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Chris Ashman

Your Editor.

His first involvement in the music business came about in 1968 when his younger brother asked him to help out as roady for the band he was forming. Overnight Chris became the vocalist, manager, transport and dogsbody for a series of bands Infinity, URF, Marshmallow Tree and Tree until in 1969 he "retired" from the stage. (Thank God...sub Ed)
In The early 70's Chris experimented with a tape recorder, got hooked, and stayed hooked. The first studio Kripps Studio was built in one room of the basement of his house in Harvey St. Expanded as Europa Sound Studios to operate until 1987 when Chris thought he had "retired again" to the country.
The studio had also started its own record label Red Admiral Records and music publihising Co. Cringe Music. Both have been aquired by Chris to enable local musicians to keep in touch.
In October 1981 Chris was not content with the press coverage of the wide range of entertainment available in Kent and started writing articles for the the Folkestone and Hythe Gazette, and then The Folkestone Herald. He created the Kent & E Sussex Gig Guide which now networks "Wotson" to all of the media by any means available including his latest passion kentgigs.com.
Chris built Europa II in Folkestone for a local musician but this was a short lived project producing the Volecanoes Album and some tracks for Judge Dread - retired again.
Chris was selected by radio entrepeneur Eddie Austin to run "The Local Band Show" on RSL radio 'Shepway Sound', 'White Cliff Radio' and 'Thanet Sound' (Eddies projects led to the granting of the radio licence for Neptune Radio). In this period Chris was able to promote Kent bands, musicians and their own music. During his 62 live hours on air of music and chat, no cover band music was played except the music of Internationally recognised Kent bands and writers. Never since the famous BBC Radio Medway Mike Brill "Kent Rocks" radio series has there been such support for 'The Kent Music Motivators', who are the people this web site is about.

Chris Ashman has lived in the Folkestone area all of his life. Educated at St Martin's Primary School and Harvey Grammar School he joined The Post Office (BT) as a telecommunications engineer. At the end of his apprenticeship his bosses had already decided they did not like his involvement in the music business and made it quite clear that long hair and a beard was not the image they were looking for. Or was it the pale, tired, late-to-work hippy rocking the boat? Ok, you are reading this with the empathy of a musician so you will understand - Well, it was the 60's, and how do you tell the boss you had not been to bed because your van broke down after a gig at the Marquee. It was becoming clear that the company did not see this lad to be a leader of men ( well not for another 20 years or so). So the music biz still received love and attention. Chris left BT in 2000 when it downsized it's Project Manager team, he is now an independent Communications and Media Consultant keeping his customers businesses alive. In 2004 Chris re-launched Red Admiral Records and Cringe Music is now a Production Music Library and Commercial Music Publisher - and of course, the Kent MusicBiz.
P.S. 'Dont give up the day Job'.

Ray French

Ray was in a group called The Electrons as a lead vocalist and guitarist
He was then Ricky Robinson and the Downbeats (I believe he was Ricky Robinson)
He then went solo for a while under the name of Bobby Knox and cut a few records
He then cut a few records under his real name Ray French
Finally he joined forces with Joe Fagin ("That's living alright") and they were called Robb and Dean Douglass. This is where he achieved most success. Cut several records and was played on the local radio station.
Played at various venues in and around Gravesham and Medway and in London where he was support artist to Buddy Holly amongst others.
Happy 65th Ray

Bill Kent (Aka Billy Kent) - Maidstone and Kent's first Rock Pop Idol.

Real name: David Kingsman
Born.23rd January 1941.

His elder brother William was working in Alberta, Canada and sent all Elvis Presleys first records home to his younger brother David days after there release.before anyone had heard them in England.
David bought his first acoustic guitar when he was 15 years old. His uncle Jim, taught him chords on his Banjo. Young Dave Kingsman used these chords for the first few months of his early singing, and playing days. He was too young to go into Pubs and Clubs so sang and played outside. He sang Rock n R oll numbers with the doors open, entertaining the cutomers inside.

First spotted, by local Band Leader, Roy Jones, Dave sang at several of Roys bookings during the Band's breaks. He later Joined, Maidstone's Variety Time Revue. Sang in Prisons, Hospitals, and other charity workplaces.

Whilst singing at The Hazlett Theatre Maidstone on one of the charity shows he was spotted by the Ballroom manager of The Royal Star Hotel who asked Dave if he would like to sing at the Royal Stars next big dance on a Saturday night. The Ronnie Hughes Orchestra, was the resident band. David Kingsman made a big impact with this new Rock n Roll style and was imedietly offered more bookings by Bob Harvey later to become personal Manager of Bill Kent. From now early 1957 young Dave would no longer, be called David Kingsman but by his new name Dave Carrol, just with his guitar he played and sang all over Kent and parts of London Including Maidstone Granada in between films, Suday afternoons, and Saturday mornings.The Ritz, Maidstone plus many other Cinemas and Theatres all over Kent and London.

His big break came in 1958a tape was heard, by top London Agent Hyman Zhal of Fosters Agency Piaccadilly Circus, London. He wanted a singer, to replace Terry Dene another young Pop Idol of the day. After the audition at Max Rehearsal rooms, Soho. Hymy Zhal sighned his new boy up. He was sole booking agent for Paul Lincoln who owned The 2Is, coffee bar and was to become his booking manager and with Bob Harvey his personal manager.

Dick Roe of Decca Records gave this new exciting singer from Maidstone, Kent, a new name, Bill Kent. plus a Decca recording contract. Years later Dick turned The Beatles down.

Bill, was soon in the recordig studios cutting his first record.

"The Prettiest Girl In School - flip side "Hasty Words". F. 10975.

At this time 1958 most British Artists covered American Artists songs and rarely given the chance to sing material of the own choosing.
Young Bill Kent wanted to make a Rock n Roll record, but his Agent and Manager had other ideas. They thought, Bill would make the big time singing Ballards with his powerful singing voice. He was soon back in the recording studios making another record, this time a Jimmy Rodgers number:
"Oh. Oh. Im Falling in Love again". With the other side "In Love". F. 109997.

Bill started his tour the same time as Buddy Holly and the Crickets. One week, Derby Hippodrome. One week, Middlesborough Empire with Chas McDivett. One week, The Metropolitan, Edgeware Road. On the Old Mother Riley and Kitty Mcshane show.
Many one night stands, with the 2Is Show including Coln Hicks, The Most Brothers, Wee Willy Harris, Lonnie Donnigan, Laurie London, Terry Dene, Alan King, Dickie Dawson. The list goes on. A day with all the stars, at Battersea Pleasure Gardens, spent the day with Howard Keel.

First T.V. appearance on Cool For Cats, with Kent Walton. Another live show, Party on Cool For Cats. Numerous Radio Shows including: In Town Tonight, Town and Country.

After reaching number 30 in the charts with "Oh. Oh. Im Falling in Love Again" Bill returned to Maidstone, he formed a new band with lads who all came from London and m Made several attempts to get back into the Big Time but Cliff Richard and other new boys had come on the scene. The London scene was all sewn up so Bill decieded to run his own dances and sing and play with his new group in Maidstone and Laddingford.

From, late 1958 to September 1959 Bill played to packed dances at his own venues.Many top name singers came from all over Kent and London to perform at Bills dances. It truly was a time the teenagers and many adults from Maidstone and surrounding area would never forget.

In September 1959 Bill sailed off to Canada. Shortly after arriving in Toronto he started singing with one of the local groups. The lead guitarist happened to be none other than Robbie Robertson. Alas, Robbie went on to play with Ronnie Hawkins then Bob Dylan and of course lastly his own group, The Band.

In 1960 Bill formed a new band The Colts. The group, was called Billy Kent and The Colts. He was booked for several weeks in The Zanzibar Tavern in Younge Street, Toronto. and went on to play clubs in London, Ontario and Hamilton.

Soon after, he was given a tour of U.S.A. Bill played in night clubs and dances in many parts of America including, Grand Rapids, Michagan, Sue, Saint Marie, Michigan, Wisconson, Aurora, Illinois, Madison, Wisconson, Chicago, and many more.

Bill, can say, he was the first Englishmen to tour the U.S.A. with his own group and he was from Maidstone, Kent, England.

On returning to England Bill did several one night stands with The Vince Taylor show.

It was now 1961. Bill formed a new group and spent six months on Jersey in the Channel Isles on the Ronnie Hilton Show; also featuring Mr. Pastry.

Bill was introduced to The Paramount Twisters and sang with them at several dances and shows. The pianist, Gary Brooker went on to form Procal Harem together with the guitarist from the same group, Robin Trower. See more

Bill was given a tour of Scotland by Jack Murry a big London Agent and Manager. Bands were supplied at each booking to back Bill when singing. Jack Murry then took Bill to Paris with the idea of making him a star in France. Regretably, Bill, could not settle into the French pattern even though the shows he did were very sucessful.

After returning to London he worked and sang in The Jazz Cellar in Kingston upon Thames.

In 1963, Bill took a job as a Butlins Redcoat. After the seeason ended he went to Hull with the resident group from the camp The Tycoons. He stayed with the group untill the end of the year.

Back to London once more Bill star ted singing in Pubs and Clubs all around the London area. Fed up with living out of a suitcase Bill decieded to call it a day and returned home to Maidstone. In 1965, he formed yet another group, Bill Kent and his Kentishmen with two old pals; John Lane on guitar and Fred Love on drums. Bills old fans had not forgotten him. The Pubs and Clubs he played in were always packed. Now married, with two young children Bill decieded to call it a day once more then in 1982 after a painful devorce Bill now 41, appeared back on the scene one final time.

From, 1982 , to 1985, Bill played and sung his old Rock n Roll in Pubs and Clubs around Maidstone.

To the crowds he loved the best, the ones who were always there for him. The People of Maidstone.

Martin Jones - Folkestone (Guitar & Vocals) Boz(Brian)Leggett Folkestone (Guitar & Vocals)

Martin loved painting, drawing, science fiction, bird watching and recording,he was a talented musician playing Guitar, Banjo, Blues Mouth Organ, Keyboards and one tune on a Clarinet. His musical influences, the old blues guitarists.

His first guitar co-operation was in 1950, when he was in his early teens in Sidney Street when he met Boz Leggett, his since lifelong friend. They formed a band called the "Five Stars Skiffle Band" in 1958, which ceased the following year due to conscription. Martin joined the Air Force. Boz the Army.

In 1961 on leaving the forces at 22 years of age Martin and Boz joined Rock'n'Roll group The Travellers with Neville Takes on bass and drummer Roger Ames. They also acquired manager Dennis Pimlott.

During a forced name change they were called - Satan and The Zombies. Then again to The Sundowners who were one of Folkestone's and Kent's most influential bands of the 60's through to the mid 90's. Touring the UK in '63 with stars of the time made them a household name with appearances on the best TV Pop programmes.
The Sundowners were the first British band to record "House of The Rising Sun" which at the time was seen as a non-comercial ditty and only fit as a "B" side to Martin's own composition "Baby Baby". Their 5 year recording contract with Pye a real first for a Kent band.

For more info on one of Kent's most favorite bands, forllow the links above.

Martin Died 12th September 2002 Tribute

Bruce Winters
Bands:
The Falcons: 1962 - The Satans: 1963-1967 - Just 3 /Just 4: 1967 - The Variations: 1968-1973 - Becket 1973 - Apley Rise: 1974-1975 - The Variations (MkII):1976-1977 - Flame 1978 - Cascade: 1978-1983 - Now n' Then: 1983-1988 - Network: 1988-1994 - Lee,Winters and Gold 1994-1997 - No Justice: 1994-1998

Bruce went Solo in 1999

Goto Bruce's website for his Bio and the latest news

Roger Betts

Roger has been around the music scene for many years. He's been pro for the last 30, and played all kinds of music. In his early session days, he worked with a strange mixture of people from modern jazzers and classical, to heavy rock and funk. He's ended up playing with his old friend Mac (oh well ... you can't have everything).
Roger's great love though, has always been for the blues - not so much the cotton field blues, but the aggressive electric blues of the likes of Gary Moore and Peter Green.
Goto Roger's websitefor the latest news

Colin "Buster" Osmonds - Drums
Bands:
The Lonely Ones 1962
-Daltons 1963
Pat & The Cheetas
Satans 1964
The Variations 1968 / 72 & 1977
Now n' Then (1983-87)

Arthur Kay aka Arthur Kitchener, Bilko

South London - Herne Bay
Arthur Kay first appeared in 1979 as did his his 7" Single "Ska Wars/ Warska" on the Folkestone Red Admiral Records Label, an enterprise he had partially financed due to the appathy of the music industry to his compositions and the personal need of a writer to write with a purpose.

Arthur Kay writes.
It all started for me in the spring of 1962. Their was Lenny and me on a street corner in London. It was one of those nights that you never forget. Every one was doing the twist to Chubby Checker,Sam Cooke and Gary US Bonds. I felt really sharp in my blue Prince of Wales check Italian suit and dagger toe shoes.
As the night closed in we moved on to a cinema showing 'Twist Around the Clock'. It was on this night I first heard Dion sing 'The Wanderer' and found three things in life I always wanted. An anthem, an ambition and Dion as my mentor.

By 1965 I had become a fully fledged South London mod with a Lambretta scooter, the full bit. I had one thing that set me apart from all the other faces, A Hofner violin beatle bass guitar. I had just joined my first proper band called the 'Next Collection'. We were a typical mod band playing a mix of Tamla, Stax soul and a few originals. One of our first gigs was the Ram Jam Club in Brixton the week after Jimi Hendrix. A few weeks later I was at a club on my manor in Streatham when I first heard Prince Buster and the sound of ska. Very soon the sounds of Jamacan ska was pumping out of every street and every club in Brixton. Around the same time my band had started recording in a studio down the Old Kent Road near Millwall football club. Our first session was for Decca Records with Harry Becket and trombone legend Rico, now with the Jools Holland Band.
About a year later our recording manager Vic Keary and Bluebeat Records boss Emill Shallet decided to start Challk Farm Studios in North London. The vast amount of Trojan reggae records were recorded their. By now I had left the band and they changed the name to 'Second Hand' and signed to Polydor Records. I started to write my own songs and do the odd session for Vic and Emill for young Trojan hopefulls.

About 10 years or so later I was living just off Exmouth market in Clerkenwell. Apart from having my favorite eel pie and mash shop in London I also wrote the songs that would later form a large part of the of ' The Originals' reportoire. The big buzz in London was the film The Who were making about mods called Quadrophenia. At the time I was working in a factory in Islington. Around the corner was a cafe called Alfredos which the Who used for filming the coffee bar scenes. Seeing all the scooters lined up outside reminded me of my mod days in Brixton and Streatham.

Chalk farm studios recording engineer Mike Craig moved down to Herne bay and helped set up Europa Sound Studios in Folkestone with Chris Ashman. I was invited to do a session so I started work on a song called 'Ska Wars'. We played it down a local disco and it went down really well. We decided to release it on our own label Red Admiral Records. While waiting for it to be pressed, I heard of a band called 'The Special Aka' who played ska live. Watching them play at the Nashville in West London gave me the inspiration to form my own band which I called 'The Originals'. Two Tone had arrived and everyone was dancing to 'The Specials' and 'Selector'. My single got caught up in the slipstream, but by now I had a follow up called 'Play my Record'.

Out of 'The Pete Nu Jazz Trio' I recruited Kieron O'Connor on Drums and Pete Scott on Bass. Ex Northern Soul - Paul Mylnarz & George Sketcher on Sax alongside Trombonist Frank Wildbore formed the Horn section, and the line up was completed with the Skanking Guitar of Bob Coltart. After 'Play my Record' was released I decided it was time to do a few gigs. Bob Coltart suggested using his band mates from 'Life and Soul' who both Bob and Paul Mylnarz worked for. Our first gig was in the Cabin in Herne Bay which went down a storm. Another session followed at Europa and two of Bob's songs were recorded, 'High flyer' and 'No One But You'. A gig was offered supporting 'The Bodysnatchers' at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone but the band had other commitments. I decided it was time to find another Band. There was a new Ska band forming in Herne Bay who needed a Bass player and Singer so I suggested we joined forces. We called ourselves 'The Originator' and played a string of sell out gigs in kent. We recorded two songs 'Doctor bird' and 'Watching The Rich Kids' but all to soon the band started drifting apart and I decided it was time to move back to London.

I moved in to a flat next to Kieron o Connor in Coranation buidings South Lambeth Road. I started standing in with the London kings of New orleans music 'Diz and the Doormen'. While playing with Diz I was introduced to Piano Accordian wizard Geraint Watkins. We decided to form a Cajun band so along with Kieron, Gary Rickards and Robin Mckidd we formed 'The Balham Alligators'. We soon became the top pub rock band in London and played main stage at Glastonbury. In fact Doctor John was so taken with the band that he asked us to be his backing group on several ocassions.

Due to family problems I was forced to move back to Kent and leave 'The Balham Alligators'. Link records asked if they could release a mini album of 'The Originals' so in 1988 they released 'Rare n Tasty'. In 1989 Link records released a second album of 'The Originals' titled 'The Sparkes of Inspiration'. A few years later we recorded our third studio album 'The Count of Clerkenwell' with my old mate the late Bob Coltart. We then flew to Berlin to play our first major Ska festival at Potsdam. We played alongside 'The Specials' and the first lady of reggae Dawn Penn. It was that gig I found the sound I was looking for. Bronx soul mixed with Ska and the London street songs I grew up with. The set was recorded and released on Step 1 Records. We then retuned to the studio to record three more songs. A tribute to the music of Dion called 'The Last Of The One Named Singers'. 'Back street Warrior' about my boxing Grandfather and a song for the free Tibet campaign called 'Night train to Lhasa'. We then went on to become Judge Dread's backing group and played on his last ever studio recording 'Skinhead Moonstomp'. We then backed Judge Dread on his last gig at the Penny Theatre in Canterbury where he died on stage from a heart attack. Sadly Kieron O Connor and Bob Coltart are now no longer with us but their music along with Judge Dread will always remain in our hearts and memories.

Today I drive a London Taxi in Canterbury. I have started my own Record label Skavalon Records to hopefully share with you the music of a Ska band that can hold an audience anywhere. I would like to thank our loyal fans everywhere.

ARTHUR KAY
See Also Arthur Kitchener - The Wordsmith

Ellis Pelham - Glasby

Folkestone
Ellis Pelham - Glasby, (picture on the left with knitting needle apparently stuck in each ear) now in his fifties, first burst - if that is the right word - on to the musical scene at the tender age of fifteen while still at school, his public debut coming at the All Souls Church Hall in Cheriton at a Youth Club dance in 1964/65 or thereabouts. This was also the first public appearance of his first band - The Fyrebirds (note the spelling - very avant-garde at the time!), in which he doubled on both lead guitar and organ.

Following the break-up of the band about two years later, he then joined The Mixed Feelings as keyboard player. This was primarily a soul band, as was the next - The Concords. This band having eventually split up, there then came a brief hiatus in his musical career which ended following a chance meeting in Folkestone with Chris Ashman, resulting in his becoming a member of Infinity which, after a decent interval, evolved into URF. This oddly-named combo lasted for some while before disappearing into the mists of time when Chris and his brother Nick went to form Marshmallow Tree. Meanwhile, Ellis got together with some of the former members of The Concords to put together a band which didn't have a name at all, really, but instead boasted a number, specifically 1981, a year which, quite apart from any literary connotations, seemed at that time to lay so far in the future that it felt appropriate to the musical fashion of the day (this was the era of the so-called "progressive rock" and the "blues boom"). This band also stayed on the music scene for roughly a year or so before splitting up and the members going their separate ways.
Since that time, apart from a little session work and a brief interlude as part of a close-harmony acoustic trio with Chris and Nick, Ellis has retired from the music scene as far as live gigs are concerned, and now concentrates on writing and orchestrating classical pieces on his home computer. When asked if he would ever consider playing in public again, he replied; "Surely, you jest? Besides, I can't stand 99% of the stuff that's played these days. Most of it is such obviously manufactured rubbish, completely lacking in originality or talent. I want nothing whatsoever to do with it."

Eddie Maitland

Ashford

Keyboards

Cliff Homewood

Romney Marsh - Canada

Guitar: Gibson 335

Bands: Marshmallow Tree - Tree - Daniel - Raw Material - Vivian Stanshell Band

Nick Ashman

Folkestone

Guitar & Vocals

Bands: Infinity - URF - Marshmallow Tree

Bob Hodgeman

Folkestone

Bass

Bands: Infinity - URF - Marshmallow Tree - Occasional One Band

Pete Sewell

Folkestone

Drums and Vocals

Bands: Infinity - URF - Marshmallow Tree - 1981 - Tristram Shandy - Crackerjack - Le Grand

Bob Coltart aka Bob Scott; Bobby Fabulous

Folkestone - 1956 - 2001

Bands included:

Badge - Whispering Wind - Tricks - Life 'n' Soul - Herman's Hermits - Arthur Kays Originals - Bilko - Gary & The Moondogs - The Maroondogs - Cho-Zen - The Warriors. He also played Bass in Chuck Berry's touring band & Guitar for Chris Andrews.

Tributes To Bob Coltart

Who died in 2001, including reviews of the recent tribute concerts, photos and video and from the Leas Club Tribute concert

Dave Sheppard

Folkestone - Now working as an electrical engineer for British Aerospace in Saudi Arabia.

Bass Guitar.

Bands: Nomads, Vostoks, Thunderbeats

Dave writes
The very first band I saw were 'Pat Barry and the Travellers' (Ashford) at Toffs (pleasure gardens). Pat Barry (vocals), Ian Spratt (drums), Lawrence ? (bass). An outstanding left handed (upside down guitar) lead and rhythm. This was around 1960. I went to a dance at Kent House (Bouverie Road West) and a couple of groups were playing, one without a bass player. e.g. 'Nomads'. Keith Adams (lead), Trevor Sutton (drums), Dave Caswell (rhythm). As I knew Keith and Trevor from school I got talking and asked if I could join. (Not having a bass or played one). Only a tea chest one! I purchased a 'Dallas' bass from Arthur Seatons in Ashford which had belonged to Pat Barlow and the Cheetah's bassists (what a great band they were), and set about learning. My first appearance was at 'The Railway Club' Canterbury Road. We played only instrumentals and I shared Dave Caswells Amp. Occasionally I borrowed Trevor Wright's Amp until I could afford to have one built by Bill Fulford.

Dave Caswell and I changed guitars to 'Burns Tri-Sonic', bought from Goulden & Wind in Tontine Street. My bass had black strings. Keith Adams bought a Gibson. Whilst in the Thunderbeats I swopped my Burns for a Framus Semi-Acoustic (same as Bill Wymans) and bought a Vox AC30 Super Twin from Jennings in Charing Cross Road. I wanted a Vox T60 (transistor Amp) but they had none in stock. As it was I had to wait for the AC30 to come from Dartford so Alan Andrews and I went to a cartoon cinema next to Charing Cross Station 2/6d (12½p!). When I went back to collect the Amp 'The Who' were pushing their van up Charing Cross Road trying to start it. I later saw them at Tofts in Grace Hill and still have the tickets.

Dorian Gray (Tony Ellingham) - Vocals

Tony comes from Gravesend (in North Kent), where he started singing with local groups in 1958. He was most successful with The Casuals, who in the early 1960's had a huge following in the North Kent area.

Discovered in 1968 by Roger Easterby when he was fronting the Brian Jenner Band who were resident at the Moat Hotel at Wrotham.

In 1968 Tony recorded many singles for EMI on the Parlophone Label under the name of Dorian Gray. His biggest hit " I've Got You On My Mind " stayed in the charts for over 7 weeks. Tony made several appearances on TV and radio, including Top of the Pops and the very popular Simon Dee Show, toured the country with the likes of Tom Jones and Cilla Black and had his fair share of pretty girls running after him.. Tony's music was a popular hit with the pirate radio stations. It seems when they dissapeared he went as well but he is still performing in Kent.

Tony is a founder member of UNIT FIVE and now lives in Lordswood, Chatham. He teaches hairdressing at a Kent Training College.
Thanks to John Stubbins

Danny Beckett
Medway
Strollers - Candy Choir

Crispian St Peters ( real name Robin Smith)

Born in Swanley, Kent. - 1939
Bands:
1956 'The Hard Travellers' - 1961'The Two Tones' - 1962 'The Country Gentlemen' - 1963 'Beat Formula Three' - 1964 'Peter & The Wolves'. Made first acetate as Peter & The Wolves.
1965 Made first acetate, for Decca, as Crispian St Peters. Appeared on 'Invecto Show', Radio London
First release 'At This Moment.' - Decca - on TV 'Scene At 6.30 February 1965 - 'Ready, Steady, Go' 19/2/65
1966 First top ten hit - 'You Were On My Mind'. Followed by 'The Pied Piper'.
LP - 'Follow Me' - EP released - 'Almost Persuaded'.

as a Solo Artiste - he had many backing goups including the Candy Choir
more info on his Website

Ray King

Once a Muso Ray King Ray played drums with numerous bands including The Lost Souls - The Rebounds - Inner Circle and Diablo in the Medway towns, from the early sixties until 1980 when he moved to Norfolk, Ray is now living and teaching drums in France. He was first introduced to the music scene at 12 years of age by his father Don who ran a Latin outfit the "Don Rey Quintet" and a jazz club "The Crescedo" under the Hong Kong Restaurant in Chatham.

Ray has written a book called "Once a Muso" an autobiography, but full of funny anecdotes, lots of B&W photos and interesting little bits of info. It is essentially a book for drummers, and Kent musicians with a lot of historical content regarding the Kent music scene as it was?

The book is published by Athena press, and can be bought through Amazon, distributors Gardeners, Books A Million, and has had rave reviews in the States, and in the "Classic drummer" magazine.

See sample page below

pace from Ray's Book

Alan Cork

I was in PPB from 1980 to 1982 when we played every Sunday night at the Who'd a Thought It in Grafty Green. We also did other gigs around Kent.
PPB (Private Parts Band) had a number of line ups before I joined because it grew out of an informal session, possibly at The Harrow, but I'd like to think that the period I was in the band was the height of it's popularity!
The line up was Richard Wight - lead vocal and guitar, Pete Hayward - bass, Pete (Mitch) Mitchell - drums and vocal, and myself on lead guitar and vocal. Jez Wyatt was on keyboards when I joined but left after a while.
Prior to me joining, Eric Snowball of ESE music was the regular pedal steel player and Dave Bloss did a couple of gigs. Others probably included John Bray.
I have some photos and a Kent Messenger article which I will send for inclusion at some point.
Richard still lives in Kent and I have just moved back after 25 years away. After a successful career in design, Pete is now a successful dance DJ and producer. I think Mitch is still around. I believe Jez moved to the USA.
I’ll update this as time goes on and my memory comes back!
I moved to London in 1982 and played on the circuit in South East London for many years including stints with Steve Waller at the Half Moon Herne Hill on Sunday lunchtimes.
Other Kent bands I was in were Orpheus, Scapa Flow, Pipedream and Skintight Jackson (and the Do-Rons). Details of these to follow but my friend John Buckingham has a good website for Orpheus and Pipedream at www.lusyd.co.uk

Mick Dunford (Drums) - in Enry - Father Luke

Judge Dread

born. Alex Hughes, 2 May 1945, Kent.
d. 13 March 1998 aged 53 On Stage in Canterbury, Kent.

Click for Alex's page

Chris Blunkell

Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup and Waspjuice singer Chris Blunkell was still relying on his Mum and Dad to wipe his bum in the year guitarist Brian Barnett formed his first band. As Chris slowly got to grips with basic hygiene, so Brian formed and deserted bands with gay abandon. Tintagel Toy Hiccups, Cripple Nipple and Dead Leg Antennae between them featured the use of meat products, a one-string guitar, a milk bottle and precious little by way of equipment. Their passing was not mourned.

In a volte face, Brian then launched high energy vaudevillian acoustic blues trio Have Mercy, whose ranks were to swell to an impractical 15 howlers, twangers and blowers. Spotted by a German blues enthusiast in Bunjie Folk club in London, Have Mercy were invited to play in Aachen, Germany. They went, and Brian was to ply his trade there for the next eight years.

With Brian safely out of the way, and with the bum-wiping thing now pretty much under control, Chris formed his first band. The Aged, whose name owed its coining to the bass player having access to unlimited 'Help the Aged' badges, were, by common consent, truly terrible. It was no surprise to anybody, then, when Chris co-founded the world's original bad-taste punk country band. The Alternative Alternative Country Boppers and Jim quickly drew the attention of the national press when the band's members were thrown out of school, their performance deemed to have spoiled a Carnival Club talent show. Notoriety beckoned, but the lads were all too well bred to take advantage.

In the mean time, Brian was hired as a German label's house songwriter, reporting to James Last's nephew. They wanted Oompah music, and Brian buckled down to the task in between voice-overs for porn films.

Back to London in 1984, Brian continued activities with Have Mercy, recording a new CD and touring. Not long afterwards Chris formed Black Cillas - a rather fey, instrospective guitar band whose performance supporting a heavy metal band at the Marquee led to him being called a 'f*****g w****r by Motorhead's drummer. A high-point of sorts.

They met when Chris moved in next to Brian in Whitstable. Angry exchanges over the garden hedge as to who was responsible for pruning it quickly gave way to gigs, festivals and recording and radio appearances. Originally two voices and two acoustic guitars, Waspjuice now also feature itinerent herbert and percussionist Andy Capon and reformed metallurgist Dave Minter on bass.
WASPJUICE
Because more wasps means more juice

John Milton

Folkestone
John Milton has been writing songs for most of his life. he taught himself to play the guitar & keyboards when he was younger and has always had a passion for music.
In 1981 he co-wrote a song with Mike Stock of Stock, Aitken & Waterman under the alias of J Gully called '1-9 For a Lady Breaker'. it was preformed by his band Mr Gentle and it reached number six in the local chart.

In 1982 the song was released again One Nine For a Lady Breaker (writers M Stock / J Gully / C Stock) - Go 401A - Julie Music - Logo Records - RCA - Artiste: Chris Britton (Mike Stock - who claimed that he wrote it )
Produced by Peter Collins for Loose End Productions (Pete Waterman)
Pete Waterman said in an interview "One Nine for a Lady Breaker was an utterly brilliant pop song". .He loved the song so much he bought it from Mike, and produced it for a singer called Chris Britton in 1982. In fact it was this song that brought Stock and Waterman together and Aitken 18months later..
No royalties have been paid to John - Yet................

John then went on to form a studio band called New Dimensions (featuring the late Keith Harwood on vocals) the band recorded a cassette called September Days in 1982 (at Europa Sound Studios) tracks were:
1.September Days - 2. Love Refused To Linger - 3. Land Of The Free

Since he trained as an aromatherapist five years ago, he has become interested in the power of music as a therapy. A 34 minute instrumental CD entitled 'Mother Earth' (© somebody's music) was released in 2001 (local sales have totalled 975 & rising). Extended version of mother earth is to be released in the summer of 2003 (© somebody's music). A new CD entitled 'Dream Away' (© somebody's music) is also planned for a December release.John still writes non therapeutic songs and has just started recording a solo project (calling upon various local musicians)
The cd will include the following tracks: 1. One Year On - 2. Love refused to linger (my tribute to Mr Harwood) - 3. Hey Girl, You Know Who You Are - 4. She's The One - 5. I'm Here - 6. I Remember - 7. Maybe - to be recorded at Lemanis Studios(© somebody's music)

the music lives on ....

Billy Veal

Folkestone (Guitar & Vocals) now living in America.

Bands: Vostoks - Southern Four

Trevor Sutton

Folkestone (Drums)

Bands: Nomads - Vostoks - The Lonely Ones

Became a Professional Photographer

John Atkins

Folkestone
The Fyrebirds - The Haunters - The End - The Prowlers

Dave Butler - Blue Horizon Blues Band - Shadwater Weir - Daniel - Steam - JCB

Peter Fuggle
PeteFuggle -

Bass & Vocals

Bands: Enry - Alley Kat

Paul Mylnarz

Although a lousy sax player ( He Says), Paul was a good showman - eventually becoming lead singer for many years with Kent based comedy showband LIFE 'N' SOUL.. The band spent many years gigging within the UK and abroad. Paul can be heard playing sax on a number of earlier recordings with Arthur Kay and The Originals (popular UK ska band) as well as the Last Resort album "A way of life - skinhead anthems" plus Life 'n' Soul recordings. Paul now lives in Australia and still earns his living from being a Skool Teecher.

John Philpott (Billie Hayes)The Bugaloos
See also Billy & The Heroes - Life'n'Soul

He is a funny guy - outwardly very showbizzy - He lives quietly in EK, but kept this fairly quiet.

Paul Mylnarz Writes

At 18 John he was chosen to be one of 4 cute little English kids, in a replacement series for HR Puff 'n' Stuff - which is quite a major show, sold around the globe, etc. Jack Wild had made the show, so why not 4 English kids not one.
John was picked and took the role of "Courage" in the show - The Bugaloos. It made 17 shows - viewed coast to coast in the US and sold around the world. Sadly, not in the UK I think. Certainly not as big as HR Puff and Stuff. They were incredibly marketed with Barbie style dolls, all the kids stuff - I have seen flasks, board games, cigar wrappers (?) for sale on ebay. Lots of videos are for sale. There are numerous websites dedicated to his band. I even saw a US 70's teen mag that had small pictures of David Cassidy and The Osmonds and a huge pic of this guy on the front cover.

What other EK music person has stayed in the Playboy Mansion, received a letter of thanks form Henry Kissinger for a copy of the bands album for his kids and done a series 19 TV shows in the US? If you've been surfing on E-Bay, you may have seen an auction for the "Oscars 2002" issue of Entertainment Weekly, featuring a photo of the Bugaloos!! It goes on and on.

It appears that after 17 shows, they came back to the UK for Christmas, with a proposed new series, album and film ready for the new year. They never got a call, were totally dumped and, I imagine, totally fazed out. It would certainly put you into a bit of a "downer", the way it was done.

I met John thru Terry Cutting (Life n Soul) who had known him for some time. John was singist in Billy and The Heroes and Mister Meaner and I just heard that he had been in a band in the US (yeah, yeah, heard the crap before). He replaced me with LNS and stayed for some 15 years, leaving because The Bugaloos were about to be made into a new film by Danny Devito's film company with three of Boyzone (or whatever) and Britney Spears. There was a plan for the originals actors to reform and tour the US SHopping Malls promoting the film. John left LNS to be free from commitments but, sadly, the call never came again.

So, how do I know this. Certainly not from John. He keeps it very quiet, yet he has done far more than many of the musos around. I was idly passing time on google, entered his name and WHAM, I couldn't believe it. Try John Philpott Courage Look at http://www.bugaloos.com/philpott.html and http://www.bugaloos.com/Life-n-Soul1.html and http://users.myepath.com/morfhis/Bugloony.htm

I just found that they were in a Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade - which is a huge thing. Quote from the girl in the band
"I remember it was a really exciting day, and afterwards, the Mamas and the Papas group phoned us to say they had seen it on the telly and congratulations. That was really nice as I had always liked their music."

Kevin Bowyer

	Folkestone

Ian Cheswright

Folkestone

Solar System - Staires - Gary & The Moondogs - The Maroondogs -

Terry Cutting

Deal

Life 'N' Soul - Arthur Kays Originals

Keith Harwood aka Keith Uren

Memorial Album available on Red Admiral Records from 23rd July 2007
The melody fades but the Memory lingers - on 18th July 1998 Keith collapsed on stage at Seasalter, near Whitstable at the age of just 48.

I say we do mind Keith, you've left the stage forever.

Tribute to Keith Harwood by Mick Cork - Folkestone Herald July 30th 1998
Difficult accepting that someone you knew well has left this mortal coil so soon, albeit - if we could choose - on stage, where he belonged. Keith Harwood was a talented solo performer, though I knew him better as a member of what I believe was his first ever band - an early 70s rock outfit, somewhat bizarrely named Captain Black, after the type of pipe Keith had been smoking one practice night.

At a mutual friend's wedding reception I had been persuaded to come of (some kind of) retirement to back this nice little folk duo - Keith and Andy (Reynolds) who sang nice little folk ditties like Jamaica Farewell, chastity Belt and assorted Simon and Garfunkel songs. I'd like to think that I, along with my old friend. drummer Bill Regan, helped bring both of them into a broader spectrum of sounds. (I seem to recall that Keith said his dad was a bandleader, so his range of appreciation was never going to be limited).

In those days, his early 20s, Keithy boy always seemed a little insecure - but then weren't most people at that age? certainly most artistes and performers have had that about them. It somehow goes with the territory. We had good times.

Keith loved the music of David Bowie. I owe him for turning me on to that. And colin Blunstone (ex-lead singer of the Zombies, who later became a pretty close friend of Keith's). I can still hear yer man doing Blunstone's 'Say You Dont Mind' a great song of its kind, and surely a unique choice in any local outfit's repertoire. When the rest of us fancied a beer, we'd leave the stage to Keith and he'd sing Vincent -"starry starry night" and all that. But we'd still listen. It was worth it.

If I could meet him now I'd probably say - to his face - he was always a poser in the nicest sense of the word. What solo artists aren't? It takes bottle to get up on stage and perform. In a band you can hide if needs be and take strength in numbers. On your own you've got to be a bit special, have something special.
Keith had that something about him and deservedly enjoyed a very successful solo career around the pubs, the clubs and the cabaret circuit, both at home and abroad.
He also played bit parts in The Bill, Minder, and probably a lot more.
But it was as an important part of the local music scene for longer than he'd care to admit that he'll be remembered most. "That's me in the corner, that's me in the spot - light" he sang in my local, in what will now forever be the last time I saw him - and more especially - the last time I heard him perform. In the spotlight. Where he belonged.

Left - The famous Medallion Man Gig. Devised by Barry the landlord at the The White Lion and finely executed by Chris of the Gig Guide. Half a million newspapers later Keith turned up for the gig and carried on as usual without batting an eyelid, ignoring the cheesey grins of landlord, staff and fans (they knew who would be performing from the wording alone) Keith knew his audience, and posing was part of it. He did it so well. - Ed

Bands: Keith & Andy - Captain Black - Solo - New Dimensions - Keith Harwood Band - Keith Harwood & Lee (Guitar) Robinson

Tim "Magic" Hughes
(an appreciation)
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Tim "Magic" Hughes who died in Bangkok, Thailand after having suffered a major cerebral Hemorrhage on Thursday 15th January 1998. He underwent two major operations in hospital and later was pronounced dead on Friday 23rd January.

Timothy John Patrick Hughes was born at Little Aston Park, Staffordshire, England in 1944. As a small young lad he wore corrective leg irons and had a horrible stutter. The irons worked and he eventually outgrew the stammering.

Tim was not the slightest bit interested in sciences, and preferred studying art and languages. His keen interest in the guitar and pop music eventually led him to become involved with three pop groups in various locations in Kent, The Klan - Bern Elliott - Bern Elliott and the Fenmen. See Also The Cortinas - The Zephyrs

The band had a hit with a song called Money, which was originally written by Berry Gordy and first recorded by Barrett Strong. The Beatles version is a
cover.

Bern Elliott & the Fenmen where the only group to have a U.K. hit single with this song and their version entered the British Top Twenty near the end of 1963. It wasn't a patch on the Beatles' rendition (which had been released at about the same time on their second LP), but it was actually a pretty decent, soulful interpretation Tim's group played in a sort of tough Mersey beat style (although they weren't from the Mersey region).

Tim and the group made several appearances on Ready Steady Go, Five O'clock Club, Easy Beat and Saturday Club shows during the '60's. He toured regularly with the well known Mersey side groups of the day as well as big names like Roy Orbison, the Supremes, the Hollies, Manfred Mann, The Animals, The Who, Spencer Davis (Keep On Running), and many others.

Latterly in the 1960's he did a few gigs with Michael Cox and Marty Wilde before finally moving to Spain.

Tim worked in promotions for Carreras Rothmans and Castrol, before leaving and moving to Bangkok in 1969. He joined the Anglo-Thai Corporation, the British trading onglomerate, later becoming Managing Director of The Ford Motor Company's automotive operations in Thailand until 1982, when he decided to become an independent consultant.

An accomplished big-game fisherman, he successfully competed in the prestigious Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in the seventies and served on the International Game Fish Association, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale in Florida. He has represented Thailand on the committee since 1975.

When Tim found time to relax his other interests included trekking in the Himalayas as well as in Peru, and of course he loved his music. He often used to be invited to the Royal Palace in Bangkok where he would organise 'jam' sessions with the children of the King and Queen. Tim leading them with vocals and of course his guitar.

Tim leaves behind a mother and married sister in the Malta, who have stated through the World Wide Web and Internet that Tim will always be "Magic" to them.

On a personal note I would like to add that I never had the opportunity of meeting MAGIC, feel that I know him so well through the kind words and messages that I have received on the Internet. It is so ironic to think that I would have played the records Tim and his band made, when during the 60's I was also in the music industry, as a disc jockey on the pirate radio ship, Radio Caroline.

Compiled by Miles Robert Wilson Tim's brother in law.
28 January 1998

Bern Elliott

Bernard Michael Elliott, b.17.11.1942 in Erith, Kent
He went to school at The Picardy School for boys, on leaving school at 16 he went to work in an insurance company.
1983-84
However, Bern had his heart set on forming a pop group and it was not long before "Bernie and his Boys" were playing at local dances. He was to sing with a another local group called "Bern Elliott and The Bluecaps" before forming the Bern Elliott and The Fenmen.

With the Fenmen he secured a recording contract with Decca, and his first disc "Money" written by Berry Gordy, beat all other versions in the race for the charts. Money and success now came to Bern, his recent disc "New Orleans an old Gary US Bonds hit bounded into the best sellers. During the summer months Bern has many club and dance hall dates lined up.

His next disc was a number penned by Johnny Worth called "Good Times" backed by his new group " The Klan". With the new boys, TV appearances and a film called "Swinging UK" are in the offing.

Gary Dean

Folkestone

Bands include
Southern Four - Sky High - Echo II - Life'n'Soul - Gary & The Moondogs - Gary Dean Band

In a 1984 a local newspaper's readers poll put Gary and his band on top spot for everything. Co Founder of The Rocking Horse Club a music charity organisation.

Dave Shackle

Folkestone

The Circuit - Inhibitions Prologue - Tristram Shandy - Daniel - Edison Lighthouse - Crush - New Dimensions

Dave could have gone Pro. at 16 but was unable to tour abroad with his Band The Circuit

Pictures :
left: Dave with Edison Lighthouse at the Folkestone Camelot 25 Club
right: Dave in a band called "Crush" which was to all intents and purposes "Edison Lighthouse" but they had a new single out at the time called "Today's A Tomorrow" written by "Georgio Moroder" and weren't allowed to use the name.
Dave is the really cute one kneeling down.

Neil Bassford - Dover - Bass - Masterstroke - Recording Prisoner of Love 1982?

Rod Jones

Folkestone - Guitar & Vocals
Bands: The Suspects - The Wild Sect - The End - The Circuit - Sons of Chopin - Lamb Brothers - Pure Gold - The Freddie Mac Extravaganza - Ian Hunter Band - Love Children
Rod left The End to work with various others in the industry to include Pure Gold (pop Group) signed to President Records, The Freddie Mac Soul Show, Ian Hunter (of Mott the Hoople fame) then onto Love Children a pop group who were signed to Decca on the Deram label. Then working with award winning songwriters and producers Ben Findon & Peter Shelley.....More

Michael Wilkins

(bass/vocals)

Bands: The Circuit - Sons of Chopin - Lamb Brothers - Love Children

Bill Whitewood Drummer - Lived at The Durlocks, Folkestone
Bands: The Haunters - The Wild Sect -

Cyril Sutton

Folkestone

The End - Renaissance Faire - Whispering Wind -

Deceased

Spud (Peter) Taylor

Folkestone

Bas Player - Left handed - Epiphone

Bands: The End - Renaissance Faire - Danny

Mick (Tinker) Tordoff - bass player in The Concords

Les Freathy - Twos Company

Liam Humberstone - guitarist from Canterbury.

Moved back to Kent in 1986 and started playing with Jenaah (Nigel Barker - Bass, vocs, Justin ? - Drums, Christine Jenner - Keyboards, Liam Humberstone - guitar), we came second in our heat in the Leas Cliff Hall Battle of the bands that year, but also played quite a lot around Folkestone. Memorable venues were Toffs (ex Tofts, or was it Heroes by then), Mr P's, and the Frenchman. Maybe Pullman's wine bar too. We were also called So Lies the Land, and finally About Face. About Face ended up with Russell Pay on guitar, and a new keyboard player whose name I don't recall. Did a lot of Black Horse gigs if my memory serves me right.

By about 1989 Christine Jenner and I had moved on and met Trevor Pressman (vocals) and Nigel Reed (Drums). We formed a band called Stranger Still. Now this is where things start to get interesting. We were sort of Ashford based, and there weren't many gigs about, but there were quite a lot of bands wanting to play. There was also a great pirate radio station in Ashford called UST (Underground Surrealist Transmissions?) who were keen to play local bands and advertise gigs. Martin Allcock and Howard Turtle were the key people in organizing the radio stuff for us, but there were many others involved.

Out of all this, we met up with bands such as Family of Noise, Radio Moscow, Inserpt, Beat the Jeep, and started the Ashford Musicians Co-operative. The idea was that we found venues and organized our own gigs, 3 band specials mainly. The key people doing the work were Christine Jenner, Colin Denby (Inserpt), Phil Dumke and me. After a few gigs co-organized by Richard Murrill (who should feature heavily in 80s and 90s Folkestone history!) at Bottoms, and some Community Hall stuff in Ashford, we ended up with a regular friday slot at The Woodland Inn in Charing.

Must have gone on for most of '90-'91 in there. Other bands that played were Heavy Plant Crossing (from Thanet), Sugarland (Maidstone), Cardinal Fink (Medway/Tonbridge). We also had this fab alternative DJ from Folkestone called Keith. Used to bring all his REM records up and play them for nothing. Great guy.

Back to me. Around '90 I left Stranger Still and formed Red with Phil Hulbert (Vocs), Dave Salter (Bass - from EK1), and Andy Race (Drums - from EK1). We did lots in Thanet, London, and the Woodland Inn occasionally. All got a bit too serious for me. Left and in early '91 was invited to join Beat the Jeep (Wayne Bridle - guitar, vocs, Ian Allcock - Drums, Tim Allen - Bass).

Beat the Jeep was a bit of a tour de force back then. My first gig with them was to a packed Brixton Academy. We did lots of local stuff too. Penny Theatre in Canterbury, Woodland Inn, Kings Hall Herne Bay, quite a few in the Medway towns, Bottoms in Folkestone. We stopped gigging quite so regularly in '95, and now just do 2 or 3 a year if we can.

Then I met Bob Fridd in about '93. Became an occasional member of the City Blues Band (too many members to count over the years), which I still am, and formed The Standard Five (Alan Clark - Harmonica, Bob Fridd - Vocals/Guitar, Robin Elinore - Bass, Bill Johnson - Drums, Liam Humberstone - Guitar). Both bands are still going strong, and both feature regular appearances by the one and only Arthur Kay - legendary stuff!

Bit short of time now. I'll try to dig out the late '90s stuff (Gifthorse, Victim, Burst, Uncool Frank) at some time in the near future. Probably got some old photos too. Leaving Kent soon, so I'd like to leave something behind! Let me know if it's of interest, and I'll carry on digging stuff out.

Liam

Dave Fanti - Local band member.
No matter what anyone else says about me(2003)(much of it unprintable) I consider myself to be a singer/songwriter and I've been the lead vocalist and lyricist in most of the bands I've been in, except for Medium Wave Band, which was purely a cover band. Below are the bands I've been in - dates as close as I can remember.

Tomahawk - 1979 to 1981. Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar.
Zenith - 1981 to 1982. Lead Vocals
Lazy Toad - 1982. Lead Vocals, Bass
Rough Diamond 1983 to 1984. Lead Vocals, Bass.
Medium Wave Band - 1984. Bass, vocals

Pump Action - 1999 to present. Lead vocals.
Band members
Rich Ashbee, Lead Guitar
Paul Wealend, Bass
John Regan, Drums
Dave Fanti Rhythm Guitar Writes

Songwriters, everyone to some extent, but mostly Rich and I.

We do a fair amount of original material and a lot of Heavy Rock covers, but all in our own style - IE no slavish copying.

Rich wanted to "Do it again before we die" so we formed up a power outfit and gave it a go. We've played the Leas three times now, which has been great and I notice from writing this that it's the longest I've been involved with any band; a result, I guess, of being in a band with musicians who are also good mates and good blokes. We mostly gig in Dover and Ashford, various venues. Recorded six original songs for a CD called "Whitefire" which has been well received - managed to sell a fair amount of copies of this (and not all to my Mum). I have to say that so far it's been a blast.

Tony Gardener - State Organisation - Tristram Shandy

Norman Swan

Folkestone

The Fyrebirds - The End

Ray Vardon

Southern Four - Southern Five

Ron Price	Ron Price played bass with the Southern Four and childrens entertainer at Newbeach Holiday Centre (1982-84) alongside Uncle Charlie and Sky High (latterly the Gary Dean Band).

Melvyn (Dusty) Miller

Polaris - bass guitar in Rocking Edwardians

Bob Bartell Bob has seemed to be around for ever, and is still writing and performing!

Gary Swinard

1963 to Present in Florida

Bands: The Young Ones - Couriers - Cleopatras Needle Roadrunners - Oliver - Gary Lee James Band - Sounds Country - The Gary Dean Band - Live'n'Kickin - (USA) Nitelife

Hi Chris
Just come across your site re Kent bands.

I thought I would drop you some info about my history as my name does appear in several places.

For the history and dates hear goes: I Started playing in a band called The Young Ones' in 1963 where we played the local church hall regularly. Following this, I joined 'The Couriers' in 1966 where I played rhythm guitar and then bass. Andy Keeley played lead guitar, Peter Keeley keyboards, Steve Marriott vocals and Tim Relf drums. The band changed drummers a few times with the last being Les Sampson. Andy and Peter left but before they did the band name changed to "Cleopatras Needle'. After this 'Oliver' then became the name. I left the band in 1976 and formed a short lived 'Gary Lee James Band. A six piece band with brass. After a couples of years rest, I joined and then toured for three years with a band called 'Sounds Country' In 1982 I left and went solo and performed at the World famous club called 'Gillies in Texas USA. In !983 I joined 'The Gary Dean Band' and in 1986 formed the now popular 'Live N Kickin where I stayed for 14 years. Some of the original members of 'Live N' Kicking' were in Cleopatras Needle in the 70's. The band was formed and the name born after a good music friend Dave Trott had died of cancer at the age of 37.

I hope the above will interest you. I have not given you all the in's and out's as there were many. I would like to wish all of my friends and acquaintances in and around Kent my sincere regards. All in all, apart from the 2 year rest I have been non stop in playing and entertaining almost 37 years.

I now live in FLORIDA and am currently playing lead guitar professionally for a band called 'Nitelife' I play about four nights a week in and around Orlando.
Members of my present band have played with the BoxTops and Bruce Hornsby. One more thing to add, you English bands are so lucky today, the normal playing times hear in the US a minimum of 4x45 sets and at weekends 5x45 sets.

We play tributes to The Blues Brothers, Garth Brooks, Elvis and I do an Eric Clapton show so will send you some pics on that show. Last year we palyed Nashville and Las Vegas and recently had Charlie Morgan drummer for ex Elton John guesting with us as our drummer was out of town. The band plays a lot of private parties and corporate events.

Have come across a couple of old Couriers pics that I need to get put on disc and will send to you. One of them has Les Samson and the Kealey Brothers.

I was also pleased to see my name mentioned in Pete Dugdale's information. I remember going to EMI studios very early on a Sunday morning to record the demos that got Pete Dugdale his record contract. I think it was around 1973. I played both base and guitar on those songs. When Pete was doing the remakes for release I was unable to play on them due to the fact I was playing at a major gig in London the same night as the recording session.

Anyway pass on my regards to people who know me and once again thank you.

Please pass on my email address to anyone who wants to say hallo, My personal email address is gswinard@earthlink.net
Regards
Gary

Martin Judd

1967 - Present Day.

Bands: Tar Baby Stompers, Warlock, Porcelain Frog, Frogg, Quint, Live'N'Kickin'

My first foray into music came at the Simon Langton school with David Jones and some others who names elude me. We formed a jazz band called the Tar Baby Stompers.
My next band was called Warlock, we rehearsed and played around the Canterbury area, had the obligatory mentions in the local rag and had a whale of a time.
Now I'd really been bitten by the bug.
The next band was called Porcelain Frog. This band had Pete Robinson on keyboards, Bob Brown on drums, John Cheeseman on vocals, Mick Curd on guitar and myself on bass.
The band used to rehearse at at the Longbridge Youth Club in Canterbury.
Nigel Blow, an old schoolfriend of mine replaced Pete on keyboards after a time.
We later got the opportunity to tour abroad via Folkestone agent Dave Watkins and spent a year in Italy and a year in Germany. During this period we were left stranded by our agents and had strike up new associations to live and keep working. Agent Arno Lintner came up with work for 2 months in Zurich (Switzerland). We also did some television through Renzo Menin.
Now called Frogg and stranded in Italy, we befriended 2 Italian bands called "Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso" & "Il Rovescio della Medaglia". These fantastic guys actually paid for us to get home with some of the proceeds of a concert!
This period, although hard, was the time of my life and having arrived home I couldn't wait to do it all over again, so, following a lineup change, Geoff Spinner replacing John on vocals, we headed out to Italy again.
The next band was Quint with Steve Marriott on vocals, Graham Quinten Jones on guitar, Roger Diamond on drums and me on bass.
We recorded several singles with Bradley Records, RCA & United Artists, reaching number 70 in the charts with one of them. I also recorded a solo single in this period which again got to about number 70 but we'll say no more about that!
Graham left towards the end of Quint's lifespan and was replaced briefly by Mick Warren on guitar and Trevor Hills on keyboards. This lineup lasted a short while but never recaptured the success of the original and Quint folded shortly afterwards.
I had a brief spell of inactivity which I absolutely hated when I was approached by Gary Swinard and Steve Marriott to form the band I still play with today, Live'N'Kickin', with Mick Warren and Tim Relf on drums.
Tim left after a very short time to be replaced by Roger Diamond on drums. This highly successful lineup went on for 10 years.
Mick decided it was time to hang up his Les Paul at this time and was replaced by the jaw-droppingly good Martin Kidd on guitar who has stayed with us ever since.
A year on and Roger decided that it was time to call it a day due to several factors, Tinitis being the main one, and he was replaced by Nick "The Greek" Milton on drums.
2001 brought a couple of changes with Nick leaving to sort out some personal problems and Gary emigrating to the USA. Chris Jones replaced Nick and Jim Cobb coming in on keyboards to replace Gary.
A year later, Jim left to be replaced by the inimitable Martin "Wiz" Wisbey on guitar and vocals.
Nick rejoined the band in 2003 when Chris was having some personal problems of his own and todays lineup was complete.
We are just coming up to our 20th anniversary as I type and a lavish concert will be held to celebrate this milestone at The International Hotel on April 8th 2007.

Les Peel

The Circuit - State Organisation - Solar System

Richard "Dick" Paul

	(Vocalist) - Folkestone The Fyrebirds - The End - The Circuit - Sons Of Chopin

Pete Dugdale AKA J.Ryder

Folkestone

Bands: Inhibitions Prologue - Square One - Mirrors - Freeway

Pete's Page and Pictures

Danny Clarkson

Danny along with Gary Dean was responsible for the organisation of the charity team creating the Kent Aid for Africa event at the Leas Cliff Hall in 1985 and the Rocking Horse Club venture - Live Aid Kent Concert at Folkestone Football Ground in 1986.

Bands:
The End (Roady) - Renaissance Faire (rhythm) - Whispering Wind - Tricks - Danny - Stevidan - Shambles

Steve Tozer

Dear Chris ,like the web site!
I joined my first band in 1964 aged 12 as lead singer and bass player with schoolmates Brian Glanfield, Stuart Gain, Roger Garner, Steve Whitfield and Ron Harrisson. The band was called Sounds like 3 as there were usually 4 of us. Things got louder in 68 with "Peacefull" {me Brian, Stuart, Derek Kneller and "H" Ebdon} [ now appearing with the Phil Chaplin Band in south London checkout the web page]. I got married and Brian moved to Canterbury,. In 72 Roger and I and Mark Hewins were working for SCHWEPPES of Sidcup. Mark and I left to "go pro" with "Mother Sun" mostly touring the London circuit with John Hawkins on keys Vic Coleman on drums and Dave Bell on lead vocals. This lasted just over one year, we played the Speakeasy and topped the bill at the Marquee twice and a third time as a printing error! One of our tunes was 34 minutes long!!!!
Victor joined Gerry Cottle's Circus and went to the far east Dave became a Magician John went to work the cruise ships and Mark left for Canterbury . Check out Marks pages at Musart.co.uk ( he's currently touring with St. Bob himself!} I went home to Blackheath and Brian invited me to join
"Fury" his Canterbury band .{ I'd tried to do this before with his band "Feast" before Mother Sun but the drive was too much}
However Fury was great, with a 16 year old Steve Wise {WIZZ} on drums and John Case on second lead. Did some recording at olympic studios with our manager Mike Stuart who promptly left for the U.S.A. with our tapes and publishing advance money from ATV. John left to marry and was replaced with Adrian "ADA" { don't remember his last name} Brian was in another band at the same time "Danny" with Danny Clarkson, Roy Adams and Spud Taylor. As Fury died "Tricks" was formed with Danny on drums { he played pro drums for Whispering Wind for 5 years up north and supported Mother Sun at the Global Village in London in 72}
Tricks played the Kent clubs and pubs for two years 76 to 78? We did the Disco thing and recorded a lot at Andy Bells studio in Ramsgate. Our manager Johnny Jones {Jonesy} took our tapes to K-Tell in Denmark and ended up using a recording made at Decca with Steve Whitfield and Roger Garner the first prototype Tricks members. That was the last we saw of that manager. We had Bob Coltart ,a guy called Clive and later Nigel in the band at different times playing guitar. Brian got a letter from EMI as the band was thinking about splitting, we had sent them a tape and we recorded one track at Regents Park Studios. It was never released as that month the Pistols were signed, punk rock arrived and we were filed away.
Tricks disbanded and a few years later I started gigging solo as Steve Tracy encouraged by Bob Coltart and Keith Harwood. I later formed a duo with Danny Clarkson "Stevidan" which lasted almost 10 years until Nov 91 when I emigrated to Canada. Stevidan also performed as a four or three piece with Roy Adams and Kieth Adams. During Stevidan reign Danny and I also played the holiday camps as the GSD band with Gary Dean and later with Gary and Tick Brown in "Miami" We recorded two tracks at your studio and were due to appear on Opportunity Knocks in front of 65 million viewers with an original song when Les Dawson died suddenly and the show was shelved. During the Stevidan period Danny, Gary and I formed the Rocking Horse Club which is well documented on this site .

Since arriving in Canada I have worked in various bands notably The Knucklebusters with Beatle Bob Angel playing Rockabilly and I sang lead vocals for three years for Chevy Ray and The Fins a seven piece 50's R&R band .

I now perform with my wife Sandy in The West Coast Whistle Co. We have a CD out and web pages http://www.angelfire.com/music2/WestCoastWhistleCo/ We play anything from Celtic to Steppenwolf with originals with several different guys depending on the gig ,usually with Antony Duke on drums and John Hannah {of Brian Adams band fame} on bass. Sandy and I also tour with Will Millar formally of the Irish Rovers and will be touring in Florida next spring. I'll look up Gary Swinard if I get the chance.

O.K. that's about it I'll send you pictures of these bands when I get round to it. If any of my old pals want to e-mail me I'm at stevetozer@shaw.ca

P.S. Danny carried on with Kieth Adams in the duo "Shambles" and is still at it..

- Steve Tozer.

P.S. You should pump Roy for lnfo he remembers every little detail and even has an old pic of himself with Jimi Hendrix in Folkestone.

Mark Hewins
Guitarist/Songwiter - A valued and sought after guitarist in every genre of the music world.

Starting his career in 1970 at 15, his first "pro" band was Kent band MotherSun. He has continually, kept his main roots in Kent but worked and travelled the world bringing his own unique sounds to enhance the performance of the big and famous.

Bands: (Some of) -----New Indus, Music Doctors, EDQ, MotherSun , Soft HEAP, Research, T-MIT, Dreamtime, Pearl Divers, 4Tet, The Guitar Quartet, Mad Axe Quartet, Sinclair and the South, Polite Force, Caravan of Dreams, Grace Kennedy, Phil Collins, Julie Felix, Dennis Gonzales, Richard and Dave Sinclair, Phil and Steve Miller, Earl Turbinton, Django Bates, Ken Hyder, John Martyn, Gail Thompson, Danny Thompson, Bill Bruford, LeMarr, Theo Travis, Fred Frith, Joe Lee Wilson, Nick Evans, Marc Charig, Andy Latimer, Andy Ward, Colin Bass, Peter Blegvad, Michel Gentils, Maggie Nicholls, Didier Malherbe, Dudu Pukwana, John Stevens, Errol Kennedy, Robbie T, Tania Evans, Carol Grimes, Spy, Mervyn Africa, Mamadi Kamara, Lol Coxhill, Joe Cang, Anthony Aldridge, Trevor Watts, Paul Bhattacharjee, Louis Moholo, Paul Rogers, Pete Thomas, Bob Loveday and Andrew Cyrille, John Abercrombie, Lou Reed, Neil Finn, Fernando Saunders, Mike Rathke, Frank Tontoh, Joe Dalton, Tony Aiello, Nitin Sawhney, Gong, Bob Geldof Band, Elton Dean, Jean Baptiste New Orleans Marching Band, Immanuel Infants School Jazz Band and Arthur Kitchener amongst many others.

Mark has been and still is, an important influence and participant of the Canterbury Scene wrapped around Hugh Hopper and the Sinclair brothers.

More...
http://www.bsharp.org/jazz/charts/Hewins/Hewins.html
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/d/dean_elton/bar-torque.shtml

John Andrews ( "Andy" Andrews)

born 1945

Bands: 1960 The Strangers - The Lonely Ones - The Travellers (Dover) - Antiques Roadshow
Currently lives in St.Margaret's at Cliffe, Dover where he is a financial advisor and real estate broker.

Phil Marriot

keyboards - Renaissance Faire

Micky Christmas (vocals) Died of cancer - Shades of Black

Chris Daughters

Vogue - Solar System - Valley Forge - Echo - Denigh - Freeway

Steve Bennett

Vogue - vocals with Valley Forge

Terry Sexton

The Checkers

Terry was a key member of the Checkers throughout the early 60's. When the band broke up he appeared to stop playing altogether, though he was known to strum a bit after a few whisky's.

On completion of his Carpentry apprenticeship he trainer to be a diver working with Folkestone Salvage. After a long period of diving in the Middle East he returned to Folkestone and started his own carpentry and building firm.
Sadly Terry died in March 2000 from complications caused by his years of deep sea diving.

( When Terry lived in Church Road, Cheriton I went with him to music shop in Tontine Street to buy his first amp - A 15Watt Watkins amp - I remember it was Blue and White with Gold Knobs and White carrying handle………Ed)

Terry bought his guitar from Terry Hughes.

Derek Goodwin

Folkestone
Bands: Kriptkickers - The Checkers

After a brief period in the Sea Cadets trying to learn the bugle and side drum Derek and his school chums decided to form a group. In 1961 they had their first practice session with Derek banging an old army base drum and Ivor, a friend of one of them invited in because he was the only one able to strum a guitar. Ivor left the session after a short time saying that Derek would never be able to co-ordinate himself sufficiently to play the drumsl
Not to be put off Derek bought his first drum kit. This was a 'Gigster' kit purchased from his mother's clothing catalogue. The noise of his practice attracted the local musicians and soon 'The Checkers' were born. Memories are a little vague at this point, the original line up is believed to have been; Derek on drums, Ian Milton rhythm, Martin Vincent bass and Bob Evans lead. Martin soon left to be replaced by Terry Sexton. This was the line up that appeared on the first live gig at the St. Martins fete which would have been about 1962. lan Milton left to be replaced by Dave Caswell and Pete Godden an ex rock and roll singer provided much needed vocals.
Derek's father bought him his first 'proper' drum kit and also arranged drum lessons with a jazz drummer who worked with him. This was the first time Derek had heard the likes of Dave Brubeck and other contemporary jazz bands, which was to have a lasting effect on Derek's playing style; always first and foremost a 'rock' drummer but very able to play jazz and rhythm and blues. In fact as his playing matured rhythm and blues became the favoured playing style.
When the Checkers disbanded Derek played one or two 'one offs' with local bands and musicians, including a country and western night with his doctor, and ended up as the resident drummer in a local nightclub. The piano was played by his barber! This strange partnership was only to last a few months and it was around this time that Derek decided that being married and playing the drums didn't work too well so he decided to 'retire' and sold his drums to a local working men's club.
In the mid seventies whilst working as a bus driver Derek bought another kit and was joined by two work colleagues and an exceptional guitarist from Hawkinge called Dave? and his friend Adrian Hackett. Adrian brought along his sister who sang. The bass player was a clean living young lad called Kevin Bowyer later of the Maroondogs. Sadly the band never quite got off the ground, pressure of work and practice proving a problem. Once again Derek sold his kit and stopped playing.
The next time Derek lifted a drum stick was in rather different circumstances. Derek had 'seen the light' and was attending a local evangelical church. Not having touched a set of drums for about eight years he bought a brand new kit, placed it on the stage at the front of the church and halfway through the next service, walked up and started playing. After several years of playing in church praise bands Derek was asked to play the drums in a musical based on Pilgrims Progress. This proved to be a bit of a challenge as he had never worked with musicians and actors but was very enjoyable, with three performances in Ashford. Derek's final gig was backing 'Ishmael' a professional Christian singer and song writer at the Stour centre in Ashford. Derek is now 'officially' retired, although who knows?

Bob Evans

Folkestone
Bands: Kriptkickers - The Checkers

Bob learned to play the guitar at the age of ten. Self-taught, his first guitar had been passed down by his brother, who had reluctantly accepted that being tone-deaf was a significant drawback for a would-be rock star! Bob had no such difficulty and soon proved to be a very accomplished player. His Mum and Dad bought him a pick-up for his acoustic guitar and an amplifier for a Christmas present, which provided him with his first electric guitar. After being heard 'entertaining' the neighbours one day at his terraced home in Folkestone there was a knock at the door and a young lad called Martin Vinson introduced himself. Martin played the bass guitar and asked Bob to join his band. The other member of the band was a guitarist called Ian Milton. Drummers were in short supply at the time, so the band played without one. After much searching, Bob remembered a school friend called Derek Goodwin who had bought his first drum kit. Derek was still learning, but the band decided to ask him to join the band anyway, being sure that he would soon be able to keep the beat.

Martin Vinson left the band to be replaced by Terry Sexton. Up to this point the band had no name, then one day Terry's parents suggested 'The Checkers'. The band played its first gig at St. Martin's fete. Ian Milton left the band for 'other interests' and the band played as a trio for a while. One night, while playing at the pub called the 'Oddfellows Arms' in Folkestone, Pete Godden got up and asked to sing a song. As a result, he was recruited to 'The Checkers' as the lead vocalist. Dave Caswell also joined, a little later, to play Rhythm Guitar.

Bob recalls that 'The Checkers' became a popular and exciting band performing to appreciative audiences across the county of Kent. Looking back, some of the gigs were quite lively! Unfortunately, 'The Checkers' disbanded once the gear was all paid for and the apprenticeship completed! At the age of seventeen, Bob reluctantly gave up his place in the band in favour of his school work. He subsequently went on to Dover Technical College and finally Brighton University where he left with a good honours degree in Electrical Engineering. At around this time he met his future wife Marilyn. They subsequently married, moved to Crawley, West Sussex and had two children. He is now a Chartered Electrical Engineer and works for a defence company, as a Software Engineer.

Still living and working in Crawley, Bob and Marilyn have seen both children through university and 'fly the nest'. Bob still kept at least one guitar to hand and has continued to play as a hobby, quite often finding it therapeutic. Bob recalls, "making music always seemed to be in my blood for as long as he can remember". He always enjoyed making up tunes when he played in 'The Checkers'. With time once again to himself, Bob has resumed his interest as a guitarist and has teamed up with work colleagues, performing at occasional work functions and birthday parties. More recently, with the aid of the computer, Bob has produced a home CD containing a number of his recent compositions. 'Pop Idol' watch out!

Goto Bobby's Website

Perry White
keyboards
Bands: City Blues Band - Athur Kays Originals - Moving Targets inthe early 80's - solo

Andy Young

	The Breakaways - Winston & The Churchills - Rhythm Of Blues

Mick Brett

The Breakaways - Winston & The Churchills - RAM - Rhythm Of Blues

Mick Cork

Left - Mick Cork (bass)1962 - Folkestone
Bands: Trespassers - The Mystics - The Mixed Feelings - Captain Black
I was originally in The Trespassers which started up again as The Mystics, with Dave Pain (singer), Ian Milton (guitar), Bill Regan (drums), Phil Kirk (keyboards)

We played all kinds of stuff (Animals, etc), making use of the addition of a keyboard player in Phil, who was pretty good, though Ian Milton left at some stage and was replaced towards the end by an old friend of ours, Trevor Wright.
Before that, though, we'd become fairly well established in east Kent under the management of Roger West.
Although we had plenty of laughs,
I personally fell out with the rest over - guess what - a girlfriend who was getting the way and was chucked out!!! Disgraceful. They got local legend Johnny Berry in on bass, but didn't last too much longer. We played locally at places like the Hillside Club, formerly Pfizers where Bill once jammed with Noel and Hendrix late at night. One of the happier times. Bill had come out of Henry (which also featured Johnny Etchells) and was one of the best drummers in Folkestone for quite some time.
WHEN the others realised the error of their ways they asked me back, and then, joined by Peter Hourahane (ex-Vikings), Ellis Glasby (keyboards), Dave Pain, myself and Bill Regan became the Mixed Feelings. playing Motown and soul and becoming regulars at both Tofts Club (Grace Hill) and the Leas Cliff Hall, backing Unit Four Plus Two, the Four Pennies, the Yardbirds (with Jimmy Paige) and others.
At Tofts, we also supported the likes of Spencer Davis, The Who, and The Cream (Clapton/Jack Bruce/Ginger Baker)
From memory, we had to pack up when Dave Pain moved away with his work.
SEVERAL years on from all that, I was asked to play bass with Keith Harwood (then known by his real name, Keith Uren) and Andy Reynolds, a couple of local folk singers.
Gradually I got Billy Regan involved, and we evolved into a band called Captain Black (named after some wierd pipe that Keith had: "What the hell's that you've got in yer gob?" I'd asked, one practice night. "It's a Captain Black" said the great one. So we were)
We built up a fairly big following, especially at the sadly no longer Neptune (in Dymchurch) where the local football club adopted us as their own.
Keith decided to go solo, and enjoyed a truly wonderful career on his own until he collapsed on stage at Seasalter, near Whitstable at the age of just 48 (someone else must know what year that was)
In the meantime we'd managed to get hold of an outstanding talent in Richie Bilious, who had grown up in Cardiff with Andy Fairweather-Low (Amen Corner), and who had played with Tom Jones in his very, very early days.
Richie had been in a duo with a lad called Jim, but as Captain Black, with Andy, Bill, Richie, myself (Mick Cork), and roadie Steve "Doris" Read on bongos/conga drum, we did very well. Again we had a big following at the Neptune, in a later guise, as well as the Golden Arrow (now Jester) plus all kinds of other venues, near and far.

Richie was probably the best guitarist I'd ever played with (Ian Taylor in the Trespassers probably improved with other bands, even though his talent was deifinitely there)
For whateve reason, the two singers Richie and Andy Reynolds, decided to leave after finding they could earn good money as a duo (the Reyn Brothers)
Bill Regan and I (Mick Cork) tried to carry on with Steve and a chap called Brian out of the Rocking Edwardians, but we were nothing like us good as we wanted to be (or had been) so we jacked it in.
Bill - station officer Regan of the Kent Fire Brigade - has, I know played with other bands, but he'd better tell about ALL of them!!
I hope this is not all far too long winded - anyone who reads the Folkestone Herald or Dover Express will know what I'm like!!)
As the original Captain Black, we frequently played at The Five Bells, Brabourne, amongst a host of other places) There is also a pic of us at Pfizers Club, Sandwich, which you may be able to use, and which I'll send you some time!
Regards, Corky

Trevor Wright

Dear Chris,

Just come across your most excellent site. Just been tripping down memory lane by looking at some of the musicans from the early years of Folkestone rock. If ok would like to share some of my memories.

Started playing the bass guitar in 1958 in I believe to be Folkestone`s first rock band called "The Seekers" ( not to be confused with the subsequent famous band ! ) I was 13 at the time and just desperate to play. My cousin Mick O`Neil was on drums, Jeff Rattecliffe on lead and Jim Williams guitar and vocals. The very first gig was the Railway Club by the Scew Arches in Canterbury Road. We went on to play various gigs around the Folkestone area including the 37 Club ( I think that was the name ) in Bellvue Street. In 1961 the band started the Jazz Club at the Kent House Venue, up west in Folkestone. We also played at the old Pleasure Gardens Theatre next to the origonal "Tofts".

The Seekers faded away at the end of 1961 ish ! I went for audition with " The Mystics" who later became "The Mixed Feeling", and became their lead guitarist for many a year. Had a great time with them. We backed many top bands including " The Who". I left in 1967 ish being replaced by Peter Houraine. Other members of the band were Dave Paine vocals, Ian Milton guitar, Mick Cork bass and Bill Regan drums. ( brilliant drummer).

Mentioning Bill Regan I was also lucky enough to be present with the Noel Redding and Jimi Hendix Jam at the Hillside Club that used to be on Grace Hill. Noel was in the same Art group as me at the Harvey Grammar School. We played in the school band together and used to play together as kids with his sister Vicky in the Horn Street Park. Funny enough when I lived in Cheriton Peter Kirtcher lived 5 doors away ! Used to practice at his place when he had just boxes to play on ! Great times and still are !!

Since living in the stunning Cumbrian mountains for the past 20 years I have continued to play the bass. ( was never that good on the lead !!) I have played with the blues outfit CA9 who sold well on an independant label in the 90`s. Played in a Jazz band backing Ella Fitzgerald`s baritone bass player Marvin "Doc" Holiday at the Art Centre on Tyneside. Currently playing with "The Spirit of Elvis", A tribute band who earlier this year had a short but successfull tour in Spain. Also perform with an amazing guy from Sandwich ( would you believe !) Trevor Reed has been a street entertainer for 40 years ! We doo pubs an clubs locally. Great stuff !

Over the years I have earned my Equity card. Television credits include " Wire in the Blood", " Rocket Man", "55 degrees North", " Byker Grove", Catherine Cookson`s " The Girl" and Alan Bleasdale`s adapation of " Oliver Twist". The latter being filmed partly in my home !

I have had a great time and probably have reached the height of my own incompentence now !!!

Thankyou for allowing me to wander down memory lane with you.

Kind Regards

Trevor Wright

Kieron O'Connor

South London
Keiran OConnor sadly died some years ago, I think we could say "Worn Out".

This was a man of excesses.
Words like, Too much - Over the top - Rock solid - Flat out - Asleep - Genius - Really pissed - The best - Crazy - Missing - Hairy, all apply. If you knew him in his personal life you would find it easy to add some more.

Keiran was a drumming genuis, he could play the tightest solid backing, live or in the studio, even when he was not capable of standing up.
This man could make a drum machine sound - o u t.

Your Editor.

Ray French

Martin Jones - Folkestone (Guitar & Vocals) Boz(Brian)Leggett Folkestone (Guitar & Vocals)

Martin loved painting, drawing, science fiction, bird watching and recording,he was a talented musician playing Guitar, Banjo, Blues Mouth Organ, Keyboards and one tune on a Clarinet. His musical influences, the old blues guitarists.

Martin Died 12th September 2002 Tribute

Bruce went Solo in 1999

Goto Bruce's website for his Bio and the latest news

Roger Betts

Colin "Buster" Osmonds - Drums Bands: The Lonely Ones 1962 -Daltons 1963 Pat & The Cheetas Satans 1964 The Variations 1968 / 72 & 1977 Now n' Then (1983-87)

Ashford

Keyboards

Romney Marsh - Canada

Guitar: Gibson 335

Bands: Marshmallow Tree - Tree - Daniel - Raw Material - Vivian Stanshell Band

Folkestone

Guitar & Vocals

Bands: Infinity - URF - Marshmallow Tree

Folkestone

Bass

Bands: Infinity - URF - Marshmallow Tree - Occasional One Band

Folkestone

Drums and Vocals

Bands: Infinity - URF - Marshmallow Tree - 1981 - Tristram Shandy - Crackerjack - Le Grand

Folkestone - 1956 - 2001

Bands included:

Badge - Whispering Wind - Tricks - Life 'n' Soul - Herman's Hermits - Arthur Kays Originals - Bilko - Gary & The Moondogs - The Maroondogs - Cho-Zen - The Warriors. He also played Bass in Chuck Berry's touring band & Guitar for Chris Andrews.

Who died in 2001, including reviews of the recent tribute concerts, photos and video and from the Leas Club Tribute concert

Dorian Gray (Tony Ellingham) - Vocals

Danny Beckett Medway Strollers - Candy Choir

Crispian St Peters ( real name Robin Smith)

as a Solo Artiste - he had many backing goups including the Candy Choir more info on his Website

Alan Cork

Mick Dunford (Drums) - in Enry - Father Luke

Chris Blunkell

Trevor Sutton

Folkestone The Fyrebirds - The Haunters - The End - The Prowlers

Dave Butler - Blue Horizon Blues Band - Shadwater Weir - Daniel - Steam - JCB

John Philpott (Billie Hayes)The Bugaloos See also Billy & The Heroes - Life'n'Soul

Folkestone

Folkestone

Solar System - Staires - Gary & The Moondogs - The Maroondogs -

Deal

Life 'N' Soul - Arthur Kays Originals

Memorial Album available on Red Admiral Records from 23rd July 2007The melody fades but the Memory lingers - on 18th July 1998 Keith collapsed on stage at Seasalter, near Whitstable at the age of just 48. I say we do mind Keith, you've left the stage forever.

Bands: Keith & Andy - Captain Black - Solo - New Dimensions - Keith Harwood Band - Keith Harwood & Lee (Guitar) Robinson

Bern Elliott

Folkestone

Bands include Southern Four - Sky High - Echo II - Life'n'Soul - Gary & The Moondogs - Gary Dean Band

In a 1984 a local newspaper's readers poll put Gary and his band on top spot for everything. Co Founder of The Rocking Horse Club a music charity organisation.

Folkestone

The Circuit - Inhibitions Prologue - Tristram Shandy - Daniel - Edison Lighthouse - Crush - New Dimensions

Dave could have gone Pro. at 16 but was unable to tour abroad with his Band The Circuit

Neil Bassford - Dover - Bass - Masterstroke - Recording Prisoner of Love 1982?

(bass/vocals)

Bill Whitewood Drummer - Lived at The Durlocks, Folkestone Bands: The Haunters - The Wild Sect -

Folkestone

The End - Renaissance Faire - Whispering Wind -

Deceased

Folkestone

Bas Player - Left handed - Epiphone

Bands: The End - Renaissance Faire - Danny

Mick (Tinker) Tordoff - bass player in The Concords

Les Freathy - Twos Company

Tony Gardener - State Organisation - Tristram Shandy

Folkestone

The Fyrebirds - The End

Southern Four - Southern Five

Ron Price played bass with the Southern Four and childrens entertainer at Newbeach Holiday Centre (1982-84) alongside Uncle Charlie and Sky High (latterly the Gary Dean Band).

Polaris - bass guitar in Rocking Edwardians

Bob Bartell Bob has seemed to be around for ever, and is still writing and performing!

Martin Judd

The Circuit - State Organisation - Solar System

(Vocalist) - Folkestone The Fyrebirds - The End - The Circuit - Sons Of Chopin

Pete Dugdale AKA J.Ryder

Folkestone

Bands: Inhibitions Prologue - Square One - Mirrors - Freeway Pete's Page and Pictures

John Andrews ( "Andy" Andrews)

born 1945

Phil Marriot keyboards - Renaissance Faire Micky Christmas (vocals) Died of cancer - Shades of Black

Vogue - Solar System - Valley Forge - Echo - Denigh - Freeway

Colin "Buster" Osmonds - Drums
Bands:
The Lonely Ones 1962
-Daltons 1963
Pat & The Cheetas
Satans 1964
The Variations 1968 / 72 & 1977
Now n' Then (1983-87)

Danny Beckett
Medway
Strollers - Candy Choir

as a Solo Artiste - he had many backing goups including the Candy Choir
more info on his Website

Folkestone
The Fyrebirds - The Haunters - The End - The Prowlers

John Philpott (Billie Hayes)The Bugaloos
See also Billy & The Heroes - Life'n'Soul

Memorial Album available on Red Admiral Records from 23rd July 2007
The melody fades but the Memory lingers - on 18th July 1998 Keith collapsed on stage at Seasalter, near Whitstable at the age of just 48.

I say we do mind Keith, you've left the stage forever.

Bands include
Southern Four - Sky High - Echo II - Life'n'Soul - Gary & The Moondogs - Gary Dean Band

Bill Whitewood Drummer - Lived at The Durlocks, Folkestone
Bands: The Haunters - The Wild Sect -

(Vocalist) - Folkestone
The Fyrebirds - The End - The Circuit - Sons Of Chopin

Bands: Inhibitions Prologue - Square One - Mirrors - Freeway

Pete's Page and Pictures

Phil Marriot

keyboards - Renaissance Faire

Micky Christmas (vocals) Died of cancer - Shades of Black