Join the Exeter Memories Local rock and pop in the 1960s
Page added 17th February 2014
Updates and additional photos and material are welcome for this page. Contact email
Birds and the Bees
If anyone knows more about the Birds and the Bees, please email me.
Cordettes
This group were John West on lead guitar, Derek Holmes on rhythm, Barry Reeves on bass, Mike Ewing on drums and Roger Richards was the singer.
Cordettes at St Georges Hall
The Cordettes played all over Devon, using an old SWEB (SW Electricity Board) Bedford van to transport themselves and the equipment. They were part of a Rennes twinning visit, when they flew from Exeter Airport. An Exeter double decker bus drove them around Rennes to plat various venues. See The Cordettes with Mike Ewing for more.
Cordettes at St Georges Hall
Mike Ewing remembered the groups Vox AC30 amplifiers and PA speakers and amplifier. They also had an Echo Copycat, a novel creation back then designed to give an echo sound through the PA speakers.
Jim's Inn at Ottery
This local group played in a Beach Boys style.They were formed of students from St Lukes Teacher Training college, although Mike Ewing from Exwick replaced Dick Hindley on drums in 1967.
Jim's Inn at St Loyes
Jim Meager was lead guitarist with Dick Hindley on drums, Phil Dennis on rhythm guitar, John Dartnall on bass with Peter Royle as the singer. They all attended Lukes between 1965 and 1968.
Poster for Jim's Inn at St Lukes
Jim's Inn were a support band when the Small Faces played at St Lukes in 1968. One member of the audience thought the Small Faces were arrogant and not very good – they played for 20 minutes before stomping off.
Gary Kane and the Tornadoes
This local group were formed in 1957 by Mike Parr (Gary Kane) who played with the group until 1997. By the early sixties they were supporting Ricky Valance and the Vernons Girls at the Civic Hall and other venues in Devon. Mike Parr trained as a master carpenter and worked on building the Northcott Theatre, before being taken on by the theatre as a set builder, where he still works. City of a Thousand Dreams (song) Photo courtesy of John Greenslade .
The Kingpins
The Kingpins consisted of Ivor Webber on bass guitar, Jeff Price on rhythm guitar, Graham Gibbs on lead and Jack McClellan on drums. Mike White provided the vocals.
The Kodiaks
The Kodiaks (Codiaks?) were Dennis White, Dave Crowden, Rob Phillips & Pete Evans.
The Tycoons
The lineup for the Tycoons was Pete Starkey on lead guitar, Geoff Cox on rhythm guitar, Ray Goss on bass guitar and Terry Stevens on drums. Dave Sercombe replaced Ray Goss over the drums in 1962. They played at the Grenville Club, America Hall, Athena Club and the Civic Hall, among other places.
Sounds Unlimited
Five piece local band Sounds Unlimited pose for a photographer. Terry Annunziata (top left), Denny (Denis) Dobson (top middle), Bob Brassett (top right), Mike Lloyd (bottom left), Steve Bradley (bottom right). They occasionally played at Tiffanys on the Quay. Denis went to Ladysmith school, later worked on the buses and lived in Wykes Road. Denny and Steve went to Germany with a band called The Wave, the other members being Pete Starkey, Stuart Boyles and Graham Sclater. Mike Lloyd later went on to play with the Cougars. Photo by Bob Brassett.
In-Sect
The photo of the In-Sects was taken in Princesshay, in front of the old Electricity Showroom. The members of the group were Jeff Cox, Dick Darlison,Tony Bennelick, Graham Pickard and Trevor Wall.
In-Sect play with The Cream
Not many local groups managed to get to support the mighty Cream. Cream formed in July 1966 and disbanded in May 1968. This performance was on 13 December 1966.
Hi-Jackers at the ABC
The Hi-Jackers on stage at the ABC, possibly for Saturday Morning pictures, or a private party.
Hi-Jackers gig
The Hi-Jackers consisted of Dave Todd, Mike Walrond, Melvyn Walrond, Mike Vanstone, and Tony Benellick.The list probably does not match the photo.
Heaven
The members of Heaven are from the left: John Artes, Ray Kemp, Cuffy Combes, Alan Bradbury. They recently got together for a gig at the Bluesbury Jam Session at Woodbury. Cuffy Combes was responsible for the light show of Fire, the first in the area.
The Hi-Jackers
The Hi-Jackers pose for a publicity shot in the High Street.
With thanks to the many people who allowed photos to be used on this page.
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