Ides Of March

First came to prominence when the Radio Luxembourg Talent tour reached Wolverhampton and the tour manager, Stewart Collins, had a conversation at the Connaught Hotel with the mother of the group's drummer, Paul King. He invited the group along and their sound impressed him and Cyril Stapleton. The group included at varying times, John Bradford as vocalist, Clive Griffiths, John Beattie, Mick Reeves, Eric Timmins and Lloyd Kirby. Their manager was the vocalist's brother, Bob Bradford. Within a month the group had gone down to London to record, although they never released a record. John Beattie later became a member of the Bossmen and the German group Spectrum. The group remained true to their blues roots of Elmore James and others. They were very much an acquired taste, rather than a typical pop group who attempted to woo the teenage audience. They were originally called the Moments. John Bradford was later to record under the names of John Ford and Eli Bonaparte.

Immediate Pleasure

One group who are seemingly only recalled by the writer but one deserving of mention in this section. They did not secure the sort of success they deserved but they were an excellent group of musicians.

Intent 'n' Purpose

One of the few local groups to play at the Cavern, although it was in 1966. They were managed by Dixie Dean. The group included Derek Gibbs, Keith Tulley, Steve Rideout, Phil Williams and Phil Bird. They recorded for Les Reed and produced a single called I Can't Take Any More. In 1968 the group became Jason Cord & First Chapter with Derek Gibbs becoming Jason Cord.

Jackpots

One of the most enduring of local groups. They formed in 1958 and were still performing at the end of the 60s.

By 1965 there had been some changes to the group with Eric Johns, Pete Hughes and Ronnie Bird joining the group. They remained semi-professional despite having a whole series of offers to sign a professional contract.

By the end of the 1960s they were still playing on the local scene, especially at the Caves in Wren's Nest.

On the record the group is called Royalty. Phil Terrana was supposed to join Edison Lighthouse but it never materialised. A later version of the group included Paul Robbins, Mac Bailey and Pete Bickley, along with Anna. It was this group which was going to become the original Fable. Lady Jayne and Royaltee was regarded as the nearest group the area had to the Mamas & Papas.

Light Fantastic

One of the most memorable of local groups because of their 'outrageous' stage act. They were originally billed as Light with Dripper Kent, although the main feature of the act involved the group's bass player, Ron Dickson. He would dress up as Dracula and put the fear of God into almost everybody witnessing the act.

The group appeared on RTE and had the 'morality' of their act discussed by a panel of 'experts'. In 1969 Dripper Kent left the group and began to work for the Astra Agency. Later in the year, Richie Brown left.

The group continued to perform with Ron Dickson becoming more and more the central attraction of their cabaret act.

Listen

One of Robert Plant's earliest groups. He joined them from the Crawling Kingsnakes. The rest of the group were John Crutchley, Roger Beaver and Geoff Thompson. The group was regarded as a Tamla Motown -style band with something of a Mod image.

They released one record You Better Run in 1966 at the same time as the 'N Betweens also released the same number. In 1967 the group broke up and Robert Plant joined the Band Of Joy.

Love & Understanding

A vehicle for the song-writing talents of Keith Law and Martin Hall. They produced a number of very personalised songs that had to be listened to and could never be danced to. Schroeder Music signed them. They had been with FP Enterprises from Willenhall.

Johnny Love

Another of the longer-lasting performers from the period. His first group was formed in March 1964 as Johnny Love & Sceptres. The group included Harry Tonks, Barry Fidler and Alan Clements.

Johnny Love actually left the group to concentrate on ballads in 1967. The separation only lasted a few months before they re-united as the Arrangement.

After another split the group re-united again in 1969, thanks to the apparent intervention of the floor manager from the Lafayette club, Bill Sergeant.

Marauders

One of the earliest groups in the local area. Their origins lay in Dudley. They were to become the Strangers. The line-up included Roy Kent, Tony Dalloway, John (Jake) Elcock, Norman Withers and Mick Aston.

Martells

Name taken by the Strangers for a relatively short time. The group had Roy Kent, Alan Clee, Jake Elcock, Tony Dalloway and Mick Aston. When the group split, the first three mentioned became part of Finders Keepers while the other two became half of Two By Two.

Terry Martin

One of the 'original' modem jazz players in the town. He was partially responsible for the founding of the town's first modem jazz club at the Queen's (now Edward's) in Cheapside. He played bass guitar and was to continue to play as a member of the London-based Chessmen, one of the main support groups for many visiting artists (Rufus Thomas in 1964). Another Wulfrunian member of the group was the drummer Tony Brown. In 1968 he joined the Magicians (they wore masks on
stage!) alongside another Wulfrunian, Dave Watkins on piano.

Matchmakers

The group was formed in 1964 with Ray Hopkins as vocalist, Roy Tidmarsh on organ and three former members of the Mavericks, Bob Lightwood, Gary James and Rick Waldron. The group specialised in Roy Orbison numbers because of Ray Hopkins' voice, although he was probably at his best with bluesy numbers. They supported Big Dee Irwin and Millie at the Civic Hall in the summer of 1964. They were definitely one of the more outstanding groups in the area at the time. By the end of 1965 the group had split up with Gary James joining Penthouse Suite and Rick Waldron joining the Soul Seekers. The break-up of the group was a great loss to the local scene.

Matthew

Heralded as one of the area's first 'super' groups. They emerged in 1969 with Geoff Parkes on lead, Pete Mackie on bass (both from Revolver), Billy Bonham on organ and Bob Elcock on drums. The group was managed by Roger Allen. Their debut was at the Connaught and they made a really great impression on the audience (they stopped dancing to listen!). Their version of Bang Bang was fantastic. Like so many of the local groups they failed to achieve the success which they deserved.

Medicine Head

A duo who came through the local folk/blues scene made up of John Fiddler and Peter Hope-Evans. They were signed by John Peel's Dandelion label, releasing their first single His Guiding Hand and first album New Bottles, Old Medicine in 1969. They continued to record into the early 70s. They charted with (And The) Pictures In The Sky.

Memphis Cut-Outs

The group was a product of T.P. Riley School in Bloxwich. The original name was the Rockin' Phantoms with Noddy Holder on lead and vocals, Phil Burnell on rhythm, Mick Aulton on drums, Kenny Holland on bass and a second vocalist named John 'Tubby' Cooper.

When the group split up, Noddy Holder joined the 'N Betweens who were to become Ambrose Slade and then Slade. He was to become one of the most successful performers of the 70s as the front man with the most successful group of the Glam Rock period. Pete Bickley joined an array of local groups including Jenny Wren, Dual Purpose, Louisa Jane White, Jason Cord and Fable.

Montanas

Undoubtedly the most popular local group of the 60s. They came together in 1964 with Johnny Jones as vocalist, Bill Hayward on lead guitar, Terry Rowley on bass and Graham Crewe on drums. Bill had played with the Crossfires and Connoisseurs. Terry had played with the Mountain Kings and Scotti Wood. The group was renown for their comedy sketches as well as their superb renditions of contemporaneous American harmony numbers. They were managed by Roger Allen. They recorded on Piccadilly and Pye. Their best remembered numbers were Ciao Baby and You've Got To Be Loved, the latter made it into the lower half of the American Hot 100.

The group drafted in Ian 'Sludge' Lees and George Davies and continued to record with Let’s Get A Little Sentimental and Uncle John’s Band, two really good numbers. Both Johnny Jones and Terry Rowley were to return to the group. The Montanas officially ceased to be in about 1978. In 1997 a CD called You've Got To Be Loved was released on Sequel records.

Mountain Kings

One of the local groups who appeared on the Brumbeat LP released by Decca in 1964.

They sang the four tracks You Left Me Alone, Don't You Know, There'll Be Times and Don't You Know?

Probably the group's main local claim to fame is that the lead guitarist was Terry Rowley who was to become possibly the main ingredient in the success of the Montanas.

'N Betweens

The group would ultimately become Ambrose Slade and then Slade but they started their careers as the Vendors. They became the 'N Betweens in 1964 with John Howells as the lead singer, Mick Marson on rhythm, Don Powell on drums and Dave Hill on lead. They were later joined by Dave 'Cass' Jones on bass. They were regarded by many as the local Rolling Stones with their taste in music being somewhat different from the normal beat group repertoire. They recorded a set of four numbers for the French label Barclay in 1965.

It was in 1966 that the version of the 'N Betweens which was to become Slade began to play together as a foursome because John Howells had joined Blues Ensemble. They recorded You Better Run. It was in 1969 that the group became Ambrose Slade. The numbers released by the group can be heard on the CD Genesis Of Slade.

Nick & Axemen

Jimmy Lea's first group. He played bass alongside Nick Vance as lead singer with Rob Haynes and Barry Wootton. While they achieved little as a group, they will be remembered for spawning such an outstanding bass player.

Our Generation

The group emerged from Dean King & Conquests in 1965. They were the first group with whom Anna Terrana (Lady Jayne) sang.

The original group included Phil Terrana and Kevin Bray.

They were to become Lady Jayne & Royaltee.

Peasants

Won the Spotlight On Youth competition in 1965. They were from the Central Boys Club on Penn Road, the club from which the Black Diamonds had originated. The original group who won the contest split up and the new line-up had Keith Charters on vocals, Neville Chamberlain on lead, Chris Goy on bass, John Stokes rhythm and Melvyn Marr on drums.

Prim 'n' Proper

Originally called Plus Five, they comprised Brian Eardley on vocals, Mick Holland lead, Gary Lowbridge bass, Peter Owen rhythm and Alan Dunn on drums. They came second to the 'N Betweens when they won the Staffordshire Group Championships. They supported Manfred Mann in June 1966 at the Civic Hall.

Redcaps

Regarded by many observers as the best of the early local beat groups. They originated from Walsall. Their original line-up was Ronnie King on vocals, Roy Brown on lead guitar, the Walkers (Mick and Dave) on bass and rhythm guitars, Malcolm Broadhurst on sax and Jim Richards on drums. In 1963 they released excellent versions of Shout and Talkin' About You. Both numbers were in the true tradition of early British Beat. They were managed by Ma Regan and were regulars at her beat venues. Mick Blythe joined the group from the Tremors and wrote Funny Things, which they recorded in 1964. The vast majority of local group players from the early 60s took the Redcaps as their model.

Ma Regan

One of the most influential figures of the early beat scene in the area. She managed many local groups, including the Redcaps, but the thing she is most remembered for is the staging of so many amazing shows at her set of venues, the Plaza at Handsworth, the Ritz at King's Heath and especially the Plaza at Old Hill. She managed to get virtually every one of the major British beat groups, including the Beatles, and many American performers to play for her at some time during those years. A lady who was truly a legend in her own lifetime!

Revolver

The group emerged in 1969 and was very highly regarded by all those who saw them perform. They had Pete Mackie on vocals, Geoff Parkes on lead, Alan Appleby on bass, Chris Cooke and Chris Sparkes. The group was managed by Nita Anderson. Both Geoff Parkes and Pete Mackie joined Matthew later in 1969. Other members of the group included Alistair Benson and Dave Conway who wrote much of the material for the group's Ten Commandments Of Love album. Another example of a local group who deserved to achieve far more commercial success. They released one single called Frisco Annie.

Richelles

The group originated in Tipton but at one time included Keith Evans on drums. He became the drummer for the Black Diamonds and for the Californians. Another former drummer was Clive Simmonds who later played for the Sounds Of Three. One of their bass players was Trevor Woodall who played with Tommy Burton.

Rinky Dinks

Originally known as Roger & Dodgers. They changed their name while working in France.

The group was to change format with the late 1964 version including Roger Deeming, Graham Davies, Maurice Gallier and Dave Towers.

They were one of the first groups to become resident at the Merry Boys on the Willenhall Road.

A later addition to the group was the brother of the lead guitarist as drummer, Mick Deeming.

Roger & Dodgers

One of the first local groups to go abroad. They visited US bases in France in 1963. The group realised that a girl singer would prove beneficial with the American forces so they arranged for a girl named Dinah Clunes to sing. The group included Roger Deeming, Alan Woolridge, Mike Pugh and Keith Evans. It was while the group was in France that a name change occurred and they became the Rinky Dinks.