A 60s local group from Stockton, name unknown. Photograph courtesy of John Robson. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
A 60s local group from Stockton, name unknown. Photograph courtesy of John Robson.
Perhaps the perfect place to try glean some information, since so many here have reminisced about the bands that played our area in the 60s… I heard a rumour that Pink Floyd once played somewhere nearby? If any knows when or where this may have been, I’d love to know!
Yet again, I have to post some bad news. My thanks to Graham Walton for informing me of the passing of Colin Dale. On Youtube you can hear Colin singing under his real name which is Colin O’Roarty.
ANYONE RECALL WHERE THE DOMINO CLUB WAS – NEWCASTLE, SUNDERLAND OR ELSEWHERE? WAS WORKING WITH THE FORTUNES AND DOUBLED THAT NIGHT AT THE FIESTA, EARLY SEVENTIES I THINK. ALSO ANOTHER CLUB NEAR THE COAST (I THINK) BUT HAD TO HUMP GEAR UP SEVERAL FLIGHT OF STAIRS TO A VERY SMALL, LOW CEILING GIG. ANY THOUGHTS??
Anyone remember the Youth Club at St Mary’s Portrack? I think it was around 1967 because I recall seeing Magical Mystery tour being shown there on the TV. The Couple running it were called Eric and Nora Rose, they ran the club for a while and got local bands to play. I think Eric also worked at the Globe in Stockton as a Doorman or similar.
There was a certain irony in the fire that gutted what had been the Excel Bowl and later Gaskins Night Club. Both operations were in fact carrying on the traditions of live-music and dancing that had gone on since the late 19th C on the same site, in what was the Victoria Hall owned by the Cooperative Society. This too was destroyed by fire during one of the heaviest WWII air-raids on M’bro during the night of July 7th 1942. In fact two of the four young ARP night wardens (also being daytime Coop employees) on Victoria Hall were killed by the blast, one being only 16 at the time. Poignantly, just twenty years or a ‘generation’ later at a similar age, I had my first game of bowls at the Excel without a care in the world.
The fire at the Excel Bowl on Linthorpe Road was in September 1989.
I seem to recall Skid Row playing at the Excel Bowl on Linthorpe Road around 1970. Club owned by Laurie Pigg??? Anybody remember the year it caught fire?
Derek Elliott – does anyone remember a group by the name of Engine? I think they came from Hartlepool and had Dave Usher as drummer, a three piece with a heavy sound.
I just had email from a gentleman called Alan Grange, in the United States, who told me he was a roadie for Engine. The band, he says, were from about 1967 and he has promised to send me some photographs and more information on the band. Local businessman the late Ken Tyzack was their manager.
Gary Moore had left ‘Skid Row’ well behind by late 1974. He later ‘sold’ the name for $35k to a USA band who adopted the same name (Tommy Lee their drummer later marr. Pamela Anderson, etc). As to the facial scars, there is an article in the Belfast Telegraph dated 1986 recalling how ‘his facial scars were very prominent’ and the fact that Gary’s Manager had asked for him to be photographed from his ‘better side’. Further research shows that a ‘glassing’ was the cause of the scarring (‘many, many years ago’ ) but no one confirms ‘where’ it actually occurred. I remember seeing Mr Moore at The Coatham but with which band he was with at that time, I cannot recall.
Been a while since I looked at this site. Nice to see comments from Chris and the others about the sad death of Gary Moore. I met him when I believe he played in aband called Skid Row? He came with another band member and stayed till very late at my house and stayed in one of our flats which was rented to a friend of his. This would be late 1970s, I am not sure it was after a gig on a sunday night at the Redcar jazz Club. I also believe Chris Bailey may remember that evening. He certainly did not have any scar on his face at that time, so if he received that facial scar in Middlesbrough it was after that time. He was acclaimed as a great guitarist in the mould of the many famous names that graced the UK in those years and after.
To add to this, The Freemonts played the main stage at the Globe on a Saturday morning back in 1962 or 63. Peter Laverick (rhythm guitar) will, I’m sure, have the exact date for this and Dave Lewis (lead guitar), who has also contributed to this site, may remember the event. I remember it very well as it was, if you exclude school pantos, my stage debut as they invited me on stage to play maracas for one song! Quite an experience!!!
THE ZEPHYRS ALSO PERFORMED IN THE FOYER OF THE GLOBE, I’M NOT SURE OF THE YEAR, BUT I WILL ASK ALAN COVERDALE.
Another local group who performed on the main stage of the Globe were the Apaches in 1967 (twice). I remember seeing the Panthers performing in the foyer one night when summer holiday was being shown.
At one point Gary Moore was asked by a reporter if he had recieved his facial scar in a fight. He said no and that he had been bitten by a dog, but by then I think it was common knowledge what had really happened. I didn’t know he had been glassed in a Middlesbrough pub, seems somethings never change.
Reading last week about the untimely death of blues-guitarist supremo, Gary Moore at age 58, I was reminded of a story my late friend and local guitarist, Bob McConnell, once related to me many years ago. Gary Moore always had a prominent scar on his face, and it was Bob’s claim that this had been received in a bar-fight at The Excelsior Pub, near M’bro Railway Station when Gary & Phil Lynot’s band ‘Skid Row’ were appearing at M’bro Town Hall in the early 70’s. I’ve searched the internet for some confirmation, but can find no mention of the incident. Does anyone else recall the occasion? I believe that Bob stated he was a member of the ‘support’ group at that time, and that Gary Moore had asked to go out for a drink in a local ‘rough boozer’, where it seems he was unfortunately ‘glassed’ in the resulting melee.
I’ve got some photos of a gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall back in the 70’s with you in the dressing room Stuky with a band called Root & Jenny Jackson. It was a gig a DJ friend of mine put on, he’s called John Lennigan (Marvin Blue) and he lived up here for a few years, funnily enough in the same house that local band The Wheel used to live in Shaftesbury Street. John came from Sheffield and I lost track of him. The town hall gig was quite a success.
Thank you for sharing these happy memories. He will be greatly missed.
I remember the occasions you have talked about with Willy on the farm as I am Willy’s sister, Al. It seems such a long time ago now but with the death of poor Will it is a time for reflection. I was extremely lucky to watch and be part of that mad time, albeit from the sidelines, but I recognise a lot of the names on this site. Thank you for bringing Wills passing to the wider Stockton public and your kind thoughts. Would love to hear any other recollections of Willy from the time.
This posting is to report the sad passing of one of the great characters and roadies from our region. Will Grimston, who I first met in around 1967 when he ran a fruit and veg shop in Linthorpe, was the most personable and jolly character. His family ran a farm in Ingleby Greenhow and they sold the fresh produce in the shop. The farm was called Midnnight Farm and a band, of which I was a member and who were the remnants of Denver Mule, took that name in the later reincarnation. I remember that we were allowed to rehearse in the cow byre, in the middle of winter, the audience being a herd of friesian dairy cows who provided their version of very adequate bovine central heating. I think that the band was that bad and loud in those days that we must have soured the milk in those poor abused udders.
As time went by and we all began to explore our various paths to fortune I lost touch with Will, the last time I saw him being in Birmingham where I now live, when Chris Rea, who was just beginning to really ‘break through’ and the band were playing at one of the theaters here. Although we hadn’t seen each other for years he welcomed me like a long lost brother and I just didn’t realise that, all those years ago, that would be the last time I would enjoy his company.
My condolences go out to his brother Doug and all the Grimston family who I am sure I have met, but time has erased their names from my memory.
My old work colleague from Mexico and Norway, Bob Davies, sent me the link to the site last night and after a nostalgic burn through this morning I felt another contribution was in order.
Some time after Chelfont Line folded, Stooky, Wally Leathren, Johnny Mac (both in the top piccie), me and I think Tony Relph got a band together and practised without amps at Johnny Macs flat at Ochil Terrace, Billingham. I remember the first gig at La Ronde. Full of expectation, gear set up nerves jangling and off we go… oh no we dont. My bass gear, which was a Marshall Valve bass Amp drivng twin Vox Foundation 18″ cabs, was completely flat. Normally this kit rumbled the walls but tonight the amp had called it a day. The gig carried on but this line up never played another gig. After rig down and back load we called it a day.
My working life keeps me in Aberdeen for long periods but retirement is not far away. Whatever time I have left is precious and I have promised that I will have a music studio/rehearsal room at my Stockton home before long. Although I shut down my Aberdeen band, ‘Souled Asylum’, I do miss playing and a home facility will be just the tonic. I have my grandkids playing piano and guitars and the studio will be a great momento to pass down to them.
Finally I salute Youtube. I spend many an hour looking up 60’s music from Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll through to Chris Farlowe. Now I know how to upload into my IPod thingy my travelling is bliss.
Great thread and boy, a lot of memories and old names, clubs, music – really took me back. I am an old Stockton boy and have just gone 63, reading the thread made me feel a teenager again.
One musician mentioned was Mike Rowe who I worked with for a number of years but have not talked to him for a while, I last bumped into him in Yarm during a visit.
I am not sure if he his still playing up in the Aberdeen area where he works. He lives in the yarm area although a Billingham boy. His band is called Soul Asylum.
I think that my comments about Tony Hargan being the areas first ‘real D.J.’ refers primarily to the fact that he has always seemed to possess a depth of knowledge about the artistes he was playing, and constantly sought out ‘tracks’ that many of us would not normally hear on what was then (in the mid ’60’s) a very ‘safe’ and restricted musical-diet played on the U.K., i.e. BBC, radio network. It is easily forgotten, that the BBC played very little music that was not destined for popular ‘chart’ appearance.Indeed almost all the music played on the BBC was ‘white’, or ‘white-covers’ of black music. More adventurous music was only to be found on the iconic Radio Luxembourg or even American Forces (Europe) Network. It was on the latter, perhaps around 1961-2 (Tony will know!)that I first heard Booker T and The MG’s play the iconic ‘Green Onions’, a powerful new-sound that stopped me dead in my tracks. That track, I believe, didn’t actually chart until a few years afterwards. Later, on trips to the all-nighters at ‘The Twisted Wheel’ in Manchester during the mid-60’s, others and myself were exposed to further examples of rare ‘black’ music, which in the passage of time then became regarded as Northern Soul. Whilst the BBC ( and cable) is now fully able to satisfy the most individual ‘taste’or ‘genre’ of modern and / or music from previous eras, we should all be grateful to Tony H. for his own special contribution to our continuous musical education in local clubs and other gathering places, over the last 40+ years.
I’m not sure what Chris Bailey means about me being the ‘area’s first real DJ’ but I was different in that I took very little notice of what was in the charts, I mainly played Blues, R&B and Soul. And being the snobby music purist I used to be, I didn’t play many requests. I’m not from the Yarm area, I’m a Boro’ lad through and through. I DJ’ed at the Paul Rodgers night in Marton and it was great to talk to people I hadn’t seen for over 30 years.
Well said Mr “hot lips” Hargan a true pro!
HOTLIPS (believe Carol Metcalf came up with that one). The first and the best one of the fathers of Northern Soul, when sharp mohair suits were ‘dress of the day’ fingertip sleeves, 14″ back vent protected from the elements by the trusty fishtail parka, shiny bass weejun loafers… the smell of burning crepe… When Ged Pratt and Don Harris cleared the floor with moves that would make a dervish weep… hot vinyl courtesy of the ‘maestro’. Good on yer Tony Hargan.
John McCoy
Just read Chris’s latest contribution about the area’s first ‘real’ D.J. Tony indeed was one of the first in the Yarm area, but let’s not forget Ricky Masters who served the Astoria fans many years before Tony was around. He was the first person in Teesside to have twin decks and I think even announced the Beatles back in ’63 along with all the other top chart acts of the day.
When he started out with me at ‘the Red Lion’ the kit was a Dansette Major, grey green with the lid missing through the Selmer 4×12 columns and an 80 watt vortexion, sounded excellent even across Lord Street!!!
The Engine formerly KTs Engine, were Dave Usher, Pete Rutter vocals, Les? Bass and Alan Place guitar.They had a go trying their luck in London in the early 70s .Alan Place is I’m told still ripping out blues with a band in Hartlepool JAK. Alan played guitar in the seventies with a band I was in, Jonboy, who had a few different incarnations starting with the remnants of the Fabulosa Brothers Merv Jones Ray Johns Terry Sidgwick and myself.
Nice to see ‘the King’ Stuky on here
Derek Elliott – does anyone remember a group by the name of Engine? I think they came from Hartlepool and had Dave Usher as drummer, a three piece with a heavy sound
The recent Paul Rogers visit to Teesside recently has reminded me of a concert of his, some years since (15-20?), in Newcastle City Hall when one of our party, the late Joe Bradley (brother of Colin) had declared his intention to get back stage and see Paul, with the intention of presenting him with a poster of the ‘first Road-Runners gig’, that Joe proudly claimed credit for securing.
Knowing the amount of security involved I couldn’t imagine Joe getting past the first man, but sure enough, as Paul Rogers came on stage, his opening words were to “dedicate the night to my old friend, Joe Bradley, who got me started in the business”.
I was touched that Paul Rogers hadn’t got too big-time to remember his roots, and pleased for Joe, knowing how much that meant to him.
I remember the Acklam cafe as when going to collect my GCE O level results I foolishly said that if I got 4 or more passes I would buy all the coffees. As I got 5 it cost me a whole weeks pocket. money.
Good to see Trevor Davis back on this webpage, and also good to know that your book has progressed. I would certainly be happy to assist in any way, and can confirm that Dave Macnamara has now ‘retired’ back to Middlesbrough, from China, complete with all his band pics, clippings and other ephemera loaded on his laptop. There might therefore, be a few pages still waiting in the wings to be uploaded in the near future. Since Sue Stokeld mentioned to me sometime ago, that John McCoy was intending to write his ‘personal’ biographical-tome I have heard nothing else further. Brian Swales’s ‘Outlook Club Advertisement’ page, here on Picture Stockton, (about the Rolling Stones, M’bro appearance in July 1963) brought only a single, short response from John McCoy when I felt he could have been a lot more illuminating about that seminal early-60’s haven of musical talent that he brought to us. Have you contacted John McCoy, Trevor? I’m sure there is a very good case for his material to be combined with your own as co-writers, in order to create a more ‘fulsome’ account of the period. I can possibly hook-you up if needed, along with Dave ‘Mac’,and Sue Stokeld (who has some great memories of the earlier late-50’s (see posting above). Local Sax-legend Ray Dales is another terrific ‘raconteur’ about the period, and the area’s first ‘real’ D.J., Tony Hargan also possesses a wealth of memories. I recall Brian Crawford once telling me a funny story about ‘Goldie & The Gingerbreads’ appearing at The Kirk in ’65, sadly Brian has now passed, as has The Kirk’s co-owner Ken Crawford (see above) as have many others we all knew from the clubs and bands of that era. Let’s face it fellas, we’re all stepping a little closer to ‘that plate’ on a daily basis, and it’s about time our musical, and other memories, of that incredible period here on Teesside, no matter how small, were committed to print for both our ‘then’ contemporaries and subsequent generations. Let us not create a case of ‘Yesterday was cancelled…due to lack of interest!’ After all, whatever happened to our once vibrant 60’s ‘baby-boomer generation’ spirit of enthusiasm? Like yourself Trevor, my email address is now freely available from the site moderators, upon enquiry. Unexpectedly, I’ve plenty of free-time these days, and have no problem in acting as a ‘local’ agent for you, if so required.
BOOK UPDATE – Sorry for not keeping you updated but I couldn’t find this page as there have been some changes to the site. Thanks to those who are still contributing to the book.
I did a dry run print just on A4 to see what it was looking like and I feel that we need a lot more info. I just dont have enought to make a decent read. Soooo please feel free to contact me with addtional info on bands plus I would like some photos from the audience perspective probably photos that the bands haven’t seen either.
Bari, I deleted your email with your phone number on it by mistake so if you can get in contact again I will ring you for a chat.
Chris Bailey, I have tried contacting you but think you have changed your email address?
I have been chatting with Gordon Valentine who also lives in France near me and we discussed the best way to publish the book.
I give permission to Picturestockton to give out my email address to those who request it.
I’m sure they wont mind helping as they have been very helpful in the past.
Regards to all who have sent photos and info its all been used so far its looking good but its a bit thin.
HI EVERYONE, JUST UPDATED MYSELF WITH THE SITE AFTER ALONG ABSENCE. IT SEEMS TO BE BACK TO IT’S BEST, I HAD STOPPED LOOKING AT IT WHEN THE SITE WAS DOWN. NICE TO SEE DAVE STRUKE ON – GET IN TOUCH. DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN I GOT YOU AND THE BAND PSCHYO 69? A DAY IN A RECORDING STUDIO IN MAYFAIR LONDON – NICE MEMORIES. THERE HAS BEEN A LONG LIST OF ALL THE CLUBS GOING BACK TO THE 1950S, I WONDER HOW MANY HAVE BEEN MISSED OFF LIKE THE STARLITE IN REDCAR AND PHAROAHS IN STOCKTON ETC – MANY MEMORIES. ONE NOTE OF CORRECTION, I BELIEVE I HAD JIMMY CLIFF AND WYNDER K FROGG ON AT THE FINNIGANS AND HIS FAMOUS RECORD WAS ‘GONNA GIVE A LITTLE TAKE A LITTLE’ WHEN WE HAD JOE COCKER ON HIS RECORD ‘MARGARINE’ HAD JUST CHARTED AT NO.20 AND WAS HIS BIG BREAK INTO THE TOP TIER. I ALSO REMEMBER GILLIAN, IF YOU STILL READ THE SITE, AND THE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE LEFT THEIR PERSONAL MEMORIES. I AM PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF SUCH FANTASTIC TIMES. MY REGARDS TO AND ESPECIALLY CHRIS BAILEY WHO IS STILL KEEPING THIS THREAD ALIVE AND INTERESTING. I TOO MISSED OUT ON THE PAUL RODGERS GIG AND WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE KNOWN OF IT IN TIME. I HAD THE HONOUR OF BOOKING HIM WITH FREE AS THEIR FIRST RECORD HIT THE CHARTS AT THE BARRACUDA. IN FACT, THEY COULD ONLY PLAY THE SAME 20 MINUTES SET TWICE AS THEY HAD NOT FINNISHED A FULL SET. WILL KEEP CHECKING IN AND LOOK AT THE SITE.
Sorry again for my curiosity but any idea of when exactly you booked FREE in Middlesbrough – Barracuda? I know FREE first record “Tons Of Sobs” was published in England 14 March 1969. Perhaps around March 1969? Thanks again for your kindly attention!
In relation to free at the barracuda in Middlesbrough I was there at the time as Bari Chohan owned the club
I am surprised that no one has posted any comments regarding Paul Rodgers recent (April 17th) impromptu and almost clandestine gig at The Marton Country Club, an event organised by John McCoy. Unfortunately I could not be there that night but heard that over 700 ‘locals’ were in attendance. Guitarist Colin Bradley,(see his many posts above) Paul’s bandmate (along with Micky Moody, Dave Usher & Bruce Thomas) in their original local ’60’s band The Roadrunners was due to fly over from his home in Canada to accompany Paul on the night. Unfortunately that was the week the now infamous Icelandic Ash-Cloud struck, and Europe became a no-fly zone. Colin must be bitterly disappointed. This was the first time that Paul had played in his home town since 1984 when he was with ‘The Law.’
Nice to see that Sue Stokeld has mentioned Stockton’s Rick Hewson who’s high-end career has associated his name as a musician, arranger and producer with many of the greats from the ’60’s thru to the present day. Another ‘un-sung’ musical talent from Stockton, was of course Lesley Duncan, who passed away on March 13th this year. Her talented singing and recording career began in 1963, and brought her into contact with amongst others The Walker Brothers, Elton John, Dusty Springfield and Pink Floyd.
Just got off the phone with my pal Chris Bailey, discussing the upcoming event including John McCoy, Paul Rodgers et al… we were talking about Rick Hewson from Stockton, an old beau of mine in the 50’s – check out Richard A Hewson (the RAH band)in Wikipedia or Google – talk about a Stockton boy making it. Talking about the Acklam Cafe… Rick, John McCoy, Ken Crawford, sorry can’t remember the names of the others, used to play there once a week. My sister, Jo McCoy and I would be decked out in our black polo necks and skinny trousers, black eyeliner, the whole nine yards as the groupies. Music was great and also it seems most of that crowd went out to a pub in Stokesley to listen to Skiffle with the same musicians and I recall Barry McLoughlin playing the mouth organ. We went out in an old hearse Barry had and sat in the back with our feet where the coffin would have been! Rick Hewson did the arranging for “Those were the Days my Friend” and boy, they sure were! Any of you guys come to San Francisco, be sure to look me up….
Just found about some posts on here regarding my old band “The Videos” from another old band member of mine, guitarist Nev Reed, who I played alongside with in Night train/Boys brigade & the jogging waiters in the 80’s. Ged Duffy (Bass & lead vocals) now works for Peter Gabriel in his Real world studios in Box (Nr Bath) has a top UK Sting/Police tribute band “Stingchronicity”. Johnny Newsome (Drums/vocals) now a pro golfer owns/runs the Phoenix golf academy near Rotherham. I myself have been working offshore as an instrument tech for 25 yrs, have a home studio & still gig with local bands, having 3 of my original compositions getting through to the UK songwriting comp of the year (2 in 2008 & 1 in 2009). Check out my homepage at http://www.myspace.com/plasticplayer if you’re bored! Great site & thanks for the memories!
Fabulous to hear about all the old bands and to hear what everyone is doing. I have a photo of the Chelfont Line when I was a singer in the band. The line up then was:
Micky Rowe (bass), Wally Leatheran (guitar), Tony Ralph (drums), Barry Robinson (keyboard), George Trigg (sax.), Paul Rucroft (baritone sax.)and myself on vocals. I think John Taylor blew trumpet with us now and then.
Paul Smith came in later.
A stunning, tour-de-force of memories from Dave Lewis above, which surely is the type of material that should be included in Trevor Davis’s forthcoming publication? It also jerked a few grey-cells in my own head. The ‘Acklam Cafe’ for instance, which later had a Fish n’ chip shop augmented into the rear, and where as early teenagers we’d ‘hang around’, much like the kids we’d all wish to “clear-off” around our local shops today!. Malcolm Harrison was at school with myself, and I recall him and his pal Peter Hawksby fervently practising guitar at each others homes to a ‘folk-blues’ Davey Graham L.P., whilst I , on the other hand, was proclaiming the value of early ‘MoTown’ and even blues supremo Buddy Guy, to them both. Malcolm and Peter both joined me at Art College in ’66 after which we lost touch. We also had another school-pal who went onto Art College with us, Paul Rhucroft. Paul also played a bit of guitar, however he is best remembered as a saxophonist in local bands. I can honestly say that in all the time I knew him at school or Art College, and on the many occasions that I visited his home in the early ’60’s I never saw him with a ‘sax’ in his hands. It turned out, I was later informed, that Paul had been tutored on the sax with the ‘Sally-doodles’ (Salvation Army) very early in his life, and I can only presume that this rather ‘un-cool’ period in his upbringing, was not the sort of thing he wished to admit to in our formative teens. However, the demand for brass-sections in the mid to late ’60’s soul-era must have prompted a ‘horn’ back into his clutches and he became a very accomplished and popular player. Several years ago, I once again made contact with Paul after a gap of 30years. We had a long chat on the phone, arranging to meet up in the near future for a pint. Sadly, just 10 days later I was informed of his untimley passing.
Great to hear another story of success from the 60’s especially someone I had a great friendship with – already met upwith Jeff Ellis and spoke with Pete Laverick from the Fremonts. This page has done so much to revive great memories of the greatest era of music ever. Dave Lewis was always “special” and it was so nice to hear his story.
More characters have been brought to mind – What happened to the singers Brian Fletcher and Ray Harris ? We had the tragic death of Bob Gray (aged 52) about 9 years ago and until this page appeared not many people were aware. A lovely guy, fantastic singer and drummer (and even did a stint as a comedian) will always be in my memories as will the Fremonts.
I discovered this web site on 20 Jan 2010, and can relate to many people and events. Whilst remembering Bryan Tattersall, Bob Gray, Wilf Ashman, Jack Keane, Ken Crawford, who are sadly no longer with us, I take this opportunity to tell my musical history, which others may relate to. I have tried to be as accurate as possible, with dates and events mostly based on the memorabilia that I have. Guitar: In 1956, my 11th year, a few of us were peering with amazement through the window of the “Acklam Café”. We were watching one of the first amplified groups in the area. I believe that they were called “The Condors”. Does anybody know anything about them? Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” was a hit at the time. In February 1958, I was given a £5 guitar for my 13th birthday. Maurice Burns, of the “Set Squares” skiffle group, showed me some chords to various skiffle songs. The next few days were painful and my finger ends got really sore to the point of bleeding. Songs like “Move It”, “One Night with You”, “Living Doll”, “Travellin Light”, “Shakin All Over”, increased my repertoire. I learned “Apache” and other “Shadows” instrumentals as they were released. In 1960 I bought a new white acoustic guitar costing £20. It had a neck pickup and I used to connect it into the radiogram turntable arm wires for amplification. I went regularly to the “Linthorpe Assembly Rooms”, mainly to see the “Skyliners” playing. Their lead guitarist had a “Futurama”. He made it look easy to play and it sounded good. So in 1961 I bought a “Futurama III” guitar costing 45 guineas and joined the “Silvertones” as lead guitarist with Barry Sutherland, Peter Bradley, and Ray (drums). Early in 1962 we auditioned at the Tyne Tees TV Newcastle studios playing Cliff Richard’s “The Young Ones” which had just been released. Unfortunately we didn’t pass the audition. Later in 1962 I joined “The Fremonts” as lead guitarist, with Graham Wilson, Peter Laverick, Mike Woods, and Bob Gray, initially playing “Cliff and the Shadows” material. Ray Harris replaced Graham Wilson as vocalist, and Jeff G Ellis replaced Mike Woods on bass guitar. Later Brian Fletcher (from “The Panthers / 1234Five”) replaced Ray Harris as vocalist. Arthur Evans and Dave Dalton managed bookings. In 1963 Pete and I bought Gibson rosewood Les Paul SG’s to match Jeff’s Gibson EB0 bass guitar. Our early bookings were at “Stockton Corporation Hall” and pubs in the Darlington area. (Chubby Checker’s “Lets Twist Again” was a popular request, I remember). We were fortunate to play on the main stage at the Globe Theatre in Stockton for one of the matinees. On 04 January 1964 sparks flew at Catterick Camp when, due to a faulty earth on my amplifier plug, I became electrified. Jeff’s Base strings suffered pitting when we were pulled together by what felt like a powerful magnet. Fortunately Peter had the mind to switch off the mains supply. It took me several days to recover mentally and regain the confidence to play the guitar again with an amplifier attached. On Easter Monday 30 March 1964, “The Fremonts” came fifth in the finals of the 1964 Evening Gazette competition at the Astoria Ballroom in Middlesbrough. A Fremonts fan club had evolved during the heats, and before the finals they placed a notice in the Evening Gazette based on some of our songs: “We think of you” every time we meet, “All our loving” we send to you, “Will you still love us tomorrow?” See you all on Easter Monday. Thanks to our loyal fans for their support. Bookings followed at the Cosmo in Carlisle, Tow Bar Inn at Nethertown, South Bank sporting club, Outlook, Scene, the “Brewers” basement in Saltburn, A “Basement” club near Billingham green, Billingham Arms, The Community Hall near the Roseberry on Acklam Road. All kept us busy. Our final booking was in 1965 at the Beachwood and Easterside working mans club, where I remember winning £10 on the bingo. In 1965 I played lead guitar with the “Concordes” of Darlington, standing in for their lead guitarist who was on an outward Bound course for several weeks. One of the venues, sponsored by the hair stylist John Hunter, was at the Darlington football ground, Darlington v Arsenal. We had to perform at the side of the pitch to warm up the crowd before the match started. It was cold and wet, so we didn’t stick around to watch the match. Mandolin: In 1966 I was introduced to the Folk club scene at the “Rifle” in Canon Street, Middlesbrough. A neighbour, Stewart Macfarlane was looking after the door at the time. It was here that I started playing the mandolin that Bob Gray had given me in 1963. Initially I played with “The Young Folk” singing group with Richard C Harris and friends. Later I joined Stan Gee’s “Revivalist String Band”, and alongside other local artists in concert at the Middlesbrough Little Theatre, we made a recording of Dallas Rag. The concert was recorded, and a number of vinyl LP’s were produced to raise funds for a “Folk Centre Teesside”. During an appearance at the Stork and Castle in Stockton, I asked Dave Swarbrick where I could find a mandolin like his, and Martin Carthy told me to ring Steve Benbow. I did this and Stewart and I met him in Wimbledon where I bought his Gibson mandolin A1 for £35. In 1967 Stewart Macfarlane, Malcolm Harrison and I formed “The Creel” folk group. We played at the folk clubs in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar, and regularly at the “James Finnegan Hall” in Eston. In September 1967 Malcolm Harrison went to London to study graphic design. Shortly afterwards, Stewart and I joined the “Teesside Fettlers” folk group to replace Alex Mclean and Cliff Robson who were leaving for pastures new. Ron Angel, Ken Crawford, John White, Stewart Macfarlane, and Dave Lewis were now the “Teesside Fettlers”. I expect many people will remember those Stockton folk club nights at the Stork and Castle, and later in the Leeds hotel. Any photographs anybody? I remember the “Dubliners” calling into the Stork and Castle, between appearances at the “Fiesta”. That weekend I took pleasure in driving the “Dubliners” to see the “Redcar Folk Festival” and I got to playing “Never on a Sunday” with them at the “Studley Hotel” in Middlesbrough where they were staying. In 1968, we played live on a Tyne Tees TV outside broadcast with Marion Foster, at the Billingham Town Centre, to celebrate the town’s absorption into the County Borough of Teesside. On 19 August 1968 In Leeds, we played live in the Yorkshire TV studios on the news programme “Calendar”, and recorded for two future “Calendar” programmes earlier that day. On 30 January 1969 we were on the Wally Whyton show “Walk Right In” at Tyne Tees TV alongside the “Corries” and “Dorita Y Pepe”. The programme had been pre-recorded some weeks earlier at the Tyne Tees TV studios in City Road, Newcastle. I used to go to The Cleveland Bay in Eston on Sunday lunchtimes, and meet with Vin Garbut, Ron Angel, Frank Porter, and others for a “Jam” session upstairs. Unfortunately my job away from the area meant I had to leave the “Teesside Fettlers”. Vin Garbut took my place to be followed some time later by Frank Porter and Sean McManus. I got married to Susan, and in 1971 we had a son Mark Jonathan Lewis. He is now an Australian citizen from Perth WA presently working in London. Back on the scene in 1973 I got together with Frank Porter and Colin Irvine and we made a Ferrograph tape recording at Jim Frazer’s house in Billingham. I have a copy of that session. Somewhere in the grand order of things, I played with Ged Drum of “Ged, Dave, & Sandy” fame. Perhaps someone can let me know when it was. (Ged Drum, Dave Pope, and Sandy McNeil often played at the Purple Onion cafe in Bottomley Street, Middlesbrough in the mid to late 60’s). (Bottomley Street and the original Purple Onion, was demolished in the early 70’s to make way for the Cleveland Centre). Also in 1973, I joined “The Waggoners” folk d
ance band with Jack Keane, Rita Angel, Dave Milner & Wilf Ashman. The band was popular and bookings were plentiful. I enjoyed many years with Jack’s band. Rita Angel, Dave Milner and I formed a folk group called “Jackaroo”. We played at the local folk clubs and appeared several times on BBC Radio Teesside’s “Helter Skelter”. Stan Laundon recorded our version of “Dallas Rag” which he featured on his country music programme “Country Time”, and Stewart Macfarlane used another recording of us playing “The Mason’s Apron”, as the introduction and background music to his “Focus on Folk” club spot each week. We recorded several Christmas songs for a BBC Radio Teesside programme “The Christmas Nativity” written and narrated by Sid Chaplin, and we contributed to the New Years celebrations live in the studio. Eddie Walker replaced me in Jackaroo, when I left the group. In June 1974 Bryan Tattersall made several recordings of me playing the mandolin for his “North East Sounds” programmes on BBC Radio Cleveland. I joined “Blue Anchor” with Dave Martin, Nigel Bond, and Colin Irvine and we had some great Sunday evening sessions at the “Pied Piper” in Osmotherly – anybody remember them – any photos perhaps? My work took me out of the area again, so with regret, I had to leave it all behind. In 1978 during a break in Holland, I bumped into Jeff G Ellis (Our Bass player in the Fremonts). It was great to see him again and talk over old times. Guitar: In 1978 I joined the “John Bob Duo” as lead guitarist using my 1964 Stratocaster, with Bob Gray (ex 60’s group “The Fremonts”), and John Thomas (ex 60’s group “The Renegades”). Venues were in Redcar, at The Oasis, The Kingfisher, Redcar Cricket Club, and regularly at the Redcar Racecourse Club. In November 1979, together with my brother Mike Lewis, we “Trod the boards” at Middlesbrough’s Little Theatre with the Middlesbrough Amateur Operatic Society “Call Me Madam” production. The following year in January 1980, we took part in the Little Theatre’s production of “Dick Whittington & His Cat”. I rejoined the “Waggoners” until 1983 when my work took me to Leicester. Back in 1977, I had started to learn Ballroom and Latin dance steps at “Smith Jacques” in Billingham, and continued to attend their “socials” where in 1983 I met Carole. We married in July 1985 and celebrate our Silver Wedding this year. I played mandolin with the “Teesside Fettlers” again for a short while in about 1995. At the Durham Street Studios in Hartlepool, we recorded “Johnny Condom” for the Spitting Image team. (“Johnny Condom” can be heard on “you-tube”). I decided to start playing the guitar again after meeting “Zoe Mculloch” at the Newcastle guitar show in 2005 (my 60th Year). So I bought a Custom Shop Fender Stratocaster, Marshall amplifier, “Amtech” echo unit, and a “Tascam” portable studio, and practiced almost to the exclusion of all else. By August 2006 I had produced a 14 track CD, playing Hank B Marvin instrumentals using “UB Hank” backing tracks. I have many more backing tracks to choose from, so I’m not short of material for several more CD’s yet. I celebrate my 65th next week on 7th February 2010. I can’t believe it. Would love to do it all again. Best wishes to all. Dave Lewis.
I saw The Videos many a time all over the North east. Not much is said about this band but I have have never seen clubs/nightclubs as packed in my life! Fantastic entertainers/musicians & what a visual performance. Massive sound system & lights. I had never seen a sound mixing desk at the back of a room until I saw them! Only top London bands had them! I heard some second hand info about their whereabouts from a friend; The Bass player singer Ged?)is now working for Peter Gabriel at his recording studio in Bath. Mac the guitarist is still in local bands but works offshore on an oil rig & has a home studio writing songs etc & does tours with Francis Dunnery (Ex It Bites). Johnny the drummer is now a pro golfer & has a golf school/academy in Rotherham. I wish they’d get back together for a charity gig or whatever… I’m sure it would be packed out! Any takers to get in touch with them & sort it out?
Wow the videos, thats a band I always mention to my mates, only saw them once in mid 80`s at the Billingham Cons club. I always recall the guitarist announcing “here`s a nice song for all you Neil Diamond fans” and launched into an excellent version of the who`s my generation! Brilliant gig, always wondered what happened to them too!
I noticed an earlier post by a lad who played in “The Videos”. Whatever happened to them? I know the pubs/clubs were absolutey jammed to capacity when they played. I bought a 45 single from one of the gigs in 80-81ish? they had a terrific show & sounded better live than the Police! Any info would be grateful as I now live in Melbourne great site.
When we used to go to the clubs in thornaby in the late 70s/early 80s, the group we all wanted to see were called White Spirit who came from Hartlepool. I have been at the Embassay club on a sunday night and have found out that White Spirit were playing at the Nats club and nearly all the lads made a mass exit from the Embassay to go to the Nats. White Spirit backed the Ian Gillan band on his british tour and when Gillans guitarist left Janick Gerse W S guitarist joined Gillan and now he plays with Iron Maiden.
I’m sorry to hear that Trevor Davis’s efforts regarding ‘the book’ have become stymied. Perhaps the pre-cursor of it being solely a document relating to ‘bands’ and ‘groups’ of the 50’s-70’s era, has led to it being cul-de-sac’d? Maybe a wider approach to the social and cultural aspects of the ‘scene’ on Teesside at that time, may help give the book a little more perspective, as well as assist in chaptering-out, or stimulating the content. The backdrop to the activities of local musicians in terms of clubs, pubs, food and fashion was in reality directly relative to certain other ‘players’ i.e. John McCoy/ Roger Barker/The Lipthorpe bros, etc. who as the venue-operators and club-owners have, or had, their equally interesting stories. Bass-player, Dave McNamara still holds a mass of photographs and cuttings. I did forward some 50% of these to Trevor that I had received from Dave, but for some reason he didn’t get back to myself for the remainder. In a similar vein, I recently received a DVD of some cine-film shot by Dave Rea in the 60’s. Dave lived in Punch St (off Newport Rd), and operated a few ice-cream vans around the area. He took-up ‘band management’ of ‘The Machine’ in the mid 60’s and there is some ‘Monkees’-like footage of guitarist Bob McConnel and drummer Denny Chatto practising in his van-garage on there. You are also reminded, via general shots of Newport Rd, just how few cars and little general road traffic there was back then. Sadly, there is no ‘sound-track’, which makes viewing this important era of time, in terms of a short 45yr-old flickering amateur cine-film, seem quite poignant.
Has this book by Trevor Davis been published yet? If anyone would care to email me direct to be certain I receive a reply I am sure the Picture Stockton people will provide it…
Let me add my support to the comments made by Sheila. I was in contact with Trevor just recently asking about the book and he said that he was in need of a bit more material.It would be such a pity if all the work he has put in was to be wasted for want of a few more stories, so come all of you who were there, it’s your chance to tell the truth (rose tinted no doubt) about what actually happened during that great decade, before it’s lost forever!
Trevor Davis is my cousin,he still lives in France, he was over here about a month go for a couple of weeks. Yes, he is still on with the book, but I think maybe the info has dried up from various sources so come on guys give him a hand and maybe he will get it finished.
This page appears to have fallen off the radar on many of the earlier contributors computers, and ‘favourites’ bars. So, I’m putting up this post to enquire as to what happened to the book that Trevor Davis was putting together re: ‘Bands of the 50’s & 60’s on Teesside’. Did it ever make publication in some form? I believe Trevor was then living in France, has anyone subsequently had contact with him?
His last posting on this subject was almost a year ago.(23/12/08)
My lasting memory of Ken Crawford is of him playing banjo with Gerry Carney, owner of Carney’s Carpets in Parliament Street, on piano jamming at Gerry’s house, Greenabella, in Yarm. It must have been sometime in the early 60s and from what I was told a regular occurance with other local musicians of the day taking part.
As mentioned, without Ken and others of his era, Eugene McCoy senior included, the music scene in Teesside would have been a poorer place. Eugene Senior could often be seen at Mr McCoys enjoying the atmosphere.
I feel it should be sadly mentioned (and recorded) in passing, that Ken Crawford, the former ‘silent’ partner of John McCoy at The Kirklevington C.C. died suddenly on Nov 10th. Ken was by day, an Architect and at night during the 60’s a banjo-playing member of the phenomenally successful local ‘Fettlers’ folk band (who won the Kilkenny Folk Festival, Ireland in 1966) This band, in one form or another, is still going today. Ken was rarely seen at the club on an evening, usually calling in each day to deal with admin. matters etc. Nevertheless, he was jointly responsible for providing us all with that plethora of musical talent we enjoyed during the period 1965-89 at The Kirk. A nice guy.
Remember John Mcwilliams very well, brought up with John and his brother Peter who was my best man, we all lived in Pentland ave although John was a few years younger than me for the life of me I cannot ever remember John playing in groups in the area. John worked for the local council for many years as a driver, last saw John and Peter at my silver wedding do in 1989. I am amazed at some of the things people remember on this site, use to go to all the gigs in the Billingham area in the late fifties and early sixties but could never have remembered the names of the groups and who played in them, very interesting reading re the query about Hamiltons music shop. I can remember (ah remember something) it being in Newport Road Middlesbrough about where the bus station is now.
Lived away from Billingham for about thirty years now but some great memories can you still get a good pint of exhibition in the area, used to get mine in the Billy arms as we called it then.
John McWilliams played lead guitar in The Moonbeams in 1963/64 and possibly before and after. (I didn’t get to know him until late 1963 and saw him only a couple of times after I left home in April 1964.) He was real musician, having been taught by his mother, who also taught him violin. The Moonbeams sometimes played at the Billingham Arms on Sunday evenings. I started going with a friend in 1963 when we were both only 16 but we looked older and lied on the membership form.
When I knew John he was a fireman on the railways.