The Rockin' Vickers

The Rockin' Vickers were an English rock and roll band from Blackpool active from 1963 to 1968. They toured the UK and continental Europe and released a four singles during their existence. The band is however best-remembered for launching the career of Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister of Motörhead, then known as Ian Willis.

The Rockin' Vickers
Also known asRev Black and the Rockin' Vicars
OriginBlackpool, Lancashire, England
GenresRock, rhythm and blues, beat
Years active1963–1968
LabelsDecca, CBS, RPM
Members(See members below)

They were originally called Rev Black and the Rockin' Vicars, then abbreviated it to the Rockin' Vicars, but to get more gigs or even a chance at a record contract, they changed their name to "Rockin' Vickers". Their last single "Dandy", a cover of the Kinks song, was produced by Shel Talmy.

History

Formed in 1963, the band built their reputation as did many other beat groups of the era, by covering R&B and beat standards, but soon became known for their unusually intense live shows and outlandish stage costumes, dressing as vicars and Sami. Although mainly popular as a local act around Blackpool, England, the Vicars also toured mainland Europe, being one of the earliest British rock bands to perform in a socialist country, when they played in Yugoslavia in the summer of 1965.[1] They were particularly popular in Finland, where they recorded a single, a rocked up version of Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart. They released four singles. The band split in 1968.[2] Lemmy played guitar with the band, same as in Sam Gopal, he later switched to bass guitar as his primary instrument with Hawkwind and Mötorhead.

In 1967, expatriate Blackpool musician Dave Rossall (ex-Bruce & the Spiders), carrying on the tradition of the English band, formed his own Australian band called Rev Black and the Rockin' Vicars (1967–1969). The Australian band went on to release four singles in its own right, toured extensively around Australia and made the Brisbane Top 40.

Members

1963–1964 1964–1965 1965–1967
  • Harry "Reverend Black" Feeney – vocals
  • Ken Hardacre – guitar
  • Alex Hamilton – guitar
  • Peter Moorhouse – bass
  • Cyril "Ciggy" Shaw – drums
  • Harry "Reverend Black" Feeney – vocals
  • Nicholas Gribbon – guitar
  • Ian Holdbrook – guitar/harmonica
  • Stephen "Mogsy" Morris – bass
  • Cyril "Ciggy" Shaw – drums
  • Harry "Reverend Black" Feeney – vocals
  • Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister – guitar
  • Garry Chamberlain- guitar
  • Stephen "Mogsy" Morris – bass
  • Cyril "Ciggy" Shaw – drums

Discography

Singles

Compilation album

  • Its Alright: The Complete Rockin' Vickers, RPM CD196 1995, UK

I Go Ape/ Someone Like Me/ Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart/ Stella/ It's Alright/ Stay By Me/ Dandy/ I Don't Need Your Kind Of Love/ Baby Never Say Goodbye/ I Just Stand There/ Say Mama/ Shake Rattle & Roll/ What's the Matter Jane?/ Little Rosy (Ray Davies) (+ rehearsal extract)

References

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