Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers


Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers were a 1960s British rhythm and blues, soul and beat group who had two top 10 hits with "One Way Love" and "Got to Get You into My Life".
Members include Bennett himself Chas Hodges, Mick Burt, Nicky Hopkins and Moss Groves.

Rhythm and blues boom

Bennett formed the band in 1957. 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. Their seventh release, "One Way Love" b/w "Slow Down", reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. Their next, "I'll Take You Home" b/w "Do You Love Him", charted at No. 42. "Three Rooms with Running Water" did not chart. 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 produced the session. The record reached No. 6 on the UK singles chart, becoming Bennett's biggest ever hit. Bennett returned to the songbook of McCartney / Lennon in 1968 when he recorded "Back in the USSR" as Cliff Bennett and his Band. Released as a single on Parlophone, it failed to make any impression on the chart.
Also in 1968, Cliff Bennett left the Rebel Rousers and Harvey Hinsley joined the band, which by then included Hodges, Burt, John Golden, Moss Groves and Roy Young. They played gigs in the UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, Beirut and the Bahamas. This incarnation of the band also recorded a single, "Should I", which did not chart. At the end of August 1969, Young left to form his own band. Hodges, Hinsley, Burt and Dave Peacock formed Black Claw, which played club engagements until Hodges left to join Heads, Hands & Feet in early 1970. Hinsley joined Hot Chocolate in late summer 1970.

Afterwards

Bennett went on to be part of Toe Fat, whilst Chas Hodges and Mick Burt became Chas & Dave with Dave Peacock. After Toe Fat disbanded, two of their members joined Uriah Heep. 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.
Bennett released a solo album, Rebellion, in 1971 but he was unable to rekindle his success of the previous decade. Between 1975 and 1976, he was the vocalist for a band called Shanghai, which released two albums. Other members included Mick Green, Chuck Bedford, Pete Kircher, Mike Le Main, Brian Alterman and Pat King. In the late 1970s, Bennett retired from the music industry to go into shipping, but returned to music in the 2000s, issuing the album Loud And Clear in 2002, followed by Nearly Retired in 2009.
In 1988, English guitarist Mark Lundquist reformed the Rebel Rousers. He functioned as both band leader and manager until 1996. More recently, Lundquist has toured alongside Mike d'Abo, Chris Farlowe, Zoot Money, Maggie Bell, Screaming Lord Sutch, the Manfreds, Steve Ellis and New Amen Corner.

Members

  • Moss Groves – tenor saxophone
  • Roy Young – piano, organ, vocals
  • Bobby Thomson – bass
  • Frank Allen – bass
  • Chas Hodges – Keyboards
  • Ben Jordan – bass
  • Robin Shaw - bass
  • Ricky Winters – drums
  • Dave Edmunds – percussion
  • George Mattingley – Rhythm guitar, early years 1957–1960. Lives in Castle Donington, North Leicestershire.
  • Dave Wendels – lead guitar
  • Mick Currell – rhythm guitar
  • Bernie Watson – lead guitar
  • Mick King – lead guitar
  • Robin Box - lead guitar
  • Sid Phillips – tenor saxophone
  • John Golden – trumpet
  • Rahsar Nesskrag – triangle
  • Mick Burt – Drums –
  • Lars Lundquist – lead guitar –.
  • Dave Forristal – Piano and Hammond – 2018–2022
  • Darren Bazzoni - Drums - .

Discography

Albums

As Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers
  • 1965: Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers
  • 1966: Drivin' You Wild
  • 1967: Got to Get You into Our Life
As Cliff Bennett & His Band
  • 1968: ''Cliff Bennett Branches Out''

EPs

  • 1964 "She Said Yeah"/"Doctor Feelgood"/"You Make Me Happy"/"Stupidity", GEP 8923
  • 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

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 No. 9
  • January 1965: "I'll Take You Home" / "Do You Love Him?", Parlophone R 5229 - UK No. 42
  • April 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
  • February 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 No. 6
  • November 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"
  • August 1967: "Good Times" / "Lonely Weekends", Parlophone R 5711