: Hits: 4400

Richard Kent Style

info courtesy Ian Starr and David Bowker

Lineup

Harvey Starr - Trumpet, valve trombone , lead vocals
Harvey Rose - Bass, vocals
Neil Levine - Guitar
Austin Verner - Alto and baritone sax
Ron Smith - Trumpet
Ian Starr - Drums and vocals
Dave Bowker - replaced Austin Verner
John Verity - replaced Neil Levine
Alan Powell - replaced Ian Starr

"We started out playing youth clubs in the M/c area before we played the 'Wheel', Oasis, Jungfrau, Manchester Cavern, New Century Hall, etc. We did Accy Con club quite regularly, the Market Tavern also known as Benny's, the Beachcombers in Leigh, Bolton & Preston, various Mecca Palais, etc. As a band we backed Del Shannon, Paul Jones & Dave Berry, all part of the job.

I used to enjoy our trips up to the north east playing the Fiesta clubs, travelling in a transit with three luxurous aircraft seats that Austin had acquired. We all wanted those seats on the way home from the gig!

I loved playing and the music was and still is wonderful. "

Ian Starr

Discography

No Matter What You Do/Go, Go Children -1966
You Can't Put Me Down/All Good Things -1966
Marching Off To War/I'm Out - 1967
Love Will Shake The World Awake/Crocodile Tears - 1968
A Little Bit O'Soul/Don't Tell Lies - 1969

Memories

My last memory of the 'Kent Style' was just before I left to go to Beirut with Kirk St James.

We recorded a song called A Little Bit O' Soul; a hit in the USA for a band called The Music Explosion. Our last record for MCA 'Love Will Shake The World Awake ' was an abomination, though the 'B' side 'Crocodile Tears' , by bassman, Harvey Rose was fun. I played harmonica on it and it rocked nicely.

We went down to London to do this new record, and the Studio was not far from where Oxford St meets Charing Cross Rd. We all actually played on the record but added a conga guy for the session - Dennis Lopez.

He came in, and nailed it in one take! Horns were me on tenor and Ron Smith and Harvey Starr on trumpets. The whole shebang was produced by Greenaway and Cook, of the Newbeats and Blue Mink fame respectively.

The highlight of the session was overdubbing a "live' party track to give it that 'party' sound .. so we all crammed round a mike or two , and just screamed out nonsensical phrases, and little 'in' gags within the band, laughed, and clanked bottles, for a few minutes throughout the track - some of it is quite audible.

There is a part that is clearly me saying "Pass me my brown trousers" in the background! The 'B' Side was hastily recorded with no horns, a Harvey Rose throwaway tune called 'Dont Tell Lies'. It actually was released on Mercury, I have a copy to this day, but it sadly sank without trace. Kennedy Street were not into putting promotional money into their artists!

The band went back to cabaret and by the time the record came out I was in Beirut (see Kirk St James). I hooked up briefly with the lads when I got to the Bahamas with 'Sponge'. They were outgoing (finishing gig and about to embark back to UK) and we were incoming for the next 2 months. Life is funny.

David Bowker

The Oasis was definitely the best club in Manchester for excitement, atmosphere and quality of local groups as well as all the big names of the day. I was a member and was there frequently from 1965 to approx 1968. The only nights I didn't go were when the Beat League, me being the drummer, were playing at whatever venue.

Had many wonderful times there. I can still remember the excitement of queing up down Lloyd Sstreet and the anticipation of another great time when reaching the steps leading down to the basement and in the club.

Remember the first time I saw and heard the Richard Kent Style. This was sometime in early 1965. I was in the back bar and heard a mindblowing sound, led by a brass section, coming from the main stage. I walked through to listen to this terrific sound.

Looked at the stage and was stopped in my tracks. Couldn't believe what I saw. I was gob smacked to see Harvey Starr on trumpet.

Reason for the reaction was that I went to school with Harvey from 1960 to 1965 and had no idea he was in a group. Spoke to him next day at school and he had no idea I was in a group either.

In my opinion they were one of the best groups I heard at the time.

Harvey, if you ever read this page, have a look at the info page on the Beat League and see if you remember me, Dave Anderton the drummer.

We went to Salford Technical High School from 1960 to 1965. The old school was at the top of Frederick Road and Broad Street junction. We then moved to a newly built shool during our last year. This was next to Salford Grammar School near Irlam-o'-the Heights on Dronsfield Road. The school is now known as Pendleton College.

Dave Anderton

Went to Monk Bretton Social ( Barnsley) one Sunday dinner time in the early 70’s. We new Dave Berry was on so waited in anticipation of him appearing, then this group appeared (namely) The Richard Kent Style and I still remember to this day that they were one of the best bands I have seen.They played for an hour and were fantastic Dave ……………..whats his name……was a let down after these talented people……..

Jeff Venables - 22/2/11

The first gig I went to was the Paul Jones tour (mentioned by a previous contributor) in 1966? 67? on a trip out from school. The show was (I think) at a cinema in Exeter.

All I remember was:

a) Paul Jones (ex Manfred Mann) was my namesake and nemesis - I have spent much of my life NOT being THE Paul Jones. What's more his real name is Paul Pond, mine is Paul-Jones (OK, it's a hyphenated surname, very common now but a bit of a liability back in the 60s). See also http://poulet82110.blogspot.com/search/label/Dim%20and%20distant

b) At the start of his set he leapt on from the stage right wings headed for centre stage and his mike lead was too short and parted befor he got there, so his opening vocal was suddenly cut short. He was furious with someone off stage and I thought this a little unfair. Many years later having spent most of my working life as road crew and later as tour manager for a number of bands I understand what a crap thing it must have been for him.

c) I remember the name 'The Richard Kent Style' though remember very little about the band or the set. I woke up last night, some 45 years later, with the name of the band on my mind. I Googled it and found this site.

d) As the Richard Kent Style were the support act I think they must have been the first band I saw live. Unless of course they were not first on, in which case that honour must go elsewhere...

Funny old world.

Richard Paul-Jones - 18/11/11