CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
K52 Club Frankfurt 1966
Eric Wrixon from a band called ‘Them’, Nigel(Nig)Smith, John Landon, Barry Heald(sax)
Eric Wrixon went on to also play with ‘Thin Lizzy’
John Landon
Purple Haze started out around ‘63/’64 as The ‘T’ Set. The first engagement was at the Commodore on Nuthall
Road.
They changed their name to Synco Sounds around 1964 and like most other Notiinghamshire bands were out 5
nights per week throughout the county and surrounding areas. Venues included Grey Goose, Hucknall Miners
Welfare Monsall Dale.
L to R Phil Neal, Jim Whitlam (Manager), Roger
Bainbridge, Keith Tunstall and Tom Cook outside
Newstead Miners Welfare c1964
L to R Tom Cook, Phil Neal, Keith Tunstall and
Roger Bainbridge at a midweek gig at The
Queens Head, Kimberley.
Roger Bainbridge left the band around ’66 and prepared to emigrate to Austrailia, where he still lives with
his family in Adelaide.
His place was taken by ex Mother’s Worry guitarist, John Spray and another name change followed to
Purple Haze which remained in place.
L to R Keith Tunstall, Tom Cook, John
Spray and Phil Neal relax in between sets
at The Cornhill Club, Nottingham.
Keith Tunstall and John Spray on stage
at The Cornhill Club.
In 2014 Keith Tunstall and John Spray formed a tribute act as part of a charity event. This took place in
November 2014 which was almost 50 years since they first performed together and around 45 years
since they last performed together. It was an Everly Brothers tribute and for the night they were The
Elderley Brothers. Hardly original, but summed them up and they had some fine young musicians
backing them.
Peace was formed by John Spray and Rod Bettle in 1968 they were together for the next 4 years and split
in 1972.
From L-R: Chris Syson(Bass) Steve Otta(Drums) Rod
Bettle(Lead Vocals) John Spray(Lead Guitar Vocals)
www.playedinaband.com
The MAZE
L to R, John Carling (Bass), Malcome Pridgeon
(Drums, Tony Wilson (Guitar) Tony Kicks (vocalist)
After The Maze Tony and Malcome formed
‘Doughnutt’ . Tony went on to form the Chantells with
his wife Jill and Mat Locke.
Tony Kicks went on to perform solo appearing on
shows in the USA with Bobby Vee, Bobby Rydell, The
Chiffons, Gary Puckett and many others, under the
name of Tony Lee and is still working today.
After the band split Tony Wilson John Carling and
drummer Pete Donovan formed a pop/jazz trio playing
at the Imperial Hotel on St James Street Nottingham.
Later John Carling teamed up with Andy Toone on
guitar and Stew Knowles on drums to form 70s rock
trio Odysseus, included on the Nottingham Castle
Rock LP.
After 1980 no longer playing with bands but working
with the late John Birch the famous guitar builder
from Birmingham until he died in 2000.
John Birch left the business to John Carling which he
still runs today.
Midnight Shift, taken in 1966….3 B&W were taken by Decca records as a promotional doc, and colour shot
on the stairs of the Ship Inn at Skegness the same year.
Personel (colour pic.) : Rog Lymn, Paul Mountain, Dave Quickmire, Bill Moseley, Barry Heald.
