I also met Viv Annis there who married Ian Starr (Richard Kent Style). His dad had a hairdressers on the corner of Whitworth St and Princess Street called Lou Starrs and was well known.

Viv and Ian lived in Withington and Didsbury and always had a full house.I went to his 30th birthday and there were several well known people there. When I worked at the Blue Note the DJ was called Les and later it was Dave Lomas and Dave Phillips."

Courtesy Denise Forrest (nee Ireland)

'The Emperors of Rhythm', developed from 'Jerry Lee and the Staggerlees' , The bass guitarist with the blonde hair was Rod Clare, and the band used his fathers Builders van as their transport.

Lead Guitarist Vic Farrell joined the Hollies at one point, but didn't stay with them, and Eric Stewart became lead guitarist in 'Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders', and later became the Lead Vocalist/Guitarist with 'The Mindbenders', until he went on to become one of the 3 founder members of Manchester's International hit group. '10cc' , Kevin Godley, Lol Creme and Eric Stewart.

Elvis Stringbender
14/9/10

My dad is Paul Stevens who came from Rochdale and his first group was Paul Stevens and The Javelins,with his good friend Maurice (MO) Critchlow on Rhythm, Pete Bantoft on Lead and Frank Harrop on Bass who came from Failsworth, Droylsden and Gatley respectively.

They were resident at Flintstones Cave in Oldham, Globe Hotel in Ashton and used to play at the Princess Club, Luxor Club and Salford Dockers on a regular basis.

He then reformed the Emperors of Rhythm with Vic and Eric Farrell and Rod Clare and was resident at Rochdale Carlton and Blackburn Locarno as well as appearing regularly at Cavern Club and Lowlands Club in Liverpool and Oasis, Twisted Wheel, Kingfisher and Manor Lounge etc.

Later he formed The Opposition with Les Hilton (lead), Rod Clare (bass) and Bernie Burns (drums) before fronting The Corvettes and then joining Belfast recording group The Banshees as lead vocalist and cutting his first record with them at Abbey Road Studios for Columbia called YES INDEED.

He then joined Australian recording group,The Gibsons and released TWO KINDS OF LOVERS (Deram) before having his first hit with them called MAGIC BOOK (Deram) which can be heard on U Tube, before releasing his first solo disc on Page ONE Records called Hey, Mr Love.

He became resident compere at Talk of The North, College Club, Fagins and Sheffield Fiesta and represented England (and winning) the Golden Orpheus Song Festival in Bulgaria (appearing with Roy Orbison).

After returning from a successful career in OZ, he reformed The Emperors, with Pete Cowap on lead and was resident at Rochdale Football Club, Nell Rackers and the Lancashire Lass in Rochdale. 

Steve Watson
21/5/11