The Roulettes

The Roulettes were a British rock and roll group formed in London in 1962. They were shortly recruited to play as the backing group to singer Adam Faith, in order for him to compete with the beat bands then emerging from Merseyside. With Faith, they subsequently enjoyed a run of chart hits in the 1960s, billed as Adam Faith with The Roulettes on the Parlophone label. They backed Faith on the UK chart hits; 'The First Time', 'We Are in Love', 'I Love Being in Love With You', 'If He Tells You', and 'Someone's Taken Maria Away' (between 1964–65) In 1963, The Roulettes signed to EMI and began releasing their own material, scoring one UK chart hit 'A Bad Time' and releasing a now rare album for Parlophone 'Stakes And Chips', and in addition they continued to work with Faith as well until October 1965, most notably backing him on a 'Live' album.^[1] Their own later records, however, were less successful, although they toured in Europe until 1967, when the group split up.^[2]

Members Russ Ballard and Bob Henrit went on to join Unit 4 + 2 formed by original Roulettes' member Brian Parker (on whose 1965 number one song, "Concrete and Clay", they had both previously played); the two would later also become members of rock band Argent. In addition Ballard had later success as a solo artist and songwriter, whilst Henrit became a renowned session drummer and also replaced The Kinks' long serving drummer Mick Avory in their later years.

Adam Faith's song "Cowman, Milk Your Cow" was written by Bee Gees members Barry and Robin Gibb on which the Roulettes (Ballard, Rogan and Henrit) played, Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green also played guitar on the song.^[3]

Members

• Brian Parker – Lead Guitar (born Brian William Parker, 1940, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, died 17 February 2001) (though left within short space of time)
• Johnny Rogers – Bass Guitar (born John Rogers, 1941, Hertfordshire, died May 1963, Lincolnshire from injuries sustained in a car crash)
• Bob Henrit – Drums (born Robert John Henrit, 2 May 1944, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire)
• Alan 'Honk' Jones – Saxophone
• Peter Thorp – Lead Guitar, also Rhythm Guitar (born 25 May 1944, Wimbledon, South London) (replaced Parker in the band)
• Norman Stracey – Rhythm Guitar, also Keyboard (born 1941, Ware, Hertfordshire) (replaced Jones in the band when a saxophone player was no longer required)
• Russ Ballard – March 1963 onwards Keyboard later Lead guitar and Lead Vocals (born Russell Glyn Ballard, 31 October 1945, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire) (replaced Stracey in the band, was recruited to play keyboards but was soon sharing lead guitar with Thorp)
• Mod Rogan – Bass Guitar May 1963 onwards (born John George Rogan, 3 February 1944, Hartlepool, County Durham) (replaced Rogers following his unfortunate demise)

See also

• List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States

References

External links

• The Roulettes biography at Allmusic website