A friend of mine a long time ago played keyboards with Sweet Chariot for a while, must have been late 70s early 80'. Phil Wareing from Tottington.

He had previously played bass with a band I was in called Happy Apple ( a club trio, two girls and me!) which evolved into a self contained group called Rusty playing pop. He bought the first Rickenbacker bass I had seen outside YES.

He  gave me a copy of a record produced by Sweet Chariot with their version of Paul Simon's AMERICA (based on the YES arrangement) and an original on the other side the title of which escapes me just now.

Pete and Ronnie also sang on some recordings at Strawberry Studios in probably 1972 of songs by another long standing mate of mine Steve Foley - and there's a story!

Bob Ainsworth

Sweet Chariot line-up of Pete Oliver, Ian "Andy" Anderson and Ronnie Grundy Was this about 1972?

I'm pretty certain that Sweet Chariot played regularly at The Cumberland Club off Langworthy Road on the Farnworth/Bolton road. My wife and I used to go to see them on a Friday night quite often before we were married, . They were brilliant! The compare was a colleague of mine called Norman Wardle. Norman died many years ago. He sounded like Sammy Davis Junior and was a great compere!

Some groups you never forget and Sweet Chariot are one of them!

Les Marsden

The Chariots did a residency at The Jollies in Salford in the early 70's and brought the house down every time.

Greatest memory: "Somewhere over the Rainbow". Showstopper. I watched them ever since around Manchester.

David Metcalfe

Just been looking at the group pages and seeing Sweet Chariot included,  reminded me of when Pete Oliver first started to play the drums. Pete was a Salford lad and was a regular at the Gaytime Club.

When he first started playing drums he practised in a rubbish strewn room below the club, at the back of Burtons Tailors shop. He was exceptional even in his early days, and it was no surprise that he became quite successful.    

Kenny Edmund
15/6/09

Pete Oliver, Ronnie Grundy, I knew you from the Southern Sporting club. I was the little dark haired girl that used to live facing the club and somehow got in there at weekends even though I was only 14yrs old. I remember Ronnie and his amazingly beautiful girlfriend Lynn who I am sure he went on to marry. Pete's girlfriend was like a model, she suited his car, I know he never went on to marry Beryl. He did eventually marry the daughter of the licencee of the Smithfield in Manchester near Tib Street.

I remember Pete Oliver giving me a spin in his yellow spitfire. They were a fantastic band and should of been more successful than they were.They were slated on Opportunity Knocks by Paula Yates biological father whose name evades me (Hughie Green).

Would love to hear from them. If you're out there hope you're well. Get in touch - Love to you Gail. 

Gail - incorrect email provided
13/9/09                  

Hi Gail your e-mail was incorrect so could't reply personnally.
Yes, Lynn & Ronnie have been happily married for 33 years now we have 3 beautiful daughters. Ronnie is an usher at crown court, Peter is living in Spain, not too sure what Stuart is up too saw him about 5 years ago. 
Lynn x
20/9/09

Heard Pete Oliver singing in a club in Spain just last week.  You could tell he was very profesional we all thought he was brilliant.

Thanks Pete.

Sandra
2/10/09

Many memories of Sweet Chariot at Wigan Rugby club The Dano Bass, Clavioline through a valve Copipcat Superb vocals.
Lovely memories

Mitch
15/10/09

I just wanted to put a post on here about my Dad, Phil Wareing, whom someone has fondly mentioned further up the page. He's recently gone back to playing the bass and has a Fender Jazz which he cant be separated from. Wish I knew more about my pa's Sweet Chariot days, so would be really appreciative if anyone could let me know anything.

Kate Wareing
20/10/09

Remember Sweet Chariot very well from the mid 1970s, when I ran the Inn on the Bay at Morecambe, they were probably one of the most popular group to play the Inn, and I booked them often. Another popular act at that time was Reg Coats Experience. My wife Sandy always said, Pete was the best looking guy in the club, hated him for that, but still booked him. Good luck in Spain Pete, if that's where you are.

Ray Brace
20/11/09

Thanks to all the above for your great memories!  Believe it or not I remember you all.

Hello Ray, do you remember when I saved your life at the bay.  You owe me a brandy in Benidorm.

God bless you all.

Pete
24/2/10

Just returned home from Benidorm where we saw Pete Oliver performing at the Malibu club. It was a great night with Pete singing some good Bee Gees numbers, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond and Chris Rea songs and told some funny stories about Sweet Chariot in the 70's.

We had a chat with Pete at the bar and told him we saw Sweet Chariot about 30 years ago at the Memory Inn in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Cheers Pete.

Eddie & Marilyn
15/3/10

Remember seeing Sweet Chariot play at The Piper in Preston, Lancashire many times.  My sister was a huge fan of Ronnie.

Who was the new member back in the late 70's? Told me he used to play with The Walker Brothers.  Was his name Scott? 

Glad to hear you are still singing, fabulous voice Ronnie, "He aint heavy" was my favourite, still have you album Those were the days.

Sue Hall
5/6/10

Remember when I was living in the UK (now back in Australia)  I worked behind the bar.  Sweet Chariot played there quite often (think I was given a record at one stage).  Went out with their roadie for a while (Bryn Jones).  Haw funny days!

Denise
21/9/10

I remember Pete Oliver before the Gaytime days. He played the drums at West Salford Youth Club. The last time I saw him he was singing solo at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool.

Anne
8/10/10

Had some brilliant nights at the Bower Club Stalybridge when Chariot were playing, saw them a few times up there,also at Dixieland in Blackpool where they were doing the Summer season around 1973.

I got talking to them,and they mentioned they also played at the Talbot in Stalybridge, a bit before my time that one, good times.

Keith
14/10/10

Spent some time with Pete and his Mrs Laverne in Benidorm October 2010. He's still singing brilliantly with Bee Gees tribute band. Bless you Pete always love ya Steve Dawson 1/12/10 I remember Pete and Leverne when they lived in Portugal at THE ROVERS RETURN we had a great time with them and there friends from Manchester, he got me on stage trying to sing and tell jokes then in the early hours of the morning see us off to the airport at Faro. I have a few photos and very fond memories of the time we spent with them all those years ago please give them my kindest regards, i do hope they are keeping well. Roy Nightingale 10/12/10 Its so nice to see people remenising about my dad from back in the days. I just wanted to say, Pete being my dad hasn't told me all the great funny stories from back in the days :) so if anybody here can fill me in on some happy memories they shared with my dad that would be great or if u have any old photos? I' immensely proud of my dad!  He is 64 now and still singing his heart out in Benidorm, Spain.  He inspries me and I love him dearly especial when he sings with my older sister, they have the voices of angels. And if my uncle Reg ever reads this please know I haven't forgotten my godfather - please get in touch! Luv You Dad xx  - then again he wouldn't be where he is today without my mum Laverne! She is his spinal cord . Uncle Reg, my love if yu read this and you too Uncle Ronny xx Mercedes Lucy Oliver 30/4/11
I was with The Dooleys in the 70's (now living in Cape Town)and Sweet Chariot were our favourite bands, band! We used to watch them whenever possible, Embarassed to say, we pinched their Climb Every Mountain/Impossible Dream medley as it was so good. Happy memories of a great band, wish Olly and Pete all the best from the Dooley's. Bob Walsh 1/7/11 I worked at the Cabaret club on Oxford Street when Sweet Chariot played there I remember Reg Coates and the Boston International Showband who played their last gig at the Cabaret before joining with Paul Gadd and becoming the Gary Glitter band. Pete had a brilliant thing he did when singing When I fall in love he would take a girls hand in the audience gaze into her eyes then kiss his own hand and up his arm. I followed Chariot for ages - got everyone I knew to send hundreds of postcards for Opportunity Knocks and they were beaten by some kid. Anyone remember Ma who followed them everywhere she introduced them on Op knocks they had a hard core of fans who turned up everywhere. Can't believe Pete is 64. I have the most brilliant memories of those Manchester Club days but prefer to keep most of them to myself . Kath Slater 4/8/11 Met Pete in Portugal when he ran a bar with his wife Laverne.  Lost contact then met him in Blackpool, went to Benidorm in June 2011 met him again by accident.  Went to see Laverne in bar she works, Pete and i then went for a drink. Going back to Benidorm in November looking forward to seeing him again - he's a cracking man.                     Tom Short  6/9/11 Saw Pete Oliver in Benidorm last week enjoyed catching up with his music - took us back to Blackpool where we saw Peter and the choirgirls. His voice is as strong as ever. See you next year  - all the best to you and Laverne. Pamela Grey 15/11/11 During the seventies Ronnie, Pete and the lads used to stay at a pro digs in Roker, Sunderland called South Lodge.  It was owned by my mother Carol. As a group they were an amazing nights entertainment. Jonathan O'Callaghan 28/12/11 I always loved this band, I sugest sombody makes a facebook page as its the largest social media page worldwide the page would be full of fans in no time. Betty Smith 3/1/12