Ray King - Coventry Music Legend

Pete Clemons with yet another portrayal of a Coventry legend - Ray King. the article is archived here on behalf of Pete Clemons.

How soul man Ray went from city pubs to big Playboy clubs; FOLLOWING soul legend Ray King's induction into the Coventry Music Wall of Fame, Telegraph contributor Pete Clemons looks back on his career. Rock fan Pete, who lives in Keresley, is currently compiling an archive of the Coventry music scene. YOUR nostalgia.

LAST year I saw Vibert Cornwall, better known as Ray King, host a conversation at Central Library.

It was a fascinating talk and it quickly became obvious that Ray is a man of different facets. It also revealed some news that I for one was incredibly excited to hear. More on that later but first a summary of Ray's lecture.

Vibert had been influenced by artists such as Sam Cooke and as diverse as Doris Day. 1965/66 saw him begin singing in the clubs of Coventry.

He then decided to take lessons in order to improve his voice. "But it was clear that he had a natural talent that did not need to be coached and the pounds 5 he had paid for those lessons was returned".

Quite by coincidence a friend of the singing teacher was a promoter and she agreed to get him bookings.

She also arranged for Vibert to have promotional photographs taken and secured his first real gig at the Craftsman Pub on the corner of Rotherham Road and Beake Avenue. Further gigs were arranged by Stan Brooks at venues like The Pilot Hotel on the corner of Burnaby Road. He then linked up with a band called Suzi and The Kingsize Kings.

Suzi left and at the same time Vibert became known as Ray King. The King Size Kings changed their name to the Ray King Soul Band (or Soul Pact as quite often advertised). Their first gig was at The Walsgrave Pub in Coventry and, under the management of David Owen, everything felt right.


"We knew we had something going on," revealed Ray. "We were so tight in our playing, I was able to control the band with just the slightest movement of my hand. Their eyes were on me all the time".

The band's reputation quickly spread and gigs were arranged for venues way beyond the Coventry boundaries. News of The Ray King Soul Band reached London and they were asked by the famous Playboy Club (The Playboy Clubs were a chain of nightclubs owned and operated by Playboy Enterprises under the guidance of Hugh Hefner until 1991) to go down there.

The Soul Band were offered a residency.

At times during the residency luminaries such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davies Jnr, Lulu, Ringo Starr, Maurice Gibb visited the club and saw the band perform.

In between Playboy Club gigs Ray and the band played London clubs like Revolution where they supported the likes of Bill Haley and the Comets. According to Ray it that at one of these gigs the band were joined on stage by Jimi Hendrix. "Being left handed Hendrix grabbed the bass guitar, turned it upside down, and played some incredible stuff".

Ray continued "Our time in London saw interest from Pye Records and we went to see them at their offices.

During a meeting with producer John Schroder and I had just began to sing when Lou Grade stuck his head out of his office and said 'sign him' and that was that". The band went on to make several singles for Pye.

They then signed to CBS Records and recorded a live album at the insistence of Hugh Hefner. The resulting album 'The Ray King Soul Band Live at the Playboy Club' was released on the Direction label (Direction 8-63394 1968) a subsidiary of CBS. This album is simply 40 minutes of the most high energy music you are ever likely to hear and covers songs such as Stevie Winwood's I'm a Man. Sadly the album has long been deleted and, to my knowledge, has never been released on CD. The band sadly split up in the 70s.

Next up for Ray was Pharaohs Kingdom. This band included the likes of Lynval Golding, Silverton Hutchinson and others he had met in Gloucester and who had moved to Coventry. Pharaohs Kingdom existed for a couple of years and gigged at the various nightclubs that existed at that time in Coventry. That association then led to Ray getting to know musicians such as Neol Davies and Jerry Dammers and together they formed a band called Night Trane. Regular rehearsals were held at the Bantam Pub in Hen Lane. Neol left the band and would eventually form The Selecter. Jerry also left the band and he would form what was to become The Specials. The rest, as they say, is history.

Since those days Ray has worked in management but has continued to help the West Indian Community where he is a great believer, advocate and champion of community spirit. He also runs a Saturday music school helps and offers advice to young offenders and is rightly proud when many come back and thank him. On November 23, 2010 Mr Vibert Cornwall was awarded an honorary degree of letters, by Coventry University, in recognition for his major contribution to music and his work in the community.

Oh yes, the good news I mentioned.

Ray's LP, 'live at the playboy club' has long been sought after by a lot of people - me included. Well it looks like our wait will not be for much longer. It is hoped that a CD copy will be released by Ray during 2012. On top of that he is also planning to record again. This will hopefully be an album of songs that Ray has had a lifetime of love for. Coupled with talk of an album launch and gig I suspect that a memorable night is destined for the future.

RAY KING SOUL BAND / PACT
circa 1966 - 1968 - Source Braodgate Gnome

Soul band

Line up: Ray King (vocals), Jim Lang (tenor), Ken Horton (baritone), Terry Leeman (organ), Paul Williams (guitar), Paul Slade (bass), Malcolm Jenkins (drums).

Previously King Size Kings, they were signed to Pye Records' Piccadilly label in January 1967 by Producer John Schroeder, who obviously had the successes of Geno Washington and Jimmy James in mind.

Cut first single "Behold" in February 1967 at Pye Studios in London.

Hard working outfit their residency at the Playboy Club in London resulted in a live album for

Direction CBS Records, produced by Phil Smith. Stand By Me was also featured on Direction CBS compilation album. Audiences at the Playboy Club included Lulu, Barry Gibb, George Harrison, Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jnr

After 1968 the band famously lived entirely in hotels for 18 months while they toured - Lands End to Northern Scotland and on to France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Belgium. The band worked Hamburg directly after the Beatles.

Among many appearances alongside the super famous, the Soul Band played with Ike & Tina Turner (with PP Arnold), Solomon Burke, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Lee Dorsey, Jimi Hendrix (jammed on bass in the Revolution Club and later joined by Paul McCartney), Stevie Wonder.

Leeman left to join The Peeps (later Rainbows) in January 1968.

Jenkins had previously been in The Pickwicks.

Ray went on to play with Pharaoh's Kingdom, Boss, Cyamde (charted in the US R&B listings, reaching Nos 5 & 6 with single and album respectively). He also coached French singer Johnny Halliday to sing in English (he recorded Stand By Me as instructed by Ray), and spent time with Bridgette Bardot).

Singles:

A: Baby I Need You / B: Lonely Boy (Piccadilly 7N ? 1967)

A: Now That You're Gone (and I'm All Alone)/B: ? (Pye 1967)

(And added from Rex Brough - Behold / Soon you'll be gone - 1967 What You Gonna Do - 1978

Album:Live At The Playboy Club (Direction 8-63394 1968)

Ray Borkowski remembers -
Ray King formed an 8 piece band sometime in 1972. We practiced for 6 months
but nothing came of the band.
It was though, a privilege to have co written several songs with him. He
was a gifted lyricist and I provided the melodies.

Neville Staples recalls in his autobiography
" Ray king touched the lives of three of the Specials very directly - me, Lynval Golding and Jerry Dammers but in very different ways. With me he launched Neville Staples on to the Sound System scene as a DJ in his own right. Lynval became part of the well established Coventry soul scene and Jerry ...


Ray came to England from the Carribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the start of the 1960's. he arrived just in time for Cliff Richard and didn't get him at all. What he liked was the sound of Emile Ford and the Checkmates - a Jamaican-led pop group that got to No 1 in the UK charts in 1959 with Why Do you Want to make those eyes at me for?. Far better in Ray's view than Cliff's efforts.


Ray went from singing on the production line at a Morphy Richards iron factory in Northampton to being talent-spotted and propelled to fame in the 1960's as leader of the Ray King Soul Band. After a long residency at the Playboy Club in London, performing for the likes of Frank Sinatra, recording an album there and dispensing singing tips to French Crooner Johnny Halliday, ray came back to Coventry. he played to a bigger crowd at the Locarno than the Rolling Stones got around the same time."

The Fortunes - Fifty Year Milestone - Pete Clemons

Pete Clemons has been chalking up more articles in the Coventry telegraph, which on his behalf, we are archiving here. This article focuses the history of the Fortunes -

Band has followed their Fortunes for nearly fifty years; YOUR nostalgia COVENTRY music expert and Telegraph contributor this week charts the incredible longevity of The Fortunes, who have their 50th birthday in their sights. Pete, who lives in Keresley, looks at how the band has overcome several tragedies and how musicians from Coventry and Warwickshire have been a mainstay of the group's line-up for the past 30 years.

FIFTY years in the music industry is, by any standard, an incredible achievement. 2012 will see The Rolling Stones and Manfred Mann both reach this milestone. Another band who will hit that target next year, but I suspect not create as many headlines, are The Fortunes.

The Fortunes have always been considered a Birmingham band.

However, for the last 30 years, those roots have firmly weaved their way into Coventry and Warwickshire.

The story actually begins though in 1961 when, under the guidance of Reg Calvert, Rod Allen and Barry Pritchard became members of Robbie Hood's backing group The Merrie Men. They played bass and guitar respectively. This lasted until early 1963 when they formed their own harmony group The Cliftones. A little later Glen Dale, who had been singing as a solo performer and had a fine falcetto voice, joined up with the Cliftones and by mid 1963 were known as The Fortunes Harmony Group.

During these early days the band served their 'apprenticeship' with Reg and learned how to perform and entertain on stage. They had also been signed up to Decca records where they cut their first 45rpm 'Summertime Summertime'. This single was credited to The Fortunes and The Cliftones and released during August 1963. Support slots to the likes of Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Lance Harvey and even The Beatles followed.

To fill the sound out several musicians came and went but by the end of 1963 Rod, Barry and Glen had added drums and keyboards and had become a five-piece.

The line up was now settled at Rod on bass and vocals, Barry on guitar and vocals, Glen on guitar and vocals, Andy Brown on drums and David Carr on keyboards.

A follow up single 'Caroline' was released in January 1964. And when Radio Caroline came on air on Good Friday March 27, 1964 the song was used as the station's theme tune. This gave the band plenty of airplay and the platform they began to build from.

The Fortunes had now hit their stride and a couple of highly successful years followed. This period saw them release several singles of which 'You've Got Your Troubles' and 'Here it Comes Again' were incredibly popular and became hits on both sides of the Atlantic.

However mid-1966 was to be the start of a turbulent period for the band. They were rocked when in June of that year manger Reg Calvert was shot and killed. And then shortly after, in July, Glen Dale left to pursue a solo career.

Shel MacRae replaced him and the hit singles began again with 'Is It Really Worth Your While'. August 1967 then saw the band leave Decca and move to the United Artists label where the band change direction to suit the times. After the release 'Seasons In The Sun' in late 1968 David Carr left. He would be replaced some time after, and briefly, by George McAllister.

A new dawn arrived for the band. in 1970. They had slimmed down to a four-piece and they recorded an album 'That Same Old Feeling' for the US World Pacific label. That, in turn, led to them signing up to Capitol Records in 1971.

Another very successful period of chart hits followed in both the UK and US with hits like 'Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again' and 'Storm In a Teacup'. The band really were flying high again Toward the end of that decade music styles had changed immensely and another change in direction was required. The 60s harmony style bands were now playing within the club and caberet circuit that had developed.

Andy Brown and Shel MacRae had, by now, left but the core band of Rod and Barry continued with three new recruits. These were vocalist John Davey, Rick Purcell on guitar and drummer John Trickett.

This particular line up was highly professional and had the now impressive back catalogue to draw from. However, in the early 1980s Rick and John Davey left. Paul Keatley was enlisted to play on guitar and vocals and The Fortunes were once again a four-piece.

During early 1983 Nuneaton resident and guitarist Michael Smitham (one time member of Monster Magnet along with Paul Hooper and Bob Jackson) was asked to join the band after Rod and Barry had seen perform with Smackee. 1984 saw John Trickett and Paul Keatley leave and Coventry born drummer Paul Hooper recruited.

This new line-up continued through till 1995 and were incredibly popular the world over, in particular Holland and the Benelux countries. Gold discs and other accolades ensued.

In 1995 Barry Pritchard left the band through ill health. Coventry's renowned singer, songwriter and keyboard player Bob Jackson joined and added a totally different dimension to the band. Sadly Barry passed away during 1999.

So Rod, Michael, Paul and Bob continued to build on the bands success and took them into the new century still touring far and wide.

But tragedy was to strike again.

Founder member Rod Allen was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in early 2009. The tributes poured in and the band agonised over whether or not to continue. Their future was uncertain. But it had been Rod's will that they did so.

When the band did feel that the time was right to go out again they brought in vocalist and bass player Eddie Mooney who had covered for Rod during his illness.

The band continued to be as successful as ever, playing shows as far afield as Las Vegas and Canada and making frequent visits to the Continent.

In 2010 came the addition of Glenn Taylor, ex-Marmalade drummer, to the fold and the recent completion of a nationwide theatre tour with The Searchers and Gerry and the Pacemakers.).

Fifty years in and The Fortunes have created an amazing legacy, some wonderful songs and will long be remembered for their strong harmonies and melodies.The band is in great shape and in great hands and, above all, their popularity remains undiminished. 

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Fortunes with the Radio Caroline theme tune

You've Got Your Troubles 1965

A medley of clips taken of the Fortunes In Concert circa 2009.

The band line up then was Michael Smitham , Eddie Mooney, Paul Hooper and Bob Jackson,

 

Coventry Cathedral Gigs

Peter Clemons with his article from the Coventry Telegraph.

Cathedral has been the Ruins of many a musical career!
(Text below the graphics)

Cathedral has been the Ruins of many a musical career! WITH The Enemy set to play two open air gigs in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral next month, Telegraph contributor Pete Clemons takes a look back at other concerts that have taken place at the sacred venue over the years. Rock fan Pete, who lives in Keresley, is currently compiling an archive of the Coventry music nostalgia.

THE ripples of controversy surrounding the recent announcements of the forthcoming gigs to be played by The Enemy inspired me to look back at the more contemporary and classical events to have taken place within Coventry Cathedral.

The first major event was of course for the consecration of the cathedral extension, or the new cathedral as it is more commonly known, on May 25, 1962. Benjamin Britten composed his masterpiece 'The War Requiem' for the occasion and this was given its premiere in the new cathedral on May 30, 1962.

Britten, a pacifist, was commissioned to write the work and given complete musical freedom. He began the writing it early 1961 and completed the 85-minute piece in January 1962.

The next significant event was something different altogether. It was that of an appearance by Duke Ellington who performed in the new cathedral on February 21, 1966. The then 66-year-old visited the city for the first European performance of his Concert of Sacred Music.

More jazz followed in 1968 by way of the Jacques Loussier Trio. I have no idea what they played but over he years they have graced many cathedrals performing music by the likes of Bach and Elgar. 1968 also aw the visit of John Lennon and Yoko Ono for their now infamous, corn planting, within the cathedral grounds.

A highly regarded band from Coventry called Asgard appeared in the old cathedral ruins on July 12, 1969. This was as part of an arts festival organised by the nearby Lanchester Polytechnic. The event was titled 'Jericho' - a programme of song and dance. This was one of many partnerships that the cathedral and polytechnic/university would engage in. 1969 also saw the likes of Al Stewart and The Pentangle perform in the cathedral. 

August 28, 1970 saw a fundraiser for the Coventry Diggers (a group of local hippies who

had produced our first arts and music magazine) in the grounds of the old cathedral. Bands like Ra-Ho-Tep performed and this is how the Telegraph reported it at the time: 'More than 200 young people sat or stood around in the Cathedral ruins for Coventry's own mini pop festival on Saturday evening. Fifteen minutes after the festival - called "A Digger's feast" - started, there were 200 youngsters in the ruins, and more were coming in'.

World renowned classical guitarist, John Williams, also gave a recital in the cathedral on October 3, 1970, as did jazz great Johnny Dankworth on February 2, 1971 and Andre Previn a year later on February 2, 1972.

1975 saw the controversial decision to allow German band Tangerine Dream perform in the new cathedral.

This was part of a reconciliation tour that saw this electronic experimental outfit play at major cathedrals across Europe. The concert was performed on October 4 and was filmed by author and producer Tony Palmer.

According to my own listings the next 20 or so years produced very few noteworthy moments but of those that did happen some were quite momentous such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Michael George and the Choirs of Coventry and Lichfield Cathedrals who performed and sang, among others, 'the best carol of all time', In The Bleak Midwinter. This concert took place on December 3 and was recorded on CD.

Other worthy mentions from the 80s and 90s include German electronic composer and one time Tangerine Dream band member Klause Schulze on April 26, 1983, Irish soprano and harpist Mary O'Hara on March 14, 1987 and a return visit to the old ruins for Ra-Ho-Tep's Tim James on August 17, 1991 for an event called jazz on a summers day.

Toward the end of the 1990s and well into the early 2000s saw a series of jazz festivals in Coventry. The inclusion of world music recently saw it rebrand itself as the Rhythm Festival. But since their inception these festivals have always had links with the cathedral with artists appearing their most years.

Cathedral performances, normally in the old ruins, often under a huge marquee and always over the August bank holiday, include Steve Tayton in 1999, John Surman in 2003, Georgie Fame, Courtney Pine, Soft Machine Legacy in 2006, The Pirates and Tony 'TS' McPhee in 2007. A noteworthy performance as part of the May 2009 Rhythm Festival and held in the new cathedral was that by King Crimson leader Robert Fripp. This performance was also recorded and is available on CD.

November 2010 marked 70 years on from the destruction of the old cathedral and the loss of almost 600 lives during the Blitz. A series of major events was held at the cathedral.

These included a performance of The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace that was hosted by Karl Jenkins. This was Karl Jenkins second visit as he had previously appeared as part of his Stabat Mater tour in November 2008.

As mentioned previous the nearby university has hosted many events at the cathedral. More recently they have held their summer balls there within the ruins. The most recent was held in May 2011 and performances included Tinchy Stryder and a DJ set by Chase and Status.

Fifty years on from the consecration and a week after The Enemy are due to appear things seem to go full circle. Benjamin Britten's War Requiem will be recreated by the CBSO on Wednesday May 30 in a world where the music will seem every bit as relevant today as it did back then.

Reg Calvert and Johnny Washington

Pete Clemons - 

Remembering Reg Calvert and his
60's School of Rock

Article for the Coventry Telegraph.

And below that -
Johnny Washington

Remembering Reg and his 60s School of Rock; MUSIC impresario Reg Calvert was a key figure on the sixties music scene, managing bands which packed out local dance halls and who all lived and practiced at his mansion in Rugby. Rock fan and regular Telegraph contributor Pete Clemons looks back at Reg's heyday and tragic end to his life. YOUR nostalgia.

TOWARDS the end of 2011 I was given the opportunity, by Pete Chambers, to go and see a play called Reg that was being held at the Nuneaton Arts Centre. In fact it was two stories. The first was about Reg's younger life. The other was about a more tumultuous period that led to his death in 1966.

The Reg in question was Reg Calvert, one of the great characters of the sixties music scene. And Pete has long predicted that sooner or later his life would one day be made into a stage play or film. The plays, written by Reg's daughter Susan Moore, have certainly left a lasting impression on me.

In his heyday Reg was manager of groups and solo singers. None of them were, at that time, anywhere near household names yet Reg managed to pack out local dance halls. Almost all of Reg Calvert's bands and artists lived at his mansion in Clifton Hall in Rugby which he bought when he moved to the Midlands from Southampton in the early 1960s. They all practised every day in order to reach Reg's incredible high standards. In return he paid them a basic wage with all accommodation and food being part of the contract. Reg had various dance halls round the Midlands which he ran personally. All his own bands appeared in them which meant that he made 100 per cent profit apart from what he spent on food and travel.

His acts included Danny Storm and the Strollers, Buddy Britten and the Regents, Glen Dale, Robbie Hood and his Merry Men, Johnny Washington and Screaming Lord Sutch. And from these acts would morph the likes of The Fortunes, The Liberators and Pinkertons Assorted Colours.

Clifton Hall became known as The School of Rock. It had spacious gardens, recording rooms, a billiard and snooker room, a football pitch and a luxurious lounge in which to rest in. Everyone who stayed there had plenty of freedom. There was no set time for bed. If someone wanted to play drums or sing during the middle of the night then they were perfectly entitled to. After all there were no irate neighbours who would come knocking. To quote Reg - they were a world unto themselves. Despite all that freedom Reg was still a strict disciplinarian.

He had two rules. No alcohol and no girls would be brought back to the hall.

One of Reg's most popular ventures was his regular 'Teen Beat' nights held on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Co-op Hall in Nuneaton.

These were, of course, aimed at the over 18s but Reg was also very keen to entertain and not let down the under 18s who would not have been allowed into the late night dances. So at the same venue he ran Saturday clubs where the same performers would play to hoards of youngsters.

By 1964 offshore (or pirate) radio had arrived and Reg was eager to make inroads into it. He decided that, with the help of the Screaming Lord, a rival to Radio Caroline would make a great publicity stunt. So during May 1964 Radio Sutch was launched from Shivering Sands which was located on an observation fort in the River Thames estuary just outside the three mile limit. More and more of Reg's time was devoted to this new venture and by September the station was re christened as Radio City with shows not only being presented by himself and Lord Sutch but also his teenage daughters Candy and Susan.

Radio City was never going to be popular as the likes of Caroline or Radio 270 but it did have a sizeable audience in south east England and grew in monetary terms. In late 1965 merger talks had began between Radio's Caroline and City.

In preparation for the merger a transmitter was delivered to the fort. This had been funded by a director of Caroline, a certain Major Oliver Smedley. But suddenly the merger plans collapsed and Reg then began talks with Caroline's rival, Radio London. Arrangements were made to launch a new station from the fort.

Major Smedley was angered by this new deal. On the night of 19th/20th June 1966 he sent a gang of dockers to take control of the fort in order to use the transmitter, that apparently did not even work, as part of a bargaining tool so he could get in on the action.

The following evening, 21st June, saw Reg visit Smedley's house to try to resolve the situation. During an altercation Reg was shot dead. Smedley was charged with murder but later acquitted on the grounds of self defence.

The tragedy signalled the beginning of the end for British offshore radio as the killing spurred the government into legislative action. It was also overshadowed by England's success in a certain football competition held that year.

Despite the tragic outcome the story I find Reg's life is incredibly fascinating.

And I have only touched on parts of it here. I really hope that Susan's stage plays get to the wider audience that the tale so richly deserves.

...........................................................

NEW 2018 - Pete Clemons reviews the new trilogy on Reg Calvert - 
LIFE AND DEATH OF A PIRATE by S.K. Moore.

.........................................................................

Johnny Washington

Pete Clemons also sent a related article on Johnny Washington

How Cov kid Johnny turned teenage dreams into Vegas gold; YOUR nostalgia.

Pete Clemons

BORN in Rugby, brought up in Bell Green, lives and performs in Las Vegas, nominated for a Grammy award and an author of several books. This sounds like the stuff of dreams. But it is all absolutely true. Johnny Washington, born July 1945, was brought up in Dudley Street just off Proffitt Avenue. He attended a local primary school and was friendly with a family down the road whose daughters attended the same school. One of the daughters was a couple of years older than Jon and was looked upon as being quite cool. However, during the mid 50s, and quite mysteriously, this particular young lady left the neighbourhood although the rest of the family stayed. Before she went though she left Jon a stack of 78s by the likes of Freddie Bell, Screaming Jay Hawkins,

Little Richard and Gene Vincent that were to change and influence his life forever. From then on he only wanted to do one thing. During the early 1960s Johnny got his first break and became a member of Coventry rock 'n' roll band The Vampires. At aged 16 Johnny had been signed to Reg Calvert's Clifton Hall Artists. And then during 1962 he had recorded his first 45 'Darinda' on the Decca label. Through that association he was involved in the embryonic stages of The Fortunes who were, back then, known as The Cliftones. In fact Rod Bainbridge (Allen) and Barry Pritchard were involved in the recording of 'Darinda'. Several more singles followed. But Jon knew though that to further his career then America was the place to be and his first visit to the country in 1965 coincided with what became known as 'The British Invasion'. He had a period, between 1966 and 1970, as lead singer with The Applejacks. And they had several visits to America and these tours confirmed Jon's thoughts. In 1971 he moved there permanently. He initially settled in New York City and quickly teamed up with production team Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss who produced his first U.S. release 'Sugar Shine Lady' released on Columbia records. While in New York he also found work as a session singer for Atlantic records and Eddie Kramer's Electric Ladyland studios in Greenwich Village. But it was in 1974 that Jon would start the cabaret act that would see him begin a journey from Florida to Las Vegas where he would eventually settle. Managed by Midwest Destiny Management the cabaret work was plentiful and this meant that Jon could be on the road for up to 48 weeks of the year. This period also saw the release of another single 'You'll be my Baby Again'. The 1980s saw Jon take another change in direction.

This time he moved into the country pop scene. Under the umbrella of an old friend, producer Doc Holiday, Jon gained five consecutive chart hits. These included 'One Dance Love Affair' and 'Two Hearts'. Both of those songs stayed in the Billboard charts for several weeks. He also recorded a country version of the Fortunes song 'Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again' which gained considerable airplay. This led Jon into the 1990s and his next step change which was the formation of a band - Jon Washington's Sounds of the Fortunes. Jon and his band were now living and working in the entertainment capitol of the world, Las Vegas Nevada. The sounds of the Fortunes released two albums and toured extensively. At the turn of the century Jon continued to write songs. In March 2003 he released a solo album called 'I Can Feel A Love Coming On' from which the title track received a Grammy award nomination. An incredible accolade for the 'local lad come good'. It was at this time when Jon also began a new career as an author and 2003 also saw the release of his first book 'A Fire Within (true stories of tragedy in the British rock 'n' roll experience)' for Franklin Press. The book deals with the likes of Brian Jones, Lord Sutch, Brian Epstein and other musical icons whose lives were cut short. A chapter is devoted to each of the personalities. A second book, 'The Lost Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll' was published in 2004 and covers similar ground to his first book. Only this time the subjects are all American and include artists who featured and inspired him in his inherited stack of 78s all those years ago. Indeed in the preamble Jon touches on his roots and pays a tribute to the person who left him those records. Which brings this story to the present date. A third book has just been released called 'The British are Coming'. I have not had chance to read this one yet but from the title I am guessing that it deals with the British musical invasion to America of the mid 1960s. I also understand that he has yet another album due for release in June called 'The Rain Tree'. This is, from what I understand, another country album. Plus he is currently re-recording an album of songs by The Applejacks that were originally recorded during his time with the band. It seems that at almost 67 years old Jon is still very active.

The Sorrows Reform - Another recent article by Pete Clemons

New from Pete Clemons - a recent article on The Sorrows - the seminal Coventry 60's 'R&B / freakbeat' band who have recently reformed. The original group was operative between 1963 - 1969.
(Read text of the article below.)

'Freakbeat' sound of The Sorrows can be enjoyed again; YOUR nostalgia Telegraph contributor Pete Clemons charts their history and comeback, which includes dates in London and Italy so far. SEMINAL Coventry band The Sorrows enjoyed success in the Sixties with their hallmark sound. Rock fan and regular.

FOR those who may not have noticed, seminal Coventry band, The Sorrows, have regrouped and are currently playing gigs around Coventry.

Prior to the first gig at The Arches snooker club, Spon End, back in December 2011, the five musicians had been rehearsing hard for the previous three months.

And the sensational results of this comeback means that the band have been signed by London management and could well be scheduled for work on the continent that includes theatres and festivals for 2012.

There is even talk of a new album. The band's current line-up is Don Fardon (vocals) Phil Packham (bass), Nigel Lomas (drums), Marcus Webb (lead guitar) and Brian Wilkinson (rhythm guitar and harmonica).

The Sorrows were originally formed way back in 1963 in Coventry by Pip Whitcher. They gigged hard around the city at venues like The Craftsman, The Pilot, The Heath Hotel and The Orchid Ballroom. The line-up back then was Philip (Pip) Whitcher (lead guitar and vocals), Don Fardon (vocals), Philip (Phil) Packham (bass guitar), Terry Jukes (rhythm guitar) and Bruce Finley (drums).

The gained a manager in David Owen and not long after the band had recorded their first 45rpm, 'I Don't Wanna be Free' during December 1964, Jukes left and was replaced on rhythm guitar by Wez Price.

While plying their trade in the local night clubs their reputation was spreading far and wide. This resulted in the group being discovered by A & R man and Piccadilly's label manager John Schroeder.

They also gained a London agent in Maurice King. Gigs up and down the country now flowed in.

The Sorrows were now poised for greatness. They produced an album that was released in December 1965 called Take a Heart on the Piccadilly Records label which, in turn, was a subsidiary of Pye Records. The band also produced a string of singles and EPs. All original releases are now very sought after in the collectors' market. By 1966 and after gaining several top 10 chart positions on the UK Singles Chart with their releases, Phil Packham and Don Fardon left the band. Fardon went solo and, in 1970, achieved great success by having a top 3 UK chart hit success with 'Indian Reservation'.

Later on in 1966 saw the band soldiering on with Wez Price taking Phil Packham's place on bass guitar, while Pip Whitcher focusing more on vocals. Bruce, Pip and Wez were then offered a part in a major package tour in Italy. However, they urgently required a fourth member. So Roger Lomas, Nigel's brother, was drafted in and became lead guitarist. The band then relocated to Italy where they, again, received considerable success. Despite playing to huge arenas the band returned home in 1967, penniless.

However their time in Italy had not been totally in vain as it had raised the band's profile. So back they went again. This period saw the band release the excellent single 'Pink, Purple, Yellow, Red' and cut an LP entitled Old Songs, New Songs in 1968. 'Old Songs, New Songs' was a mixture of group originals and covers This version of the band continued for almost three years before eventually folding for good. Well, not actually for good because The Sorrows have reformed occasionally during the intervening years. One noteworthy comeback that I remember was a short residency at The Dive in the city centre (downstairs at the Lady Godiva pub).

This particular line-up was Chuck Fryers (guitar and vocals), Chris Smith (keyboards), Wez Price (bass) and Mick Bradley (drums).

In essence, their style of music has been a mix of beat and contemporary R&B. During the mid-60s, this brand of music was termed as 'Freakbeat'.

The band has often been quoted as 'one of the most overlooked groups of the British Invasion'. The band's hallmark sound has been described as raucous, yet controlled, vocals, fast guitar solos underpinned by heavy bass and frantic drumming. Although the musicianship was excellent throughout the band, this style of music failed to achieve the success it deserved.

It has been said that this was because 'freakbeat' was just too far ahead of its time.

After The Sorrows Roger Lomas became a record producer for his own company, ROLO productions, and produced for bands such as The Specials, The Selecter and Bad Manners. In 2003 he produced the Grammy Award winning album, Jamaican E.T. for Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Wez Price joined Indian Summer and Pip Whitcher joined local band The Eggy with both Nigel and Roger Lomas. Both are now, as I understand, retired from music but both have seen the latest reincarnation of the band. Bruce Finlay was, apparently, last heard of living in Alaska.

Already lined up for a major London date in April, along with some work in Italy, let us hope that 2012 continues strongly for The Sorrows and brings them the overdue success they so fully deserve.

                  The Sorrows in Europe October 2016 

Another article by Pete Clemons.

Singles by the Sorrows

Find the tracks on youtube

I Don't Wanna Be Free /Come With Me Dec '64

Baby / Teenage Letter Apr '65

Take A Heart / We Should Get Along Fine Aug '65

You've Got What I Want / No, No, No, No Oct '65 (Live version)

Let The Love Live / Don't Sing No Sad Songs For Me Apr '66

Let Me In / How Love Used To Be Aug '66

Pink, Purple, Yellow and Red / My Gal 1967

Verde Rossa Gialli Blu 1967 Italian single

Zabadak 1967 Italian single

Per una donna no! 1967 Italian single (Credited to Chris and the Sorrows)

Hey Hey 1968 Italian single

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Line up 1: Don Maughan (Don Fardon) (vocals), Pip Whitcher (lead guitar), Terry Jukes (rhythm guitar), Phil Packham  (bass), Bruce Finlay (drums).(From Broadgate Gnome)


Line up 2
Don Fardon - (born Donald Maughn, 19 August 1940, Coventry) - Lead vocals
Philip (Pip) Whitcher - (born 1943, Coventry) - lead guitar and vocals
Philip (Phil) Packham - (born 13 June 1945, Bidford-on-Avon) - bass guitar
Wez Price - (born Wesley Price, 19 July 1945, Coventry) - rhythm guitar
Bruce Finley - (born 20 September 1944, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland) - drums

Lineup 3 Philip "Pip" Whitcher - vocals, lead guitar / Wez Price - bass / Roger Lomas - guitar / Bruce Finlay - drums

Lineup 4 Chuck Fryers- vocals organ, guitar / Wez Price - bass / Chris Smith - keyboards / Mick Bradley - drums

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From The Broadgate Gnome

Coventry's biggest group of the '60's actually only had one major hit, but released a number

of superb, tough R&B singles and a very rare album.

Above is the original line up. Maughan had previously been in The Hawks. A hard gigging band, they played blues and beat and secured a twice a week residency at the Pilot in Radford, building up a faithful large following.They also played at Coventry City's Highfield Road ground during half time.

They were signed to Pye's Piccadilly label by producer John Schroeder and released a tough, self-penned a-side for their first single.

Jukes left soon after and was replaced by ex-Unknowns guitarist Wes Price. This line-up recorded the Shuman / Westlake composed second single. Although another good performance, the single failed to sell in the quantities needed to chart and the band were demoralised enough to consider splitting. However they heard a song which was to be their first (and only UK) hit. It was the Boys Blue's version of 'Take A Heart' , written by Miki Dallon (aka Mickey Tinsley).

Tony Fennell tells us, "I recorded “Take a Heart” with the Sorrows as a session drummer and worked with Johnny Goodison’s Showband.

Bruce Finlay left the Sorrows and I recorded Take a Heart and No No No + 1 other track which escapes my memory. This was at Piccadilly Studio with John Schroeder (Cast your fate to the wind fame). Between release of the single I left Coventry to move to Bristol.

They recorded a superb moody version of the song and were rewarded by a number 21 position in the UK charts in

September 1965, it also became a huge hit in Europe and eventually the U.S. For the following few months it looked as if the band were on the brink of major success, but the important follow up single failed to perform in the charts (reaching number 47 in the N.M.E.) .

The Sorrows music was raucous upbeat frenzied hard aggressive rock with great musicianship and an incredible drum beat.

Pye had already scheduled an album release, and this duly came out at the end of 1965.

Although containing a few previously released tracks, it was a great demonstration of their talents and styles mixing R&B, Beat, Folk Rock and raw punk attitude, it nevertheless failed to sell in enough quantities to stop it becoming quickly deleted, and is now one of the more sought after artifacts of the beat era.

Again despondency set in as further U.K. singles failed to sell and Maughan and Packham left. However the remaining 3 members were offered a major tour of Italy (where 'Take A Heart' had been a big hit) playing in huge, 30,000 to 40,000 seater Football stadiums providing they did it as a 4 -piece. They recruited Roger Lomas from The Clouds and with Wes Price on bass, set out on the package tour playing alongside the likes of Charles Aznovour!!. The reaction was so great , they decided to settle in Italy during 1966. During that year they were major pop stars there, frequently having their hotels mobbed by enthusiastic fans, who blocked the roads outside, holding up posters of the band !!.

The band spent too long following up their successes and this coupled with management problems saw the band famous, but with no money, they toured, but were practically starving and by early 1967 they were out of favour with the fickle mid-'60's pop audience.

Lomas moved back to Coventry in September 1967, Whitcher followed soon after.

Their profile in Italy was such that they were offered a record deal and went back there to record the 'Old Songs, New Songs' album in 1968.

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And from Rex Brough

Coventry's greatest 60's band. Their sound was similar to the R 'n B bands like the Kinks

and the Pretty things - raw energy. Their only hit, "Take a Heart," reached number 25. They were featured on Ready Steady Go, demonstrating to Cathy McGowan how they got their unique drum sound (towels over the toms). They issued one LP in this form. Don Maughn and Philip Packham left, Philip Whitcher, taking over lead vocals. At this point Take a heart, hit in Italy, so Roger Lomas was recruited. The group moved to Italy, where they had some success. Their last single "Pink, Purple, Yellow and Red" is a freakbeat classic. The third lineup recorded an album, mainly of covers, "Old songs, New songs"

Wes Price did one tour and a single with Indian Summer. Phil Whitcher after being in theEggy, was in a short-lived studio group with Roger Lomas and Paul Hooper called the Zips. He later joined joined Torquays "Brummies in Exile" in the 90's. Don Maughn changed his name to Don Fardon. In the early 80's the band reformed without Don Fardon. Tim Jamesplayed in this line-up. Fardon, however did take part in another brief reunion in the early 90's. Don Fardon had some solo hits including his biggest “Indian Reservation” which Paul Revere and the Raiders covered.

Bruce Finlay - Found!

Bruce Finlay is now in a band in Alaska called ANWR. It is named after the Arctic National

Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). He is also the producer of BLACK & TAN RECORDS, ANWR's label. He has toured in other bands in Canada and the United States. I have pasted a web link of your page onto our website. ANWR currently has a single to be released December 2002.

Freakbeat - From Wikipedia - To quote Wikipedia, “Freakbeat is a primarily European rock music genre that peaked between 1966 and 1967. Elements of the freakbeat sound include strong direct drum beats, loud and frenzied guitar riffs, and extreme effects such as: fuzztone, flanging, distortion and compression or phasing on the vocal or drum tracks. Often used to describe the European counterpart to the psychedelic garage rock of American groups like The Seeds, The Thirteenth Floor Elevators, and The Standells, freakbeat is most often applied to music originating in the UK, although many artists on the European continent also contributed to the freakbeat style. Some of the best-known examples of the freakbeat genre include the British hits “Take a Heart” by The Sorrows, “Making Time” by The Creation, and “I Can Hear the Grass Grow” by The Move.”

The Sorrows as featured in an Italian film i ragazzi di bandiera gialla (the yellow flag boys) 1967. The song Verde, Rosso, Giallo e Blu is called Green, Red, Yellow and Blue in English - features Roger Lomas on guitar. The Italian line up ie no Don Fardon. The film "A group of beatnik students rent a garage and turn it into a club. One of them leaves because of love rivalry but then goes back on his steps and the club becomes a huge success." Many bands and artists featured the Sorrows are at the end of the film. The film - in Italian IS linked BELOW.

Friars Promotions - Recent article by Pete Clemons

Pete Plucks Out Twanging Times of City Dances.

Pete Clemons

As published in Coventry Telegraph.

Friars Promotions

(The text is below as it's hard to read on the images)

Pete Plucks Out Twanging Times of City Dances.

Pete Clemons

COVENTRY rock fan Pete Clemons is working on an archive of the city's music scene.

Here, Pete, a regular Coventry Telegraph contributor and member of Coventry's Wall of Fame steering committee, recalls the city's Twang Dances of the 1960s.

ASK anyone of a certain age and I bet they would have attended, or at the very least known about, a Coventry Twang Dance held during the early to mid 1960s.

Let me take you back to late 1962 when a PR company called Friars Promotions, who specialised in putting rock 'n' roll / beat / pop acts on at local pubs and other venues and were run by local lads Mick Tiernan and Jack Hardy, operated from Whitefriars Street.

Also at that time Vince Martin, who had left his band The Vampires, and moved into promoting bands through his latest venture VM rock groups.

Friars had sorted out a deal with local brewers Mitchells and Butler where they would put on bands at the larger sized M&B public houses that had their own function rooms. Basically, in return for the door charge, Friars would put on a band and DJ while M&B took the bar sales.

This turned out to be an incredible success for both parties as Friars set up dances at pubs not only in Coventry but also Birmingham and even as far away as Wales and Scotland.

So successful were they in fact that it got to the point where there were more venues than bands.

To deal with the increased demand something needed to change. So at the turn of 1962/63 Friars promotions and VM rock bands joined forces and became known as Friars Promotions and Agencies. They also left their respective offices and moved to new premises on the corner of Albany Road and Broomfield Road in Earlsdon.

By all accounts Mick Tiernan was an incredibly forward thinking person and was always looking for ways and ideas to keep his dances fresh and to keep them in the public eye.

He had a pet name for the guitarbased bands that he was putting on and that name was the Twangers. And so it followed that, from early 1963, Friars dance nights became known as Twang dances.

The Twang name quickly spread and was soon being attached to all kinds of dances.

For example if Friars put on a dance for Coventry City FC the poster advertised it as a Sky Blue Twang.

If a band such as The Matadors were performing then the evening was advertised as a Twang night with The Matadors.

For verification of the term Twang I have recently asked several prominent local musicians from that period where the word originated and to a man they all confirmed it was indeed coined by Mick Tiernan.

By mid 1963 the word Twang was rapidly spreading and was even being used by Andy Anderson, the prominent pop guru of the former Coventry Standard.

Andy, though, was using the word in the context of the dancers and a particular dance.

In September 1963 he describes a dance where the dancers, or hipsters, are 'shaking their heads and swinging their hips.' He continued that 'Not many knew why the dancers' hands spent so much time behind their Beatlemoded backs. Well believe it or not but the posture was inspired by the Duke of Edinburgh for whom the youngsters have great respect'.

Another article I found in the Coventry Standard from early 1964 and again written by Andy Anderson describes how exciting it was twanging in the new year at The Orchid Ballroom (better known nowadays as The Kasbah) with bands such as The Mighty Avengers, The Matadors and The Xciters. Apparently, hundreds of twang enthusiasts hippy shaked their way into 1964.

At their height Twang nights were being held seven nights a week at venues such as The Walsgrave, The Red House, The Mercers Arms, The New Inn at Longford, The General Wolfe, The Heath Hotel and The Newlands.

There was, however, a problem with Sunday dances because back then licences were not issued for these to be held in pubs. This problem

was solved by effectively turning the pub into a club and that the paying customers were charged accordingly and given a membership. Another of Mick's innovations to keep his dances in the public eye was to add the following wording to his posters and flyers 'No Free Beer and No Free Entrance.'.The word 'no' being in a very tiny print so at first glance it looked like the punters would be getting Free Beer and Free Entrance.

By the mid to late 60s the Twang term simply began to disappear and new labels such as Mods and Rockers and progressive rock nights began to appear.

But that was not to be the end of Friars. Far from it in fact, as they were now putting on early gigs by bands such as The Who, The Nice, Manfred Mann and Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac at venues such as The Swan at Yardley.

They continued to thrive throughout the early part of the 1970s. Vince, now in his mid 70s, is incredibly still promoting bands and organising functions like his annual Call Up the Groups. Sadly both Mick Tiernan and Jack Hardy are no longer with us. But what a legacy and what memories they have both left us.

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There is a post also on Hobo - Coventry Discos / Venues etc on Friars Promotions with various cards and photos here http://covdiscoarchive.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/friars-promotions.html