Special Sub-Topic: Backing Bands - Odd Member Out Click Here To Play: Backing Bands - Odd Member Out

Who was NOT an original member of The Pacemakers, Gerry Marsden's backing band?

Freddie Garrity. Gerry and the Pacemakers were, and are an enormously popular Liverpool band with hits such as "I Like It", "How Do You Do It", "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Ferry Cross the Mersey". Freddie Garrity was the lead singer of Freddie and the Dreamers.

Who was NOT an original member of The Dreamers, Freddie Garrity's backing band?

Billy J Kramer. Freddie and the Dreamers were a popular Manchester band, Roy Crewdson completed the line up, they had such hits as "I'm Telling You Now" and "You Were Made For Me". Billy J Kramer was the lead singer of Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas.

Who was NOT an original member of The Dakotas, Billy J Kramer's backing band?

Hank Marvin. Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas were a popular Manchester band who had hits with "Do You Want to Know a Secret" and "Little Children". Ray Jones was replaced in July 1964 with Robin MacDonald. Hank Marvin was the lead guitarist with The Shadows.

Who was NOT an original member of The Shadows, Cliff Richard's backing band?

Johnny Kidd. The band were originally Harry Webb and the Drifters under which title they recorded "Move It", Harry changed his name to Cliff Richard, in early 1959 the classic Shadows line up was formed one of the greatest instrumental bands of all time. Johnny Kidd was the lead singer of the influential Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.

Who was NOT a member of the Johnny Kidd and the Pirates line-up when they had a hit with "Shakin' All Over"?

Lonnie Donegan. "Shakin' All Over" was, perhaps, the first classic British rock song, and features wonderful guitar work by Joe Moretti. Lonnie Donegan was "The King of Skiffle" and one of the most popular 50's and early 60's stars with over 20 UK hits.

Who was NOT an original member of The Comets, Bill Haley's backing band?

Charles Holley. The band were originally Bill Haley and the Saddlemen and recorded country and western songs such as "Yodel Your Blues Away", they turned to rock and roll in 1953 having a minor hit with "Crazy Man, Crazy" co-written by Haley and Lytle, this was followed by the more succesful "Rock Around the Clock" (their most succesful record) and "Shake, Rattle and Roll" the first international rock and roll hit. Charles (Hardin) Holley was the real name of Buddy Holly rock and rolls greatest singer/songwriter.

Who was NOT an original member of The Crickets, Buddy Holly's backing band?

Dion DiMucci. Niki Sullivan dropped out of The Crickets, because of the constant touring, (though his guitar playing was important to their initial success) and was replaced by Sonny Curtis. Dion DiMucci was the lead singer of the doo wop group Dion and the Belmonts.

Who was NOT an original member of The Belmonts the group that became the 'backup' for Dion?

Gene Vincent. Dion was not an original member of The Belmonts, he joined shortly after the band was formed they were part of the tour in 1959 in which Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) died in an air crash. Gene Vincent was the pioneer of rockabilly.

Who was NOT in the line-up of The Blue Caps, when Gene Vincent recorded the classic "Be-Bop-A-Lula"

Robert Velline. With Jack Neal on acoustic bass this line-up recorded "Be-Bop-A-Lula" in the following 3 years 17 different people played with Gene Vincent. Gene's career suffered a severe setback when he was injured along with his girlfriend Sharon Sheeley in the car crash that killed the legendary Eddie Cochran. Gene died in 1971 aged 36, he was immortaiised in the song "Sweet Gene Vincent" by Ian Dury. Robert Velline became Bobby Vee whose career began as a replacement for Buddy Holly (after his death in 1959).

Who was NOT in the original line-up of Bobby Vee's backup band The Shadows?

Elston Gunn. Bobby Vee had a number of hits in the early 60's including "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes", "Take Good Care of My Baby" and "Rubber Ball". Elston Gunn joined the band as a pianist, briefly in 1959, his real name was Robert Zimmermann. He eventually decided that he preferred folk music bought a guitar, moved to New York and became Bob Dylan.