UK Singles Chart

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:06, Ulitzer95 said:

Ferko String Band,
Wiki American string band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1922
Directed by William Connors 16 Feb 1910 – 28 Oct 1999 (89) Local obit
Discogs American bandleader from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, nicknamed Curly Conners
12/08/1955 Alabama Jubilee #20
NB: Connors' name was misspelt on the record. His correct name was William J. Conners

The Flee-Rekkers
Wiki UK instrumental rock and roll band from London, Waller later played with The Jeff Beck Group
Dave "Tex" Cameron 21 Oct 1939 – Living
Elmy Durrant 24 Mar 1939 – Living
Peter Fleerackers 1934 – 21 Dec 2016 (~82) Mention of death
Alan Monger 12 Oct 1939 – Living
Derek Skinner 05 Mar 1942 – Living
Micky Waller 06 Sep 1941 – 29 Apr 2008 (66) Guardian obit
19/05/1960 Green Jeans #23 Based on traditional folk song Greensleeves, allegedly written by Henry VII
NB: The Collins Complete UK Hit Singles book says the drummer was Phil Curtis and the guitarist Ronald Marion. Nowhere online seems to agree with this.

Two more entries updated:

Found a 1999 obit for William Connors who is credited as the bandleader on Alabama Jubilee. His name was misspelt on the single release, hence why I didn't find anything first time round. From this I pulled his birth details from Ancestry.

--

Peter Fleerackers (or Fleerakkers), the namesake of The Flee-Rekkers, died on 21st December 2016 according to a comment posted by a friend on this Youtube video. It means that he was, as I suspected, the same Peter Fleerackers who later had a career in ceiling installation. Industry obit here, which gives the same date of death. Makes sense because I could only ever find one Peter Fleerackers in the UK according to Ancestry. Interestingly, he was born in Ealing, NOT in Holland. The story that the band used was that he was Dutch when in reality they were all London born and bred! Dave Cameron is still performing and posts new videos on Youtube. One here from last month. Looks pretty good! Interested to find out if Durrant, Monger and Skinner are still about?

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:10, Ulitzer95 said:

Humphrey Lyttelton and his Band
Wiki UK jazz musician and accompanying band. Lyttelton was also a composer and broadcaster from the aristocratic Lyttelton family, born at Eton College, Buckinghamshire, his record Bad Penny Blues was the first British jazz record to get into the Top Twenty, he was best known for hosting I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue on BBC Radio 4 between 1972 and 2007, also a cartoonist and contributed to the Flook comic strip series in the Daily Mail newspaper
Jim Bray 24 Apr 1927 – 2007 (~80) Ancestry page
Stan Greig 12 Aug 1930 – 18 Nov 2012 (82) Guardian obit
Humphrey Lyttelton 23 May 1921 – 25 Apr 2008 (86) Independent obit
Johnny Parker 06 Nov 1929 – 11 Jun 2010 (80) Guardian obit
13/07/1956 Bad Penny Blues #19
NB: Lyttelton's band was generally an eight piece but as confirmed here, only four musicians recorded on this single.

Updated entry for the death of double bassist and tuba player Jim Bray.

Who's Who of British Jazz had him living in 2004 and mention that he was resident in India but occasionally visited the UK.

This family tree on Ancestry says he died in India in 2007.

Greig was the last to go then, and the entire charting act is now gone.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:11, Ulitzer95 said:

Marcello Minerbi 07 Aug 1921 or 1928 – 06 Aug 1997 (75 or 68) Mention of death
Discogs Italian orchestra leader from Genoa
22/07/1965 Zorba's Dance #6

Updated entry. Long dead. Mentioned here and here.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:15, Ulitzer95 said:

The Rockin' Berries
Wiki UK beat group from Birmingham, Geoff Turton later had a solo career under the stage name Jefferson
Roy Austin 27 Dec 1943 – Living
Terry Bond 22 Mar 1943 – Living
Chuck Botfield 14 Nov 1943 – 30 Jul 2020 (76) Obit
Clive Lea 16 Feb 1942 – Living
Bobby Thomson 1941 – Living
Geoff Turton 11 Mar 1944 – Living
01/10/1964 I Didn't Mean to Hurt You #43
15/10/1964 He's in Town #3
21/01/1965 What in the World's Come Over You #23
13/05/1965 Poor Man's Son #5
26/08/1965 You're My Girl #40
06/01/1966 The Water is Over My Head #43

Updated entry for the passing of guitarist Chuck Botfield.

Died 30th July aged 76 as per this tribute page at Brumbeat.net.

[YoungWillz 21,318]

On ‎10‎/‎10‎/‎2020 at 00:46, Ulitzer95 said:

R (part 3/4)

The Ritchie Family
Wiki American disco vocal trio from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1975 and disbanded in 1984, assembled by French disco producer Jacques Morali (1947–1991) who also created Village People, Gwendolyn Oliver is married to Fred Wesley (b. 1943) who was a trombonist in Parliament-Funkadelic (see Funkadelic) and worked with James Brown
Theodosia "Dodie" Draher 13 Apr 1948 – Living
Ednah Holt 28 Mar 1948 – Living
Cheryl Mason Jacks 04 Sep 1948 – Living
Gwendolyn Oliver 21 Jul c. 1948 – Living
Jacqui Smith-Lee 05 Aug 19?? – Living
Cassandra Ann Wooten 12 Nov 1949 – Living
23/08/1975 Brazil #41
18/09/1976 The Best Disco in Town #10
17/02/1979 American Generation #49

@Ulitzer95

 

Gwendolyn Oliver Wesley Obituary with a helpful date of birth as well as death: https://www.theitem.com/stories/gwendolyn-gardenia-oliver-wesley,355328

 

Best Disco In Town is just fab.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

20 minutes ago, YoungWillz said:

@Ulitzer95

 

Gwendolyn Oliver Wesley Obituary with a helpful date of birth as well as death: https://www.theitem.com/stories/gwendolyn-gardenia-oliver-wesley,355328

 

Best Disco In Town is just fab.

The Ritchie Family
Wiki American disco vocal trio from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1975 and disbanded in 1984, assembled by French disco producer Jacques Morali (1947–1991) who also created Village People, Gwendolyn Oliver was married to Fred Wesley (b. 1943) who was a trombonist in Parliament-Funkadelic (see Funkadelic) and worked with James Brown
Theodosia "Dodie" Draher 13 Apr 1948 – Living
Ednah Holt 28 Mar 1948 – Living
Cheryl Mason Jacks 04 Sep 1948 – Living
Gwendolyn Oliver 21 Jul 1949 – 27 Nov 2020 (71) Local obit
Jacqui Smith-Lee 05 Aug 19?? – Living
Cassandra Ann Wooten 12 Nov 1949 – Living
23/08/1975 Brazil #41
18/09/1976 The Best Disco in Town #10
17/02/1979 American Generation #49

Cheers! Updated.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:16, Ulitzer95 said:

Mike Sagar and the Cresters
Discogs UK pop group from Leeds, The Cresters were originally put together as a backing band for singer Sagar, Johnnie Casson later became a successful stand-up comedian
Johnnie Casson 23 Apr 1943 – Living
John Harding c. 1945 – Living
Richard Harding Sep 1943 – Living
Mike Sagar 27 Sep 1940 – 29 Jun 2020 (79) Local obit
08/12/1960 Deep Feeling #44

Entry updated for the death of Mike Sagar aged 79 way back in June.

Yorkshire post obit.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:16, Ulitzer95 said:

Staiffi and his Mustafas 08 Nov 1927 – 19 Feb 2020 (92) Mention of death
Discogs Algerian novelty singer Alberto Staiffi, real name Albert Darmon
28/07/1960 Mustafa Cha Cha Cha #43

Updated entry for the death of Algerian-French novelty singer Alberto Staiffi (real name Albert Darmon).

Died off radar in February.

When I compiled this list originally I knew he was alive as late as 2018 and in his 90s as per his own site. It said he was living in Montpellier. That death notice is definitely him – says the individual was born in Algeria, and died in Sète, which is in Montpellier. There are also RIP comments on YouTube but surprisingly, no French obit.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:16, Ulitzer95 said:

Sounds Incorporated
Wiki UK instrumental pop group from Dartford, Kent, produced by Joe Meek
Barrie Cameron 25 Oct 1939 – Living
Alan "Boots" Holmes 25 Apr 1940 – Living
Wes Hunter 17 Dec 1941 – 04 Apr 2013 (71) Mention of death
Tony Newman 17 Mar 1943 – Living
John St. John 01 Apr 1940 – Living
"Major" Griff West 19 Dec 1940 – Living
23/04/1964 The Spartans #30
30/07/1964 Spanish Harlem #35
NB: Wikipedia says Barrie Cameron died 11 Nov 2019, aged 80. Can't find any obit or mention elsewhere.

Another Joe Meek act... another blank.

According to a recent Wiki edit, Sounds Incorporated guitarist Barrie Cameron (birth name Barrie Cameron-Elmes; also known as Baz Elmes) died on 11th November 2019, aged 80.

Can't find anything on FB, Twitter, Google. Doesn't show up in the GRO Index, but then I'm aware that there are still records missing from there for the last quarter of 2019.

[YoungWillz 21,318]

1 hour ago, Ulitzer95 said:

Another Joe Meek act... another blank.

According to a recent Wiki edit, Sounds Incorporated guitarist Barrie Cameron (birth name Barrie Cameron-Elmes; also known as Baz Elmes) died on 11th November 2019, aged 80.

Can't find anything on FB, Twitter, Google. Doesn't show up in the GRO Index, but then I'm aware that there are still records missing from there for the last quarter of 2019.

He's mentioned here: https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=elmes&SurnameGrants=elmes&YearOfDeath=2019&YearOfDeathGrants=2019&IsGrantSearch=True&IsCalendarSearch=False#wills

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

51 minutes ago, YoungWillz said:

He's mentioned here: https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=elmes&SurnameGrants=elmes&YearOfDeath=2019&YearOfDeathGrants=2019&IsGrantSearch=True&IsCalendarSearch=False#wills

Typical, the one place I didn't look. 

Merci! Updated.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:16, Ulitzer95 said:

The Temperance Seven
Wiki UK jazz ensemble founded in Christmas 1955 by students at the Chelsea School of Art, known for their surreal performances and their distinctive sound of 1920s style jazz music, produced by George Martin
Clifford Bevan 1934 – Living
"Canon" Colin Bowles no info available
Alan Swainston Cooper 15 Feb 1931 – 22 Aug 2007 (76) Guardian obit
John R. T. Davies (aka Sheik Haroun) 20 Mar 1927 – 25 May 2004 (77) Guardian obit
Martin Fry (aka Franklin Paverty) 1937 – 04 Dec 2018 (~81) Mention of death
John Gieves-Watson Jun 1937 – Living
Philip "Fingers" Harrison no info available
"Captain" Cephas Howard Oct 1934 – Living
Brian Innes "Professor Emeritus" 04 May 1928 – 14 Jul 2014 (86) Guardian obit
"Whispering" Paul McDowell 15 Aug 1931 – 02 May 2016 (84) Guardian obit
30/03/1961 You're Driving Me Crazy #1 Released as The Temperance Seven, Vocal Refrain by Mr. Paul McDowell
16/06/1961 Pasadena #4
28/09/1961 Hard Hearted Hannah / Chili Bom Bom #28
07/12/1961 Charleston #22
NB: There were nine members in the lineup in 1961. Rate Your Music has a personnel list for their 1961 album, which includes Pasadena, Hard Hearted Hannah and Chili Bom Bom as tracks. They include "Canon" Colin Bowles as a pianist for this. The National Portrait Gallery lists the credits for Charleston, with a lineup that matches except the addition of tuba player Clifford Bevan and minus Bowles on piano.
NB2: As far as I can see Bevan, Howard and Gieves-Watson are all still alive. This is useful. Unsure about the rest. This obit for a Colin Bowles in 2019 was featured in the same paper that regularly gives press coverage to the band. Could it be him?

Updated for the December 2018 death of sousaphone player Martin Fry as per this Facebook page. Checks out on the GRO and Ancestry, albeit with a slightly different date (one day before).

Year of birth for Bevan added as per this. Months of birth for Watson and Howard added as per this. All three are still alive.

Of the two remaining blanks...

Bowles: If you Google Canon "Colin Bowles" died, there's a celebrity.co.uk page on After Dinner Speakers which seems to mention his passing. My Mac won't let me load the page, even though I have the latest Flash installed. Can anyone access/screenshot that page?

Harrison: Living in 2003 according to this Guardian article. He's the most elusive, but someone must know what happened to him?

[YoungWillz 21,318]

1 hour ago, Ulitzer95 said:

Bowles: If you Google Canon "Colin Bowles" died, there's a celebrity.co.uk page on After Dinner Speakers which seems to mention his passing. My Mac won't let me load the page, even though I have the latest Flash installed. Can anyone access/screenshot that page?

Harrison: Living in 2003 according to this Guardian article. He's the most elusive, but someone must know what happened to him?

If anyone has access to The Times, Philip Fingers Harrison wrote a Lives Remembered in 2016 on the death of Paul McDowell: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lives-remembered-c5vnv3pjc

 

So Harrison was still about then.

 

Colin Bowles is an enigma. This article from 2015 references the death of "our pianist" in 1988: https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/11876778.still-making-music-and-mirth-60-years-on/ But given the whole band was revamped, who knows if Bowles remained with them, or came back. I can't find a probate grant from that year for a Colin Bowles, or even for surrounding years. Nothing showing up on the Gazette for that year either. If he was one of the early ones to go, you'd have thought an obit would be forthcoming. Maybe the above Times Article sheds some light?

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

10 hours ago, YoungWillz said:

If anyone has access to The Times, Philip Fingers Harrison wrote a Lives Remembered in 2016 on the death of Paul McDowell: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lives-remembered-c5vnv3pjc

 

So Harrison was still about then.

 

Colin Bowles is an enigma. This article from 2015 references the death of "our pianist" in 1988: https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/11876778.still-making-music-and-mirth-60-years-on/ But given the whole band was revamped, who knows if Bowles remained with them, or came back. I can't find a probate grant from that year for a Colin Bowles, or even for surrounding years. Nothing showing up on the Gazette for that year either. If he was one of the early ones to go, you'd have thought an obit would be forthcoming. Maybe the above Times Article sheds some light?

Must’ve been another pianist. Bowles was alive about 10 years ago.

 

That Times obit says fuck all sadly. 

 

[TomTomTelekom 3,742]

English Singer and Musician Chad Stuart from "Chad & Jeremy" died at 79 years:

http://www.chadandjeremy.net/index.html

 

 

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:16, Ulitzer95 said:

Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde
Wiki UK folk and soft rock duo, part of the British Invasion the States
Jeremy Clyde 22 Mar 1941 – Living
Chad Stuart 10 Dec 1941 – 20 Dec 2020 (79) Mention of death
28/11/1963 Yesterday's Gone #37

Thanks, updated.

Got to be honest, when I compiled this I had never heard of them! Their Wiki page suggests they were pretty big in the States, but they never amounted to much in the UK strangely.

A quite glimpse at the their Facebook page suggests he was admitted to hospital recently after suffering a fall. Whilst there he developed pneumonia (non-COVID related) and this is what he succumbed to.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 12/06/2020 at 16:28, Ulitzer95 said:

C.C.S.
Wiki UK instrumental blues rock ensemble, existed as a recording outfit only and used session musicians, C.C.S. stands for Collective Consciousness Society, formed in 1970 and disbanded in 1973, Flowers, Morgan and Parker were also members of Blue Mink
Harold Beckett 30 May 1935 – 22 Jul 2010 (75) Obit
Greg Bowen 03 May 1943 – Living
John Cameron 20 Mar 1944 – Living
Tony Carr 24 Oct 1930 – Living
Tony Coe 29 Nov 1934 – Living
Les Condon 23 Feb 1930 – 30 Oct 2007 (77) Guardian obit
Bob Efford 06 Apr 1928 – 29 Apr 2019 (91) Obit
Tony Fisher 27 Feb 1936 – Living
Herbie Flowers 19 May 1938 – Living
Bill Geldard 27 Sep 1929 – Living
Spike Heatley 17 Feb 1933 – Living
Pete King 11 Aug 1940 – 23 Aug 2020 (80) Guardian obit
Alexis Korner 19 Apr 1928 – 01 Jan 1984 (55) Ultimate Classic Rock obit
Jim Lawless 18 Feb 1935 – 04 Feb 2017 (82) Mention of death
Bill Le Sage 20 Jan 1927 – 31 Oct 2001 (74) Guardian obit
Henry Lowther 11 Jul 1941 – Living
Don Lusher 06 Nov 1923 – 05 Jul 2006 (82) Guardian obit
John Marshall no info available
Harold McNair 05 Nov 1931 – 01 Mar 1971 (39) Mention of death
Barry Morgan Apr 1931 – 01 Nov 2007 (76)
Danny Moss 16 Aug 1927 – 28 May 2008 (80) Guardian obit
Alan Parker 26 Aug 1944 – Living
Brian Perrin no info available
Ronnie Ross 02 Oct 1933 – 12 Dec 1991 (58) Mention of death
Neill Sanders 24 Nov 1923 – 19 Apr 1992 (68) Mention of death
Peter Thorup 14 Dec 1948 – 03 Aug 2007 (58) Mention of death
Kenny Wheeler 14 Jan 1930 – 18 Sep 2014 (84) Guardian obit
31/10/1970 Whole Lotta Love #13 Cover of a song by Led Zeppelin / Used as the Top of the Pops theme from 1970 to 1976
27/02/1971 Walking #7
04/09/1971 Tap Turns on the Water #5
04/03/1972 Brother #25
04/08/1973 The Band Played the Boogie #36
NB: Lineups pulled from the albums. No guarantee every musician above played on the records released.

Updated for the death of Pete King. Missed this one at the time.

[YoungWillz 21,318]

On ‎20‎/‎12‎/‎2020 at 20:34, Ulitzer95 said:

Thanks, updated.

Got to be honest, when I compiled this I had never heard of them! Their Wiki page suggests they were pretty big in the States, but they never amounted to much in the UK strangely.

A quite glimpse at the their Facebook page suggests he was admitted to hospital recently after suffering a fall. Whilst there he developed pneumonia (non-COVID related) and this is what he succumbed to.

While national press inevitably keep missing folk who had top 5 hits in the UK, Chad Stuart gets a BBC obit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55421963

 

Lawdy.

[time 8,697]

On 09/12/2020 at 21:29, Ulitzer95 said:

British character actor Basil Moss died a couple of weeks ago according to his Wikipedia page.

"It is with enormous sadness it must be added that Basil died on 28th November 2020."

Can't find anything else, though I'm sat here on my second bottle of wine so that doesn't really mean anything. Anyone?

 

Edit: His local church announced his death on Facebook.

 

If the press notice, he should get a QO.

Basil Moss  Guardian obituary.

[YoungWillz 21,318]

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
Wiki American singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist from Detroit, Michigan with accompanying band, Seger has sold more than 75 million records worldwide making him one of the best-selling artists of all time, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012
Drew Abbott 13 Jan 1947 – Living
Chris Campbell no info available
Alto Reed 16 May 1948 – Living
Robyn Robbins 1951 – Living
Bob Seger 06 May 1945 – Living
David Teegarden 15 Nov 19?? – Living
30/09/1978 Hollywood Nights #42
03/02/1979 We've Got Tonite #41 Later popularised by Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton

 

Alto Reed dead: https://www.mlive.com/life/2020/12/bob-seger-remembers-longtime-bandmate-alto-reed-he-was-funky-could-scat.html

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

7 minutes ago, YoungWillz said:

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
Wiki American singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist from Detroit, Michigan with accompanying band, Seger has sold more than 75 million records worldwide making him one of the best-selling artists of all time, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012
Drew Abbott 13 Jan 1947 – Living
Chris Campbell no info available
Alto Reed 16 May 1948 – Living
Robyn Robbins 1951 – Living
Bob Seger 06 May 1945 – Living
David Teegarden 15 Nov 19?? – Living
30/09/1978 Hollywood Nights #42
03/02/1979 We've Got Tonite #41 Later popularised by Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton

 

Alto Reed dead: https://www.mlive.com/life/2020/12/bob-seger-remembers-longtime-bandmate-alto-reed-he-was-funky-could-scat.html

Merci. Updated etc. etc.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:11, Ulitzer95 said:

The McGuire Sisters
Wiki American traditional pop vocal trio from Middletown, Ohio, consisting of three sisters
Christine McGuire 30 Jul 1926 – 28 Dec 2018 (91) Washington Post obit
Dorothy McGuire 13 Feb 1928 – 07 Sep 2012 (84) Guardian obit
Phyllis McGuire 14 Feb 1931 – 30 Dec 2020 (89) Mention of death
01/04/1955 No More #20
15/07/1955 Sincerely #14 B-side to No More
01/06/1955 Delilah Jones #24
14/02/1958 Sugartime #14
01/05/1959 May You Always #15

Updated for the death of Phyllis McGuire. Whole act now gone.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:01, Ulitzer95 said:

The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Wiki American jazz pianist and composer from San Francisco, California, the quartet was initially popular on the U.S. college circuit
Dave Brubeck 06 Dec 1920 – 05 Dec 2012 (91) BBC obit
Paul Dresmond 25 Nov 1924 – 30 May 1977 (52) NY Times obit
Joe Morello 17 Jul 1928 – 12 Mar 2011 (82) Guardian obit
Eugene Wright 29 May 1923 – 30 Dec 2020 (97) Guardian obit
26/10/1961 Take Five #6
08/02/1962 It's a Raggy Waltz #36
17/05/1962 Unsquare Dance #14

Updated for the death of Wright. Another charting group completely gone.

Also added Independent obit for Phyllis McGuire. Seems to be getting a lot of coverage now.

[Predictor 1,034]

On 05/05/2020 at 00:18, Ulitzer95 said:

Bob Lander of The Spotnicks died yesterday aged 78.

Second member of the group to die in several months and leaves Ove Johansson, 80, as the only member to have charted in the UK.

Ove Johansson died on 8 April 2017, so Bob was the last survivor.

[Ulitzer95 12,967]

25 minutes ago, Predictor said:

Ove Johansson died on 8 April 2017, so Bob was the last survivor.

Thanks man. Not sure how I missed that, it was in clear view on Google!

Updated with obit:

The Spotnicks
Wiki Swedish instrumental rock band from Gothenburg, originally called The Frazers before changing their name in 1961, often wore spacesuits to accompany performances on stage
Ove Johansson 30 Mar 1940 – 08 Apr 2017 (77) Obit
Bob Lander (aka Bo Starander) 11 Mar 1942 – 03 May 2020 (78) Obit
Björn Thelin 27 Jun 1942 – 24 Jan 2017 (74) Obit
Bo Winberg 27 Mar 1939 – 03 Jan 2020 (80) Obit
14/06/1962 Orange Blossom Special #29
06/09/1962 The Rocket Man #38
31/01/1963 Hava Nagila #13
25/04/1963 Just Listen to My Heart #36