Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers

Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers are 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 William Burt, 23 August 1938, Middlesex, England) and Nicky Hopkins (piano, born Nicholas Christian Hopkins, 24 February 1944, Harlesden, North West London, England).

Rhythm and blues boom

In 1957 Bennett formed the band the Rebel Rousers. They recorded several singles with record producer Joe Meek that were released by Parlophone. Bennett continued recording for Parlophone, issuing cover versions of "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "Got My Mojo Working".

Brian Epstein became their manager 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", reached No. 9 in the British charts. Their next, "I'll Take You Home" (written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil) b/w "Do You Love Him", charted at No. 42.[1] "Three Rooms With Running Water" (written by Jimmy Radcliffe and Bob Halley) did somewhat better.[2] In early 1966, the band was the opening act for The Beatles on their final European tour. Bennett got the opportunity to hear the Paul McCartney song "Got to Get You into My Life", which was used on the Revolver album but was never released as a single. Bennett recorded it, with his own composition "Baby Each Day" appearing on the B-side. McCartney was producer for the session. The record reached No. 6 on the British charts, becoming Bennett's biggest ever hit.[1]

Afterwards

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. Between 1975 & 1976, he was the vocalist for a band called Shanghai, (which released two albums, in 1974 and 1976), other members included, Mick Green (guitar), Chuck Bedford (vocals, harmonica, 1974–75), Pete Kircher (drums, vocals), Mike Le Main (bass, keyboards, 1974–75), Brian Alterman (guitar, 1975–76), Pat King (bass, 1975-76).

In the late 1970s, Bennett retired from the music industry to go into shipping, through which he made a considerable amount of money. In 1988, Mark Lundquist reformed The Rebel Rousers and toured as manager and band leader of Cliff and the band until 1996. 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.

Members

Discography

Singles

EPs

Albums

As Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers

As Cliff Bennett & His Band

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bruce Eder (1940-06-04). "Cliff Bennett | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-05-03.
  2. ↑ "Cliff Bennett | Songs". AllMusic. 1940-06-04. Retrieved 2015-05-03.
  3. ↑ "Discography". Archive.org. Archived from the original on 2009-10-28. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
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