CHECKERS, THE (1)
Last updated: 17-10-2014
More Info Required
- Ricky Lee And The Checkers
- Brian Freeman And The Checkers
Basic Information
- Norwich, Norfolk, Uk
- 60s Pop
M1961 - M1962
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Lead Vocals: Brian Freeman (2)Ricky Lee
Guitar: Brian Lawes
Bass: Barry Butcher
Sax: Pete Vosey
Drums: Ray Blake
Brian Freeman had previously been one of the voices behind the Bob Barbour band, residents at the Gala in late 1956, but had left to carry out his National Service in the RAF in 1959. Keeping his hand in he sang & performed with the RAF Dance Band making an acetate LP of skiffle numbers.
Saxophonist, Pete Vosey was the main protagonist in the founding of this band. Whist playing with the Jock Brennan Band, resident at that time at The Grosvenor, Norwich, he asked Brian, who used to occasionally stand in on vocals if he would like to start his own group. The group first rehearsed at The Marlborough Public House. The group wore checked jackets all hand stitched by Pete’s girlfriend later to become wife Pauline. Containing a contingent of Ex Continentals the band lasted about a year before Pete & Brian left, the latter to form The Contours becoming Garry Freeman. The remains of the group cast the foundations for the legendary Hucklebucks. The group recruited the voice of so far unsettled frontman Ricky Lee...
The Continentals (Lawes -The Retrievers) <
> The Hucklebucks (Freeman - The Contours)