The Fairies (British band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 in Colchester, Essex, England |
| Defunct | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Colchester , England |
| Products | Singles: "Don't Think Twice It's Alright", "Get Yourself Home", "Don't Mind" |
The Fairies were a British rhythm and blues group fronted by drummer John "Twink" Alder, who released three singles during the years 1964 to 1965.
History
Originating in Colchester, Essex in 1963 under the name Dane Stephens and the Deep Beats, the ensemble transformed into the Fairies after approximately one year. The members comprised Dane Stephens (real name Douglas Robert Ord) handling vocals and blues harmonica, John "Akky" Acutt (formerly of the Strangers) on lead guitar, Mick "Wimps" Weaver playing rhythm guitar and fiddle, John Frederick "Freddy" Gandy on bass guitar, and John "Twink" Alder on drums, who also had ties to the Strangers.
By late 1964, they recorded the single "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" for Decca. During this period, the band attracted press coverage following an arrest event. Twink recalled their imminent breakthrough, highlighting Dane Stephens’ remarkable singing and harmonica talent. Unfortunately, Stephens was involved in a fatal accident while operating the band’s van without proper licensing or insurance, leading to imprisonment and a temporary substitution by Nik Wymer from Nix Nomads. Twink stressed that they had solid management support, production overseen by Mickie Most, and multiple singles prepared for release, signaling their forthcoming success.
In 1965, with Wymer assuming vocal duties, two additional singles—"Get Yourself Home" and "Don't Mind"—were issued via His Master's Voice. The track "Get Yourself Home," penned by their road manager Johnnie Dee, was initially declined by the Pretty Things but recorded by the Fairies; conversely, Dee’s composition "Don't Bring Me Down" was turned down by the Fairies yet became a hit for Pretty Things in 1964. Twink observed that with Wymer—who bore a vocal and visual resemblance to Phil May of Pretty Things—the band sought to replicate their earlier achievements. Wymer briefly joined a band formed by former members of Them toward the end of 1965. It is possible that Brian 'Smudger' Smith from Watford’s R&B outfit 'Cops 'n' Robbers' provided vocals for the Fairies as Dane Stephens reportedly transitioned to Cops 'n' Robbers around late 1965.
The Fairies dissolved prior to 1967. Twink departed in August 1966 to become part of London’s In-Crowd, which later evolved into Tomorrow. Subsequently, he joined both the Pretty Things and Pink Fairies before embarking on a solo career. Dane Stephens recorded under the alias 'Zion De Gallier' for producer Mark Wirtz. Freddie Gandy became a member of Bluesology, collaborating with Long John Baldry, Elton Dean, and Reggie Dwight (later known as Elton John), and later performed with later incarnations of Sam Gopal and Hookfoot during the early 1970s. In 1991, Twink reunited with Stephens and Weaver on his album Odds & Beginnings, which included songs such as "Anytime at All," "Don't Bring Me Down," and "Get Yourself Home." The Nik Wymer Band from Ipswich released Time Will Tell in 2009.
Discography
Singles
- "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" / "Anytime at All" - 7" single (1964), Decca
- "Get Yourself Home" / "I'll Dance" - 7" single (1965), His Master's Voice
- "Don't Mind" / "Baby Don't" - 7" single (1965), His Master's Voice
Zion De Gallier (Dane Stephens) singles
- "Me" / "Winter Will Be Cold" - 7" single (1968), Parlophone
- "Dream Dream Dream" / "Geraldine" - 7" single (1968), Parlophone
External links
- Conversation with Twink Conducted by Ivor Trueman, Opel #11, 5 December 1985
- Twink - feature interview (Ptolemaic Terrascope #3 1990)