FRETMEN, THE
Last updated: 07-02-2014
More Info Required
- Mike Patto And The Fretmen
Basic Information
- Hingham, Norfolk, Uk
- 60s Pop
E1960 - L1962
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Lead Vocals: Mike McCarthy aka Mike Patto
Guitar: Mick Large
Guitar: Stan Wakefield
Bass: Neville Freestone
Drums: Barry Wilson
In 1957 Dereham born Stan Wakefield found himself attending Watton Secondary Modern with guitar playing friend Neville Freestone. Stan was so impressed that he could play an instrument he sent away for an £8 guitar from Bells mail order.
In 1960 they teamed up with Barry Wilson & Mick Patto. The four piece soon found that a guitarist Mick Large from Norwich’s Continentals liked the band and would often play with them. [Dates for Mick large being in the band are unconfirmed]
Mike McCarthy had moved to Hingham from Cirencester in 195? [date required] and had skiffled at school with his brother [name required] as The Skylinners prior to forming The Fretmen.
By 1961 the groups popularity reaches the heights of local hysteria and the band were constanly mobbed by fans says Stan. Peter Fenn spots the bands ability when he auditions them for his show Rehearsal Room [show details required]. In late 1961 the group auditions for music mogul Larry Parnes who is so impressed with the band he askes them to quit their jobs on the spot
After the group had split Mick large joined the Kings Lynn, Offbeats, while Mike & Barry put together the short lived Breakaways. Stan went solo and played the local circuit up until an industrial accident left his elbow smashed and unable to play
Mediography:
TV Titan TV Rehearsal Room - Canadian Sunset/5”2’ Eyes Of Blue/??[ ] [date required]
(Large -The Continentals) <> The Breakaways (Large -The Offbeats, Kings Lynn) (Wilson -The Barry Wilson)