Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Founder | Cliff Bennett |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Rhythm and blues, soul, beat music |
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers were a British ensemble from the 1960s, known for their rhythm and blues, soul, and beat music styles. They achieved two top 10 hits in the UK charts: "One Way Love" (peaking at No. 9 in 1964) and "Got to Get You into My Life" (reaching No. 6 in 1966).
Prominent members featured Bennett as the lead vocalist, Chas Hodges handling keyboards and bass duties, Mick Burt on drums, Nicky Hopkins playing piano, and Moss Groves on tenor saxophone.
Rhythm and blues surge
The group was established by Bennett in 1957, initially releasing multiple singles under the production of Joe Meek for Parlophone. From September 1964, Brian Epstein took over management, and their seventh single, "One Way Love," climbed to No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. Later releases experienced moderate charting success; notably, "I'll Take You Home" reached No. 42.
In early 1966, they served as the opening act for the Beatles during their last European tour. Bennett recorded a rendition of Paul McCartney's "Got to Get You into My Life," with McCartney himself producing; this track became Bennett's most successful single, attaining No. 6 in the UK charts. In 1968, Bennett also covered "Back in the USSR," though this version did not chart.
Towards the end of 1968, Bennett parted ways with the Rebel Rousers. The band lineup at that point included Hodges, Mick Burt, Harvey Hinsley, John Golden, Moss Groves, and Roy Young. They embarked on extensive tours throughout Europe and other regions but only released one single titled "Should I," which failed to enter the charts. By late 1969, Young left to start his own group; Hodges, Hinsley, Burt, and Dave Peacock then formed Black Claw until Hodges departed early in 1970. Hinsley later joined Hot Chocolate in late 1970.
Subsequent developments
Following his departure from the Rebel Rousers, Bennett became a member of Toe Fat, while Chas Hodges (keyboards) and Mick Burt collaborated with Dave Peacock to create Chas & Dave. After Toe Fat disbanded, former members Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake joined Uriah Heep. Bennett declined offers to join Uriah Heep as well as an opportunity to become lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears during the early 1970s.
In 1971, Bennett released a solo album titled Rebellion, though it did not replicate his previous commercial achievements. Between 1975 and 1976, he was the frontman for Shanghai, which produced two albums. Other members of Shanghai included Mick Green (guitar), Chuck Bedford (vocals and harmonica), Pete Kircher (drums and vocals), Mike Le Main (bass and keyboards), Brian Alterman (guitar), and Pat King (bass). Bennett exited the music scene in the late 1970s to pursue a career in shipping but returned during the early 2000s with albums such as Loud And Clear (2002) and Nearly Retired (2009).
In 1988, English guitarist Mark Lundquist revived the Rebel Rousers name and led as bandleader and manager until 1996. Lundquist subsequently toured alongside artists including Mike d'Abo, Chris Farlowe, Zoot Money, Maggie Bell, Screaming Lord Sutch, the Manfreds, Steve Ellis, and New Amen Corner.
Personnel
- Moss Groves – tenor saxophone (born Maurice Groves on 3 April 1940 in Birmingham)
- Roy Young – piano, organ, vocals (born Roy Frederick Young on 20 October 1934 in Poplar, East London; died 27 April 2018 in Oxford)
- Bobby Thomson – bass (born Robert Thomson in 1942, Liverpool)
- Frank Allen – bass (born Francis Renauld McNiece on 14 December 1943 in Hayes, Middlesex)
- Chas Hodges – keyboards (born Charles Nicholas Hodges on 28 December 1943 in Edmonton, North London; died 22 September 2018)
- Ben Jordan – bass (born Benjamin Jordan in 1941 in Edmonton, North London)
- Robin Shaw – bass (born Robin George Scrimshaw on 6 October 1943 in Hayes, Middlesex)
- Ricky Winters – drums (born Richard Winters on 27 September 1940 in Aldershot)
- Dave Edmunds – percussion
- George Mattingley – rhythm guitar during early years (1957–1960)
- Dave Wendels – lead guitar (born David Wendels on 5 July 1942 in Hounslow)
- Mick Currell – rhythm guitar (born Michael Currell in 1940)
- Bernie Watson – lead guitar (born Bernard Watson in 1944)
- Mick King – lead guitar (born Michael Borer in 1942 in Croydon; died 26 November 2010)
- Robin Box – lead guitar (born on 19 June 1944)
- Sid Phillips – tenor saxophone (born Bernard Phillips on 1 November 1939 in Tottenham; died 18 December 2015)
- John Golden – trumpet
- Rahsar Nesskrag – triangle
- Mick Burt – drums (born Michael William Burt on 23 August 1938 in Redhill; died 18 October 2014)
- Lars Lundquist – lead guitar (born Mark Lundquist on 27 July 1954 in London)
- Dave Forristal – piano and Hammond organ (born Dave Forristal on 14 February 1973 in Fakenham; active from 2018 to 2022)
- Darren Bazzoni – drums (born on 20 December 1968)
Albums
Under the name Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers
- 1965: Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers
- 1966: Drivin' You Wild
- 1967: Got to Get You into Our Life
- Note: Certain bootleg Beatles recordings from Hamburg's Star Club have occasionally included a Rebel Rousers rendition of "Hully Gully," mistakenly attributed to the Beatles.
Under the name Cliff Bennett & His Band
- 1968: Cliff Bennett Branches Out
EPs
- 1964: "She Said Yeah"/"Doctor Feelgood"/"You Make Me Happy"/"Stupidity", GEP 8923
- 1965: Try It Baby – featuring "I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby", "Shoes", "Try It Baby", and "Do It Right", Parlophone GEP 8936
- 1966: We're Gonna Make It – including "My Sweet Woman", "Whole Lotta Woman", "We're Gonna Make It", and "Waiting at the Station", Parlophone GEP 8955
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 – Reached UK No. 9
- January 1965: "I'll Take You Home" / "Do You Love Him?", Parlophone R 5229 – Peaked at UK No. 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 – Achieved UK No. 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