CONSORTS, THE

Lead Vocals: Mel ?? (2)Max Barry

Lead Vocals, Guitar: Roger Runacres > Bass

Lead Vocals, Guitar: Mike Durrant (2)Dave Edwards

Guitar: Colin May

Sax: John Doe (Really!)

Bass: Alan Root > Gtr

Drums: Barry Dye

unplaced musicians:

Steven Dean drums,

This group were a direct descendant of the Eye, Strangers who had changed their name because of similarities to other groups playing in the region. May and Runacres had both previously played in award winning skiffle group The Down Bound. The band went out as Colin May & The Consorts until May left to get married. An internal change saw Root and Runnacles switch instruments just before Durrant left to join the police force. His replacement was Mel [surname required] whose brief stay was quickly supplanted by frontman Max Barry from Woodbridge. Palgrave guitarist Edwards also joined around this time. In June 1965 they took part in heat seven of The Norwich Mercury Great Beat Competition at the Diss Corn Hall and were placed third on the night. The group split in September 1965

Mediography: 

Rhythm group leader weds teacher NM&J 30/08/1963

NB: In 1968 a group called The Consort (Quartet) based in Norwich started to advertise their availability for hire. This group are not connected to the Eye, Consorts.