UK Singles Chart

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

Currently updating the 1960s on page one. Discovered a few new deaths already and I've only covered T-Z so far:

*"Captain" Cephas Howard of The Temperance Seven died in France in September 2021, aged 86.
*Mark Prince of The Velvets died in November 2021, aged 79. Meaning that Thursby is the sole surviving member (he attended an event in June).
*Obscure Grammy-nominated arranger Richard Wolfe died in February 2019, aged 91.

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 25 Jan 1934 – Living
"Canon" Colin Bowles n/a – pre-1995 Mention of death
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 – 26 Sep 2021 (86) Local obit
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?
NB3: Found a newspaper clipping from 2001 that refers to Bowles as "the late", and a book that said he was dead before 1995. Good enough for me!

The Velvets
Wiki American doo-wop group from Odessa, Texas, formed in 1959 by high school teacher Virgil Johnson and four of his students, Roy Orbison discovered the group in 1960 and signed them to Monument Records, Rigsby was killed when the furniture truck he was driving swerved off the road – it is believed he may have fallen asleep at the wheel
Virgil Johnson 29 Dec 1935 – 24 Feb 2013 (77) Mention of death
Mark Prince 26 Sep 1942 – 11 Nov 2021 (79) Obit
Clarence Rigsby 08 Jan 1940 – 31 Jan 1974 (34) Mention of death
Will Solomon 14 Jul 1941 – 25 May 2006 (64) Mention of death
Bob Thursby 11 Dec 1941 – Living
11/05/1961 That Lucky Old Sun #46
17/08/1961 Tonight (Could be the Night) #50
NB: Robert Earl Thursby attended a commemorative event in June 2022. He now lives in Hawaii.

Richard Wolfe and his Orchestra 08 Feb 1928 – 15 Feb 2019 (91) Obit
Discogs American orchestra leader, real name Richard William Wolf, nominated for 2 Grammy Awards, latterly lived in Haddon Heights, New Jersey
24/01/1963 The Alley Cat Song #21 Released as David Thorne with Richard Wolfe and his Orchestra

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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

Danny Storm 1942 or 1944 – 07 or 08 May 2022 (~79 or ~77) Mention of death
Discogs UK singer from Leicester, real name David Hurran
12/04/1962 Honest I do #42
NB: Living in Buckinghamshire in 2019 according to a comment on the YouTube link above / Family Band Stand say 1942 here then say 1944 here.

Danny Storm died back in May after a long battle with dementia as per this.

Will have to wait until the GRO is updated next year to get his real year of birth. For some reason he doesn't appear in FreeBMD. Maybe he was born abroad?

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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

The Sorrows
Wiki UK freakbeat band from Coventry, Warwickshire, Don Fardon later had a successful solo career
Don Fardon 19 Aug 1943 – Living
Bruce Finlay 20 Sep 1944 – 12 Oct 2022 (78) Mention of death
Terry Juckes 27 Aug 1943 – Living
Phil Packham 13 Jun 1945 – 06 Oct 2018 (73) Mention of death
Pip Whitcher 1943 – Living
16/09/1965 Take a Heart #21

Updated The Sorrows for the deaths of Bruce Finlay (2022) and Phil Packham (2018), both announced via their official FB page.

The page confirms that the other three are still alive.

[TheKeysOfMarinus 390]

The Sorrows were brilliant, deserved more hits. “Pink Purple Yellow and Red” is a smasher.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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 – 09 May 2021 (79) Obit
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 The Rockin' Berries for the death of Clive Lea.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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

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 – Jul 2022 (82) Mention of death
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.

Updated The Flee-Rekkers. Lead guitarist Dave "Tex" Cameron died in July as per The Joe Meek Society here.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

The Mojos
Wiki UK beat group from Liverpool, formed in 1963 and disbanded in 1968
John Conrad 03 Oct 1944 – deceased Mention of death
Nicky Crouch 09 Feb 1943 – Living
Stu James 14 Jul 1945 – Living
Keith Karlson 14 Aug 1944 – Living
Terry O'Toole 20 Dec 1941 – Living
26/03/1964 Everything's Alright #9
11/06/1964 Why Not Tonight #25
10/09/1964 Seven Daffodils #30

The Locomotive
Wiki UK group from Birmingham with material that cut across the genres of ska, soul, R&B and progressive rock, Chris Wood of Traffic was a member until 1966, Lamb became a successful record producer associated with UB40
Norman Haines 1946 – 22 June 2021 (75) Mention of death
Mick Hincks 1949 – Living
Bob Lamb Mar 1947 – Living
Bill Madge no info available
Mick Taylor no info available
16/10/1968 Rudi's in Love #25

Updated The Mojos for the death of John Conrad (aka Bob Conrad). Died from cancer prior to 2014, not sure when exactly.
Updated The Locomotive for the death of Norman Haines, aged 75. Plenty of tributes across Facebook.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:09, Ulitzer95 said:

Johnny and the Hurricanes
Wiki American rock and roll instrumental band from Toledo, Ohio
Lionel Mattice 19 Feb 1939 – 16 Oct 2006 (67) FindAGrave memorial
Johnny Paris 29 Aug 1940 – 01 May 2006 (65) Guardian obit
Bo Savich 02 Aug 1939 – 04 Jan 2002 (62) FindAGrave memorial
Don Staczek 21 Apr 1940 – Living
Paul Tesluk 02 Jul 1940 – 20 Aug 2022 (82) Obit
Dave Yorko 15 Jun 1943 – 17 Feb 2017 (73) Local obit
09/10/1959 Red River Rock #3
25/12/1959 Reveille Rock #14
17/03/1960 Beatnik Fly #8
16/06/1960 Down Yonder #8
29/09/1960 Rocking Goose #3
02/03/1961 Ja-Da #14
06/07/1961 Old Smokie / High Voltage #24
NB: I originally concluded that Tony Kaye drummed on the first hit because to this, "Tony Kay [sic] left the group during the summer of '59 just as Red River Rock was climbing the charts", but this post confirms that Don Staczek filled in for him on the recording.

Paul Tesluk of Johnny and the Hurricanes died on August 20, aged 82. Legacy obit.

Not quite sure how the media have missed this though. That's a fairly big rock n roll death.

Just one left from the charting act now.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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

Iain Gregory 1942 – 08 Apr 2021 (78–79) Obit
Wiki UK singer and actor from Eastcote, Middlesex, later became a potter
04/01/1962 Can't You Hear the Beat of a Broken Heart #39

Updated for the death of Iain/Ian Gregory, a Joe Meek act, who died last April aged 78 or 79.

Later became a renowned potter. Obit here and mention by the Joe Meek Society here.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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

John Fred and his Playboy Band
Wiki American bubblegum pop group, fronted by John Fred from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Andrew Bernard 23 Aug 1943 – 06 May 2021 (77) Obit
Harold Cowart 12 Jun 1944 – 27 Jun 2010 (66) FindAGrave memorial
Tommy DeGeneres 03 Nov 1943 – Living
John Fred 08 May 1941 – 14 Apr 2005 (63) Independent obit
Ronnie Goodson 02 Feb 1945 – 04 Nov 1980 (35) Mention of death
John Miceli 09 Jul 1944 – 07 Apr 2019 (74) FindAGrave memorial
Jimmy O'Rourke 14 Mar 1947 – Living
Charlie Spinosa 29 Dec 1948 – 25 May 2013 (64) Obit
03/01/1968 Judy in Disguise (with Glasses) #3 A parody of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles
NB: Lineup sourced from here but some of the birth details are wrong on that page, so I've corrected them via Ancestry.

Updated John Fred and his Playboy Band for the death of Andrew Bernard, who co-wrote Judy in Disguise.

Shit all luck this group are having with average male life expectancy.

[Ghmyrtle 5]

New here, so apologies if I'm in the wrong place.  There's a posting at https://ninebattles.com/2022/09/20/trying-to-locate-members-of-bern-elliot-the-klan/ to say that Bern Elliott (of  ... and the Fenmen) died in Margate on 13 September 2022.  He would have been 79.  The only other mention I've seen is of someone trying to add that date to his Wikipedia page (without a source).  Does anyone have any more information?  

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:04, Ulitzer95 said:

Bern Elliott and the Fenmen
Wiki UK beat group from Erith, Kent, Wally Allen later joined The Pretty Things
Wally Allen 09 Apr 1944 – Living
Bern Elliott 17 Nov 1942 – 13 Sep 2022 (79) Mention of death
Alan Judge 1942 – 2017 (74) Mention of death
Jon Povey 20 Aug 1942 – Living
Eric Willmer 1943 – Living
21/11/1963 Money #14 Cover of a single by Barrett Strong, popularised by The Beatles
19/03/1964 New Orleans #24

Updated for the death of Bern Elliott. Quite surprised he has died off radar. Hopefully a Guardian obit will turn up eventually for him.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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

The Box Tops
Wiki American pop rock group from Memphis, Tennessee
Rick Allen 28 Jan 1946 – Living
Thomas Boggs 16 Jul 1944 – 05 May 2008 (63) Local obit
Alex Chilton 28 Dec 1950 – 17 Mar 2010 (59) Guardian obit
Bill Cunningham 23 Jan 1950 – Living
John Evans 18 Jun 1948 – 22 Dec 2020 (72) Obit
Danny Smythe 25 Aug 1948 – 06 Jul 2016 (67) Ultimate Classic Rock obit
Gary Talley 17 Aug 1947 – Living
13/09/1967 The Letter #5
20/03/1968 Cry Like a Baby #15
23/08/1969 Soul Deep #22

Updated The Box Tops for the death of John Evans who died in December 2020 as per this Legacy obit.

Not reported on any other sites (including DL) at the time.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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

The Blackwells
Discogs American vocal group produced by Phil Spector, comprising of three siblings, Dewayne went on to be a successful songwriter, Ronnie died in a car accident in April 1966
Dewayne Blackwell 17 Sep 1936 – 23 May 2021 (84) Obit
Glenda Blackwell 29 Apr 1940 – Living
Ronnie Blackwell 04 Oct 1938 – 24 Apr 1966 (27)
18/05/1961 Love or Money #46

Updated the Phil Spector act The Blackwells. Singer turned songwriter Dewayne Blackwell died last May, aged 84.

A few obits but not reported on DL at the time.

One sibling left.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:09, Ulitzer95 said:

Jimmy Justice 15 Dec 1939 – 15 Nov 2022 (82)
Wiki UK pop singer from Bermondsey, London, dubbed the "UK Ben E. King"
29/03/1962 When My Little Girl is Smiling #9
14/06/1962 Ain't That Funny #8
23/08/1962 Spanish Harlem #20

Updated Jimmy Justice. The only source thus far is a private Facebook group and an edit to his Discogs profile but the former seems credible enough. Wonder if the Guardian will pick this up. They should?

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

On 29/06/2020 at 16:56, Ulitzer95 said:

Dr. Feelgood
Wiki UK pub rock band from Canvey Island, Essex, formed in 1971
Lee Brilleaux 10 May 1952 – 07 Apr 1994 (41) Independent obit

Wilko Johnson 12 Jul 1947 – 21 Nov 2022 (75) Guardian obit
John "The Big Figure" Martin 08 Nov 1946 – Living
Gypie Mayo 24 Jul 1951 – 23 Oct 2013 (62) Guardian obit
John B. Sparks 22 Feb 1953 – Living
11/06/1977 Sneakin' Suspicion #47
24/09/1977 She's a Windup #34
30/09/1978 Down at the Doctors #48
20/01/1979 Milk and Alcohol #9
05/05/1979 As Long as the Price is Right #40
08/12/1979 Put Him Out of Your Mind #73

Updated Dr. Feelgood for the death of Wilko Johnson.

[YoungWillz 21,024]

On 20/07/2020 at 17:35, Ulitzer95 said:

The Fortunes
Wiki UK Merseybeat group from Birmingham, formed in 1961
Rod Allen 31 Mar 1944 – 10 Jan 2008 (61) Guardian obit
Andy Brown 07 Jan 1946 – Living
Shel MacRae 08 Mar 1943 – Living
George McAllister 06 Dec 19?? – Living
Barry Pritchard 03 Apr 1944 – 11 Jan 1999 (54) Independent obit
11/09/1971 Freedom Come, Freedom Go #6
29/01/1972 Storm in a Teacup #7

Seemingly reliable source that Shel Macrae (b. Andrew Semple) has died: 

 

[YoungWillz 21,024]

Shel Macrae from the family (must initially look harder): 

 

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

On 14/10/2020 at 21:56, Ulitzer95 said:

Robin Sarstedt 21 Jan 1944 – 22 Jan 2022 (78) Mention of death
Wiki UK pop singer and instrumentalist, born in Ajmer, British India and later raised in Croydon, full name Clive Robin Sarstedt (and now known by the stage name of Clive Sarstedt), brother of pop singers Peter Sarstedt and Richard Sarstedt (better known as Eden Kane)
08/05/1976 My Resistance is Low #3

I've been doing updates for all the 1970s entries. Found quite a few off radar deaths but not every one worth mentioning.

Was a little bit surprised about this one though...

Robin Sarstedt (aka Clive Sarstedt, wiki) died back in January from a heart attack. 

Tribute on his Facebook page and British Heart Foundation page but didn't get a QO anywhere.

Brother of the late Peter Sarstedt, and of Eden Kane who's still with us.

[YoungWillz 21,024]

Shel Macrae got an ITV Obit: https://www.itv.com/news/central/2022-11-28/shel-macrae-lead-singer-of-the-fortunes-dies-at-77

 

Noice!

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

On 20/07/2020 at 11:25, Ulitzer95 said:

Fleetwood Mac
Wiki UK/American rock band from London, formed in 1967, they have sold more than 120 million records to date making them one of the world's most successful bands, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998
Lindsey Buckingham 03 Oct 1949 – Living
Mick Fleetwood 24 Jun 1947 – Living
Peter Green 29 Oct 1946 – 25 Jul 2020 (73) Guardian obit
Danny Kirwan 13 May 1950 – 08 Jun 2018 (68) Guardian obit
Christine McVie 12 Jul 1943 – 30 Nov 2022 (79) BBC obit
John McVie 26 Nov 1945 – Living
Stevie Nicks 26 May 1948 – Living
23/05/1970 The Green Manalishi (with the Two Prong Crown) #10
12/05/1973 Albatross (re-release) #2
13/11/1976 Say You Love Me #40
19/02/1977 Go Your Own Way #38
30/04/1977 Don't Stop #32
09/07/1977 Dreams #24
22/10/1977 You Make Loving Fun #45
11/03/1978 Rhiannon #46
06/10/1979 Tusk #6 Features the uncredited contribution from the USC Trojan Marching Band – the 260 piece band couldn't fit into the recording studio so their part was recorded outside at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
22/12/1979 Sara #37

Updated Fleetwood Mac for the death of Christine McVie. John next me thinks.
 

On 25/10/2020 at 01:15, Ulitzer95 said:

Stealers Wheel
Wiki UK folk rock and pop rock band from Paisley, Scotland, formed in 1972 and disbanded in 1975 with a reunion in 2008, guitarist and co-lead vocalist Gerry Rafferty later had a successful solo career but his life was burdened with alcoholism, guitarist Luther Grosvenor was also a member of Spooky Tooth and Mott the Hoople, bass player Tony Williams was also a member of Jethro Tull
Rod Coombes 15 May 1946 – Living
Joe Egan 18 Oct 1946 – Living
Luther Grosvenor 23 Dec 1946 – Living
Paul Pilnick 17 Mar 1941 – 17 Sep 2021 (80) Local obit
Gerry Rafferty 16 Apr 1947 – 04 Jan 2011 (63) Guardian obit
Tony Williams 19 Aug 1947 – Living
26/05/1973 Stuck in the Middle with You #8
01/09/1973 Everything Will Turn Out Fine #33
26/01/1974 Star #25

I've also updated Stealers Wheel. Lead guitarist Paul Pilnick died in September 2021, aged 80. It was only reported in the Liverpool Echo (he was born in Liverpool) in October, and we completely missed it on here.

[msc 18,436]

11 minutes ago, Ulitzer95 said:

Updated Fleetwood Mac for the death of Christine McVie. John next me thinks.
 

I've also updated Stealers Wheel. Lead guitarist Paul Pilnick died in September 2021, aged 80. It was only reported in the Liverpool Echo (he was born in Liverpool) in October, and we completely missed it on here.

 

Pilnick plays on their first album, and on Stuck in the Middle, but he (and the rest of the band) had quit before Ferguslie Park was recorded. Stealers Wheel was basically Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan for Star and Everything Will Turn Out Fine, with session musicians if needed. Then, having fallen out with the rest of the band, they fell out with each other. 

 

Huge fan of the man Rafferty, but he could start a pub fight if he was the only man on Mars! 

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

On 06/11/2020 at 20:15, Ulitzer95 said:

Kenny Williams 13 Jan 1939 – 17 Jun 2022 (83) Obit
Discogs American singer-songwriter and producer from Fernandina Beach, Florida
19/11/1977 (You're) Fabulous Babe #35
NB: Despite supposedly being a Grammy Award winner (though I can't find what this was for or how many he won?), there's not an awful lot out there on him. He graduated from Peck High School in 1956. Born in Florida and now based in Central Islip, New York.

Updated for the death of Kenny Williams. Obit here.

[YoungWillz 21,024]

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

Chicken Shack
Wiki UK blues band, formed in 1965, Perfect later joined Fleetwood Mac and married bass player John McVie, Bidwell died from a heroin overdose
Dave Bidwell 22 Jul 1946 – Jan 1978 (31)
Christine Perfect 12 Jul 1943 – Living
Paul Raymond 16 Nov 1945 – 13 Apr 2019 (73) NME obit
Andy Silvester 16 Jun 1947 – Living
Stan Webb 03 Feb 1946 – Living
07/05/1969 I'd Rather Go Blind #14
06/09/1969 Tears in the Wind #29
NB: Lineups confirmed here. Perfect recorded on the first single, Raymond on the second.

Need to update Chicken Shack for McVie. 

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

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

Chicken Shack
Wiki UK blues band, formed in 1965, Perfect later joined Fleetwood Mac and married bass player John McVie, Bidwell died from a heroin overdose
Dave Bidwell 22 Jul 1946 – Jan 1978 (31)
Christine Perfect 12 Jul 1943 – 30 Nov 2022 (79) BBC obit
Paul Raymond 16 Nov 1945 – 13 Apr 2019 (73) NME obit
Andy Silvester 16 Jun 1947 – Living
Stan Webb 03 Feb 1946 – Living
07/05/1969 I'd Rather Go Blind #14
06/09/1969 Tears in the Wind #29
NB: Lineups confirmed here. Perfect recorded on the first single, Raymond on the second.

Thanks! I totally forgot that McVie also went by the name Christine Perfect.