Saturday 29th June 1963
ABC Lucky Stars (Summer Spin) 6:05 - 6:45 pm
Host: Pete Murray
The Beatles: From Me To You, I Saw Her Standing There,
Gerry & The Pacemakers,
Cilla Black (not listed in TV Times),
The Searchers,
The Vernons Girls,
Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas,
The Big Three,
Lee Curtis,
spin-a-disc Kenneth Cope
Farons Flamingos were
playing a club that
Lee was compere at in
Orrelland Lee was
invited by Faron to
come on stage and sing
a couple of numbers,
this led to Faron offering
Lee a spot in his show
until he got anew All Stars
Together. Lee was
rehearsing some numbers
to sing on the Merseysound Tour with The Undertakers
and sitting watching was drummer, Arty Davies,
He mentioned to Lee he
was in a trio,Lee went to
see them on a club and
invited them to become
his new backing band,
The other Members were
Jimmy Cave, Lead Guitar,
Bill Good Bass Guitar,
Arty Davies, drums
Their first booking as
Lee Curtis and the All Stars
was The Southport Theatre.
Billy left and was replaced
by Keith Roberts,
the trio later went out as
Roadrunner, when
Lee went to Germany again.
Keith Left to Join Hermans Hermits,
Jimmy then joined Geoff Nugents Undertakers
with Billy, Arty packed
up and went back
to his Basketball.
Lee continued to go back to Germany and
was backed by The German Bonds.
line up
ex All Star Piggy Jarnach keyboards,
Peter Hesslein Lead Guitar,
Niels Taby, bass Guitar,
Peet Becker, Drums.
Lee has just retired from hotel management
and is back on Merseyside maybe he will
look to start another All Stars, time will Tell.
But at the Moment he has The Mojos
backing him.
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Lee Curtis and the All stars
Lee Curtis took his name from American Rocker Curtis Lee, first was in a group called The Detours as vocalist, but only lasted a few months. His brother Joe Flannery decided to put together a new band to Back Lee, he hand picked the musicians,
so Lee Curtis and the All stars were born, Beryl Marsden was in as 2nd vocalist but this didn't last for long.
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?Frank Bowen lead guitarist,
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Tony Waddington Rhythm Guitarist,
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?Wayne Bickerton Bass Guitar,
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Bernie Rogers Drums.
When The Beatles decided to dispence with Pete Best's services as a drummer, Joe seized on an opportunity to bring more credibility to the group, and sacked Bernie to Give Pete Best a job
The band fell out with lee and left to become The Pete Best Four, so the job was on to form a new backing band,
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Paul Pilnick Lead Guitar,
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George Peckham Rhythm Guitar (The Renegades)
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Dave (Mushy)Cooper Bass Guitar, (Renegades/Undertakers/Farons Flamingos)
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Don Alcyd Drums, (the TTs)
This band did the "live " at the Cavern LP, they recorded "Skinny Minnie" and "Jezebel" which has become a signature tune to Lee. Another break up another line up.
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Mike Cummings Lead Guitar,
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Simon Hind Rhythm Guitar,
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Mike Banks Bass Guitar,
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Joe Walsh drums
then Paul Pilnick came back with Bob Garner Bass Guitar, Chris Dennis keyboards, Ten Sax, with Joe Walsh still on Drums, Despite All the problems with line up changes, Lee Still managed to become a big star in Germany.
Beryl Marsden rejoined with Scottish Dave on Lead Guitar, Frank (Piggy)Jarnach keyboards, with Joe Walsh and Bob Garner still in the Line Up,then around 67 approx Christmas, Lee was travelling as a passenger on the way to a gig in Germany, he was asleep in the back, and the car was involved in a crash, Lee woke up on the operating table, they had put 22 stitches in his head, and he was lucky to be alive. He came out and did a few gigs,then he decided that was it, he sold his P.A and headed back home to England, he trained as a croupier, then he worked at the press shop in Fords Motor Factory, he then went back to being a croupier,
Lee Curtis & the All Stars
Singles
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1963 |
Little Girl/Just One More Dance |
Decca F 11622 |
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1963 |
Let's Stomp/Poor Unlucky Me |
Decca F 11690 |
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1964 |
What About Me/I've Got My Eyes On You |
Decca F 11830 |
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1965 |
Ecstasy/A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues |
Philips BF 1385 |
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Lee Curtis (Peter Flannery )
became Lee Curtis by reversing the name of the American singer Curtis Lee. He was managed by his brother Joe, and there was a clever but cruel Liverpool saying "Flannery will get you nowhere", because his acts were not as successful as Brian Epstein's.
Lee Curtis & The All Stars were best known for Let's Stomp which featured Pete Best on drums. Much better was their full-blooded version of Skinny Minnie, recorded live at The Cavern. It knocked spots off Bill Haley's original, but the band continued to have problems seeing eye-to-eye with Decca . . .
The band wanted to record Twist And Shout but Decca said no. A few weeks later it was a Decca hit for Brian Poole and The Tremeloes. The All Stars then asked to record Money. The label again said no and it was a Decca hit shortly thereafter for Bern Elliott and The Fenmen. The band asked if they could record Shout. Decca refused once more and it was a hit (for Decca) for Lulu and The Luvvers.
The cycle repeated itself when the band asked to record It's Only Make Believe, were turned down, and witnessed Billy Fury have a hit with the song (again for Decca).
It seems nothing went right in Lee's career. The All Stars had a nomadic line-up and Curtis was in essence a solo singer who was out of time in the early 60s - too late for Elvis and too early for Tom Jones.
In 1969 Lee had a car accident that left him with facial scars. He became reluctant to perform, although he did continue to do occasional club work on Merseyside and in Skelmersdale. But commercial success and financial reward eluded him for the duration.
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Shame And Scandal In The Family / Nobody But You,Single 1966 |
Kelly / Mohair Sam, Single 1966
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1994 |
Star-Club Show 3 - Memphis, Tennessee/Mess Of Blues/When I Get Paid/It's Only Make Believe/I've Got My Eyes On You/Boys/Boppin' The Blues/My Baby/Where Have All The Flowers Gone/Blue Suede Shoes/Let's Stomp/Hello Josephine/Can't Help Falling In Love/Little Girl/Just One More Dance/Let's Stomp (1st Version)/Poor Unlucky Me/What About Me/I've Got My Eyes On You/Jezebel/Skinnie Minnie
Repertoire IMS 7012 |
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1994 |
It's Lee - Shame And Scandal In The Family/Um, Um, Um, Um, Um/Stand By Me/Little Egypt/Stupidity/Slow Down/Jezebel/Wooly Bully/Irresistable You/It's No Good For Me/Mickey's Monkey/Sticks And Stones/One Night/Nobody But You/Shot Of Rhythm And Blues/Exstacy/Kelly/Mohair Sam/Come On Down To My Boat/Concerto For Her
Repertoire IMS 7013 | | |
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