Exeter pop groups/bands in the 60's

[GrahamSclater]

Hi Mike

It was great to read about the other Exeter groups and agents.
I played organ with some of them. My first gig was with the Spartans (I went to Heles with Brian, Ian (Bud) and John Gregory) in Okehampton after that I played with the Bluesounds, Sons of Satan, Dansettes, Harlequins and a few others before I left for Hamburg Germany with Steve Bradley, Pete Starkey, Denny and Stuart Boyles. I stayed for almost five years and ended up jamming with Jimi Hendrix in Sweden.
Since then in 1975 I opened my recording studio, formed my music publishing company and record label and recorded loads of Exeter groups for many years. Tabitha Music and it's still going strong and has some great songs.

I had my first novel "Ticket to Ride" published in 2006 by Flame Books - http://www.flamebooks.com and I'm sure many of the early Exeter musicians will find it really interesting and it gives a real insight into what it was like living and playing in the Top Ten and Star Club Hamburg in the 60's.

I did form a new band in 1970 - The Element of Time - which played all over the area for a year or two.

Since finding the site I have been on contact with Brian Day and he sends his regards.

Thanks for the great news and plase keep me posted.

Best wishes

Graham Sclater

[dick passmore]

Hello Witchy
Johhny Glanfield is still very much on the music scene. He is often musical director for local amateur shows, and also plays in one or two bands for shows when not conducting. I believe he has recently started up another dance band but do not know the name. I may be wrong, but I believe the band you refer to was called Johnny Glanfield's All Stars. I would not disclose his details without his permission, but the Exeter phone book could be of use - there are only 3 listed!

[mike ewings]

Hi all........many thanks to all who have contributrd to this section..I didnt expect such a response!!.
Dont know where to take it from here as it appears many members of old bands are adding
their memories continually when they find the page.There is a link to another old band called JIMS INN
anyone interested should look on Questions&Answers page 2...
Thanks again..and please keep adding memories/comments.

Mike Ewings

[dick passmore]

Witchy. I thought I had posted a reply but it does not appear here. Or did I send a private message? Anyway, Johhny Glanfield is still about and very much on the music scene. He sometimes conducts for local amateur shows, or plays in the orchestras for them. I believe he has recently set up a band again, but have no idea what it is called. John is a very good friend of mine and I could pass on any message for you. Alternatively he is in the phone book - and there are only three listed, so not too difficult to work out which one!
Dick Passmore

[dick passmore]

Witchy - forget my last post - being a total prat I had not realised there was a second page. Senility creepeth forward!
Dick Passmore

[jeffrey price]

HI mike, jeff price here, remember me, we were apprentices together at A.J, BEALS , I am still jamming , my son plays guitar, we go to the village inn exwick where Derek holmes runs a jam session, Derek dosn't play now since he lost a tip of a finger at work. we also go to an exmouth jam, to see my son STEFAN PRICE play and we're playing at the 2007 Exmouth festval go to http://www.youtube.com/user/StefanPriceUK He is in two bands at the moment heaverly practicing. Remember my band The Kingpings , there is photo and profile of me on friends reunited . cheers Jeff.

[jeffrey price]

HI ,Jeff price here, does anyone out there know what happened to Johnney cordell and the variations ? , they were good, saw them at saint georges hall many times, I look forward to reply, regards Jeff,

[mike ewings]

Hi Jeff.........been trying to make contact ..dont know of you if you recieved any messages....I remember the variations back in the early 60's..I think they did a lot of Beach Boy numbers..close harmony etc but not too sure..They were very popular back then..will try and find out what bacame of them..All the best Mike

[Alice]

Hello Mike, I stumbled across this website when I was "googling" for John West. I recently borrowed a book "oh no! it's local rock and roll..." from a friend who used to do the music thing in Exeter (she's called Win) and knew of John.
I will say now that I have a bit of strange request and please let me know if it's not appropriate for asking here, but I really don't know where else or who else to ask for help. John West is my father; I've never met him but I know a bit about him from talking to my mum and family and quite a few people over the years who have met him. Even my ex-husband knew of him and was blown away when I told him John was my dad.
So, all I know is that in 1969/1970 my mum was totally in love with him, got pregnant for me and then unfortunately things went wrong before I was born and I have not seen or heard from him since. When I was 6 and living with my grandparents, my nan took me to see him as she knew he worked in Greenhalghs, but he refused to see me, saying he was too busy, but to be honest, looking back, I think my nan was a bit previous in taking me there unannounced!!
I guess I have always wanted to find him but have never made a commitment to do so as I have always thought that he would have come looking for me if he really wanted to...he does know I exist. However, I know he got married again so I understand that having a child from a previous relationship appear may be unwelcome to all parties. I can't help but feel like a puzzle incomplete though, I'm 40 this year and I would love to know that one day my dad and I could meet, even briefly.
My name isn't Alice by the way, although I was going to be called that originally, after the famous Ms Wonderland!!
So, if anyone has anything interesting to tell me about John, his life, loves and accomplishments...anything really, I would love to know. Thankyou

[starline]

Hi Jeff.........been trying to make contact ..dont know of you if you recieved any messages....I remember the variations back in the early 60's..I think they did a lot of Beach Boy numbers..close harmony etc but not too sure..They were very popular back then..will try and find out what bacame of them..All the best Mike

They used to be called Johnny Cordell and The Mustangs I was their Manager in the mid-sixties for a while, even though the book 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll doesn't mention me in the piece about them! They were with Lional Digby in the early sixties but he couldn't find them enough work so they came to me (Starline Entertainments), they were very good and if I remember correctly one of us decided that the name sounded 'dated' so it was changed to The Variations....odd now but at the time it seemed fine! Not sure I recall much about them anymore but I think they folded soon after the name change. Brian Roberts