The Roulettes
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Rock and roll, beat music recordings and live performances |
The Roulettes were a London-based British band specializing in rock and roll and beat genres, established in 1961. They gained prominence as the backing ensemble for vocalist Adam Faith starting in 1962 and remained active in both live performances and studio recordings until the late 1960s.
History
The band originated at Sutton High School for Boys, where guitarist Peter Thorp and his peers initially formed a group named the Strangers. Through the efforts of publicist Leslie Perrin, they were introduced to Eve Taylor, Adam Faith's manager, who was searching for a band to accompany Faith on tour with his beat-oriented shows. Renamed as the Roulettes, the members at this stage were Peter Thorp, Martin Blackwell, Tony Burgess, and John Roberts. Their debut appearance alongside Faith took place at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1961.
Between 1961 and 1963, the Roulettes toured extensively with Adam Faith, experiencing multiple lineup changes frequently influenced by Faith himself. They issued a single under Pye Records titled "Hully Gully Slip 'N' Slide," which did not enter the charts. By early 1963, the ensemble comprised Thorp (guitar), John Rogers (bass), Bob Henrit (drums), and Russ Ballard (guitar and keyboards). During this period, they also collaborated on a six-week series of brief radio programs with Faith broadcast on Radio Luxembourg. Following John Rogers' fatal car accident in May 1963, John 'Mod' Rogan took over bass duties.
Under Parlophone as "Adam Faith with The Roulettes," they secured several UK charting singles throughout the mid-1960s, including "The First Time," "We Are in Love," "I Love Being in Love With You," "If He Tells You," and "Someone's Taken Maria Away."
In addition to supporting Faith, the Roulettes recorded independently for Parlophone, featuring early works penned by Chris Andrews, although these singles did not achieve chart success. Their only album, Stakes And Chips (1965), assembled earlier singles but failed to make a commercial impact. They also contributed to Faith’s live album and continued touring together until October 1965. Early in 1967, they signed with Fontana Records under Philips but did not manage to chart and dissolved later that year following a European tour.
Following the Roulettes’ disbandment, Russ Ballard and Bob Henrit joined Unit 4 + 2, a group formed by former Hunters member Brian Parker, known for their 1965 UK number one hit "Concrete and Clay." Both musicians later became part of rock outfit Argent. Ballard went on to enjoy success as a solo performer and songwriter, while Henrit established himself as a sought-after session drummer before ultimately replacing Mick Avory as drummer for The Kinks.
An interesting collaboration includes Adam Faith’s track "Cowman, Milk Your Cow," featuring Ballard, Rogan, and Henrit, which was written by Bee Gees members Barry and Robin Gibb. Also contributing guitar work on this recording was Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac.
Members
- Peter Thorp – lead guitar, rhythm guitar (born 25 May 1944, Wimbledon, South West London; died 2 January 2021 due to COVID) (original member during the Strangers era)
- Brian Parker – lead guitar (born 1940, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire; died 17 February 2001) (briefly replaced Thorp before his return)
- Johnny Rogers – bass guitar (born 1941, Hertfordshire; died 27 May 1963 in Lincolnshire from injuries sustained in a car accident)
- Alan 'Honk' Jones – saxophone (born 19 August 1933, Norwood, London; died 3 October 2022 in Kent) (departed from the band)
- Norman Stracey – rhythm guitar, keyboards (born 1941, Ware, Hertfordshire) (exited February 1963)
- Bob Henrit – drums from May 1962 onward (born 2 May 1944, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire)
- Russ Ballard – keyboards initially; later lead guitar and vocals from March 1963 (born 31 October 1945, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire) (replaced Stracey and shared lead guitar responsibilities)
- John 'Mod' Rogan – bass guitar from May 1963 (born 3 February 1944, Hartlepool, County Durham) (assumed bass after Rogers' passing)
Singles
- "Hully Gully Slip 'N' Slide" / "La Bamba" – Pye Records 7N 15467 – October 1962
- "Soon You'll Be Leaving Me" / "Tell Tale Tit" – Parlophone R 5072 – November 1963
- "Bad Time" / "Can You Go" – Parlophone R 5110 – March 1964
- "I'll Remember Tonight" / "You Don't Love Me" – Parlophone R 5148 – June 1964
- "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" / "Mebody" – Parlophone R 5218 – December 1964
- "I Hope He Breaks Your Heart" / "Find Out The Truth" – Parlophone R 5278 – May 1965
- "The Long Cigarette" / "Junk" – Parlophone R 5382 – November 1965
- "The Tracks of My Tears" / "Jackpot" – Parlophone R 5419 – March 1966
- "I Can't Stop" / "Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow" – Parlophone R 5461 – June 1966
- "Rhyme Boy, Rhyme" / "Airport People" – Fontana TF 822 – April 1967
- "Help Me To Help Myself" / "To A Taxi Driver" – Fontana TF 876 – October 1967
Albums
- Stakes And Chips – LP - Parlophone LC 0299 – 1965
- Russ, Bob, Pete & Mod – Compilation LP – Edsel Records ED 113 – 1983