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Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 04 Mar 2010, 08:53
by Pedro
There were plenty of others beside The Beatles!
Any memories?

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 04 Mar 2010, 13:11
by neil2726
Sonny Webb and the Cascades spring to mind - later to become Uks top Country band - The Hillsiders! Lead vocal was Kenny Johnson who left in the early 70s to form his own band, Kenny Johnson and Northwind. The Hillsiders had their own TV show in the late 60s with George Hamilton IV. Until a few years ago Kenny still went out as Northwind for Country gigs or Sonny Webb for 60s nights. Hillsiders at one time recorded fo Polydor. The Hillsiders had an excellent pedal steel player in Ronnie Bennett who still builds and sells pedal steel guitars.

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 04 Mar 2010, 17:04
by StuartD
neil2726 wrote:Sonny Webb and the Cascades spring to mind - later to become Uks top Country band - The Hillsiders! Lead vocal was Kenny Johnson who left in the early 70s to form his own band, Kenny Johnson and Northwind. The Hillsiders had their own TV show in the late 60s with George Hamilton IV. Until a few years ago Kenny still went out as Northwind for Country gigs or Sonny Webb for 60s nights. Hillsiders at one time recorded fo Polydor. The Hillsiders had an excellent pedal steel player in Ronnie Bennett who still builds and sells pedal steel guitars.


Hi

I have worked with Kenny many times. Top man!! I went to the cavern in 1965. Saw the Big Three but by that time Faron, of Flamingos Theme, was with them. They were great. I also remember the Midnighters, who backed Freddie Starr. Their guitarist, Dave Carden, was a Rep for Music Man and Ernie Ball for a while. Really liked Ian and the Zodiacs and the Remo Four. Colin Manley was a tremendous guitarist but I really liked the Searchers best of all. Some great tracks, Each Time springs to mind. Chris Curtis had a tremendous high harmony voice. Check out Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya and Someday We're Gonna Love again.

Regards

Stuart

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 04 Mar 2010, 17:32
by neil2726
Remember seeing the Hillsiders at Allisons in Liverpool - they got top billing over the Merseybeats! (I think of You/Sorrow)
The Hillsiders had a chart enty with "Kentucky Woman"

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 04 Mar 2010, 21:49
by Pedro
Do any of the members remember the Tower Ballroom or the 'Kraal'

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 04 Mar 2010, 22:36
by noelford
Does The Lansdown Club ring any bells with anyone? I seem to recall that being the name of a Liverpool venue I played with my band, The Establishment, back in the mid sixties.

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 05 Mar 2010, 08:55
by Pedro
Kept to the Wirral side (unfortuanately) and hence reference to 'Tower' and 'Kraal'.
Try listening to 'Mashed Potato', 'Just a Little Bit' by the Wallasey group The Undertakers.

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 05 Mar 2010, 11:38
by kipper
now theres a name to ponder :lol: the undertakers :lol: peter

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 05 Mar 2010, 13:20
by StuartD
kipper wrote:now theres a name to ponder :lol: the undertakers :lol: peter



Hi

They were tremendous with Jackie Lomax and Geoff Nugent. Great band live.

Regards

Stuart

Re: Merseyside Bands of the early 60s

PostPosted: 05 Mar 2010, 14:06
by kipper
StuartD wrote:
kipper wrote:now theres a name to ponder :lol: the undertakers :lol: peter

hi yes i do think i rember them didnt they have a bit of succes in the charts at one time. i wasnt taking the mick in my reply :roll: . peter

Hi

They were tremendous with Jackie Lomax and Geoff Nugent. Great band live.

Regards

Stuart