The Flee-Rekkers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Peter Fleerakkers |
| Defunct | 1963 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Key people | Peter Fleerakkers, Dave 'Tex' Cameron, Alan Monger, Elmy Durrant, Doug Henning, Mickey Waller, Joe Meek (producer) |
| Products | Instrumental rock and roll music, singles such as "Green Jeans" |
The Flee-Rekkers, occasionally referred to as The Fabulous Flee-Rakkers, were a British instrumental rock and roll ensemble active between 1959 and 1963. Led by tenor saxophonist Peter Fleerakkers, their recordings were produced under the guidance of Joe Meek. Their most notable chart achievement was the 1960 single "Green Jeans".
History
Drawing inspiration from saxophone-driven groups such as Johnny and the Hurricanes, the band initially performed under the names The Ramblers and The Statesiders before settling on a moniker inspired by their leader Peter Fleerakkers (born 1934, Brentford; passed away 2016). The lineup also featured Dave 'Tex' Cameron on lead guitar, Alan Monger handling rhythm guitar and baritone saxophone, Elmy Durrant on tenor sax, Doug Henning playing bass, and drummer Mickey Waller.
Their discovery came during a performance at The Hive Jive, Putney Ballroom in late 1959, leading to a successful audition for producer Joe Meek. Meek oversaw their debut release "Green Jeans," a rock rendition of "Greensleeves," which was issued on his Triumph Records label in early 1960. Although the single climbed to No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart, distribution problems arose due to Triumph's collapse, prompting reissues through Top Rank and later EMI.
The group also contributed to Ricky Wayne's single "Hot Chick-A-Roo." Subsequent records released via Pye and Piccadilly labels did not replicate their earlier commercial success. Reportedly, they were the first rock band to secure a long-term contract with the Mecca Leisure Group, supporting extensive UK tours throughout the early 1960s with an energetic stage presence. Their final single, "Fireball" (1963), arranged by Tony Hatch and based on the theme from Fireball XL5, is regarded as one of their standout recordings.
The band dissolved in August 1963. Following the split, Fleerakkers exited the music scene after several unsuccessful ventures. Cameron, Monger, and Durrant formed The Giants, performing predominantly in Germany at venues such as Hamburg's Top Ten Club. Waller gained recognition as a session drummer working with artists including Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck before his death in 2008. Fleerakkers died in 2016; Cameron passed away in 2022.
A definitive CD anthology of their work was issued by C-Five Records in 1991, with expanded versions later released by See For Miles and Castle Records.
Singles
| Date | Artist Credit | A-side | B-side | Label Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1960 | The Fabulous Flee-Rakkers | "Green Jeans" | "You Are My Sunshine" | Triumph RGM 1008 |
| Apr 1960 | Ricky Wayne and the Flee-Rakkers | "Chick A'Roo" | "Don't Pick on Me" | Triumph RGM 1009 |
| Aug 1960 | Fabulous Flea [sic] Rakkers | "Green Jeans" | "You Are My Sunshine" | Top Rank JAR 431 |
| Aug 1960 | Ricky Wayne and the Flee-Rakkers | "Hot Chick-A-Roo" | "Don't Pick on Me" | Top Rank JAR 432 |
| Sep 1960 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Sunday Date" | "Shiftless Sam" | Pye 7N 15288 |
| Jan 1961 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Blue Tango" | "Bitter Rice" | Pye 7N 15326 |
| Jun 1961 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Lone Rider" | "Miller Like Wow" | Piccadilly 7N 35006 |
| May 1962 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Stage to Cimarron" | "Twistin' the Chestnuts" | Piccadilly 7N 35048 |
| Oct 1962 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Sunburst" | "Black Buffalo" | Piccadilly 7N 35081 |
| Feb 1963 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Fireball" (From Fireball XL5) | "Fandango" | Piccadilly 7N 35109 |
Extended play
| Release Year | Artist and EP Title | Included Tracks | Record Label Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | The Flee-Rekkers (EP named The Fabulous Flee-Rekkers) |
"Isle of Capri" "Brer Robert" "Hangover" "P.F.B" |
Pye NEP 24141 |
Compilations
| Release Year | Compilation Title | Label Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Joe Meek's Fabulous Flee-Rekkers | C-Five Records, C5CD 564 |
| 1997 | Joe Meek's Fabulous Flee-Rekkers (re-release) | See For Miles |
| 2007 | Green Jeans: The Anthology | Castle CMQDD 1457 |