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.
For Al Todd, Hi Al I really am going back a long way, it would have been early 70″s, maybe even earlier. Do you recall Colin Dale & New Boston Movement, That”s how long ago. If you want to get in touch, get me on WltGrh@aol.com Regards
For Colin Bradley: So sorry to hear about Joe. He was a good man. Although i was making a decent living from music (managed to buy a house! and i still live in Birmingham) my pro muso career was cruelly curtailed when i suffered a stroke at the age of 29 (a congenital condition and not caused by copious amounts of beer!) I still play and i like to describe myself as the best one-armed bass player in the world because as far as i”m aware i”m the only one. Do you remember Danny Ramage? For Derek Elliot: Yes, David Coverdale was the singer but he is now on a different planet and i havent spoken to him for donkeys years. Three Dog Night happened to be touring Britain and they stood in for the Jeff Beck band at the town hall. It was before they got really big and i was surprised at how unassuming and friendly they were. For Graham Walton: Yes, “tis another refugee from Cumberland Road! I do apologise but i can”t place you (memory not what it was:( Were we friends back then?
To Al Todd: How nice to hear from you Al. I remember you well of course, along with many others from the old Royal Exchange days. You were a pretty good bass player as I recall. Are you still making a living in the music business? Sadly, Joe passed away last October at the age of 78 following a battle with Leukaemia. He had a great life, was loved by many people in the music business both on Teesside and internationally, and his funeral was a real celebration with a huge crowd. Hope life has been good to you and yours Al, and if you are ever in Toronto, be sure to look me up. To Billy Yull: My goodness, a name from the past. I do remember you Billy, and often wonder about old school friends from the Highfield Road days. I went back there recently – it was an empty field awaiting housing development – so many memories. I still keep in touch with Paul and Micky, and in fact Paul makes his home in Canada these days. Great to hear that you have had success in the creative arts, and so nice to hear from you.
For Al TODD, Al are you the same guy who lived in Cumberland Road Linthorpe, Played Bass Guitar?? If so, get in touch. Cheers.
Al Todd Denver Mule the same band that had Dave Coverdale as lead singer remember seeing them at the town hall middlesbrough backing three dog knight.
For Colin Bradley. I remember you Paul & Mick setting up your first band at school St Thomas. You called yourselves the Premiers for a week or so prior to changing it to The Roadrunners. Sorry to read about Tony Relph. I am an author and have a film production company hope you remember your old school friends .
Hello Colin Bradley:) Don”t know if you remember me but we used to be apprentice draughtsmen at the Royal Exchange in Middlesbrough. I remember that when I announced to the drawing office at the age of 19 that I was going to be a pro musician you were the only man that really shook my hand and wished me all the good luck in the world. Your brother Joe used to manage a band I used to play with by the name of “Denver Mule”. please give him my warmest regards. With great affection for the past, al.
Yes Eric, the Redcar Jazz club was THE place to be seen. I can remember seeing Thin Lizzie in particular. We also travelled to York Uni to see groups, saw Nektar and Kraftwerk there.
Hey Merrick – hope all is well with you in Rusk-land. Laminated copies of those contracts are on my music room wall at home here in Toronto. God bless Joe for making them available, and also for taking his kid brother to both shows. Not many people can say they stood 10 feet away from Hendrix at the Kirk, but I can. Colin B.
Hi Eric I well remember the Jazz Club at Redcar and also your famous Strange World Of Arthur Brown song complete with flaming helmet but I promise not to tell how the flames were eventually put out
Dave Shearer. Yes the Flugel is still in the loft along with a red drape suit and a pair of blue suede shoes. The wig I”m still wearing. Any photo”s of the old bands we played in? I”ll checkout Jimbo”s site, thanks for that. It”s been a long time since I was called Totty Taylor. Eric mentioned the Redcar jazz club, anyone know what happened to the organiser Roger Barker?
How abour a mention for Redcar Jazz Club at the Coatham Hotel. This was an even bigger breeding ground for young talented musicians than the Kirk. It ran from the early sixties upto the mid seventies and booked all the big name London bands as well as a lot of local talent.
Just to pick up on an earlier comment about Cream and Jimi Hendrix at the Kirk. I have copies of contracts booking both Cream (£95) and Jimi Hendrix (£75) to appear at the Kirk, “payment in cash to the artist”. Unfortunately never got to see either gig but have fond memories of being smuggled up the back stairs from the restaurant to the club by John”s brother Eugene, so I could get a sneaky look at other big-name acts. I was maybe 15 years-old at the time and didn”t always appreciate what I was seeing, like Stefan Grappelli,”jazz?? wot?”, but wouldn”t it be great if this area had another “Kirk” now?
The Johnny Taylor 5 was formed in Billingham early in 1960. The original line up was: Brian Taylor (Johnny) Drums Henry Fawcett Rhythm Guitar Alan Raine Lead Guitar Al Morgan Vocals Gordon Valentine joined as bass guitarist in mid 1960 The band played at all the usual local social clubs, pubs and dances, was the first group to play at the Maison de Danse in Stockton and supported Dave Allan at the Empire Continental and made their first television appearance on TTV. . In 1961 Allan Raine left to be replaced by Ray Douglas Ray Douglas was replaced as lead guitar by Eric Shoosmith in 1962 and the same year, Al Morgan left to be replaced by Lou Flett (stage name Gary Phillips) In 1962 successfully auditioned for BBC television show, some Liverpool lads calling themselves the Beatles didn’t make it that day but seemed to do quite well later. In 1963 supported the Beatles at the Astoria Ballroom Middlesbrough and also appeared twice at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. In 1964 played support for the Rolling Stones at the Tower Ballroom New Brighton compered by Jimmy Saville In January 1965 Eric Shoosmith left signifying a change in lineup. Terry Owens joined to play keyboard and Henry Fawcett began alternating between lead and rhythm guitar. Later that year Gary Phillips left to be replaced by Pauline Reilly (stage name Jackie Peters) and Johnny Taylor left to be replaced by Vic Creed on Drums. In 1966 Trevor Davis replaced Gordon Valentine on Bass while Gordon continued on Vocals alongside Jackie Peters. By this time the band was working the cabaret circuit in the North East including the Fiesta at Norton, the various Bailey clubs across the region and the Sporting Club at South Bank. The JT 5 continued with this line up until it’s final gig at Cockerton Band Club Darlington in November 1967.
I recall seeing Ginger Baker and Cream at the Kirk and maybe even Jimi Hendrix but I am not certain about Jimi.
I used to follow the Crawdaddies around too – lead singer John McCoy. I remember them first at the Red Lion in Redcar then at the Kirklevington Country Club. In fact I believe John McCoy ended up owning the Kirklevington as well as the Outlook Club in Middlebrough, where he used to bring in at the time unheard of groups like the Hollies and the Rolling Stones.
The Crawdaddys, now thats a name that really wakes up the memory box, brilliant. I”d like to hear from anyone who remembers the names of all the groups that where around c1964 – who played local youth clubs pubs etc
I remember well the St.Pats social every sunday night being the highlight of myself and my friends week. It was one shilling and sixpence to get in if there were just records on but two and six or half a crown if there was a group on. We used to love Del and Falcons especially when Del sang Dave Berry”s Memphis Tennessee but Del would sing Saltburn by the Sea.
Just to remind everyone that we would love to hear from anyone who was in a group in the North east during the Sixties. We have a website and a monthly club night at Tudhoe Victory Club and any contributions for display would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Gordon I remember you playing in The Black Horse with us for a short while, a bit of a fight in the Black Horse? when was there not one? As far as I know Johnny is still in Australia, we lost touch after the group split. I remember going to the T.V. studio in Newcastle for an audition thinking “we had made it” only to find just about every group on Teesside there! It was another competition, which The Johnny Taylor Five won. Good times.
Yes Gary I remember “The Pats” and also “St Mary”s” at Thornaby I was a keen follower of “The Chelfont Line” and a huge fan of “The Crawdaddys” who played both venues regularly
do you guys remember the sunday nights at the Pats dance in Thornaby, I remember The Real mcoy, the Denmen,Jimmy williams and the westcoast promotion, Big Herberts Jazzboard,who I think Brian Ferry was in, and many other local bands that played there
denis graham,I was with you and the Travellers at the Black Horse for a while on bass.Remember the night you had your new premier kit and there was a bit of a fight in the audience?Did Johnny Parker stay in Australia?
Hey what ever happened to Vivian Dye ? great singer who played in bands at the Maison and the Jubilee Hall
Hi Dee good to hear from you and yes still playing, and if anyone out there is interested I see earlier amongst names mentioned, about Dave Holliday. Well Dave is alive and well but he had a triple heart by-pass 8 month ago and over the Easter weekend had another minor heart attack but after a change of medication he appears to be getting back on form he is still keeping his hand in with his own group. Jimmy Pugh who is in Australia is still playing and in a band called “Junk Male” check out their web site for contact with Jimbo. “Totty” Taylor do you still have your dads flugel horn fun days John well….some of them
Dave Shearer – good to see you are still around Dave. Still drumming? In a band? I can well remember your dear father leaning over your garden gate in the summer evenings after work wearing his vest. No 1 Shaftesbury Street, as I remember. Also your weekly family trip to the cinema in Stockton every Friday night in the 50″s.
I played drums with THE TRAVELLERS who started the bands off in the BLACK HORSE Billingham in 58. We went on to play at the Maison,clubs,pubs,and the EMPIRE CONTINENTAL in Middlesbrough,where we came first in a rock group contest ( THE JOHNNY TAYLOR FIVE came second) , sorry Johnny.The band members were myself (drums) Johnny Parker (lead guitar vocals) Eugene Kennedy (bass)& Ian Edwards (rhythm)Sadly Eugene passed away a few years back.
The band is called “Connection” and I”m beginning to think after reading some of the comments more “drinking” than “playing” went on but never mind keep music live
Hi Derick,yes I have still got the Gibson SG , which is a 1961 SG Les Paul. Unfortunately I had to sell the 330 to fund the purchase of the SG which cost £40 !!!! I was a poor student. Saw a similar guitar for sale in London recently with a price tag of £8750, SO I suppose I got a good deal !!!!! thats why mine is in the bank vault.
John Whittingham, nice to hear from you do you still have the gibson 330 or the gibson sg3, also I will try and get to one of your gigs to catch up on oldtimes.
hi, I am Alan Harrisons son in law, the name of the band pictured was Freshwater
Just discovered this site….nice to know that Cycle and my other bands are remembered with such affection.
Gordon Valentine: You must let me know when you return to Blighty as I would be most interested in catching the Johnny Taylor 5 in flight. Do you keep in touch with uncle Peter?
Dave Read,I am the same old GV that attempted to turn you into Rembrandt at old mother Breck. Good to hear from you.
I”m adding a comment about the picture of the 60″s band. Andy Hunter (top right)is my brother. He plays bass guitar. The band members top left and middle played lead/rhythm guitars. Not sure but I think they were called Connection. I saw them quite a few times and I”m sure they used to open with an instrumental by the Allman Brothers called Jessica. Andy is still going strong and is still playing the cicuits.
Having played with the Moonbeams, Sunsets, Milestones,Chelfont line, Smithfield Blues Band,and Cycle and later Desperado,I certainly served my Rock n Roll apprenticeship in playing the Drums with all of these bands. Any other information about them i will gladly oblige. Norman Smith
Hi Norman,
Any info about the post-Moonbeams exploits of John McWilliams would be gratefully received.
Is the barrel of Guinness the famous one that ended its days being thrown off The Victoria Bridge and to the amazement of John Whitingham, Ronnie (Bass) and Jegs (Hammond Major Organ)bounced instead of sinking? There are many legendary tales of the “Rock n” Roll” activities of Cycle. Some true, others elaboration. I always rated Cycle as the best local rock band with The Steve Brown Soul Sect being the best for soul music.
John whitingham great to hear from you it brought back many memories including the night you broke the neck of your Gibson 330 at Lakes social club in Redcar and the night you left the same guitar at Eston Park secondary. Also being paid off at Hartlepool wc and removing a barrel of Guiness in payment of the fee. Heavy rock group booked as an Irish show band! Have you got either of the guitars Gibson s3 or the 330?
Gordon Valentine. Nice to see your name & can”t believe I have chanced upon it whilst idly surfing when I should be diligently working. Seem to recall you looking not unlike these chaps when you taught me Art at Breck in the 70″s. Do you still play that home made Paul McCartney style bass?
Johnny: Glad to hear you are still musically active. I had a pint with Geoff a couple of years ago during a quick visit back to Teesside. He”s probably told you that we played together in Desperado for about six months, including winning a “Battle of the Bands” at the Town Hall. He and his late wife Jacquie were dear friends. I”m still playing, mostly as a sideman these days, but also with my own band once in a while. Toronto is a great place for music. Keep in touch via my home e-mail, which both Norman and Geoff have, and I know you”ll enjoy Micky”s book. CB
Derek Elliott – I don”t know how or where Bob played his last note, but it was probably to do with Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll.I heard he”d gone from one of the old band members. Cycle were a great group and should have made it. Regarding John Whittingham I have no contact details so check out the Raised on Rusks website as Colin Bradley suggested. They”re a good band and worth seeing. Talking of managers did you know Ian Jones who went on to manage Status Quo?
Mary Scott/Graham – It was good to see someone remembered the Chelfont Line. I”m now searching for the photographs. All the guys are still around and some still playing. The line up was Paul Cattermole(Vocals), Micky Rowe(Bass), Wally Leatheron(Guitar), Barry Robinson(Keyboard), Rob Atkinson(Tenor Sax)and me(Trumpet). The original drummer was Norman Smith(The Milestones/Cycle) who was replaced by Ian “Nosebait” Nesbitt who went on to play with Chris Rea”s Loser”s. Good memories and we had a great local following. For anyone that”s interested the missing name from the photograph at the top is Frankie Smith, Drummer(Bottom right)formally with the Carnaby Rags from Hartlepool.
Colin – Thanks for the reply. I hadn”t seen Norman for over 30 years but there he was at Geoff O”Donnells wedding last year,he”d never changed apart from the grey hair. I now play guitar and Geoff and I do the occasional gig as a duo. Great voice and he sometimes gets the bass out. I still have a trumpet but the lips gone now. Remember Teespop”68 with Micky and Tramline and the Chelfont Line on the same bill with Traffic, Joe Cocker and Ben E.King headlining. I still have a copy of the poster designed by Chris Bailey – Great blues harmonica player. Good to hear from you and give my regards to Mick when you are in contact. The books ordered.
Johnny Taylor – how nice to hear from you. Norman Smith ( with whom I am in regular touch) mentioned that he runs into you once in a while. Moody”s book title is a reference to his father who,upon learning of Micky scoring his first real pro gig with Gene Pitney”s band, commented that he must really have made the big time because he was “Playing With Trumpets” (his Dad was a huge Eddie Calvert fan and originally wanted Micky to take up the trumpet instead of the guitar) I do indeed remember all of the names you mentioned, but had no idea that Bob Evans and Tony Relph had both passed away. Good to hear from you John, and if ever you are in Toronto, please look me up – I”m in the book. Derek Elliot – I suggest you contact John Whittingham via his band”s website contact link or guestbook – http://www.raisedonrusks.co.uk
Johnny Taylor. agree with the memories sorry to hear about Bob Evans any idea how he died I was with New Elastic band and Cycle as manager, we needed one in those days, also interested in contacting John whittingham after all these years
What memories. I”m nothing to do with the Johnny Taylor 5, I was the Trumpet player with The Elastic Band, Soul Supply and The Chelfont Line. I recently attended a reunion with the remaining members of The Elastic Band – Eugene McCoy(vocals), Andy Strickland(Bass), Rob Atkinson(Baritone Sax) and Barry Robinson(Keyboard) missing on holiday John Whittingham(Guitar)and deceased Bob Evans(Tenor Sax)and Tony Relph(Drums). An Eight piece band, we played for fun not money. Colin Bradley, I guess you remember all the guys and the school gigs we play on the same bill as the Roadrunners who of course were always top of the bill. Is that where Mick Moody got the title of his book “Playing with Trumpets”? I was sorry to hear about Joe. You all got a mention at our reunion. Happy Days.
Colin Bradley do you have a contact for John whitingham as I would like to contact him as I”m now retired on Ill Health and moving to Spain
Thanks Stan,for your info on the Midnighters.This site and your own are throwing up all sorts of memories and names.Regarding the Denvers,Pauline Riley{Jackie Peters} sang with the Johnny Taylor 5+1 1965 to 1967 and eventually emigrated to Canada. Also Vic Creed was drummer with the JT5 at the same time.We were working all the Bailey clubs at the time and did appear twice at the Fiesta
Gordon Valentine – I remember the Midnighters very well and remember seeing them play at the old Queens Rink Ballroom, in Hartlepool. Would-be guitar pickers at the time were envious of their lead guitarist Granville Blair Leacy who was the first person in the north east to own a Fender Stratocaster. It was red, too, the same as Hank B. Marvin used with The Shadows. I have a photo of the band which I will submit to this site. It was loaned to me by Tommy Gibson who was the founder of the Midnighters. The band also included Ray Hudson on bass guitar, Tommy Gibson on rhythm, Barry Thompson on drums, Johnny Rocco the lead vocalist with Granville Blair Leacy on lead guitar. Ray and Johnny, sadly, are no longer with us. Barry and Tommy are in Middlesbrough and the last we heard Granville joined the Marines!
Derek Elliot: Regarding The Elastic Band and Tramline etc. John Whitingham recently retired as headmaster of Tolesby Special Ed. School in Middlesbrough and is still acive musically with “Raised on Rusks” – the successor to my old band “Desperado”. They are a great band and have an excellent website. The history of “Tramline” is well documented in Micky Moody”s recently published book “Playing With Trumpets” – also an excellent and amusing take on life in a local “group” as we were called then, the “we” being The RoadRunners. I have not heard of Bob Evans in many years, but would be interested to know if anyone else has. Hope this is helpful.