CONTINENTALS, THE

Lead Vocals: David Blyth (2)Lester Middleton + Guit (3)Ricky Lee (4)Johnny Thompson

(5)Milton Ingram (6)Mike Patto

Vocals, Keys: Sid Bezants (2)Andy Field + Guit > LVox

Guitar: Mick Large (2)Rodney Kidd (3)Ivan Zagni (4)Pete Miller

Guitar: Pat Wood left not replaced

Bass: Barry Butcher (2)Harvey Platt

Drums: Johnny Pratt (2)Luke Watson (3)Denny Royal

unplaced musician:

Vic Allen aka Albert Wooldridge, drums (dep)

16th February 1977 - Peoples Night Club, Norwich reunion

Lead Vocals, Keys: Andy Field

Lead Vocals: Mike Patto guest appearence

Guitar: Ivan Zagni

Bass: Harvey Platt

Drums: Denny Royal

198? - The Globe Public House, Blofield reunion

Lead Vocals, Keys: Andy Field

Guitar: Rodney Kidd

Bass: Harvey Platt

Drums: ??

[unchecked text notes only]

Like so many bands the number of line-up changes over their duration meant that none of the original band ended up in the final line-up, the line-up probably considered the most successful. The bands mentor and creative force up until his departure in [month required] 1962 was guitarist Large. Ex Norman schoolboy Large was a protégée of guitar teacher Bob Barbour and had done his circuit apprenticeship with skiffle group the Jack O Diamonds spurred on by close friend and early band member Barry Butcher

The Continentals history is a real piece of architecture. In May 1959 the boys had their first rehearsal above a chemist shop in Drayton Road owned by Mike’s father, Donny. The nucleus of this new group was Butcher, Large, Middleton??, Bezants and briefly vocalist Blyth. Owing to the eagerness of father Donny to see the band do well after only a few months the nameless group played their very first gig as Johnny & the Hurricanes at an outdoor concert in a field near Ringland. David then left to pursue a solo career as David Valentine a name chosen to emulate his idol Dickie Valentine

Sid Bezant’s retired to the ranks of marriage and ensuing performances featured a string of unsettled vocalists, names such as Ricky Lee aka Richard Howard, Lester Middleton & child prodigy singer Johnny Thompson all passed through the group's ranks. The band acquired its biggest asset in black singer, American GI, Sergeant Milton Ingram. Ingram possessed a stage presence unreplicated locally and established themselves as one of Norwich’s top group in this format, playing a selection of American Rocknroll & R&B pop. The Continentals success future, however, lay in the young entrepreneurial skills of Mick’s last recruit Platt and his promoter brother Howard. Harvey had up until that point only dabbled in music rehearsing with The Black & Whites - an offshoot of The Jetblacks and depping with the Norwich Offbeats after blagging his way onto the stage at a beach party. Platt joined the Continentals in Autumn 1960, Butcher had been struggling with a back injury and was finding the schedule hard going so left the band later to resurface in The Checkers. The group then enjoyed a good spell Pat Wood came in on rhythm guitar, Mike Patto would make guest appearances with the group and Milton just stole thrilled the crowds. However In late 1961, the group were on the verge of collapse, The band became more successful The Continentals achieved a first in late 1962 when they revealed The Twist to the East Anglian public on About Anglia. Milton showing the Audience the steps and interviewed by John Byles It was then agreed that the group could continue without Milton and in a mutual agreement finished in late 63. From here Field took on all vocal responsibilities and saw the group titled The Continentals featuring Andy Fields from early 1964. With Andy at the helm the group paid two more visits to the recording studio firstly to London’s Regent Sound in Denmark street and then to Jack Jacksons studio in Rickmansworth to lay down a version of Road Runner. It was around this time that the Continentals appeared on TV performing Can I Get A Witness & Unchained Melody. The demise of Mike Patto’s Bluebottles saw him once again become a guest vocalist with The Continentals in early 1965 an association that continued with the band even during in late 66 from 196 to the end of its days The later line-up has performed many reunion concerts the last At this point Harvey Approached Ivan Zagni who had been playing with ??. He agreed to help out and stayed It was the final four-piece line up that recorded at studio ?? Harvey brother Howard (See Garret –Waite) that pushed this onto Decca. in 19 on the advice of there record label the group became The News and debuted on the Decca label supplying the theme tune for ITV’s detective series Adam Adamant. In ?? 1966 The News first single appeared on Juke Box Jury and was 22 the final vote in a tie went to the Audience and they voted it a hit, and a hit it was if only in East Anglia that is. Mick large remained at large with his last sighting being by former band member David Blyth who spotted him playing with the Chico Arnez Band whilst down in Torquay Of the Continentals legacy, Sid Bezants is a retired postal worker and still enjoys playing his keyboard at home. Mick Large is believed to be residing in Birmingham as a guitar tutor. Milton was posted to Japan were he continued singing but sadly died of cancer in 199 after return to the USA. Since the group's official demise the final line-up has performed several highly successful reunion gigs. The first being 197   

Discography:

Actd This Magic Moment b/w Apache[ ]196?

Actd There She Goes b/w Tell Me What Youre Gonna Do [ ]1964

Actd Road Runner b/w Can I Get A Witness[ ]1964

Actd The Entertainer b/w I Count The Tears [ ]1965

The Continentals also produced audition tapes for The Saturday Club recorded at        in Norwich but these tapes were never used on the show and are now sadly lost.

Mediography & TV:

ITV - About Anglia ~ The Twist[ ]196?

BBC - Look East ~ Can I Get A Witness / Unchained Melody[ ]1964

(Zagni -The Cadillacs) Big Beat Four / Jack O Diamonds <> The News (Butcher -The Checkers) (Kidd - The Cadillacs) (Watson - Cadillacs) (Thompson -The Kings Men) The Challengers

REUNION 16th February 1977 at PEOPLES NIGHT CLUB

ANDY/IVAN/HARVEY/ROYAL - Mike Patto sang a few numbers.

500 tickets sold. Support bands were Murphy Brother and Fly By Night Removals. Boz Burrell and Joe Williams in attendance.

Releases
Cover	Title	Studio	Label	YoR
	MAGIC MOMENTS			UNDATED
	TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE GONNA DO			UNDATED
	THE ENTERTAINER b/w I COUNT THE TEARS			UNDATED