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Keith Law

The Downbeats

Solihull Simon Kennard lead guitar Ges Nicholls drums Geoff Killick bass guitar Paul Wakeham rhythm guitar (left in 1963) Christine Hodgson (Holmes) lead vocal (left in 1963) Jon Carter lead vocal Mary Harris vocal Ricky North keyboards, guitar (left in 1965) Graham Sibley keyboards (joined in 1965) The Downbeats were formed in 1962. The original… Read More »The Downbeats

Catch 22

Birmingham Alan Fitzer keyboards John Miller drums Tony Brown bass guitar Roger Guise vocal, harmonica Brian Dufficy lead guitar The five group members seen in the photograph may have had the unique distinction of being the only West Midlands band to support THE CREAM at the original “Marquee” club in London late in 1966. Queues… Read More »Catch 22

The Senators

Birmingham The Senators in 1964 Terry Beal lead vocal John Bonham drums Graham Dennis rhythm guitar Bill Ford bass guitar Trevor McGowan lead guitar The Senators unknowingly made rock music history in 1964 when they recorded a song called “She’s A Mod” at Hollick & Taylor Studios in Birmingham. This was the first ever recording… Read More »The Senators

Pat Wayne and The Beachcombers

Birmingham Pat Wayne lead vocal Dario Capaldi saxophone (left 1964) Mal Edwards bass guitar Brian “Monk” Finch saxophone (left 1964) Geoff Roberts lead guitar (left 1964) Brian Sharpe drums (left 1966) Tony Carter lead guitar (joined 1964, left 1966) Trevor Langham keyboards (joined 1964) Eric Ashcroft lead guitar (joined 1966) John Bonham drums (joined 1966,… Read More »Pat Wayne and The Beachcombers

Cathedral

Birmingham Jon Fox bass guitar, vocal Rod Godwin lead guitar, vocal Dave Thompson drums, percussion This group was likely one of the first “progressive rock” outfits to come out of the Birmingham area. They were formed in 1968 by bass guitarist/vocalist Jon Fox and guitarist Rod Godwin along with drummer Dave Thompson. Jon Fox was… Read More »Cathedral

The Bobby Ash Sound

Birmingham Bobby Ash (Graham Ashford) vocal Roy Davies bass guitar, vocal (left in 1966) John Evans drums John Surplice rhythm guitar (left in 1966) Bob Watkins lead guitar John Bradley bass guitar/vocal (joined in 1966) Dennis Ryland saxophone/flute (joined in 1966) Following the break-up of The Brumbeats (formerly The Plazents) at the end of 1964,… Read More »The Bobby Ash Sound

Wellington Kitch Jump Band

Birmingham Roger Hall drums (left in 1967) Joe Ellis guitar (left in 1967) John Edwards tenor sax (left in 1966) Bill Clarke bass guitar (left in 1968) John Burnett trumpet (joined 1966, left 1968) Barry Lunn organ (joined 1966, left 1968) John Howells lead vocal (joined 1966, left 1968) Frank Rudge tenor sax (joined 1966,… Read More »Wellington Kitch Jump Band

The Andicaps

Shard End, Birmingham The Andicaps in 1963 Jeff Lynne guitar (left in 1965) Rob Reader bass guitar (left in 1964) Dave Walsh drums (left in 1964) Dave Watson guitar John Kerton lead vocal (joined in 1964) Kevin “Kex” Gorin drums (joined in 1964) Dave Merrick bass guitar (joined 1964 – left 1966) William Watson harmonica… Read More »The Andicaps

Breakthru

Sutton Coldfield Keith Abingdon guitar, vocal Gary Aflalo lead vocal Bobby Booth bass guitar (left in 1968) Geoff Garratley Hammond organ, vocal (left in 1969) Jim Leyland drums (left in 1968) Frank Farrell bass guitar (joined in 1968) Richard Thomas drums (joined in 1968) Bill Hunt Hammond organ (joined in 1969) “Psychedelic Soul” was one… Read More »Breakthru

Young Blood

Birmingham Ken Aston vocal Pete Ball organ Roy Black bass guitar Chris Moore guitar Cozy Powell drums (left in 1968) Mac Poole drums (joined in 1968) This Birmingham-based group was previously known as The Sorcerers and are significant as being the first band to feature the famous and influential rock drummer Cozy Powell. The band… Read More »Young Blood