CHALLENGERS, THE

Lead Vocals, Keys, Sax: Will Reynolds

Guitar: Fred Rigby (2)Roger Gooch

Bass: Dick Ward (2)Pat Wood

Keys: Steve ?? am,lnr

Drums: Johnny Pratt (2)Nick Bush (3)Mick Corbyn           

Formed by Will Reynolds after he had left Paston Grammer school. The first to answer his call for musicians was Johnny Pratt of The Continentals.

First Gig Acle 5th October 8th Oct Newhaven Court supporting Tony & The Starbeats

The group took part in round 4 of mercury beat contest at the gala on 18th may 1965 and came third on the night the scratch cbo came first

In September 1963 the group suddenly stalled, the reason for this is still unclear but a period of six monthes went un-challenged before the group suddenly appeared supporting the Continentals as The New

March 64 The New Challengers

The return of the Challengers April 64 contact Fred Rigby

After the group folded in    1967 Roger Gooch & Mick Corbyn formed Sheer Infatuation. Will Reynolds became a solo artist under the name of Velvet Will and continued into the      . His daughter Clare also entered the family tradition turning professional in     . Will now runs Ivy Farm holiday retreat in Overstrand.

Supports: The Blobs / The Beatmen / The Fenmen /Yes’n’No / Paul & Barry Ryan / The Robb Storm Group / The Eyes / Lulu & The Luvvers / Mannfred Mann / The Stormsville Shakers /Sounds Incorperated / Georgie Fame / The Animals / Gene Vincent & The Original Dyaks / The Impacts / The Soul Clan / Mystine & The Coleradoes / Danny Storm & The Strollers / The Beatways / Rel Jason & The Blue Stars / The Cherokees / Brent Peters & The Chessmen

Mediography:

Mike Sarne for beat finals NMJ 02/04/1965[ ]        

 (Gooch -The Flintstones) (Corbyn -The Jetblacks) (Reynolds - The Echoes)

 The Continentals <> (Pratt - The Hucklebucks) Sheer Infatuation / The Flintstones  (Rigby) The Emporors