With The Swinging ‘Blue Jeans’ at The Elizabethan Rooms Nottingham.
Jonathan Kane (2nd from right) recalls:
My first group were called ‘The Five Fellas’ circa 1959 -1961
Apart from me [Bulwell] the band was Carlton based. The picture was taken at The Beacon Aspley.
In 1961 I was poached by a band called ‘The Tall Boys’ whos lead singer had left, as I was not very tall a new name was needed.
I chose Jonathan Kane from a mixture of Jonathan Routh and Eden Kane. ‘The Freemen’ I think were a 16th century Notts protest
group.
The members were: Jonathan Kane [John Chapman] personality lead vocalist.
Ken Trout lead guitarist and vocals and Hank Marvin look-a-like.
Max Barnes bass and vocals and cousin to Graham Barnes [Alvin Lee]
Jeff Cooper rhythm guitar and vocals.
Bernard Orridge drums.
We did covers of Beatles Hollies Beach boys etc. we all sang and was support act for Dusty Springfield at Sherwood Rooms.
click on images to enlarge
www.playedinaband.com
THE ESCOURTS NOTTS BAND IN HE EARLY 60s
Worked around the Nottingham area and uk playing all major dance halls, including The Embassy Ballroom Skegness.
MEMBERS: JOHNNY GOLD VOCALS, KEITH LEAD, JOHN RHYTHM GUITAR,CHARLIE BASS, JIM CARTWRIGHT DRUMS.
NAME CHANGE IN 1964 TO THE ASHES (see below) PLAYING BBC’s ‘HERE WE GO’ AND ITV’s
‘OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS’
Jo-De-Ro’s started at Forest Fields Grammar School around 1964 by JOhn Henson (vocals/harmonica), DEnnis
Thorpe(lead guitar) and ROger Moffatt (drums). Also in the band was Brian Green (bass then rhythm) and Mick
Holland (rhythm then bass, vocals).
They played mainly blues and some hits at the time by the Stones, Them, the Animals, Kinks etc. Our first paid gig
was at the Trades Hall Club on Thurland Street when the five of us got to share the £4!
John left the band after failing his GCEs and Brian went to Uni. Bob Cropley joined on vocals then shortly afterwards
Roger left, to be replaced by Simon Stokes on drums. The group then became Simon’s Circle.
We played at most of the pubs/clubs/welfares in and around Nottingham, North Notts, Mansfield, Newark, Derby,
Ripley, Lincoln etc, on the same circuit as many of the groups at that time. One night, either at The Fox or The Bell in
Nottingham, all hell broke loose when Man United supporters came in. Glasses and bottles were flying all over the
place . . .until legendary copper Tug Wilson wandered in.
Mick Holland
From the left Jim Cartwright, John Moody, Johny Gold, Charlie Warin, Keith Hodgkinson.
Charlie Warin, John Moody, John Kirk, Johny Gold, Keith Hodgkinson.
