The Renegades (band)
| Company type | Rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1960 in Birmingham, England |
| Defunct | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , England |
Key people | Kim Brown, Denys Gibson, Ian Mallet, Graham Johnson, Joe Dunnett, Mick Webley |
| Products | Rock and roll music, singles, albums |
The Renegades were a rock group originating from Birmingham, England, established in 1960. While their impact in the UK was modest, they achieved notable acclaim in Finland throughout the 1960s and subsequently gained recognition in Italy from 1966 until their dissolution in 1971.
Following this period, during the mid-1970s, Kim Brown and Mick Webley collaborated with other musicians to create Kim & The Cadillacs.
History
The Renegades formed in Perry Barr, Birmingham, comprising Kim Brown (vocals, lead guitar, keyboards), Denys "Denny" Gibson (guitar), Ian Mallet (bass), and Graham Johnson (drums). Their song “Hungarian Mod,” a Mod-influenced reinterpretation of Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody,” appeared on the 1964 compilation Brum Beat, which showcased Birmingham's local music scene.
They contributed anonymously to the 1964 album The Mersey Sound, which included tracks influenced by the Merseybeat genre and featured five covers of Lennon/McCartney compositions.
Unable to establish a strong foothold in the British market, the band found considerable success following a tour in Helsinki in 1964, where they inspired a fan enthusiasm akin to Beatlemania. Distinguished by their dynamic stage presence and distinctive American Civil War cavalry-style attire, their repertoire included rock and R&B classics such as Ray Charles’ “What'd I Say.” Their single “Cadillac” climbed to number two on Finnish charts. Additionally, they appeared in the Finnish film Topralli released in 1966.
The Renegades toured extensively across Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, and Italy. They also took part in Italy’s Sanremo Music Festival during 1966.
Denys Gibson departed the band at the end of 1966 and was succeeded by Joe Dunnett, who was later replaced by Mick Webley in 1967.
From 1966 through 1970, they issued multiple singles in Italian, including “L’amore é Blu,” which secured a spot within Italy’s Top Twenty charts. The ensemble disbanded in 1971; subsequently, Brown and Webley established Kim & The Cadillacs with Johnson assuming managerial duties.
Archival footage of the group is featured in Finnish filmmaker Aki Kaurismäki's 1994 movie Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatiana.
In 2019, drummer Graham Johnson—the last surviving original member—performed three concerts in Helsinki alongside Pekka Tiilikainen & Beatmakers under the moniker "The Renegades Revisited," followed by additional performances during summer 2021.
Ian Mallett passed away in 2007; Kim Brown died in 2011; Graham Johnson succumbed to a terminal illness on 28 March 2025.
Members
- Kim Brown – vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Denys Gibson – guitar (1960–1966)
- Joe Dunnett – guitar (1966–1967)
- Mick Webley – guitar (1967–1971)
- Ian Mallet – bass
- Graham Johnson – drums
Selected discography
In UK
- The Mersey Sound (1964, uncredited appearance, Fidelio label)
In Finland
- Cadillac (1964)
- The Renegades (1965)
- The Renegades aka The Renegades 2 (1965)
- The Renegades Story (1978, compilation)
In Italy
- Una sera al Piper n° 1 (1966, compilation)
- Half and half (1967)
- L'interrogatorio - Soundtrack (1970)
- Lettere d'amore (1971, single)