The Jones's

 

The Jones's

by Pete Clemons

1967 has often been called the best year in pop music. It was the year of the concept album and, additionally, so many fantastic singles were released. It was also a big year for Nuneaton band The Jones's.

The Jones's success story, in their then format, had began exactly a year before during early 1966. Mick Broadhurst, Dave Simpson and Alan Hankinson wanted to form a group and joined up with Bob Price and Roger Prince of the former Jones's. Previous members had included Norman Parkes and Roger Price.

Mick's brother Barry joined them as road manager and they played in and around Nuneaton. Particularly at venues like the Holly Bush and the Nags Head on Queens Road. They became popular in Warwick and, just recently, have been making their name in Coventry and now even London.

The Jones's had a dress sense and a sound to match the ambitious times. And their popularity has taken them all by surprise and they are now looking forward to a successful tour and a good number to record when they come home.

The following is an account of how they secured a tour to Germany and how it was told by the local press during January 1967:

'Keeping up with the Jones's is becoming increasingly difficult these days. In fact, fans of the Jones's – the local pop group – will be left far behind next month, for the five lads are off on a tour of Germany. This weekend they will pack their bags, board their van and make tracks for the south coast. A short boat trip across the channel, and a journey across the continent will get them to Kiel in Germany in time for their first booking on February 1st

But their faithful fans who have followed them all over the Midlands will be happy to know that they will be returning to England in March and will be planning to cut a record.

The five are Dave Simpson - drummer, Alan Hankinson - guitar and vocals, Bob Price – vocals, Mick Broadhurst – bass guitar and vocals and Roger Prince – guitar and vocals.

The group have now al turned professional and are managed by Bob Wilkinson of BMA productions, Bedworth. After being spotted they were immediately booked for the tour of Germany.

For the occasion they have brand new equipment and new stage clothes. They play in white regency suits with dark shirts.

When they arrive in Germany they will live in at the first club and will probably stay there for the first week before moving on. All their bookings are being arranged by their agents'.

After returning to the UK The Jones's appeared to play more often in Coventry than Nuneaton. They regularly visited venues such as The General Wolfe, The Newlands, The Plough and The Cheylesmore. Yet despite securing support slots for band such as The Who and The Kinks, The Jones's kind of disappeared at toward the end of 1967.