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More sad news as we hear of the passing of yet another 60s recording star. RIP Wayne Fontana.

That great celestial gig is set to surpass Live Aid. Dead Aid?

Was that Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders?
I remember, Pamela, Pamela, a song on the Radio.

Thanks.
Simon.

Hi Iain,

Your right, the line up of that band.... gets better and better every-time one of the greats past away.
From Scotty, Buddy and Chet to Jimmy, Peter and Gary ...what a line up.
All the originals will be gone in the next decade(s)....and then all copycat greats will rule, with their already 1000 times played licks.
Look at YT all the new hot shot geezers of the last 15 years or so, playing the same scales and licks done 1000 times before....and selling it like they invented themself.
Seen by the youth and sadly by some manufacturers as the new "messiah" on guitar....

Rand over

Cheers Rob

It seems that during sixties revival tours of the late 1970s, he was always being asked to perform A Groovy Kind Of Love by those (presumably) unaware that it was a major hit for the Mindbenders after he had left the group. Despite his problems in later life, he certainly made his mark back in his 60s heyday.

Bill

Soon after Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders had hit the big time in 1964, they were booked to play at the Wimbledon Palais in South London. The Beatles also played there. Previously an ice rink, it was an enormous barn of a place, with acoustics to match.

Wayne and the band had only just moved from the club circuit and were still using club-size equipment. The 'house PA' was probably used for that reason so Wayne battled against a ridiculous amount of echo and reverb from the untreated walls. Eric Stewart's guitar went through a small Gibson amp, something like a 1x12" or 2 x 10" (I expect Jim N can give us the model number).

The band were perched on a low rostrum and I remember going up to Eric to ask if he could turn his amp up. He couldn't - it was flat out already!

Ray

My Brother in law, Paul Hancox , originally the drummer in my band in B'ham in the mid '60s (& only 15 at the time), left the band as it broke up, & after being snapped up by one or two Brummie pro bands, as he was a very competent musician, eventually got head-hunted by the 'Mindbenders' who were now separated from Wayne Fontana, who had a solo career. Prior to the release of the single 'To Sir with Love', drummer Ric Rothwell had left saying he was fed up of touring and wanted a sports shop, and was replaced by Paul Hancox. A little later Paul moved on again & spent time with Stan Webb's 'Chicken Shack' & also 'Mungo Jerry'. I got to play with him again at a reunion of the old band in around 2001 at a gig organised to celebrate his 50th birthday. He now lives near Bury, Lancashire, no longer playing the drums, but always was a great drummer.

Tony.

During his last few years Wayne toured with the solid gold sixties show.
Sharing the show with several other golden oldies, he was brilliant,
a short but superbly entertaining spot. Still in good voice and so witty.
Saw him a few times times at the Grand Theatre, never had top billing,
but he was always the star of the show. Sadly missed.