YoungWillz 21,047 Posted May 1, 2020 This page indicates Donald Rathbone was born October 1942, Wilmslow, Cheshire. https://www.manchesterbeat.com/index.php/groups1/hollies Does that help (especially as you know what his dad did)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 1, 2020 4 minutes ago, YoungWillz said: This page indicates Donald Rathbone was born October 1942, Wilmslow, Cheshire. https://www.manchesterbeat.com/index.php/groups1/hollies Does that help (especially as you know what his dad did)? So that's what I hit into the GRO (and then I tried Ancestry). Strangely there is nobody of the name Donald Rathbone born in Cheshire in or around 1942. I wonder if Donald was a middle name. Or if Rathbone is an alteration on a name spelt slightly differently? The last trace of Don seems to be on the Dutch Hollies fan site, where they spoke to him in 1997. Any idea of his father's name? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungWillz 21,047 Posted May 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, Ulitzer95 said: So that's what I hit into the GRO (and then I tried Ancestry). Strangely there is nobody of the name Donald Rathbone born in Cheshire in or around 1942. I wonder if Donald was a middle name. Or if Rathbone is an alteration on a name spelt slightly differently? The last trace of Don seems to be on the Dutch Hollies fan site, where they spoke to him in 1997. Any idea of his father's name? Nope. Later in the article it actually contradicts itself by saying Rathbone was from Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire. Any joy there? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 1, 2020 10 minutes ago, YoungWillz said: Nope. Later in the article it actually contradicts itself by saying Rathbone was from Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire. Any joy there? Hmmmmm this seems more promising! There's an Ian D. Rathbone, birth registered October 1942 in Stoke. Hit this into Ancestry, nothing concrete sadly. There's an Ian D. Rathbone b. 1942–44, living in Birmingham in 2003–2005. But then there's about seven different marriage certificates for people of the name Ian D. Rathbone 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungWillz 21,047 Posted May 1, 2020 Harpers Bizarre. This June 1967 clipping from the Santa Cruz Sentinel indicates that Eddie James is the youngest of the group, being 18. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3688051/santa-cruz-sentinel/ That puts his dob somewhere in late 1948/early 1949. Might help? I'm tiring of listening to Dick Scoppetone relate his story, as he's not really detailing anything about his band members so far. If you can be arsed: https://www.theencoreshow.com/about.html 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungWillz 21,047 Posted May 1, 2020 The Happenings. Some comments here: https://geezermusicclub.com/2011/04/12/the-happenings-are-happening-again/ Seems to indicate pre-fame DiVito was in Paterson, New Jersey and probably was working the casinos at some time in Las Vegas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 1, 2020 1 hour ago, YoungWillz said: Harpers Bizarre. This June 1967 clipping from the Santa Cruz Sentinel indicates that Eddie James is the youngest of the group, being 18. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3688051/santa-cruz-sentinel/ That puts his dob somewhere in late 1948/early 1949. Might help? I'm tiring of listening to Dick Scoppetone relate his story, as he's not really detailing anything about his band members so far. If you can be arsed: https://www.theencoreshow.com/about.html Closest result on Ancestry is an Edward Blackford James b. 12/11/1948 Santa Cruz, Cali. Probably him but not strong enough to add IMO. I've put c. 1948 for now. Cheers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungWillz 21,047 Posted May 1, 2020 Harmony Grass. After a fair amount of digging, found Tom Marshall's Facebook, indicating he's in Bromley: https://www.facebook.com/avensis123 Otherwise a nightmare to track down. Gotta have my dinner! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 1, 2020 58 minutes ago, YoungWillz said: The Happenings. Some comments here: https://geezermusicclub.com/2011/04/12/the-happenings-are-happening-again/ Seems to indicate pre-fame DiVito was in Paterson, New Jersey and probably was working the casinos at some time in Las Vegas? Spent some time trying to find DiVito through Ancestry and just had another skim but sadly zilch. There's too many of them as it's quite a common surname in NJ/NY. And spelling is problematic too. There are individuals on there that have their name spelt interchangeably as DeVito, DiVito, Di Vito etc. between different records. Also I'm wary that Ralph could be a nickname rather than a birth name. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 1, 2020 35 minutes ago, YoungWillz said: Harmony Grass. After a fair amount of digging, found Tom Marshall's Facebook, indicating he's in Bromley: https://www.facebook.com/avensis123 Otherwise a nightmare to track down. Gotta have my dinner! As is Kenny Rowe. Tom's birthday is 14 Feb. Can't find a year. Nothing on Kenny's. Ray Brown was born in Hayes, Middlesex in 1944 as per this. Edit: 15 Oct 1943 in Hertford according to this. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungWillz 21,047 Posted May 1, 2020 At some point our Tom Marshall was married to a Sheila Dimmock. Light reading indicates they are no longer together, so, she's dead or they are divorced? Maybe there is a marriage certificate to be tracked down. Interesting stories about Ferguson going on to win New Faces with Rowe but the public trail for the remaining members fizzles out in the mid-1970s. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Imelda 621 Posted May 2, 2020 On 29/02/2020 at 20:15, Ulitzer95 said: Steve Race 01 Apr 1921 – 22 Jun 2009 (88) Guardian obit Wiki UK composer and pianist from Lincoln, Lincolnshire, also had a career as a television and radio presenter, composed the scores for the films Brass Monkey (1948) and Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959), received an OBE in 1992 28/02/1963 You missed off this one's link Pied Piper (The Beeje) reached No. 29 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1963. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 2, 2020 5 minutes ago, NotTheNagsHeadReading said: You missed off this one's link Pied Piper (The Beeje) reached No. 29 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1963. Thanks! I've added it now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Imelda 621 Posted May 2, 2020 27 minutes ago, Ulitzer95 said: Thanks! I've added it now Been really enjoying going through these lists and listening to some new stuff. The Troggs Tapes were a proper discovery, that bit in Father Ted now falls right into place! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 2, 2020 7 minutes ago, NotTheNagsHeadReading said: Been really enjoying going through these lists and listening to some new stuff. The Troggs Tapes were a proper discovery, that bit in Father Ted now falls right into place! Yeah same actually. It's amazing how much YouTube has in comparison to say 10–15 years ago. I think to date, there's only 2 charting songs of the 50s/60s I can't find on there! I imagine they'll have every 70s/80s/90s/00s charting record though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,646 Posted May 3, 2020 11 hours ago, NotTheNagsHeadReading said: Been really enjoying going through these lists and listening to some new stuff. The Troggs Tapes were a proper discovery, that bit in Father Ted now falls right into place! There's two Troggs tapes (the second being a mid-seventies "comeback" album). You're talking the original "sprinkle some fairy dust on the fucker" recording, right? Classic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 3, 2020 "L" is up Missing info for: The Lancastrians – all four members, a total nightmare to trace this band The Lemon Pipers – just one member, the British one who had a breakdown and became a recluse Little Tony & his Brothers – just one brother The Locomotive – all five members The Long and the Short – 3/5 members Lord Rockingham's XI – missing info for 5/13 of the session musicians Patti Lynn – probably the most obscure chart artist I've come across so far. Literally nothing out there on her! Just F, M and S to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungWillz 21,047 Posted May 4, 2020 Found the sleeve notes for Johnny Angel here: https://www.rootsvinylguide.com/ebay_items/patti-lynn-patti-ep-uk-1962-fontana-45 Patti Lynn born in Sunderland on November 5th, 1943. You're welcome! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungWillz 21,047 Posted May 4, 2020 Lord Rockingham's XI. Kenny Packwood. I found an article here which indicates Kenny was from Norwich and was 16 in 1958: https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/what-s-on/poignant-last-visit-to-norfolk-by-rock-n-roll-legend-billy-fury-1-3593377 I also found this post from Vince Eager on Facebook which ties the same Kenny Packwood to Lord Rockingham's XI, and which also, I'm afraid, indicates that Kenny Packwood is dead: What surprises me more is that Vince Eager is still alive! Anyhow, it's very late and I'm off to bed. I'll look anew at the various bands tomorrow when I can. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 4, 2020 Amazing @YoungWillz, cheers! The only Kenneth Packwood in the GRO is for 1941–43 is a Kenneth P. Packwood, born in Brentford in 1942. Ancestry: Kenneth Peter Packwood b. 21 Jan 1942, d. Dec 2003 in Surrey. Could be the Lord Rockingham / Billy Fury guitarist, but can't find any Norfolk link the records. I've put c. 1942 for now. Will keep searching though, thanks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 4, 2020 Cross posting news of Dave Greenfield's death here. The Stranglers had an incredible **37** chart hits between 1977 and 2006. Unless I am mistaken, Greenfield played on every one of them. Sadly, they never achieved a chart topper, with their closest being a #2 in 1982 with Golden Brown. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 4, 2020 On 29/02/2020 at 20:16, Ulitzer95 said: S 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 – Living 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 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. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Imelda 621 Posted May 6, 2020 Millie Small My Boy Lollipop, which reached number two in both the US and the UK in 1964. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52557332 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 6, 2020 On 29/02/2020 at 20:11, Ulitzer95 said: Millie 06 Oct 1946 – 05 May 2020 (73) BBC obit Wiki Jamaican blue beat and ska singer from Clarendon, full name Millicent Small 12/03/1964 My Boy Lollipop #2 25/06/1964 Sweet William #30 11/11/1965 Bloodshot Eyes #48 Millie's entry updated following her death. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 12,622 Posted May 6, 2020 "F" is up. Missing info for the following: Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames – missing birth details for three members The Family Dogg – missing birth details for two members Peter Fenton – conflicting sources on his background. Either from Yorkshire or Canada. He's dead – supposedly died on his yacht in the Mediterranean, but don't know when. Shane Fenton and The Fentones – missing bio details for all members apart from Alvin Stardust Ferko String Band, Directed by William Connors – need bio details for Connors The Five Smith Brothers – missing bio details for three of the siblings and the "fake" brother The Flee-Rekkers – missing birth details for one member Emile Ford and The Checkmates – missing bio details for three members The Foundations – missing death date for Harris The Four Esquires – missing bio details for Golden, likely deceased The Four Pennies – missing bio details for Graham John Fred and his Playboys – missing birth details for Bernard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites