Peter Alland… During the 60s the ‘Rebels’ (who are already featured in SMART) were a successful band in Sussex based in Lewes (see photo at Lewes Town Hall in 1965) The group disbanded in 1967 and unlike the other band members who carried on their musical careers, I made a promotional move to Buckinghamshire where I remain today and as far as I was concerned that brilliant period of my life in music was behind me – until, during my time researching for information on the ‘Rebels’ years, for an Autobiography, I came across the name Colin Norton in the comments section of SMART and with much thanks to you Alan I made a re-connection with our drummer in 2023 who is living in the USA. We decided to start up the band again with our keyboards player Baz Cooper from Australia, hence the new name ‘Rebels International Revival’. We have already released 4 numbers with accompanying themed video’s which can be seen and heard on YouTube and over 150 platforms Worldwide and I have to say we are loving the experience – so thank you again Alan for what you have enabled us to achieve!
Alan Esdaile… Great news and thank you for the lovely comments.
Colin Bell… You deserve them, SMART has reconnected so many people
Andy Qunta… That’s brilliant!
Colin Norton… thanks Andy!
Andy Qunta… I know what fun it is getting the boys back together, as Factory did too!
Colin Norton… yes, absolutely Andy! I have enjoyed your Factory reunion immensely! We also put the Humperdinks back together in 2012/3 and had more fun than can possibly be legal
Baz Cooper… It has been fun recording some songs together after all this time. I would like to point out that I’m not from Australia, (It would have been a crazy commute to fly over to play with the Rebels in the old days!!!) but I had been living in Australia for a while in recent years. I’m now in East Sussex and often visit Lewes! Colin, however is still living in Texas (USA) and our recordings have been done ‘long distance’ between Texas, Buckinghamshire and Sussex!!! Maybe, hopefully one day we can actually all be together in one place and do a few gigs!!! We shall see!!! I’m already in Sussex, waiting for the other two to turn up!!!
Colin Norton… Baz, to quote one of our favourite Sam and Dave songs from back in the day “Hold On I’m Comin’”