The Chasers on Manchesterbeat - the group and music scene of Manchester in the 60s

The Chasers
Thanks to Les Graham for the info

Played every Thursday at The Cad (The Acadamy Ballroom, Salford) where they had a large following. Also played lots of gigs at The Jungfrau, The Oasis, Heaven & Hell, Top of the Town", Warrington, Oldham, Belle Vue (with the Kinks) etc.

Band Members:

Gerald (Ged) Harrison	Vocals
Geoff Foot	Guitar/vocals
Eric Lydiate	Bass/vocals
John Howarth	Guitar/vocals
John Mills	Drums

Other members:
Bass player: Diccon Hubbard
Bass player: Rod Clare
Guitarist: Toby???

30 Jan 1965

"The original band were Ged Harrison, Geoff Foot, John Howarth, Dave Fallon, & John Mills.

Geoff Foot is now a member of Herman's Hermits & touring all over the world. Ged Harrison is a very successfull singer & songwriter in Germany.

I was a fan of the Chasers from their very first gig. Which was at The RAF CLUB in Weaste, Salford.

I still keep in touch with Geoff & Diccon who later joined the band. I have some wonderfull memories of the Sixties from when i used to follow the Chasers.

The photo of the Chasers taken at the Academy in Salford is in fact from the origional picture that I took in 1964 and of which I still treasure to this day".

Lynda Mawdsley

John Howarth, Eric Lydiate, Ged Harrison, John Mills, Geoff Foot
Photo courtesy: Mike Lydiate

Chasers at The Academy, Salford

Memories:

Hells Angels with guitarist Rod Gerrard (later of Salford Jets and Hermans Hermits) Friendly rivals!!!.
The Warriors (with Jon Anderson and his brother Dave) from Warrington, Great!!!!

John Mills, the drummer, who I know very well, used to be our drummer in the trio ''Sounds Unison'', together with John Price, the trumpet player. Played around the Manchester area - friday nights at the Willows in salford etc.

I myself used to be the drummer for Mike Sweeney in his band called ''Ohio Scotch'' together with members Ray Stacey, Ged McClellan and Bill Glover.

Philip Middleton

Had a brilliant night on Friday 4th Feb 2011.

Met up with three of my old Salford Technical High School mates from the early 1960's.

Mike Amatt contacted me about 10 months ago. Hadn't seen Mike for 46 years since leaving school until Friday 17th December 2010 when we met again to renew our old friendship and reminisce shool days and groups we were in over the years. What a brilliant night that was.

Mike was in a group called The Rogues when we were at school.They carried on and later became "Sunshine".He has also been in Mike Sweeney & The Thunderbirds, Wayne Fontanas Mindbenders and many more groups over the years.

Anyway, Mike said he would arrange another night with some of our old school pals and musicians he has kept in touch with over the years.

Friday night 4th February was the night!

I arrived at Mike's at 7.00pm and one of the lads, Diccon Hubbard, was already there. We were both gob smacked to see each other again after a lifetime. Amazing! Diccon was in The Rogues & The Thunderbirds with Mike. They also gigged as The Mindbenders during the 80's.
Then Brent Forbes, turned up. Again, amazing to see each other after leaving Salford Tech in the mid 1960's. Brent was also in The Rogues.

At about 8.30pm, another old friend of theirs, Geoff Foot arrived. I was amazed when Geoff walked in.

Geoff fronted a 60's Salford group called The Chasers (on MB website) when he was younger and has been in many groups over the years. He has been in Hermans Hermits for over 20 years.

Last saw Geoff and spoke to him at a "Chasers" gig in Manchester in 1967.

Check the photo. Looking at it from the left is Brent, Diccon holding the 1965 poster of The Rogues, myself Dave Anderton and Geoff Foot on the right.

A brilliant night! A night to remember. I didn't leave until 2.00am in the morning.

Dave Anderton (The BeatLeague & The Principals)
15/2/11

I worked at the Jungfrau in Manchester as one of the DJ's I remember the Chasers very well, they did a few gigs there and were brilliant. Their music was great and they were one of the best groups we had on.

Jack Birley
10/9/11

Hey, this is Eric Lydiate bass player with " The Chasers" trying to catch up with my mates from the group/ been living in America the last 41yrs - got fond memories of the 60's.

Eric Lydiate
26/1/12

Just seen post from Eric Lydiate living in America since 1971. Great years Eric! Remember when we used to pick you up from your flat in Salford you were always asleep or on the last minute but a great bass player on the gigs.

Met Geoff Foot few years ago and in touch with Diccon Hubbard who took over from you all those years ago.

Would be wonderful for a CHASERS reunion,where are you all now?

John Mills
8/2/12


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