60's Groups Reunion

[noelford]

Just returned from the annual 60's groups reunion gig in Coventry which, this year, featured nine of the groups that played the Coventry music scene in those years. Most boasted the original band members. Amazingly, my own band, The Stormbreakers (all original apart from the bass player) was the only one to include instrumentals (including some Shads, of course) in their set. Was it coincidental (and I'm too old for false modesty!) that so many people came up afterwards and told us we were the best band of the night?!

[guitarfred]

Noel
I spent all of my teenage years in Coventry and the two bands that stick in my mind are Tony Martin & The Echo 4 and The Mighty Avengers (who actually managed to get a record into the top 40. I think it was called "Sky High")
Were any of these there?
Fred

[dave robinson]

The record 'Sky High' was by Jigsaw, maybe they changed their name?

[noelford]

Noel
I spent all of my teenage years in Coventry and the two bands that stick in my mind are Tony Martin & The Echo 4 and The Mighty Avengers (who actually managed to get a record into the top 40. I think it was called "Sky High")
Were any of these there?
Fred

I remember them both, Fred. Neither were there this year, though the Challengers have played in previous years. Do you remember Bev Jones, the UK's answer to Brenda Lee? She sang again this year. She's a good friend of mine and I was her lead guitarist for some time back in the eighties. I thoroughly enjoyed backing her again this year as part of a scratch band assembled on the spot. Her voice is still as strong and amazing as ever and she brought the house down, as usual!

[Tim]

I think the same Mighty Avengers (from Rugby/Coventry?) did a great version of the Jagger/Richards song Blue Turns to Grey, which Cliff also recorded.
Tim

[gogarrio]

Noel, me thinks the reaction is that so few instrumentals are heard these days. When a rockin' band unleashes 'em, there's an instant "re-connect" with folks who remember the Hit Parade when it didn't play favourites between vocals and instros. Even the great rock 'n' roll station I listen to on Sirius-XM satellite radio, "The Underground Garage", which plays truly great stuff rock, pop, blues (even "Move It") from the 1950s-2010, rarely plays an instrumental, and they should know better!

[noelford]

I agree Greg. You can listen to so much twelve-bar rock and roll, and it all gets to sound the same. A well-crafted instrumental really hits you between the eyes – or EARS, rather!

[guitarfred]

Noel
Yes I remember the Challengers quite well.
They came from Kenilworth and were called Woody Allen & The Challegers.
They came to a gig in our village hall at Stoneleigh, and at the time, myself and a few mates were trying to form a "group" as we called it those days.
The challengers were just setting up and came over to our youth club and asked if they could have a go with our gear, we allowed them to, and boy they made our instuments sound really brilliant.It just goes to show that it is the player who makes the sound. Good days
Fred

[Pedro]

I was surprised to find that there are still quite a lot of Merseyside groups and singers still doing the rounds who were around in the early 60s. I am now thinking of The Undertakers (Wallasey) and Beryl Marsden who are still performing. Also, recognised an old class mate Ian Hunter (Valkyres) who now plays for Karl Terry. Remarkable!!

[keithmantle]

Jigsaw where from Stoke and Sky High was from a film with James Coburn (hang gliders) the drummer did most of the vocals and the organist had the back of his Hammond (facing audience) painted with a fantastic 'Muriel' depicting Walt Disney characters doing naughty things, and P**s off on his music stand when he lifted it!!.When i was with the 'n betweens we played with them at 'The Place' Stoke New Years Eve 1967, great musicians and totally wild