After Dave Rossall left for Australia, two of the remaining Spiders, Peter Haliwell (drums) and Stuart MacGarry (rhythm guitar) joined Phil Coggan and Nick Gribbon as the reformed Wild Ones.
Bruce and the Spiders were one of Blackpoo'ls truly professional bands. Their agent/manager was Jeff Bates Promotions.
He made sure they worked about six nights a week and kept up with top ten material.
Equipment included: Guitars, two strats and a precision bass, Ludwig drums, two Vox Ac 30's for the pa.and I think Reslo ribbon mikes. All the band sung, I remember the harmonies being excellent.
They played mostly Blackpool but did also gig around the north.
Phil Coggan
They were the greatest band in my eyes and Stuart McGarry was one hell of a singer who went on to have a spell with the Rocking Vicars. With his voice he controlled the band and should have gone on to greater things.
Stuart worked with the Black Abbots for 8 months with Clive Jones and Russ Abbott. Me and my wife was very fortunate to meet Stuart on North Pier and had great pleasure talking about the old days.
Nigel
Tom left the group in 1966 to join Rhythm Unlimited who had great success playing at Pontins in Blackpool during the Summer seasons, and had many gigs around the North of England during the winters up to 1970.
He had a great stage presence and could have gone onto greater things. He is now living in Bournemouth Stuart McGarry did play with the Rocking Vicars for a short while and David Rosall played with the Rev Black and the Rocking Vicars
Maddy
My friend Pauline and I met "The Spiders" in a small club in Bolton called The Drumbeat in 1964/65.
We were big fans until they split. What a fantasic band, They were all superb musicians.
Oh! what happy memories we have of those days.
They played at venues in Bolton on a regular basis. Crompton Way Casino, Bolton Palais and more.
We once went to watch them play at Blackpool Tower they were support band to The Hollies and The Yardbirds that night.
Dave came to see me just before he emigrated. I later moved to London and lost touch with the North West music scene.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who knows where Dave, Pete, Tom or Stuart are now.
I am still alive and kicking,Wow! Reading this brings back memories,What you up to these days Phil Coggan? The last I heard you had gone back to Wales,and that must be 30 years ago,
Yes myself, Ciggy and Mogsey kept the Vicars going for quite a few years - packing them in on the local pub and club scene. But once they started putting zimmer frames on stage for us, we decided to call it a day.
It would be great to hear from anyone who used to come and see us
STUART McGARRY
Spiders,Vicars
|