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" (#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 Arthur Burt, 23 August 1938, Middlesex, England) and Nicky Hopkins (piano, born Nicholas Christian Hopkins, 24 February 1944, Harlesden, North West London, England).
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In 1957 Bennett put together the first version of the Rebel Rousers, who were good enough to attract the attention of audio engineer and aspiring record producer Joe Meek, with whom they recorded several singles that were leased to Parlophone. Bennett continued recording for Parlophone, including cover versions of "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "Got My Mojo Working", but failed to make any impact.
They were signed by Brian Epstein to a management contract 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", finally charted soon after. Their next, "I'll Take You Home" (written by Johnny Moore, Smokey Robinson and Marv Tarplin) b/w "Do You Love Him", only got to #42[1] but "Three Rooms With Running Water" (written by Jimmy Radcliffe and Bob Halley) did somewhat better.[2] Then, in early 1966, while an opening act on The Beatles' last European tour, Paul McCartney played "Got to Get You into My Life" for Bennett. The song would appear on the Revolver album later that year and was not to be released as a single so, with Paul McCartney producing the session, a #6 hit ensued, with Bennett's song "Baby Each Day" appearing on the B-side.[1]
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 become a shipping magnate; however since the mid 1980s he has constantly toured with a reformed Rebel Rousers. 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.[3]
2009 saw Bennett embarking on a UK tour alongside Chris Farlowe, Herbie Goins and the Norman Beaker Band.