Picture (Dated 1962), courtesy of Richard Laws
You may by now have realised that this website is very much concerned with the formative days of British Rock and Roll, i.e. the late 1950's and early 1960's. That is the time when the UK's youth discovered music and the means to make it with - particularly the products supplied by Selmer of London. Bands sprang up all over the country: in garages, youth clubs, village halls, schools, and working men's clubs, and until the American gear became readily available and affordable, well into the 1960's, the majority of these bands were equipped with European and British instruments and amplification. Burns, Watkins (WEM), and Vox (JMI) played an important part in all this, but it was really Hofner and Futurama guitars that set most guitarists off on their various musical careers.
As a result of the many Email contacts that I have made due to this website, I have acquired quite a few old photographs of amateur and semi-professional bands and individual performers from those days. These images radiate a high degree of charm, and maybe naivety, which I personally find irresistible. They also constitute a historical record of the UK music scene in the 50's and 60's which should, I believe, be shared. Hence the reason for this page!!
Lewis Quinton - Stevenage, Hertfordshire. c1957
Bruce Clarke - Dublin 1949
Paul Griggs - Butlins Holiday Camp 1961/63 (Paul actually did become famous later!)
The Two Blazers - Cumbria, 1993 to 1995
Cliff Walmsley - Blackpool, 1950's, 60's, & 70's
GUITARISTS & THEIR GUITARS
Alan Woodcock - The Blue Chips, Merseyside area in the 1960's.
Brian Curtis - Played with Lonnie Donegan in the mid-1950's.
Frank Rodgers - Played for the Canadian Armed Forces whilst being stationed in Germany from 1959 to 1962.
Fabio Piretti - Guitarist with the Italian band "The Friends" - 1959 to 1969
Bob Hedaux - Played mainly in a trio with his Hofner President in London - 1961 to 1974
Bill Mathieson - Bass player with O'Haras Playboys - Europe & Sheffield - 1962 to 1970
Basil Henriques - Birmingham & Ireland. 1964 to Present Day
Steve Rowley - Staffordshire. Early 1970's
Ian Thomson - Falkirk, Scotland. 1960's
Phil Butteriss - Hertfordshire & London. 1950's & 60's.
Xosé Crisanto Gándara - N.W. Spain. 1978
Al Wilson - (Germany and Recording Studios in the 1960's)
Hans Pronk - Delft, Holland. 1967 to 1969
Kenneth Ineson - Doncaster. Early/Mid 1960's
Drago Buha - Sarajevo. 1967/68
A book written by Roger Downton based on his experiences as a member of "The Sandstorms" in late 1950's/early 1960's Bournemouth.
Price £5-95 plus Delivery.
Order your copy by clicking HERE
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