Displaying items by tag: 60s

In 1961 Italy was rebuilding her economy after the Second World War, like a lot of Western Europe, and with Milan seen as a beacon of hope due to their upturn in manufacturing, opportunities were being created and companies were crying out for young blood.  

It wasn't just the record business that thrived in the sixties, the live music scene was lively, to say the least, and not just in Central London.

At the height of their popularity in 1974, their then manager, Chas Chandler (former bass player of The Animals and former manager of Jimi Hendrix), suggested Slade do a film.

It seems that if you are influenced by the Beatles, and live in the area of Woolton in Liverpool. Your influences are likely to be worn on your sleeve. Rob Clarke, the main man behind this band does not shy away from his influences and embraces them

Amen Corner was formed in Cardiff, Wales in 1966.

The Four Tops came from Detroit and started as a high school band called The Four Aims (1954). The lineup was lead singer and Jackie Wilson‘s cousin, Levi Stubbs (1936 -2008) , Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson (1936 – 2005), and Lawrence Payton (1938 – 1997) and signed to Chess Records in 1956.

They started as the Kansas City Five with Alan Price (pianist), John Steel (drummer), and Eric Burden (vocalist). In 1962, Eric left to try his luck in London and Alan Price formed The Kontours which became the Alan Price R&B Combo with big Bryan “Chas” Chandler (bassist) and John Steel on drums.

The Meters were put together in 1965, when keyboard player Arthur 'Art' Neville (1937-2019) recruited George Porter, Jr. (bass guitar), Joseph (Zigaboo) Modeliste (drums) and Leo Nocentelli (guitar, vocals) . Art was born in New Orleans in 1937 and grew up in a musical family.

Paul ‘Koss’ Kossoff was born in London in 1950 and the son of famous British character, actor, David Kossoff (Kid for Two Farthings). He learned to play classical music but was always interested in blues and soon mastered the guitar.

You dream of playing in a Wembley final as a young kid and when you get there you don't perform and it can stay with you for a very long time. Unlike at Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in recent years, you don't get the opportunity too many times to go back and show a 100,000 the real you.