supplied by Peter Horton, last photo supplied by Len Benton
Peter Horton…. The photos show our original singer Kevin Clark who became manager/ Transport Manager when Tich joined Deep Purple and Mick O’Dowd left as manager. Before we became Deep Purple on Friday 4th August, 1967 we were called ” The Likes Of Us ” . We were all originally school friends from Bexhil and first got together in 1963. We went through many changes of names and members. The photo is taken at The Happening Club, Kings Road, St Leonards.
Tony Bird… The late Len Benton on Hofner Senior Bass, Pete Houghton on guitar, Ian McGilvary on drums and Kevin Clarke on vocals .
Mike Waghorne… I can remember going & seeing them their must be 1965 ? Wasn’t that John Wilds dad’s club in the basement ?
Steve Lucas… Found this on a notice board 1968, in the calypso bar Limassol Cyprus! Didn’t think at the time it was another group!
Mick O’Dowd… That’s me on there. I went to Limassol but don’t recall leaving a calling card though as it was in the 00’s when I went.
Steve Lucas… Thanks Mick! Definitely around 67 – 70 dad was in the RAF . Maybe someone from the uk pinned it there! Took me ages to find out it was a different group, that’s why I kept
Mick O’Dowd… When I managed them at the start we went to see Jimi Hendrix on Hasting Pier. I was young and naive and I though if I passed out some of these cards at the stage door and asked for autographs someone might just see it and wonder who they were. NO! Back came the 12 cards I had given out with the autographs of Hendrix, Mitchell and Reading on the back and Graham Nash. So pissed off I gave them all away! There’s no writing on the back is there Steve?
Steve Lucas… Oh dear Mick, that’s one that got away then! However on the one I have is written, NIGHT OWL ,Howard Tate, verve label!
