Faron's Flamingos
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Founder | William "Faron" Ruffley |
| Headquarters | Liverpool , England |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Faron's Flamingos were a notable English Merseybeat group recognized for helping to shape the "Mersey Motown" style through their rendition of "Do You Love Me", although they achieved only modest commercial recognition.
Background
Led by William "Faron" Ruffley (born 8 January 1942 in Liverpool), the ensemble earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic live performers within the Merseybeat movement.[1] DJ Bob Wooler famously labeled Ruffley the "panda-footed prince of prance".[2] Their spirited interpretation of "Do You Love Me" exemplified the distinctive Mersey Motown sound.[3]
Origins as The Hi-Hats and The Ravens
The group's roots trace back to the Hi-Hats, originally established at Liverpool Mercury Cycling Club and later rebranded as Robin and The Ravens. The lead vocalist, Robin, was known for wearing a yellow silk suit while the band members donned pink jackets.[4] In January 1961, Ruffley joined Gerry and the Pacemakers for an eight-week stint in Hamburg, performing at the renowned Top Ten Club.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Formation of The Flamingos
Upon returning from Hamburg, Ruffley founded Faron's Flamingos. Their first appearance took place at The Cavern in 1962, with backing vocals provided by the Beatles.[5] That same year, they toured American military bases in France, during which Eric London was replaced by Dave Cooper and female vocalist Pam Connolly was added to comply with touring regulations. After several personnel adjustments, the lineup stabilized with Nicky Crouch on lead guitar, Paddy Chambers on rhythm guitar, Ruffley handling bass and vocals, and Trevor Morais on drums.
In May 1963, they contributed to the compilation album This Is Merseybeat.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Their single "Do You Love Me", released through Oriole Records, did not achieve significant commercial impact, possibly due to promotional efforts focusing more on its B-side "See If She Cares".[6] Music writer Bill Harry recalled the session as vibrant and lively, with producer John Schroeder confident in its potential success.[7]
By 1965, Ruffley reassembled Faron's Flamingos and continued performing across France throughout the late 1960s.[8] The band persisted with various members into the 1970s,[9] including musicians such as Brian Jones, Arty Davis, Phil Melia, Ken Shalliker, Billy Burton, Arthur Hayes, Nicky Crouch, and Bernie Rogers.[10]
Faron Ruffley
William "Faron" Ruffley (born 8 January 1942) is an English vocalist best remembered as the frontman of Faron's Flamingos.
Originating from Liverpool, Ruffley established Faron's Flamingos in 1961 after completing a tour with Gerry and the Pacemakers. The band played an influential role in developing the Merseybeat genre, particularly through their cover of "Do You Love Me". Over time, they underwent multiple lineup changes, including a French-based iteration.
Ruffley married a Corsican woman and resided in France before returning to Liverpool due to his mother's health issues. He formed a small ensemble featuring Brian Jones (from The Undertakers) and performed locally while reviving the Flamingos in 1985. A committed born-again Christian, Ruffley faced numerous serious health problems such as several heart attacks, a quadruple bypass surgery, a stroke, and joint replacements. Despite medical recommendations to retire during the 2000s, he has remained partially active as of 2024 and was engaged in writing his autobiography.
Members
- Ronald "Ronnie" Plimmer - tenor saxophone
- Paddy Chambers - guitar / associated with Paddy Klaus and Gibson, The Big Three, Sinbad
- Dave "Mushy" Cooper - bass / affiliated with The Undertakers
- Pam Connolly - vocals
- Nicky Crouch - guitar, vocals / collaborated with The Mojos, The Undertakers
- Billy Jones - guitar
- Eric London - bass / connected to Group One, Mojos
- Trevor Morais - drums / worked alongside The Peddlers, Rory Storm & the Hurricanes, Quantum Jump
- Bill "Faron" Ruffley - vocals and bass guitar / linked to The Big Three, Gerry and the Pacemakers
- Peter Campbell - bass guitar / played with Fontanas
- Vic Grace - lead guitar and vocals / associated with The Secrets, Hi Cats
- David Harris - drums
- Pete Jones - lead guitar / collaborated with The Renegades, Red Fire
- Arty Davies - drums / worked with Pressure Points, Lee Curtis and the All Stars, The Tempos
- Keith Karlson - bass guitar / affiliated with The Mojos
- Johnny Jay Rathbone - drums / linked to Mastermind's Almost Blues, Karl Terry cruisers
- John Mitch - drums / played with The Stopouts, Ice Cream Robots
- Arthur Rigby - bass guitar
- Chris Evans - lead guitar / worked alongside The Undertakers, Earl Preston TTs
- Max Peckham - drums
- Brian Jones - tenor saxophone / connected to The Undertakers, Gary Glitter band, Ykickamoocow
- Mogsy Cook - backing vocals
- Peter Cook - lead guitar / associated with Earl Royce and the Olympics, Kansas City 5
- Derek Smallridge - drums / played with The Four dees
- Owen Ricketts - bass guitar / worked with Jeannie and the Big Guys
- Dennis Collins - lead guitar
- Steve Robinson - tenor saxophone
- Phil Melia - lead guitar / affiliated with Mojo Filter, Pete Best band
- Ross Sullivan - keyboards (son of horse racing commentator Peter O'Sullivan)
- Steve Roberts - lead guitar / associated with Cliff Roberts Rockers
- Dennis Swale - bass guitar / collaborated with The Dimensions, Eddie Cave & The Fyx, Karl Terry & The Cruisers.
- Colin Drummond - keyboards
- Ronnie Plummer - tenor saxophone
- Bernie Rogers - drums / linked to Denny Seyton and the Sabres
- Arnie Neale - rhythm guitar / worked with Tempos, Hy-Tones
- Dave (Mac) McDowell - lead guitar
- Mike Rudd - bass guitar / connected to The Avengers, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Karl Terry Cruisers
- Billy Burton - tenor saxophone / associated with Pete Best Combo
- Arthur Hayes - bass guitar
- Nic Johnston - harmonica
- George Fletcher - lead guitar
- Bill Good - bass guitar / affiliated with The Buzz band, Undertakers
- Richie Ballard - bass guitar / collaborated with Wheels on Fire, Cliff Roberts Rockers
- Tommy Hughes - keyboards / worked alongside Kansas City 5, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Mojos
- Will Lloyd - harmonica
- Rachel Frost - vocals
- Ritchie Perkins - lead guitar / associated with The Tempos
- Frank Hopley - keyboards / worked with The Mastersounds
- Denis Malkin - rhythm guitar
- David Blackstone - lead guitar / collaborated with The Tabs, Gerry Deville City king's Big Three
- Alan Hanson - lead guitar / affiliated with The Brumbeats, Shane Fenton and the Fentones
- Gary McInnes - keyboards / linked to The New Applejacks
- David Morgan - lead guitar / worked alongside The Fourmost, Dominoes
- Phil Berube - keyboards and bass guitar / associated with The Beach Boys, Monkees, Joe Cocker
- Bobby Cortes - lead guitar, New York session musician; also former pro wrestler known as Bobby Bold Eagle
- Albie Donnelly - tenor saxophone / connected to Clayton Squares, Fix, Supercharge
- Al Peters - harmonica / affiliated with Almost Blues
- Barry "Basher" Robinson - rhythm and bass guitar, drums / worked with Billy Heartbeats, Excerts, Gerry Deville City kings, The Kop, Georgies Germs
- Mick Moon - keyboards
- Phil Hopkins - tenor saxophone / associated with The Dominoes
- Mike Jones - lead guitar and vocals
Discography (selected)
| Title | Catalogue | Year | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| "See If She Cares" / "Do You Love Me" | Oriole CB 1834 | 1963 | |
| "Shake Sherry" / "Give Me Time" | Oriole CB 1867 | 1963 | |
| "Let's Stomp" / "I Can Tell" | Columbia Records 4-43018 | 1964 | B-side performed by Rory Storm and the Hurricanes Issued in the USA |
| "Bring It On Home to Me" / "C'mon Everybody" | Raw RAW 27 | 1978 | Released as Faron's Flamingoes |
| Title | Catalogue | Year | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faron's Flamingos 1963, See If She Cares | Mastersound MS CD.585 | 1963 | Compilation album |
| Artist(s) | Album title | Catalogue | Year | Tracks featured | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various artists | Take Six from "This Is Merseybeat | Oriole EP-7080 | 1963 | "Let's Stomp" | Extended play record (EP) |
| Various artists | This is Merseybeat Volume 1 | Oriole PS 40047 | 1963 | "Let's Stomp", "Talkin' 'bout You" | |
| Various artists | This is Merseybeat Volume 2 | Oriole PS 40048 | 1963 | "Sherry Sherry", "So Fine" | |
| Various artists | The Exciting New Liverpool Sound (The Authentic Mersey Beat) | Columbia CL 2172 | 1964 | "Let's Stomp", "Talkin' 'bout You" |
Documentary and film appearances
| Title | Director, Producer, etc. | Year of release | Role / Credit | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beat City | Charles Squires (director) | 1963 | Featured on-screen participant | |
| Chasing Rainbows - A Nation and Its Music | Jeremy Marre (producer) | 1986 | Appearance as themselves | Credited as Faron and his Flamingoes |
| Merseybeat Magic | Wally Scott (host) | 1989 | Appeared as themselves |