A recent acquisition in the Heritage Centre is a batch of ‘The Islander’ magazine of the 1960s and 70s. These offer a fascinating glimpse into Island life at the time, and it is hoped that some of the articles can be reproduced on this website. The first will be an article relating to the very popular group of the 1960s, The Cherokees.
The article begins with the fact of a very vibrant music scene on the Island: ‘The Island beat scene has always been one of constant changes. Groups have come and groups have gone. METEORS, CRESCENTS, MIDNIGHT CREEPERS, and TOM-RONS, all great names in their time, but now just memories. Of all groups in existence on the Island ten years ago, only one remains. THE CHEROKEES!’
Although the members of the group changed from time to time, the established team became Graham Betchley on rhythm guitar – Graham was also a singer; Brian Sharpe – lead guitar and vocals; Crann Davies – bass guitar and vocals; Ken Young – drums. The group’s first regular booking was at the Queen’s Hall, from where they moved to The Lakeside, and then The Royal York, in Ryde. It was at The Royal York that the 69 club became established, which was soon to become the most popular on the Island.
The group’s first record was ‘THE IW CHEROKEES’ in 1966. This EP featured numbers by The Beach Boys, Rick Nelson and Chuck Berry. The group became very successful in Sweden with two of their own compositions: ‘I feel good’ and ‘Deep Blue Feeling’, but their commitment to the Island brought them back to these shores.
The article, published in September 1968, describes the group as: ‘The Island’s top group for the last seven years, and, as they intend (to quote Brian Sharpe) “to carry on until we’re bald” – it looks as if they’ll remain our top group for the next seventy!’
In November 1968, the ‘Island Pop Scene’ article was about The Knights.
‘Many years ago, according to local legend, five worthy personages, Dougie Watson, Stuart Jones, Keith Roberts, Chris Mew and Brian Kersley seated themselves around a square table and swore to rid the Island of fire-breathing dragons, wicked barons, and to rescue damsels in distress.’ This band was The Knights.
‘The Knights have been with us for eight years. It was not until 1962 however, that the first of the present members joined this extremely popular group. Peter Ward joined the group six years ago. It is his deep, well-controlled voice that supplies the group’s lead vocals; and the Knights’ outstanding feature is their superbly blended harmonies.’
Robert Brading then joined the group as lead guitarist and second vocalist. Ross Hopkins, of The Meteors, replaced Keith Roberts as bassist, and shortly afterwards Frank Rowley joined the band.
In 1966 the Knights began a season at the Hotel Ryde Castle – an unsuccessful event as other groups such as Zoot Money, The Action, Dave Anthony’s Moods and others, were playing gigs on the same night. The season proved equally disastrous for The Breakers, whose organist, Dave Bushel, then joined the Knights. Under the leadership of Bob Brading, the Knights went on to have success at the Winter Gardens in Ventnor.
Where are they all now?