The Vipers

[GoldenStreet]

This is Daniel Farson... on the left! He appears at 2.36 in the silent video.

Bill

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[GoldenStreet]

Did anyone hear Martin Carthy on Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 yesterday morning? I'm not sure if he ever found himself in the 2i's during the golden era, but his chosen ultimate recording, to become a Chas McDevitt inspired skiffle standard, was Elizabeth Cotten's Freight Train. Certainly, her guitar playing initially informed the style for which Carthy is renowned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... in_Carthy/

Bill

[Iain Purdon]

Is that Jet watching the show at 3.51????

I see what you mean, there is a likeness for sure. At what stage did Jet start colouring his hair blonde? Would it have been this early?

[jimbojet]

see what you mean, there is a likeness for sure. At what stage did Jet start colouring his hair blonde? Would it have been this early?Iain Purdon
Iain_P

According to Dave Nicolsons biography on Jet it is disputed whether it was the Vipers idea for Jet to bleach his hair or as claimed by ex Les Horbeaux bassist Brian Greggs claim in the same book his as he had dyed his hair blonde and Jet saw it and liked it and asked him If he could dye his the same as he liked the look, so Brian Greggs wife obliged, added a bit of "vitapointe" for a glossy look and " that hair " was born. The Shadows then nick-named Jet "the vitapointe kid".....I believe this was in 1957 but when that year I don't know, I guess somebody on this forum will know, and does anybody know the real story on whose idea it was, maybe somebody who had spoken to Jet about it....???

[Bill Bowley]

"Vipers Skiffle Group
Formed in 1956, the group consisted of various members, including Wally Whyton (b. 23 September 1929, London, England, d. 23 January 1997, London, England), Tommy Steele, Hank Marvin, Jet Harris and Bruce Welch. It grew out of the 'frothy coffee' scene, centred at the 2I's coffee bar in London's Soho district in the late 50s. Whyton was the musical brains, and with Bill Varley, wrote the group's first hit, 'Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O', which was even more successful for the 'King Of Skiffle', Lonnie Donegan. After having their 'cleaned up' version of 'Maggie May' banned by the BBC, the Vipers had two other UK chart entries in 1957 - 'Cumberland Gap' and 'Streamline Train'. However, the whole skiffle craze was short-lived, and before long Steele had become an 'all-round entertainer', Marvin, Harris and Welch had formed the Shadows, via the Drifters, and Whyton had carved out a career as a singer and broadcaster on radio programmes such as Country Meets Folk and Country Club, having previously hosted a number of UK children's television shows, one of which featured the glove-puppet Pussy Cat Willum. In 1960, the Vipers sang 11 songs in the musical play Mr. Burke M.P. at London's Mermaid Theatre. Whyton also played the part of 'The Commentator'. Copyright © 2001, Muze Inc. MUZE© is a registered trademark of Muze Inc. All rights reserved"


Comments?

[RayL]

"Comments?

Hmmm . . . . . does the same reliable source say that Tommy Steele also joined the duo of Kim Novak and Jack Good to make them Steele, Novak & Good?

Ray

[Bill Bowley]

Hi Ray,

Well said! I always have a bit of a chuckle when I see 'history' such as that I posted that is without credible source or references, and usually from some journalist who was borne 30 years or so after the event!

[GoldenStreet]

Whyton was the musical brains, and with Bill Varley, wrote the group's first hit, 'Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O', which was even more successful for the 'King Of Skiffle', Lonnie Donegan.

Apparently, it was at Bill Varley's suggestion that Chas McDevitt added a female singer, namely Nancy Whiskey, to his line-up for a re-recording of Freight Train, which would become a no.5 hit in 1957.

Bill

[GoldenStreet]

Shirley Douglas RIP. Somewhat removed from skiffle, but a versatile singer and bass guitarist!



http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obitu ... 77876.html

Bill

[JimN]

Shirley Douglas RIP. Somewhat removed from skiffle, but a versatile singer and bass guitarist!



http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obitu ... 77876.html

Bill

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