My last memory of the 'Kent Style' was just before I left to go to Beirut with Kirk St James.
We recorded a song called A Little Bit O' Soul; a hit in the USA for a band called The Music Explosion. Our last record for MCA 'Love Will Shake The World Awake ' was an abomination, though the 'B' side 'Crocodile Tears' , by bassman, Harvey Rose was fun. I played harmonica on it and it rocked nicely.
We went down to London to do this new record, and the Studio was not far from where Oxford St meets Charing Cross Rd. We all actually played on the record but added a conga guy for the session - Dennis Lopez.
He came in, and nailed it in one take! Horns were me on tenor and Ron Smith and Harvey Starr on trumpets. The whole shebang was produced by Greenaway and Cook, of the Newbeats and Blue Mink fame respectively.
The highlight of the session was overdubbing a "live' party track to give it that 'party' sound .. so we all crammed round a mike or two , and just screamed out nonsensical phrases , and little 'in' gags within the band, laughed, and clanked bottles, for a few minutes throughout the track - some of it is quite audible.
There is a part that is clearly me saying "Pass me my brown trousers" in the background! The 'B' Side was hastily recorded with no horns, a Harvey Rose throwaway tune called 'Dont Tell Lies'. It actually was released on Mercury, I have a copy to this day, but it sadly sank without trace. Kennedy Street were not into putting promotional money into their artists!
The band went back to cabaret and by the time the record came out I was in Beirut (see Kirk St James). I hooked up briefly with the lads when I got to the Bahamas with 'Sponge'. They were outgoing (finishing gig and about to embark back to UK) and we were incoming for the next 2 months. Life is funny.
David Bowker
The Oasis was definitely the best club in Manchester for excitement, atmosphere and quality of local groups as well as all the big names of the day. I was a member and was there frequently from 1965 to approx 1968. The only nights I didn't go were when the Beat League, me being the drummer, were playing at whatever venue.
Had many wonderful times there. I can still remember the excitement of queing up down Lloyd street and the anticipation of another great time when reaching the steps leading down to the basement and in the club.
Remember the first time I saw and heard the Richard Kent Style. This was sometime in early 1965.was in the back bar and heard a mindblowing sound,led by a brass section, coming from the main stage.walked through to listen to this terrific sound.
Looked at the stage and was stopped in my tracks.couldn't believe what I saw. I was gob smacked to see Harvey Starr on trumpet.
Reason for the reaction was that i went to school with Harvey from 1960 to 1965 and had no idea he was in a group. Spoke to him next day at school and he had no idea I was in a group either.
In my opinion they were one of the best groups I heard at the time.
Harvey, if you ever read this page, have a look at the info page on the Beat League and see if you remember me, Dave Anderton the drummer.
We went to Salford Technical High school from 1960 to 1965. The old school was at the top of Frederick Road and Broad Street junction. We then moved to a newly built shool during our last year. This was next to Salford Grammar School near Irlam-o'-the Heights on Dronsfield Road. The school is now known as Pendleton College.
Dave Anderton |
