Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers are a 1960s British rhythm and blues, soul and beat group who had two Top 10 hits with "One Way Love" (#9 UK, 1964) and "Got to Get You into My Life" (#6 UK, 1966).
Well-known members include Bennett himself (vocals, born Clifford Bennett, 4 June 1940, Slough, Berkshire, England)[1] Dave Peacock (lead guitar, born David Victor Peacock, 24 May 1945, Ponders End, Middlesex, England), Chas Hodges (keyboards, bass, born Charles Nicholas Hodges, 28 December 1943, Edmonton, North London, England), Mick Burt (drums, born Michael William Burt, 23 August 1938, Middlesex, England) and Nicky Hopkins (piano, born Nicholas Christian Hopkins, 24 February 1944, Harlesden, North West London, England).
Contents
Rhythm and blues boom
In 1957 Bennett formed the band the Rebel Rousers. They recorded several singles with record producer Joe Meek that were released by Parlophone. Bennett continued recording for Parlophone, issuing cover versions of "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "Got My Mojo Working".
Brian Epstein became their manager in September 1964 and their seventh release, "One Way Love" (written by Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy under their pseudonyms Bert Russell and Norman Meade) b/w "Slow Down", reached the charts. Their next, "I'll Take You Home" (written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil) b/w "Do You Love Him", charted at No. 42.[1] "Three Rooms With Running Water" (written by Jimmy Radcliffe and Bob Halley) did somewhat better.[2] In early 1966, the band was the opening act for The Beatles on their final European tour. Bennett got the opportunity to hear the Paul McCartney song "Got to Get You into My Life", which was used on the Revolver album but was never released as a single. Bennett recorded it, with his own composition "Baby Each Day" appearing on the B-side. McCartney was producer for the session. The record reached No. 6 on the charts.[1]
Afterwards
Bennett went on to be part of Toe Fat, whilst Chas Hodges (keyboards), Dave Peacock (bass) and Mick Burt, (drums) became Chas & Dave. After Toe Fat disbanded, two of their members (Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake) joined Uriah Heep,[1] and Bennett was asked to join them but declined. He was also considered for the lead vocalist position in Blood, Sweat & Tears when David Clayton-Thomas left in the early 1970s but once again turned the position down. He released a solo album, Rebellion in 1971 but he was not to rekindle his success of the previous decade.
In the 1970s, Bennett retired from the music industry to go into shipping, through which he made a considerable amount of money. In 1988, Mark Lundquist reformed The Rebel Rousers and toured as manager and band leader of Cliff and the band until 1996. More recently he has toured alongside Mike d'Abo, Chris Farlowe, Zoot Money, Maggie Bell, Screaming Lord Sutch, The Manfreds, Steve Ellis and New Amen Corner.
Members
- Roy Young – piano, organ (born 1937, London, England)
- Bobby Thomson – bass (born Robert Thomson, 1942, Liverpool, Lancashire, England)
- Frank Allen – bass (born Francis Renauld McNiece, 14 December 1943, Hayes, Middlesex, England)
- Chas Hodges – bass (born Charles Nicholas Hodges, 28 December 1943, Edmonton, North London, England)
- Ben Jordan – bass (born Benjamin Jordan, in 1941, Edmonton, North London, England)
- Ricky Winters – drums (born Richard Winters, 27 September 1940, Aldershot, Hampshire, England)
- Dave Edmunds – percussion
- George Mattingley – percussion
- Dave Wendels – lead guitar (born David Wendels, 5 July 1942, Hounslow, Middlesex, England)
- Mick Currell – rhythm guitar (born Michael Currell, 1940)
- Bernie Watson – lead guitar (born Bernard Watson, 1944)
- Mick King – lead guitar (born Michael Borer, 1942, Croydon, Surrey died 26 November 2010)
- Moss Groves – tenor saxophone (born Maurice Groves, 3 April 1940, Birmingham)
- Sid Phillips – tenor saxophone (born Bernard Phillps)
- John Golden – trumpet
- Rahsar Nesskrag – triangle
Discography
Singles
- July 1961: "You've Got What I Like" / "I'm in Love With You" Parlophone R 4793
- October 1961: "That's What I Said" / "When I Get Paid" Parlophone R 4836
- March 1962: "Poor Joe" / "Hurtin' Inside" Parlophone R 4895
- July 1963: "Everybody Loves A Lover" / "My Old Stand By" Parlophone R 5046
- November 1963: "You Really Got A Hold on Me" / "Alright" Parlophone
- March 1964: "Got My Mojo Working" / "Beautiful Dreamer" Parlophone R 5119
- September 1964: "One Way Love" / "Slow Down Parlophone" R 5173 UK#9
- January 1965: "I'll Take You Home" / "Do You Love Him?" Parlophone R 5229 UK#42
- 1965: "Three Rooms With Running Water" / "If Only You'd Reply" Parlophone R 5259
- August 1965: "I Have Cried My Last Tear" / "As Long As She Looks Like You" Parlophone R 5317
- 1966: "You Can't Love 'Em All" / "Need Your Loving Tonight" Parlophone R 5406
- June 1966: "Eyes For You" / "Hold on I'm Coming" Parlophone R 5466
- August 1966: "Got To Get You into My Life" / "Baby Each Day" Parlophone R 5489 UK#6
- 1966: "Never Knew Lovin' Could Be So Doggone Good" / "Don't Help Me Out" Parlophone R 5534
- February 1967: "I'll Take Good Care of You" / "I'm Sorry" Parlophone R 5565
- May 1967: "I'll Be There" / "Use Me"
EPs
- 1965: Try It Baby – "I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby"/"Shoes"/"Try It Baby"/"Do It Right" Parlophone GEP 8936
- 1966: We're Gonna Make It – "My Sweet Woman"/"Whole Lotta Woman"/"We're Gonna Make It"/"Waiting at the Station" Parlophone GEP 8955
Albums
- 1965: Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers – "I Can't Stand It"/"Sweet And Lovely"/"Make Yourself at Home"/"You've Really Got A Hold on Me"/"Ain't That Lovin' You"/"Sha La La"/"One Way Love"/"Steal Your Heart Away"/"It's Alright"/"Beautiful Dreamer"/"Mercy, Mercy"/"Talking About My Baby"/"The Pick-Up" Parlophone PMC 1242
- 1966: Drivin' You Wild – "Three Rooms With Running Water"/"Baby, Baby, Baby"/"You Made Me Happy"/"Sweet Sorrow"/"I Have Cried My Last Tear"/"Another Saturday Night"/"Drivin' Me Wild"/"That's Why I Love You So"/"Who Cheatin' Now?"/"I'll Be Doggone"/"Strange Feeling"/"I'll Take You Home" Music For Pleasure MFP 1121[3]
- On bootleg recordings of The Beatles performing at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, a performance of "Hully Gully" (recorded the same night as a Beatles set) is often mistakenly included as a Beatles performance.
