BLACKJACKS, THE (1)

Lead Vocals, Organ: Derek Moore OBE

Guitar: John Taylor

Guitar: Graham West (2)Brian Wilson

Bass: David West

Drums: Dick Brand

This group of school and footballing friends from Beccles missed the skiffle craze and the instrumental pop era and found themselves in the middle of the beat boom. Moore points out in his autobiography that the group came about when Brand, having acquired a drum kit from an uncle, roped him in on piano soon realising that Brand was seriously trying to mould the group of friends into a band.

Bassist West said, “We really just wanted something to do in the evenings! We used to rehearse in the local St Benedict Church Hall.” The group were soon up and running, and in the summer of 1964, are seen playing one of the live Opportunity Knocks Shows at The Wellington Pier, GY.

In June 1965, with a few line-up changes, the band continue under the name Style.

Selected advertised supports:

18/06/64 Royal Htl, Lwst - The Kinks

Mediography:

Beat group night In Norwich EEN 22/08/64 (P)

Setting The Style with negro blues ITG LJ 11/03/66

Bibliography:

Birds coping with an obsession DM

<> Style