| The Roadrunners | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Liverpool Roadrunners |
| Origin | Liverpool, UK |
| Genres | Merseybeat |
| Years active | 1962–1966 |
| Website | liverpool-roadrunners.org.uk |
The Roadrunners were a band that emerged from the burgeoning music scene in 1960s Liverpool. (They were billed either as The Roadrunners or as The Road Runners. The word "Liverpool" has been added to distinguish them from other bands who subsequently used the name.)
Unlike many of their contemporaries, they specialised in a Chicago/Muddy Waters/Bo Diddley style of Rhythm and Blues - a genre of music which was more popular in the south of England at the time, led by the up-and-coming Rolling Stones. Bill Harry, editor of Mersey Beat, recollects that George Harrison once said that "The Stones are good - almost as good as the Roadrunners".
The band was resident at the Hope Hall (now the Everyman Theatre). Here they entertained students from the nearby university and art school. They also took part in "happenings" organised by Liverpool poet Adrian Henri. The band also performed at the Cavern Club. They were invited to support the The Beatles on their last Cavern gig on 3 August 1963. Two trips were made to Hamburg's Star Club, and two albums were recorded.
The original line-up was:
Inevitably there were changes in the line-up. The first being the addition of two sax players (Johnny Phillips and Nick la Grec) in time for the second Hamburg engagement. The band have commented that, by 1964, "everyone was jumping on the R&B bandwagon, so it was time to move on". Their second album reflects a move towards a more contemporary soul/blues sound in the manner of James Brown.
Success in Britain was elusive. Recording deals were talked about, but never seemed to happen.
The Roadrunners make two contributions to the recording of the grandly-named "First Annual R&B Festival" (1964) and also cut an e.p. to help raise money for Liverpool University's rag or "panto" week (a charity fund raising event).
Mike Hart left the band to pursue a solo career, recording two albums for John Peel's "Dandelion" label. (Peel was a British radio presenter who championed the innovative rather than the commercially successful.) In 1980 he began work on a third solo project. Five tracks were recorded, but none were released. They have been rediscovered, remastered and put online via the Roadrunners' website.
The band finally split in 1966.
In an article published in the Liverpool Post newspaper, 31 May 2011, poet Roger McGough stated that his and the Beatles' favourite band of the time was the Roadrunners.