists at the Wimbledon Palais on at least two occasions, if not more, during 1966-1967, including The Move and John’s Children, as part of the Radio Caroline nights.
Semon remembers Radio Caroline used to trail the group’s name when advertising the show(s) on air.
The original formation also supported The Small Faces at Oddfellows Hall in Watford (possibly 7 March 1966) just as “Sha La La La Lee” was released!
Sometime in 1967, Derek and Alan left and lead guitarist Martin Jarvis from The Motion joined.
The second incarnation supported The Who at the California Ballroom in Dunstable and The Move at Wimbledon Palais. When they opened for The Move, the Birmingham band chopped up a TV with an axe at the end of their set on the main stage and Semon remembers the venue’s manager went nuts because the floor was badly damaged!
During 1967 Mac Bruce departed and they continued as a quartet.
Then in 1968, the group changed name to Coconut Ice. Under this name, the musicians supported Julie Driscoll & Brian Auger at the California Ballroom in Dunstable as well as Edison Lighthouse and a few others.
In 1968 Coconut Ice also started landing regular support gigs at the Clay Pigeon in Eastcote, opening for The Sweet many times as well as Locomotive (possibly 15 December), Love Affair, The Tremeloes (1 December) and Marmalade (6 October).
During this period Martin Jarvis left and they carried on with another guitarist who was influenced by Jimi Hendrix.
In late 1969, however, the band broke up when Roger Semon replaced Jeff Curtis in The Kool.
Thanks to Roger Semon for the information. Please get in touch in the comments below if you can add any more information