The Dennisons
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | July 1, 1961 in Liverpool, England |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Headquarters | Liverpool , England |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music recordings, singles |
The Dennisons were a Merseybeat group originating from Liverpool, England, active between 1961 and 1967, with a brief reunion in 1991. Although they produced some modest charting singles, their success remained largely confined to the local Liverpool scene and the broader British Invasion movement. In 1963, Bob Wooler remarked that they had made the most significant impression in Liverpool since the Beatles. Drummer Clive Hornby later achieved recognition as an actor on the UK soap Emmerdale.
Career
Established in July 1961 at Liverpool Collegiate, The Dennisons derived their name from a street in Liverpool. Drawing inspiration from early Merseybeat pioneers The Ravens (who later became Faron's Flamingos), the band gained local popularity through performances at the BICC club located in Melling, Liverpool. Their 1963 contract with Kennedy Street Enterprises enabled them to play at venues such as The Cavern Club, where they shared the stage with groups including The Beatles. Original bassist Alan Willis was succeeded by Terry Carson in December 1962.
Their first single, "Be My Girl" (1963), penned by Steve McLaren and Eddie Parry, reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart. They opted not to record Lennon–McCartney's "All My Loving," missing an opportunity to enhance their visibility. Their second release, a rendition of Rufus Thomas' "Walking the Dog," backed with Ben E. King's "You Don't Know What Love Is," climbed to number 36 in May 1964. The band’s last single was "Nobody Like Me Baby," issued in November 1964.
Other tracks recorded included covers such as "Little Latin Lupe Lu," "Devoted to You," "You Better Move On," "Lucy (You Sure Did It This Time)," "My Girl," and "Tutti Frutti." Lead vocalist Eddie Parry departed in March 1965; thereafter, the group continued as a four-piece until their dissolution in 1967.
In 1991, The Dennisons reunited for a tribute concert honoring Terry Carson. Clive Hornby released a solo album titled This Is Your Life in 1997, featuring contributions from former members Steve McLaren and Ray Scragg. Following Scragg’s passing in 2001, further reunions ceased.
Members
- Clive Hornby – drums (1961–1967; deceased 2008)
- Steve McLaren – lead guitar, backing vocals (1961–1967; deceased 2007)
- Ray Scragg – rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1961–1967; deceased 2001)
- Eddie Parry – lead vocals (1961–1965; deceased 1995)
- Alan Willis – bass guitar (1961–1962)
- Terry "Tex" Carson – bass guitar (1962–1967; deceased 1991)
See also
Singles
| Year | Title | UK Singles Chart |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | "Be My Girl" | 46 |
| 1964 | "Walking the Dog" | 36 |
| "Nobody Like My Babe" | - |