| Line-up |
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| |
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| Allan Parkinson |
vocals/harmonica |
| Malc Grundy |
lead |
| Kenny Fillingham |
guitar |
| Ronnie Simms |
drums |
| Ronnie Carr |
bass |
| also |
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| Gerry Kenny |
guitar |
Vist their MySpace page
We originally started out as the Dominoes skiffle group in 57/58.
By late 58 we were organised quite well and used to go down the Bodega in Cross St to watch Paul Beattie - he was really top man at the time, together with Karl Denver.
Paul got us our first gig at the Bodega and also the El-Rio in Macclesfield, which helped us a lot and things took off and we changed our style to a more rocky type music.
As the Beat Boys, we used to play in and arround Manchester, mostly at the Twisted Wheel, St Bernadettes, Ritz and Plaza. Jack Abadi from the Wheel took us under his wing and we travelled all over the place and enjoyed some wonderfull moments.
The highlights being many TV appearances, accompanying Gene Vincent, Memphis Slim, Screaming Jay Hawkins and a few more on their tours of England.
We recorded with Decca and enjoyed great times from 1960-1965, when we decided to do our own thing.
We all remain good friends and keep in touch by doing re-unions, and have raised large sums of money for charity.
See also - the Blues Set
The picture above shows the group when they recorded "Thats my plan" with Joe Meek, released on Decca. The lads that were actually on the record were: Allan Parkinson (vocals), Malc Grundy (lead guitar), Geoff Bibby (rythmn guitar) Ronnie Carr (bass) and we used a session drummer, who Meek insisted he played on it.
On Sat 6th March 1965, we were on "Thank Your Lucky Stars".
Also on the show were the Rats who were led by my ex singer and guitarist, also Georgie Fame who used to play with me.
We were backing Screamin Jay Hawkins as the Blues Set, so 3 acts came out of the same group, from the same place.
Saturday 6th March 1965
THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS
Host Pete Murray
The Rats (two different groups with the same name, one from Lancashire, one from Yorkshire),
The Dave Clark Five
Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
Screamin' Jay Hawkins, & the Blues Set
Anita Harris
Jim Page
The Shelley
Janice Nicholls
Guest DJ: Robert Holness |
Part of the Wall of Fame at the Liverpool Cavern showing the Beat Boys
The Dominoes Skiffle Group, Leigh Casino in 1959.
Left to right the members are Kenny Fillingham (guitar),
Eric Eastham (drums), Johnny Hocky (vocals), Clive Powell (piano, later to become Georgie Fame) and Ronnie Carr (bass)
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Memories
My good friend and I, we would be in early twenties I suppose, used to go to watch The Beat Boys every week at what was then The Transport Club in Wigan.It was always a full house and at that time very exciting.
I remember the line up very well, the lead guitar played a Burns Black Bison, his playing stood out very well. You were a very talented group. What impressed me was the way you were able to play the hit tunes of the time so quickly. I remember the Beatles had just released I Want to Hold Your Hand, and The Beat Boys had it just right. And many other songs as well.
My friend and I had some memorable nights at The Transport Club, as we got to our sixties we would reflect of those good times of our youth. My friend is no longer alive but we both always had an interest in music. He learned to play Banjo and Trombone and I Guitar and Organ.
My pride and joy is my Gibson Les Paul which I bought to celebrate my 70th Birthday. It was my friend's son who told me of the web site, he is a professional Guitarist. So happy you are still around, I would love to hear the music again.
Peter Fitzgerald
24/2/13
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