Band members in the three black & white publicity photos are Reg & Norman Coates, Maurice Williamson (wearing glasses) and Vic Farrell.

The Reg Coates Experience became known after the Reg Coates Combo split in the early 70s for a short period.

The combo often contained one or more of Reg's brothers. The new band only contained the best available musicians.

Two long standing lead guitarists were Dave Dunne from Wythenshawe and Harry Barber (who sadly died a few years ago) from New Mills.

Bass players and drummers came and went regularly due to Reg's high level of ability and low tolerence of alcohol problems but these 2 guys were around for many years.

Jason Coates, Reg's son, joined the band for 5 years as a bass player from 86 to 91 and now lives in Portugal.

"In those days there were loads of clubs all buzzing with people. Some nights we would do 3 clubs in one night  - imagine that with the gear we used to use.  Massive speakers, 3 way pa systems and amps, guitars, drums and four or five blokes in the band. They were brilliant days, its such a shame to see the scene as it is today"says Reg.

"The clubs were fantastic too.Blightys (Farnworth), The Talk of the North (Eccles), the Candlelight (Oldham), the Broadway, Quaffers, the Poco Poco, Oceans 11, the Heaven and Hell, Offerton Palais -  I could go on and on.  They were everywhere and when we were there, they were queing up to get in."

"Sometimes I'd look at the Manchester Evening News entertainment page and I must have been playing in nearly every club night after night. In those days it was seven days a week. Even up to the early nineties I was still flying but djs, cheap karaoke acts and the recession destroyed the scene."

"I'm still doing the show mostly for private parties and the odd club but no longer with the band. The clubs that are left cant afford it. Would love to go out with the band - I still feel brill but is there a market? I dont know. "

30 Jan 1965

First time I recall Reg was about 1971/2.

I was with a duo and we played at Oceans 11 club on Birchfields Road which used to be a skating rink and later the International club. He was with the resident group but subsequently became a touring band around the clubs as the Reg Coates Combo and later, I think, Reg Coates Experience. He was very popular and had a habit of linking two or three songs together in a sort of mini medley.

I am probably one of the few Manchester musicians who did not play in his band at some time!

Bob Ainsworth

I was lead guitar in a resident band at Walker's Club,Warrington.We had a lot of good guest bands on every weekend, but THE FAVOURITE was always Reg Coates and his Experience.  Use to 'sell out' on the door everytime.

A great frontman,he would whip the girls up into a frenzy, sort of Tom Jones on speed! All flairs, gold chains, big collars!  His big number was always 'Love is in the air'.

Backstage was a different matter, the band always seem to be argueing about everything, Not sure if he ever paid them.

Also remember his battered PA always playing up.

Happy days.

Bob Dufton
17/11/09

Tommy and me loved Reg.  We used to do the same clubs at the same time as him - he was a legend!

Bobby Ball
4/10/10

Had many brilliant nights with the Reg Coates Experience at The Pembroke Halls, Walkden.....superb!!

Dave Backhouse
7/2/11

Reg Coates - fabulous group! When they played 'The Haven CLub' Hensingham Nr Whitehaven Cumbria - had to queue form 5.30 ish - for their performance at around 8.00 as we had to get a seat. Great times.

LBT
29/10/11