Shel Naylor

 

Shel Naylor

by Pete Clemons

Shel Naylor was a Coventry born singer who, under the management of Larry Page recorded two singles for Decca records. But if the name Shel Naylor is unfamiliar to you then that of Rob Woodward may be more recognisable.

Rob was a member of Lieutenant Pigeon who had the iconic, yet unlikely hit single, Mouldy Old Dough. And Rob and Shel are one the same. Lieutenant Pigeon were flying high 50 years ago. Shel Naylor was around almost 10 years previous to that.

Maybe inspired by pop impresario Larry Parnes, who renamed his string of acts, Larry Page would do similar. Drummer Nigel Lomas confirmed: Larry used our record producer Shel Talmy as the first name. Do not know where the 'Naylor' part of the name came from though.

By September 1963 Shel Naylor was amongst a string of Coventry artists, managed by Larry Page, who were challenging for the charts. A showcase of them was held at the Orchid Ballroom Coventry. Billed as a twang party night. Johnny B Great and the Goodmen, The Avengers, The Chimes, The Orchids and Shel Naylor. Five shillings a ticket, in advance, from Jill Hanson and other outlets.

November 1963 saw Shel release the first of two singles. 'How Deep is the Ocean'/'La Bamba'. The single was described in the music press as 'New boy with a violent vocal style who veritably attacks the oldie'. It seemed the critics were unanimous in there condemnation of the way Irving Berlin songs should be treated. Plus, I guess, being released at the same time as The Beatles 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' maybe didn't help.

Larry Page, apart from his Coventry acts, was also involved with the fledgling Kinks. Early 1964 saw Larry actively promoting the songwriting of the Davies brothers. Shel Talmy was still working with Larry's Coventry based acts. And a further two singles appeared in quick succession. Shel Naylor recorded 'One Fine Day' (Dave Davies) backed with 'It's Gonna Happen Soon'. The Orchids covered 'Ive Got That Feeling' (Ray Davies) backed with 'Larry'. Both single failed t set the charts alight. Dave Davies admitted that 'One Fine Day' was 'just a chord really'. 'It has the same chords in the verse as it does the chorus'. The music critics were a little kinder though. Describing the record as 'Fast beat which moves along at a brisk danceable pace'.

March 1964 saw Shel Naylor play a dinner dance at The Craven Arms on the High Street. Star of the night was Winston Foxwell who featured in the film 'Jugglers and Acrobats'. The film had been made to accompany the cinema distribution of the first Beatles film 'A Hard Days Night'. It shows some of the last jugglers and acrobats from the Variety Circuit. A form of popular entertainment which was dying out. Jugglers and Acrobats also featured Winston's son Paul Fox.

The Stage magazine reported during April 1964: Coventry's answer to 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium' could well be 'Sunday Night at the Bell Green Club' where variety, at its very best, is presented in one of the finest concert halls in the country. Appearing on Sunday last were Les Lynes comedian, now recovered from his injuries received in a car accident some time ago, Gavin Prime the nineteen year old singing guitarist and Shel Naylor formerly Robert Woodward who recently turned professional with his musical and vocal act.

The final significant work by Shel Naylor was a summer season of Sunday night shows during July and August 1964. This was where Shel appeared at the Royal Aquarium Theatre, Great Yarmouth. Billy Fury was heading the main show of the summer season for six nights a week. During those seasons, and in order to give the headline acts some restpite, Sunday featured one off concerts. For these Sunday shows, a series of 13 concerts headlined by Brian Poole and The Searchers, on alternate Sundays, were scheduled. These shows also featuring Shel, Johnny B Great and The Orchids. Although i'm not certain if The Orchids fulfilled all, if any, of those dates.