The Rattlesnakes (1950s band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1955 in Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Founder | Barry Gibb |
| Defunct | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Manchester , United Kingdom |
| Products | Skiffle, rock and roll music |
The Rattlesnakes was a British group specializing in skiffle and rock and roll, established in Manchester in 1955 by Barry Gibb. This ensemble eventually transformed into the Bee Gees by 1958. The band participated in the 1950s UK skiffle resurgence, a movement rooted in American folk and roots music.
Barry Gibb created the band upon his return to Manchester, joined by his younger siblings Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb, who contributed vocals. The group was completed by friends Paul Frost on drums and Kenny Horrocks playing the tea-chest bass. Their debut public appearance occurred at the Gaumont Cinema in December 1957, where they performed the Everly Brothers' "Wake Up Little Susie." Their musical inspirations included artists such as Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Tommy Steele, Buddy Holly, and Paul Anka.
Early years
In 1955, after moving back to Manchester, the Gibb brothers concentrated on music as Barry chose not to continue formal schooling. Drawing inspiration from their sister Lesley’s collection of 1950s rock and roll records, they formed a band named "The Rattlesnakes," a title Barry selected based on their tea-chest bass instrument.
Barry recalled that their initial performance concept was influenced by local theatrical acts where children mimed along to records. They arranged to mime an Everly Brothers track at the Gaumont Theatre following Christmas, receiving permission from the cinema’s manager.
Rehearsals
Practice sessions for The Rattlesnakes took place in Sarah Salt’s cellar, where Paul Frost stored his Christmas drum kit since 1956. Frost quickly recognized the group’s potential. The lineup consisted of Barry on guitar, Frost handling drums, Horrocks on tea-chest bass, with Robin and Maurice providing vocals and occasionally playing toy guitars. The tea-chest bass used during their skiffle phase was discarded by 1958.
After several weeks of rehearsing, Barry proposed performing at the Gaumont Theatre alongside other local children. Nicholas Adams was present when this idea was suggested but was not considered part of the main group.
Performances in public
Barry remembered their first song as Paul Anka’s "I Love You, Baby," initially thought to be the B-side of "Diana," but later identified in 1968 as the Everly Brothers’ "Wake Up Little Susie." He recounted how they accidentally dropped the record on the cinema steps before their show, wondering aloud: "What now?, no record, no miming?"
Robin confirmed Barry’s recollection, adding that Barry, holding a guitar, encouraged them to sing live instead of miming. Their set included "Lollipop" by the Mudlarks and five additional tracks such as Buddy Holly’s "That'll Be the Day" and "Oh Boy," as well as "Book of Love" by The Monotones, marking what would become the Bee Gees’ origin.
Barry described his guitar playing style as unorthodox, influenced by Hawaiian steel guitar tunings akin to country artists like Dolly Parton. He explained: "We bar all our chords—there's very little fingering... much more in a country music sense."
Their first notable public appearance took place on 28 December 1957. Although accounts vary regarding the dropped record, Horrocks confirmed it was Lesley Gibb’s Christmas present, "Wake Up Little Susie" by the Everly Brothers. On Saturday mornings, the Gibbs would pick up Horrocks and Frost before heading to Gaumont Cinema with instruments including a tea-chest bass.
They approached via a back alley through Selborne Road to Barlow Moor Road opposite Gaumont. On that day, Barry carried his guitar; Frost and Horrocks transported the tea-chest bass; Robin and Maurice held onto the record that was eventually dropped—though this narrative differs slightly from others’. Maurice has frequently claimed credit for launching their career. Their routine took place during Saturday morning children’s films at 10:00 AM with an interval around 1:00 PM when audience members were invited onstage. Performers typically mimed current hit songs; Brian Lewis regularly opened with selections from Cliff Richard.
In that same year, Frost accidentally damaged Barry’s guitar during a power outage caused by unpaid electricity bills. Frost described it as being “broken in the middle.”
Breakup
By early May 1958, the Gibb family had relocated to Northern Grove. Robin recounted, "We performed at the Palatine [Cinema] as Wee Johnny Hayes and the Blue Cats, with Barry taking the role of Johnny Hayes." Around this period, Frost and Horrocks departed from the group, although they maintained their friendship with the Gibb brothers. Horrocks remembers Barry appearing solo as Wee Johnny Hayes during a "Minor 15," a talent competition for performers under fifteen held at the Princess Club in Chorlton. Additionally, the brothers showcased their three-part harmonies at Manchester's Russell Street Club.
In early August 1958, the family emigrated to Australia. Prior to their departure, Barry confided in Horrocks, "I’m determined never to work for anyone else; I want to be my own boss and succeed on my own somewhere." Horrocks responded, "When you do, remember me," to which Barry assured, "I’ll come back; I won’t forget."
Maurice passed away unexpectedly on 12 January 2003 at the age of 53 due to cardiac arrest while awaiting surgery for a twisted intestine. Robin died on 20 May 2012 at 62 after suffering liver and kidney failure following a battle with cancer. Frost succumbed to cancer on 17 November 2012 at age 64.
After the deaths of Maurice, Robin, and Frost, Horrocks was scheduled to meet Barry in the studio in June 2013 but had to cancel on 27 June; they have not reunited since.
Members
- Barry Gibb – vocals, lead and rhythm guitar (1955–58)
- Robin Gibb – vocals, occasional toy guitar (1955–58; died 2012)
- Maurice Gibb – vocals, occasional toy guitar (1955–58; died 2003)
- Paul Frost – drums (1955–58; died 2012)
- Kenny Horrocks – tea-chest bass (1955–58)