Line up
Rod Jones (guitar/vocals), Michael Wilkins (bass/vocals), Roger Bowden (keyboards), David Shackle (drums), Les Peel (Vocals)
Later - Brian Coleman (drums), Richard "Dickie" Paul.(Vocals)

The Circuit was formed in 1966.
shows the group appearing at the Hillside Social Club, Dover Road, Folkestone in 1966. The line up shows from left to right, Roger Bowden (keyboards), Les Peel (vocals), David Shackle (drums), Rod Jones (guitar/vocals) & Michael Wilkins (bass/vocals).

  left to right, Roger Bowden (keyboards), Michael Wilkins (bass/vocals), Les Peel (vocals), David Shackle (drums) & Rod Jones (guitar/vocals).  

The Circuit performing at The Maritime Social Club, Dover. Kent in 1967. from left to right: David Shackle (drums), Rod Jones (Guitar/vocals), Michael Wilkins (bass/vocals).

left to right Rod Jones (guitar/vocals) & Michael Wilkins at The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone . Kent in 1967.

 On right The Circuit's Commer van with a Jimmy Hendrix Experience poster in the window advertising Hendrix gig in Folkestone.

 
Left - a newspaper cutting from The Folkestone & Hythe Herald dated March 9th 1968 relating to the break up with the John Simmons Agency and The Circuit signing to Michael Oberman's Stonefree Entertainments & Management.

Above A cutting from the Folkestone & Hythe Herald relating to a petition & campaign to get the Circuit back performing at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone after their split with the John Simmons Agency who booked acts exclusively into the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. The Circuit succeeded by popular demand in getting booked back into the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone in 1968 as support to the major acts of the day.

A letter from the John Simmons agency to all local groups who appear at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone relating to girls in the dressing rooms backstage and before the hall is open to the public. Also about removing gear from the stage before the dance has finished.

  In October 1967 A newspaper cutting from the Tuesday Express/Kentish Express referenced The Circuit getting a record deal.

June 29th 1968 The Circuit declared turning professional and recording for Dalmain records.  

Les Peel was now replaced in The Circuit with Richard (Dickie) Paul.   

Photo shows The Circuit from left to right: Michael Wilkins (bass/vocals,  Rod Jones (guitar/vocals), Richard Paul (vocals) & David Shackle (drums).   

 The Circuit from left to right: David Shackle (drums), Rod Jones (guitar/vocals), Michael Wilkins (bass vocals) & Richard Paul (vocals)   

 Rod Jones (guitar/vocals) outside Richard Paul's (vocals) house prior to leaving for Germany & Switzerland.

. New Circuit drummer Brian Coleman. (NOTE: David Shackle had to be replaced as drummer of The Circuit as a work permit was unable to be obtained for him to work due to his young age.  He was replaced most reluctantly, but the group had no option.                       

 Press cutting showing that The Circuit had changed their name to The Sons of Chopin

All Photos - Thanks to Rod Jones

Rod Jones (guitar/vocals)The Circuit/Sons of Chopin, August 1968 Switzerland).

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