The Outlaws (band)
The Outlaws were an English instrumental band that recorded in the early 1960s. Members included Chas Hodges, Bobby Graham, Ritchie Blackmore, Mick Underwood, Reg Hawkins, Billy Kuy, Don Groom, Roger Mingaye, Ken Lundgren and Harvey Hinsley.
Career
Their name was originally conceived by Joe Meek, who needed a backing group for Mike Berry's "Set Me Free" in 1960 after Meek had fired Berry's original backing group, The Statesmen. After that [sound sound recording and reproduction|recording and reproduction|recording], they continued as one of the house bands of his recording studio at 304 Holloway Road, London. As such, they were used for recordings, demos and auditions. Many of their songs were written by Meek and credited to one or other of his pseudonyms, either Robert Duke or Peter Jacobs; the latter of which he used on The Outlaws' "Shake with Me".They appeared as themselves in the 1963 British film Live It Up!.
In addition to featuring as a backing band on recordings by Mike Berry, including three hit singles, or backing Houston Wells, Gene Vincent, John Leyton, Geoff Goddard or Heinz, they also recorded singles in their own right. One of these, "Bike Beat", for Raleigh Bicycle Company, even had dance instructions created especially for it, printed on the picture sleeve with bicycle references: "Grab a girl at random, make like a tandem".
In 1990, all of their 1960s singles were issued on The Outlaws Ride Again , on the See For Miles Label.
Later years
Harvey Hinsley would later join the group Hot Chocolate who would have hits with "You Sexy Thing" and "Every 1's a Winner". Chas Hodges was later in the duo Chas & Dave. Ritchie Blackmore became the most famous former member of The Outlaws, having a successful career as a member of Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow.Discography
Singles
With the line-up : Billy Kuy, Bobby Graham, Chas Hodges, Reg Hawkins- "Swingin' Low" b/w "Spring is Near" – UK No. 46
- "Ambush" b/w "Indian Brave" – UK No. 43
- "Valley of the Sioux" b/w "Crazy Drums"
- "Ku-Pow!" b/w "Last Stage West"
- "Sioux Serenade" b/w "Fort Knox"
- "Poppin' Medley Part 1". b/w "Poppin' Medley Part 2". Released as The Chaps Parlophone R4979
- "Return of The Outlaws" b/w "Texan Spiritual"
- "That Set the Wild West Free" b/w "Hobo" Note : Underwood does not appear on "Hobo"
- "Law and Order" b/w "Do Da Day"
- "Keep a Knockin'" b/w "Shake with Me". Note : John Peel credits "Shake with Me" as the first Heavy Metal recording, according to the liner notes of the CD 'The Outlaws Ride Again '
- "The Bike Beat 1" b/w "The Bike Beat 2" as The Rally Rounders Lyntone LYN 573 : Flexidisc
- "Don't Cry" b/w "Only for You". Note: United States only, vocal single, produced by Derek Lawrence. The b-side to this release features Mick Underwood, Chas Hodges, Ritchie Blackmore and Nicky Hopkins.
Album
With the line-up : Billy Kuy, Bobby Graham, Chas Hodges, Reg Hawkins- Dream of the West :
Compilations
- Rockin' Guitar – Rare Items Vol.6 :
- Ride Again – The Singles As & Bs :
- Back To The West :
- The Best Of The Outlaws :