Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers are a 1960s

British rhythm and blues British rhythm and blues (or R&B) was a musical movement that developed in the United Kingdom between the late 1950s and the early 1960s, and reached a peak in the mid-1960s. It overlapped with, but was distinct from, the broader British beat a ...

, soul and

beat group Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat is a British popular music genre that developed, particularly in and around Liverpool, in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The genre melded influences from American rock and roll, rhythm and blues, skiffl ...

who had two Top 10

hits Hits or H.I.T.S. may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * '' H.I.T.S.'', 1991 album by New Kids on the Block * ''...Hits'' (Phil Collins album), 1998 * ''Hits'' (compilation series), 1984–2006; 2014 - a British compilation album s ...

with " One Way Love" (No. 9 UK, 1964) and "

Got to Get You into My Life "Got to Get You into My Life" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, first released in 1966 on their album ''Revolver''. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song is a homage to the Motown Sound, wit ...

" (No. 6 UK, 1966). Well-known members include Bennett himself (vocals, born Clifford Bennett, 4 June 1940,

Slough Slough () is a town and unparished area in the unitary authority of the same name in Berkshire, England, bordering west London. It lies in the Thames Valley, west of central London and north-east of Reading, at the intersection of the ...

, Berkshire, England) Chas Hodges (keyboards, bass, Mick Burt (drums),

Nicky Hopkins Nicholas Christian "Nicky" Hopkins (24 February 1944 – 6 September 1994) was an English pianist and organist. Hopkins performed on many popular and enduring British and American rock music recordings from the 1960s to the 1990s, most notably ...

(piano) and Moss Groves (tenor saxophone).

Rhythm and blues boom

Bennett formed the band in 1957. They recorded several

singles Singles are people not in a committed relationship. Singles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series * ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe * ''Singles'' ...

with record producer Joe Meek that were released by

Parlophone Parlophone Records Limited (also known as Parlophone Records and Parlophone) is a German–British record label founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch of the label was founded on 8 August 192 ...

. Bennett continued recording for Parlophone, issuing

cover version In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song relea ...

s of "

You've Really Got a Hold on Me "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a song written by Smokey Robinson, which became a 1962 Top 10 hit single for the Miracles. One of the Miracles' most covered tunes, this million-selling song received a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame Award. It has al ...

" and " Got My Mojo Working". Brian Epstein became their manager in September 1964. Their seventh release, " One Way Love" (written by

Bert Berns Bertrand Russell Berns (November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967), also known as Bert Russell and (occasionally) Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s. His songwriting credits include " Twist and Shout", " Piec ...

and

Jerry Ragovoy Jordan "Jerry" Ragovoy (September 4, 1930 – July 13, 2011) was an American songwriter and record producer. His best-known composition " Time Is on My Side" (written under the pseudonym of Norman Meade) was made famous by the Rolling Stones, al ...

under their pseudonyms Bert Russell and Norman Meade) b/w "Slow Down", reached No. 9 in the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. Their next, "I'll Take You Home" (written by

Barry Mann Barry Mann (born Barry Imberman; February 9, 1939) is an American songwriter and musician, and part of a successful songwriting partnership with his wife, Cynthia Weil. He has written or co-written 53 hits in the UK and 98 in the US. Early li ...

and

Cynthia Weil Cynthia Weil (born October 18, 1940) is an American songwriter who wrote many songs together with her husband Barry Mann. Life and career Weil was born in New York City, and was raised in a Conservative Jewish family. Her father was Morris Weil ...

) b/w "Do You Love Him", charted at No. 42. "Three Rooms With Running Water" (written by Jimmy Radcliffe and Bob Halley) did not chart. In early 1966, the band was the opening act for

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

on their final European tour. Bennett got the opportunity to hear the

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

song "

", which was used on the ''

Revolver A revolver (also called a wheel gun) is a repeating firearm, repeating handgun that has at least one gun barrel, barrel and uses a revolving cylinder (firearms), cylinder containing multiple chamber (firearms), chambers (each holding a single ...

'' album, but was never released as a single. Bennett recorded it, with his own composition "Baby Each Day" appearing on the

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...

. McCartney produced the session. The record reached No. 6 on the UK chart, becoming Bennett's biggest ever hit. Bennett returned to the songbook of McCartney / Lennon in 1968 when he recorded "Back in the USSR" as Cliff Bennett and his Band. Released as a single on Parlophone, it failed to make any impression on the chart. Also in 1968, The Rebel Rousers left Cliff Bennett and Harvey Hinsley joined the band, which by then included Hodges, Burt, John Golden, Moss Groves and Roy Young. They played gigs in the UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, Beirut and the Bahamas. This version of the band also recorded a single, "Should I," which did not chart. At the end of August 1969, Young left to form his own band. Hodges, Hinsley, Burt and Dave Peacock formed Black Claw, which played club engagements until Hodges left to join Heads, Hands & Feet in early 1970. Hinsley joined Hot Chocolate in late summer 1970.

Afterwards

Bennett went on to be part of Toe Fat, whilst Chas Hodges (keyboards) and Mick Burt became Chas & Dave with Dave Peacock. After Toe Fat disbanded, two of their members ( Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake) joined Uriah Heep,. Bennett was asked to join them but declined. He was also considered for the lead vocalist position in

Blood, Sweat & Tears Blood, Sweat & Tears (also known as "BS&T") is a jazz rock music group founded in New York City in 1967, noted for a combination of brass with rock instrumentation. In addition to original music, the group has performed popular songs by Laura N ...

when David Clayton-Thomas left in the early 1970s, but once again turned the position down. Bennett released a solo album, ''Rebellion,'' in 1971 but he was unable to rekindle his success of the previous decade. Between 1975 and 1976 he was the vocalist for a band called Shanghai, which released two albums. Other members included Mick Green (guitar), Chuck Bedford (vocals, harmonica, 1974–75), Pete Kircher (drums, vocals), Mike Le Main (bass, keyboards, 1974–75), Brian Alterman (guitar, 1975–76) and Pat King (bass, 1975–76). In the late 1970s, Bennett retired from the

music industry The music industry consists of the individuals and organizations that earn money by writing songs and musical compositions, creating and selling recorded music and sheet music, presenting concerts, as well as the organizations that aid, train, ...

to go into shipping. In 1988, English guitarist Mark Lundquist reformed The Rebel Rousers. He functioned as both band leader and manager until 1996. More recently, Lundquist has toured alongside Mike d'Abo, Chris Farlowe,

Zoot Money George Bruno Money (born 17 July 1942) is an English vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader. He is best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band. Inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles, he was draw ...

, Maggie Bell,

Screaming Lord Sutch Screaming Lord Sutch (10 November 1940 – 16 June 1999), who had his name legally changed from David Edward Sutch, was an English musician and perennial parliamentary candidate. He was the founder of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party a ...

The Manfreds The Manfreds is a British pop group, formed in 1991 as a reunion of former members of the 1960s pop group Manfred Mann, however without their eponymous founder Manfred Mann. History The original members of Manfred Mann, minus keyboard player Ma ...

, Steve Ellis and New Amen Corner.

Members

*Moss Groves –

tenor saxophone The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B (while ...

(born Maurice Groves, 3 April 1940, Birmingham) * Roy Young – piano, organ (born Roy Frederick Young, 20 October 1934, Poplar,

East London East or Orient is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth. Etymology As in other languages, the word is formed from the ...

, England died 27 April 2018, Oxford) *Bobby Thomson – bass (born Robert Thomson, 1942,

Liverpool Liverpool is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the List of English districts by population, 10th largest English district by population and its E ...

, Lancashire, England) * Frank Allen – bass (born Francis Renauld McNiece, 14 December 1943,

Hayes Hayes may refer to: * Hayes (surname), including a list of people with the name ** Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th president of the United States * Hayes (given name) Businesses * Hayes Brake, an American designer and manufacturer of disc brakes * Hay ...

, Middlesex, England) * Chas Hodges – bass (born Charles Nicholas Hodges, 28 December 1943,

Edmonton Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city an ...

, North London, England died 22 September 2018) *Ben Jordan – bass (born Benjamin Jordan, in 1941,

North London North London is the northern part of London, England, north of the River Thames. It extends from Clerkenwell and Finsbury, on the edge of the City of London financial district, to Greater London's boundary with Hertfordshire. The term ''nor ...

, England) *Ricky Winters – drums (born Richard Winters, 27 September 1940,

Aldershot Aldershot () is a town in Hampshire, England. It lies on heathland in the extreme northeast corner of the county, southwest of London. The area is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council. The town has a population of 37,131, while the Alder ...

, Hampshire, England) *Dave Edmunds – percussion *George Mattingley – Rhythm guitar, early years 1957–1960. Lives in Castle Donington, North Leicestershire. *Dave Wendels – lead guitar (born David Wendels, 5 July 1942,

Hounslow Hounslow () is a large suburban district of West London, west-southwest of Charing Cross. It is the administrative centre of the London Borough of Hounslow, and is identified in the London Plan as one of the 12 metropolitan centres in ...

, Middlesex, England) *Mick Currell – rhythm guitar (born Michael Currell, 1940) *Bernie Watson – lead guitar (born Bernard Watson, 1944) *Mick King – lead guitar (born Michael Borer, 1942,

Croydon Croydon is a large town in south London, England, south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a local government district of Greater London. It is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater London, with an exten ...

, Surrey died 26 November 2010) *Sid Phillips – tenor saxophone (born Bernard Phillips died 18 December 2015) *John Golden – trumpet *Rahsar Nesskrag – triangle *Mick Burt – Drums – (Born Michael William Burt on 23 August 1938 Redhill, Surrey, England, Died 18 October 2014) *Lars Lundquist – lead guitar – (Born Mark Lundquist on 27 July 1954, London, England). *Dave Forristal – Piano and Hammond – (Born Dave Forristal 14 Feb 1973, Fakenham, Norfolk) 2018-2022 *Darren Bazzoni - Drums - (Born 20 Dec 1968, England) .

Discography

Singles

*July 1961: "You've Got What I Like" / "I'm in Love With You" Parlophone R 4793 *October 1961: "That's What I Said" / "When I Get Paid" Parlophone R 4836 *March 1962: "Poor Joe" / "Hurtin' Inside" Parlophone R 4895 *July 1963: "Everybody Loves A Lover" / "My Old Stand By" Parlophone R 5046 *November 1963: "You Really Got A Hold on Me" / "Alright" Parlophone *March 1964: "Got My Mojo Working" / "Beautiful Dreamer" Parlophone R 5119 *September 1964: "One Way Love" / "Slow Down Parlophone" R 5173 UK#9 *January 1965: "I'll Take You Home" / "Do You Love Him?" Parlophone R 5229 UK#42 *April 1965: "Three Rooms With Running Water" / "If Only You'd Reply" Parlophone R 5259 *August 1965: "I Have Cried My Last Tear" / "As Long As She Looks Like You" Parlophone R 5317 *February 1966: "You Can't Love 'Em All" / "Need Your Loving Tonight" Parlophone R 5406 *June 1966: "Eyes For You" / "Hold on I'm Coming" Parlophone R 5466 *August 1966: "Got To Get You into My Life" / "Baby Each Day" Parlophone R 5489 UK#6 *November 1966: "Never Knew Lovin' Could Be So Doggone Good" / "Don't Help Me Out" Parlophone R 5534 *February 1967: "I'll Take Good Care of You" / "I'm Sorry" Parlophone R 5565 *May 1967: "I'll Be There" / "Use Me" *August 1967: "Good Times" / "Lonely Weekends" Parlophone R 5711

EPs

*1964 'She said Yeah'/ 'Doctor Feelgood' / 'You Make Me Happy' / 'Stupidity' GEP 8923 *1965: ''Try It Baby'' – "I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby"/"Shoes"/"Try It Baby"/"Do It Right" Parlophone GEP 8936 *1966: ''We're Gonna Make It'' – "My Sweet Woman"/"Whole Lotta Woman"/"We're Gonna Make It"/"Waiting at the Station" Parlophone GEP 8955

Albums

As Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers *1965: ''Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers'' – "I Can't Stand It"/"Sweet And Lovely"/"Make Yourself at Home"/"You've Really Got A Hold on Me"/"Ain't That Lovin' You"/"Sha La La"/"One Way Love"/"Steal Your Heart Away"/"It's Alright"/"Beautiful Dreamer"/"Mercy, Mercy"/"Talking About My Baby"/"The Pick-Up" Parlophone PMC 1242 *1966: ''Drivin' You Wild'' – "Three Rooms With Running Water"/"Baby, Baby, Baby"/"You Made Me Happy"/"Sweet Sorrow"/"I Have Cried My Last Tear"/"Another Saturday Night"/"Drivin' Me Wild"/" That's Why I Love You So"/"Who Cheatin' Now?"/"I'll Be Doggone"/"Strange Feeling"/"I'll Take You Home" Music For Pleasure MFP 1121 * 1967: ''Got To Get You into Our Life'' - "It's A Wonder" / "Ain't Love Good, Ain't Love Proud" / "6345-789" / "Roadrunner" / "Baby Each Day" / "Got To Get You into My Life" / "Barefootin'" / "See-Saw" / "I'm Not Tired" / " Stop Her on Sight (S.O.S.)" / "You Don't Know Like I Know" / "C.C. Rider" Parlophone PMC 7017 As Cliff Bennett & His Band * 1968: ''Cliff Bennett Branches Out'' - "You're Breaking Me Up" / "Lonely Weekends" / "Ease Me" / "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby" / "Taking Care of a Woman Is a Full Time Job" / "I Don't Need Anybody" / "Close The Door" / "Good Times" / "Said I Weren't Gonna Tell Nobody" / "You're the One For Me" / "Take Your Time" / "I Take What I Want" Parlophone PMC 7054 *On

bootleg recording A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. Making and distributing such recordings is known as ''bootlegging''. Recordings may be copied and trade ...

s of The Beatles performing at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, a performance of " Hully Gully" (recorded the same night as a Beatles set) is often mistakenly included as a Beatles performance.

References

External links

Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers @ 45-rpm.org.uk
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, Cliff Beat groups Musical groups established in 1957 Musical groups disestablished in the 1970s British rhythm and blues boom musicians 1957 establishments in the United Kingdom 1970s disestablishments in the United Kingdom