Sixties obscure Beat Groups that I loved – the Others, Paramounts, Undertakers, Measles, Birds, Bo Street Runners.
Back in 1964 music was the currency. It was what we all talked about. There were no independent radio stations and only two TV stations so we all watched and listened to the same things. Radio Luxembourg was the only source of anything different and that phased in and out.
I used to listen to a lot of bands that did not quite make it into the charts. There were some crackin’ bands and superb tracks. They were hard to track down back then.
These were some of my favourites.
Birds – Leaving Here
The first bands that I saw live – Ron Wood (of the Faces and Stones) on guitar. They blew me away. This single captured a little bit of that excitement.
The Others – Oh Yeah
The Others released this great Bo Diddley cover that I thought was great.
Paramounts – Poison Ivy
The Paramounts did this great version of the Coaster classic Poison Ivy. It was a minor hit. They went on to become Procol Harum.
Measles – Casting my spell
I thought this should have been massive. Radio London plugged it like mad and I loved it. The track Casting My Spell was later recorded by the Pirates.
Undertakers – Just a little bit
They did an amazing version of the Rosco Gordon number Just a Little bit and would tour around in a hearse and wear Top Hats and tails.
Screaming Lord Sutch – I’m a hog for you baby
Screaming Lord Sutch was amazing. He had the longest hair of anyone! I remember him doing this on TV with a Top Hat on and lifting it up to let all his hair fall down. The band had loads of great people in it –
Bo Street Runners – I’m a Bo Street Runner
I saw them on Ready Steady Go and thought they were wild – a raw version of the Stones. Loved the harp. They were great featuring Mick Fleetwood and Mike Patto
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