The Fraser Hayes Four, originally called The Fraser Hayes Quartette, was a British

close harmony A chord is in close harmony (also called close position or close structure) if its notes are arranged within a narrow range, usually with no more than an octave between the top and bottom notes. In contrast, a chord is in open harmony (also c ...

vocal group, formed by the musicians Jimmy Fraser (real name Frazer Potts) and Tony Hayes in the late 1940s, disbanded in 1953, and re-formed in 1956. The four original members were Jimmy Fraser (Potts), Tony Hayes, Dave Mason and June Ellis. The group split for good in late 1969. They are best known for providing musical interludes on the

BBC Radio BBC Radio is an operational business division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a royal charter since 1927). The service provides national radio stations covering th ...

comedy Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term o ...

programmes ''

Beyond Our Ken ''Beyond Our Ken'' is a BBC radio comedy programme first broadcast between 1958 and 1964. It starred Kenneth Horne, with Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden, Bill Pertwee, and, as announcer, Douglas Smith. The title is a play on the ...

'' and ''

Round the Horne ''Round the Horne'' is a BBC Radio comedy programme starring Kenneth Horne, first transmitted in four series of weekly episodes from 1965 until 1968. The show was created by Barry Took and Marty Feldman, who wrote the first three series. The fo ...

''.

Career

Tony Hayes originally studied art, and Jimmy Fraser engineering. They each dropped their original careers to become dance band guitarists. Around 1949, the popular 1930s and 1940s singer

Denny Dennis Denny Dennis (1 November 1913 in Derby – 2 November 1993 in Barrow-in-Furness) was a British people, British romantic vocalist during the 1930s to the 1950s, when British dance bands were at the peak of their popularity. He was a band singer, a ...

teamed up with the original Fraser Hayes Quartette (who were to eventually became the Fraser Hayes Four). Dennis initially financed the venture, and the new group was to prove successful. In June 1950, they appeared on the

show ''Variety Fanfare'', and were given positive comments by the critics. However, in January 1951, Dennis withdrew, possibly in part due to the financial pressures of maintaining such a group. They disbanded in 1953, but re-formed in 1956. Fraser and Hayes remained constant for the life of the group, but the female lead and the fourth (bass) voice changed periodically. Annabelle Lee replaced June Ellis and married Jimmy Fraser. Dave Mason left the group and was replaced by Nick Welsh. Later, they had a new female vocalist, Lynda Russell. She was herself replaced by Kerri Sims, who was followed by Barbara Moore. Lee then later rejoined the group. Canadian Harry Currie became the fourth male voice in 1962, appearing with the group during their six-week headlining engagement at London's Latin Quarter cabaret club and on several BBC broadcasts. They are perhaps best known for providing musical interludes on the BBC Radio

programmes ''

'' and ''

'' in the 1960s. In the shows, the female singer is occasionally referred to comedically by the fictitious name 'Marj' (e.g. the line "Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil and Marj" in the episode "The Three Musketeers"). The group disbanded when the shows ended after the death of

Kenneth Horne Charles Kenneth Horne, generally known as Kenneth Horne, (27 February 1907 – 14 February 1969) was an English comedian and businessman. He is perhaps best remembered for his work on three BBC Radio series: ''Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh ...

in 1969. Jimmy Fraser eventually emigrated to the United States to pursue a solo career there. Tony Hayes formed a new vocal harmony group named The Skyliners after the Fraser Hayes Four split up.

Discography

* The Fraser Hayes Four, ''Spin, Spin, Spin'', Rainbow Records, 1957 * The Fraser Hayes Four, ''4 By 4'' EP, Pye, 1959 **A1: I'm Glad There Is You **A2: Spring Is Here **B1: How Can I Tell Her **B2: Darn That Dream

References

British vocal groups Vocal quartets BBC Radio {{England-band-stub