In 1967 Brian (distant cousin) came to see me. He was starting a group and requested if I would teach his friend the guitar, this friend also had a girlfriend and the intention was for her to become a singer with the group.

After a few weeks Brian and I realised that neither were suited either to sing or play the guitar. We then set about auditioning for a lead guitar, bass and singer. We eventually had Brian on drums, myself guitar, Joe singer, and Alan on bass and lead guitarist whose name I cannot remember.

We called ourselves The Sioux  - I think that was Brian's idea or it may have been collective. We would rehearse in a church hall in Longsight, Our bassist then got us venues and we played pubs in Salford, Eccles and Belle Vue. A ridiculous situation occurred in 1969, I left the group and the others minus Brian split up to form another group.

Brian then reformed and called the new group the Sioux Showgroup.

Terence Boucher

I played with the Sioux in the late 70s with Zak (lead guitar), Brian Rogers (drums) and Rob Shelton on vocals. Both Rob and myself later joined up in a great cabaret outfit called 'After Midnight'.

Sadly both Zak and Rob are no longer withus.

Chris Evans

1969 - Tony (12 string), Merv (Stratocaster), Brian (drums).

Prior to them becoming a 'Showgroup', I played rhythm guitar with The Sioux in the sixties along with Brian Rogers (drums) & Pete Taylor(vocals).

I still have a demo record we made together at a studio called Eroica in Altrincham. The 'A' side is the Monkey's hit "I'm a Believer" and the 'B' side a song called "River Runs Fast" written by Colin Priest who played bass guitar with the group. Pete Taylor is the singer on both tracks.          

Brian Hunt

I am the son of Robert Shelton, who was the lead singer of the Sioux Show roup. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 40 in 1992.

I was lucky enough to see him perform in the latter eighties. the band was then called, After Midnight, with Chris Evans, or sometimes Roy Turnbull on bass guitar, my uncle Charlie Shelton on rhythm guitar, my other uncle Paul Shelton on drums, and different lead guitarists, but the one that sticks to mind was a fella called Alan who played with the band right up untill Rob died.

I remember Alan, coz my old fella used to think he was the best lead guitarist he'd ever seen and I couldn't disagree, He totally put the sound in the band that they were looking for.

After my dad died, I don't know what happened to Alan. I can only hope that he's doing ok and still plucking the strings, that kind of talent shouldn't be wasted.

I miss those years, they were real, feel good nights. anyway! Like my father, I now sing in a band, but, covering, Free/Bad Company  stuff.

We're called The Merchants of Cool - search on google. www.merchantsofcool.co.uk. We can only try and keep live music on the scene, and Manchester is the best place for it.

Thanks to all the older musicians that keep it running through our veins and god bless.   

Paul Shelton        

LtoR Zak (lead guitar), Brian Rogers (drums), Chris Evans (bass guitar) and at the back, Rob Shelton (vocals).
Chris: "Why weren't we smiling?"