Old Gloucester Feedback
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We were told about your site by my wife’s parents. Of particular interest to us are the photos of the 1950’s and 1960’s, eras just outside our living memory but of a great passion to us nevertheless.
We thoroughly enjoyed perusing all of the photos contained in that section (and look forward to perusing other sections at a later date). We share the authors feelings with regard to the ‘devastation and vandalism’ of our beloved city.
However, we would like to make an observation regarding your photos of ‘Gloucester Rock ‘n’ Roll Groups’. We cannot comment on ‘The Intruders’ and ‘Thirst’ but have particular knowledge of the other two bands pictured.
Firstly Rhythm Rockers (or to give them their full name ‘Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers’) are actually a Welsh group, hailing from Newport, South Wales. Having started out in approximately 1964 under a different name and with various line-up and name changes (including Count Dracula and the Vampires and The Sundogs to name but two) over the years, finally became Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers in 1970. This band is still going strong today with only one member change from the line up pictured. The band last played in the county at a 2-day Rock ‘n’ Roll festival, held at Lister’s Hall, Dursley in July 2007.
Secondly, The Rebounds. The line up shown included Dido Vance on lead vocals; Gerry Docksey on Guitar; Pete Docksey (brother of Gerry) and Les Nichols on saxophone; Tony Maskell on Bass and Dennis Parnham on drums. The band was originally formed in the very late sixties so these photos are more likely to be from the early ‘70’s. Like many bands, the Rebounds saw many personnel changes over the years and disbanded in approximately 1982.
Dido Vance had, meanwhile, moved on to front another local Rock ‘n’ Roll band, Bonneville of which I became a member in early 1983. I left Bonneville in 1984, shortly followed by Dido.
Moving on to 1992, I was then approached by Gerry Docksey with a view to joining a re-vamped and reformed version of the Rebounds. The line up included previous Rebounds musicians, Gerry Docksey on Guitar, Les Nichols on sax; Tony Maskell on Bass and Dennis Parnham who had now increased his repertoire to include sax and piano. Unable to play both and drums this left an opening for me as drummer. The new line up was completed with Alan (whose surname escapes me for the moment) on Lead Vocals and my wife, Queenie on backing vocals. In addition, we were prone to swapping instruments, Alan would play piano, Queenie would take a turn at lead vocals and Dennis, as well as alternating between sax and piano, would sit in on drums while Queenie and I did a jive demonstration or I went out front and sang.
My wife and I both left the band approximately 18 months later and the Rebounds, as a whole carried on for some time after.
Other local bands of the era included the Phantoms, the drummer of which is a good friend of ours, Roger Daniels. We will endeavour to source some appropriate photos and forward them to you for use at your discretion.
Rob Ridgway.
Thank you Rob for your very interesting insight into this part of our social history.
Does anybody have any knowledge of the Gloucester Joinery Company c.1900? My Grandfather Alfred John Lusty (often called Jack) was a founder member and in due course was made a Partner/Director. I have been unable to discover any information about this company so any help would be wonderful. Jenny
The name rings a bell. If you live in Gloucester, a trip to the library and a search through the Kelly’s Directories may prove fruitful.
You can also search the Directories at the following...