Colin Hicks

Colin Hicks, younger brother of Tommy Hicks (better known as Tommy Steele) had singing ability just like his famous brother. So much so that in 1957 Tommy Steele's manager, John Kennedy, signed him up to sing in a nightclub in London's posh Mayfair district. Then three TV guest spots and a top-of-the-bill tour. A recording contract with Pye records led to the release of 3 singles in the UK including a cover version of the Monotones' "Book Of Love", but the hoped-for success never materialised despite a couple of TV appearances with his backing group 'The Cabin Boys' in 1958.

Without chart success, his recording career nosedived but he was not deterred. He and his Cabin Boys went on a European tour. In Italy they had rave reviews about their rock'n'roll show, the Italians loved them and Colin and his group recorded eight songs while he was there and in 1961 even appeared in the film "Vacane alla baia d'argento".  In 1988, a Spanish label released a large series of LP's called "The History Of Rock'n'Roll". Release number 13 featured Colin Hicks and his Cabin Boys consisting of his six UK 'Pye' recordings together with those eight Italian recordings!

Band members (several line-up changes): Jimmy Nicol drums (Mar - Dec 1959) (born James George Nicol, 3.8.1939, in Liverpool, Lancashire) (to Vince Eager and the Quiet Three, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, 1964, The Beatles, 1964); David 'Zom' Tick guitar (Mar - Dec 1959); Mike O'Neill (Nero) piano (Mar - Dec 1959) (born Michael O'Neill, in 1938, in Leigh, Lancashire) (went to Nero and the Gladiators, Jan 1960 - Apr 1964); Boots Slade bass (Mar - Dec 1959) (went to Nero ad the Gladiators, Jan 1960 - Oct 1962, The Alan Price Combo, Nov 1965 - Apr 1967); Clem Cattini drums (Jul - Aug 1961) (born Clementi Anselmo Cattini 28.8.1937, in Stoke Newington, North London) (went to The Tornados, Sep 1961 - Aug 1963, Sep 1963 - Feb 1965); Alan Caddy guitar (Jul - Aug 1961) (born 2.2.1940, in Chelsea, S.W London) (went to The Tornados, Sep 1961 - Aug 1963, Sep 1963 - Feb 1965); Brian Gregg bass (Jul - Aug 1961) (born in 1939) (went to The Tornados, Sep 1961 - Aug 1963, The Pack).

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THE STRINGBEAT YEARS

  

The Stringbeat Years cover2

Now available!

The Stringbeat Years: Songs accompanied by John Barry

Now available, a 4-CD box-set comprising of 144 tracks, a 24-page booklet (replete with period photographs and comprehensive notes) and including ten bonus tracks (among them the CD debut of the first ever cover version of a John Barry instrumental composition).

Featuring – for the first time – the film versions of ‘Mix me a Person’, ‘The Time has Come’, and ‘What a Whopper’ (slightly shortened). There’s also an unique opportunity to hear the original version of ‘Ah, Poor Little Baby’, making its premiere appearance on CD.

The box-set is limited to 500 copies and is only £16.99 post-free in the UK, so don’t miss out! It is available direct from this website!

£16.99  post-free in the UK
£19.99  anywhere else in the world

Order now!
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Track listing

HIT AND MISS: THE STORY OF THE JOHN BARRY SEVEN

HitAndMiss 1000

Thoroughly and painstakingly researched over a number of years, it features contributions from several ex-members of the band and from friends and relatives of John Barry.

Comprising of over 360 pages, it is packed with an array of rare photos of the band, and the singers they often supported, as well as some unique images of memorabilia and documentation from that era; some never previously published, many more seldom seen.

Even if you are not necessarily a devotee of The John Barry Seven per se, the book offers a fascinating historical insight into the British music scene of the period and, more importantly, provides an essential read for anybody remotely interested in discovering more about John Barry’s formative career.

The book’s cover price is £30, but anybody ordering direct from us will receive a 33% discount, reducing the cost to £19.99.

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