Graham Rousell sent in this photo taken by his father George, of a band he believes to be the Whirlwinds from Canvey Island in Essex. Can anyone please confirm this or identify the musicians in the photo?
The Whirlwinds played the Casino Ballroom among other venues.
Members were:
Ron Gent- lead vocals
Bert Pulham – lead guitar
Peter Gosling – guitar
Fred Ford – bass and piano
Dave Scates – drums
I don’t believe they recorded. The Whirlwinds were rivals to Southend-on-Sea’s Monotones.
In 1965, Ron Gent, Bert Pulham and Dave Scates formed the Force Five which also included Pete James and Dave Osborne. The Force Five would release five singles on United Artists in 1965 and 1966, including such excellent cuts as “Baby Let Your Hair Down”, “Don’t Know Which Way To Turn”, and “Yea, I’m Waiting”.
Bert (or Brett) Pulham and Dave Scates (listed as Dave Skates) then joined with members of the Fingers to form the Crocheted Doughnut Ring for singles on Polydor and Deram in 1967 and 1968.
Note, this Whirlwinds was not the group from Manchester that included Graham Gouldman and recorded “Look At Me” / “Baby Not Like You” for His Masters Voice.
I believe Bert Pulham passed away in March of this year (2019).
Info on the Whirlwinds from CanveyIsland.org.
Special thank you to Graham Rousell for sending the photo taken by his father, George Rousell.
top left in the photo standing is burt pulham who i interviewed many years back for a fanzine i was running.
I believe originally they were called ‘The Eastmen’ and sometimes did a spot during the interval of our group -The Red Diamonds – when gigging at the Casino ballroom during 1959. I remember Bert Pulhamn. Dave Scales played rums with me at the British Legion hall around a year or so before he died. They were great days.
Chas Hall ex Red Diamonds. I still play rock a boogie piano.
This is an early picture of the Whirlwinds. From top left: Bert Pulham, Dave Osborne, Ron Gent, Dave Scates (front left) and Pete Gosling. I researched a book about the whole scene in 2010 but it was never completed or published. Pete James was just a pseudonym for Pete Gosling after they started recording and getting a big following as Force Five. I spoke with Pete, Bert and Ron and they were just great! I did write several chapters but nothing came of it, sadly.
Hi Steve,
I just saw this (better late than never). Many thanks for commenting.
Is there any chance you could let me have some of your words regarding the Whirlwinds/Force Five, to go into my “family” book? Full credit will be given.