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These guys have quite a history between them, read on to glean some useless information !
Dave Robinson, Lead guitar & vocals, saw The Shadows on TV and decided there and then , that he wanted some of that ! With a little help from Pete Stringfellow who at the time ran the Black Cat Club in Sheffield , he helped to form local band The Cortinas, and they did a lot of Shadows based stuff until The Beatles turned things upside down, and he had to learn to sing. Dave turned professional in 1966 with Frankenstien & The Monsters, who shared the bill regularly with people like David Bowie, The Yardbirds, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, the biggest gig being the Little Richard show at the Paris Olympia, but after a year of dressing up as a Monster, which Dave hated, the whole band became a comedy show group called The Daizies, topping the bill at all the major northern night clubs. It was during this time that they were acquired by Dave Berry to back him, and they retained their own status as The Daizies for much of this five year period, only being billed as The Cruisers on certain gigs. They got a recording contract with Mooncrest (Charisma) , and after a couple of years away as Tyke, (name change made by their record label) The same band returned to Back Dave Berry for a further eighteen months or so. Dave decided to go solo in 1980 as the group thing was fading, and has been a successful solo performer to this day, and in between Past Masters gigs still works as a soloist, and sometimes with drummer Dave Eyre and bass player Derek Brown in a trio called The Three D's . Dave also plays rhythm guitar for Warren Bennett's group, The Vibratos.
Derek Brown, Bass & vocals. From Beighton ,Sheffield, started in the late sixties as a member of various local bands e.g.Earl & The Butlers, Stevie & The Unknown, Sunshine, The Sherrilees and finally The Frank White band who worked for a couple of years as The Cruisers for Dave Berry , and were occasionally called upon to back Joe Cocker, when the superstar called in at his home town Sheffield on his impromptu visits. Derek tried his hand as a solo performer and was quite successful, but hated it as he isn't too keen on using backing tracks. So when he met up with Dave, who was working at a Jock's pub as a soloist, it was suggested that he brought along his bass one evening and Dave invited Tommy along and a three piece was born, and it was so successful that they ended up resident at that pub for seven years ! Derek also works with the two Daves' in an act called The Three D's, as well as deputising for Mark Griffifths in The Vibratos when asked.
Malcolm Towndrow Rhythm guitar and vocals, also the composer of our 'No Retreat' that we did for the British Legion Poppy Appeal in 2005. Malc actually left the band due to pressure of work for about eighteen months but manages to be present for most of our gigs these days and we're pleased to have him back. He still works with The Cadillacs as a duo but back in the early sixties The Cadillacs were a five piece and did the Hamburg stint - just like the Beatles ! They were also joined by Karen Young for a while who later had a hit single with 'Nobody's Child'.
Mick Batty, Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet and Penny Whistle. It was one of the Wednesday nights when Dave Robinson and Malc Towndrow were playing at The Midland, that Mick was in the audience and asked if it would be OK to bring his sax and do a couple of tunes the following week. He did , and it became quite a regular occurrence, and when the call came to form an all live band for a special charity event, Mick was asked if he would like to take part. He enjoys a variety of styles, and excels in Rock'n'Roll , having been a member of THE ROCK'N'ROLL ROAD SHOW who toured the country in the 1980's.
Johnny Riley Replaced Dave Eyre on drums in June 2007. Johnny began back in 1961 in Sheffield with The Vantennas but having practiced for six months before working two gigs he was poached to join his brother's band The Debonairs who were high flying at the time who had secured a recording deal with Parlophone records - they were only the third band in Sheffield at the time to succeed in getting such a deal. He then went on to join guitarists Frank White and Dave Hawley (Richard's dad , of 'Coles Corner' fame) with Pete Cliffe on bass. during which time they supported Johnny's hero Carl Perkins as well as being backing band for blues artiste Little Walter. Dave Hawley left to form his own band with the others joining Dave Berry and they became the second 'Cruisers' at the time Dave was enjoying chart success and playing along side top stars such as The Hollies, Rolling Stones, Brenda Lee, Dusty Springfield, Billy Fury to name just a few. After two years John decided to quit the band with Frank and joined The Hillbilly Cats with whom he still does the odd gig if available. John retired way too early and for 20 years quit the scene, returning after a 'wake up call' after the death of a mutual friend Roy Barber (one of the original Cruisers) and directly after Roy's funeral he went out and bought a drum kit, joining up once again with The Hillbilly Cats with Frank White with whom he still gigs to this day.
Daniel Martin Is one of our young friends who we found playing around the Shadows clubs and we are pleased that he can deputise when needed, as sometimes Malcolm is with The Cadillacs. He does a great job on rhythm and lead guitar and we look forward to seeing more of him in the future. This lad has what it takes and is blossoming through being around all of these experienced rock & rollers.
Damion sometimes 'fronts' the band on special gigs (The Cliff & Shadows shows ) and because of his excellent versatility is a natural replacement when Malc can't be with us. He slots in nicely on rhythm guitar and as an extra lead vocalist and adds a great wealth of talent to our show. We are delighted to have him as a honorary Past Master !
Jock One of the founder members of the original seven piece band in November 1999 along with Dave Robinson, Malc Towndrow, Derek Brown, Mick Batty, Darren Ford and Andy Needham. The band formed at Jock's pub The Midland at Killamarsh Sheffield at the request of several agents after making an appearance on a charity bash at Dial House club in aid of St Lukes hospice. The organiser of the show foolishly put the band on first, thinking they wouldn't be very good as he didn't know them, but none of the half a dozen or so acts could follow them ! They were booked for a second St Lukes show a few days later at the Arundel Ex Servicemens club and the organiser put them on last - top of the bill ! The band had to slightly reform because Darren Ford and Andy Needham were already part of another successful outfit 'Boy On A Dolphin' and Tommy Slone was brought in on drums to replace Darren. The band performed their first gig as Past Masters at the Manor Social club in January 2000. Jock chose to leave the band in December 2005.
Tommy Slone Replaced Darren Ford, a great drummer from Wallsend, Tyne & Wear who had worked with Dave and derek previously. Tommy found his way to Sheffield after joining 'Bitter Suite' in the early seventies. He was working with 'Lindisfarne' just before they became successful and left them to join 'Jackson Heights' who already had a recording deal with Charisma and better prospects . . . . . . . mistake Tommy ! He remained friends with 'Lindisfarne' and was always welcomed at their gigs and given the 'red carpet' treatment, right up until the death of Alan Hull and up to their eventual 'retirement' from touring a few years later.
David Eyre Replaced Tommy Slone on drums and percussion, joined the band in June 2001 after Tommy was injured in a fall and was forced to retire. David is a big fan of The Shadows and his drumming is testimony to that, his style very similar to Brian Bennett . He was paid the ultimate compliment by Brian's son Warren, when he was asked to replace the Shadow's drummer in his own band, The Vibratos. He teaches drums and percussion in his spare time and gives tuition to a local marching band who perform at weekend exhibitions and competitions and the like. Dave had to quit the band in June 2007 because of personal reasons.
Darren Ford was the original drummer of this outfit but couldn't stay on because of his commitment to 'Boy On A Dolphin' & 'Acoustic Angels'. Never the less he was a founder member of what started out as a 'scratch band'. Darren is a superb musician and the time we spent working together was a pleasure for us all.
Andy Needham was originally on bass with Dave and Darren doing the odd gig and a Wednesday night residency at The Midland. However things were swapped around when bassist Derek Brown returned from working in India and the multi-talented Andy switched to keyboards with Derek coming in on bass, at the same time as Mick Batty joined the line up on saxophone. Because of his commitments with 'Boy On A Dolphin' , Andy couldn't stay on either and Past Masters became a six piece from January 2000 until Jock quit at the turn of 2005/6. As with Darren, Andy is a superb bassist and keyboard player and played a great part in the band , making his time with us a pleasure for all concerned..