Ken McDowell (lead vocals)

John Fullalove (lead guitar)

Billy Williamson (rhythm guitar/vocals)

Ray Courtney (bass)

Dougie McIlwaine (drums)

The Mad Lads were a popular Belfast R&B group who took over Them’s residency at the Maritime Club when Van Morrison’s band moved to London in the second half of 1964. Singer Ken McDowell later assumed Morrison’s place as lead singer in Them in late 1966.

The group were featured regularly in Belfast publication Cityweek, most notably its 5 March 1965 issue, which contained a detailed column and colour photo. According to the article, promoter Eddie Kennedy picked them out of dozens of applications for the Maritime’s resident spot and he became their manager in December 1964.

Despite playing three nights a week at the Maritime, The Mad Lads found time to travel to Dublin in late February 1965 and perform some gigs, according to the article.

During May, The Mad Lads travelled over to London and recorded three tracks at Decca’s studio with Them’s producer Bert Berns – “I Went out with My Baby Tonight”, “So Long” and “Answer the Phone” with session players Andy White (drums) and Phil Coulter (keyboards). This website has more information on The Mad Lads’ recordings and personnel changes.

Cityweek’s 9 July 1965 issue noted that The Mad Lads had left their Maritime residency and signed with the Solomon Agency in London.

On 31 July, The Mad Lads played at the Red Rooster Club in Bangor, Northern Ireland, a venue they would return to again in the future.

However, one of their most notable gigs was opening for folk singer Donovan at Ulster Hall in Belfast on 20 September 1965.

Cityweek’s 23 September issue noted that The Mad Lads were about to change their name to Moses K & The Prophets to avoid confusion with US soul act The Mad Lads, who were about to start a British tour. Also, Decca was going to release their debut single – “I Went out with My Baby Tonight” c/w “So Long” on 1 October under this name. According to the same article, Ken McDowell had travelled alone to London in the summer to double track his lead vocals on the tracks on 31 August at Regent Sound Studios in Denmark Street.

In early November, Moses K & The Prophets appeared at the Overend Club in Mount Merrion, Dublin in front of 1,200 fans, which Cityweek’s 11 November issue noted was a record for an Irish R&B group.

The Belfast publication’s 23 December issue reported that Moses K & The Prophets would top a seaside bill with a return to the Red Rooster Club in Bangor on 7 January 1966. The following week, they were due to appear in Larne.

However, not long afterwards, manager Eddie Kennedy sacked the musicians and kept McDowell for a new version which never took off. 

Cityweek‘s 17 February 1966 issue reported that McDowell was due to record a solo 45 as Moses K (see below). 

While the others subsequently reformed The Mad Lads in March 1966, the singer later replaced Van Morrison in Them.

We’d love to hear from anyone who can add more information about The Mad Lads in the comments below