SULLIVAN JAMES BAND, THE

Lead Vocals: Richard Dick Moles

Guitar: Michael Noller (2)Bernard Rudd

Bass: Neville Moles (2)Ben Foster

Piano: Mike Finbow (2)Roger Kemp

Trombone: Dick Mayhew

Baritone Sax: Richard Dick Maun

Drums: John Mayhew [unconfirmed] (2)Ron West

Formed in August 1965, the roots of this group had existed as The Chequers, although Neville Moles pointed out that the group came together via other bands as well and could not recall the exact timeline. Original piano player Finbow noted the group made its first demo recordings at St Matthews Baths Halls, which were pressed up onto disc, but he believes only a handful were made. In June 1966, the band signed to EMI’s Parlophone Records and set off to Abbey Road Studios. “It is worth noting that the band’s version of Little Milton’s ‘We’re Gonna Make It’ was cut in a single take. They had hoped this would be the A-side but were overruled in favour of the more pop-orientated Goodbye Mr Heartache,” recalled Finbow in 2003. Finbow departed after the single and was replaced by Roger Kemp following an impromptu audition at the piano after a drink at the Royal Oak PH, Ips. The group then embarked on a tour of Germany in November 1966. The four-month tour took in the Star Club, Karlsruhe, and a short diversion to Copenhagen, to support Paul (ex-Manfred Mann) Jones, who celebrated with the group at his hotel as his second solo release Hightime went top ten. When the group returned in February 1967, the rigours of touring and having very little money divided the band, who effectively split; although, with the introduction of ex-Nomad Ben Foster, they continued until the summer of 1967. From here, a changed lineup went out as The Champagne Set closely followed by an ensemble calling itself Charles ‘n’ Babycake & The Too Much Band, although more often than not The Too Much Band. Dick Moles kept his Sullivan James moniker and was later seen playing with The Faux Pas.
 
Discography:
Baths Hall, Ips, Sfk - udat (untr)
7Act You Don't Know, Like I Know / We're Doing Fine
b/w Come Home Baby (Instrumental) / The Bounce

Abbey Road Std, Ldn - udat
7” We’re Gonna Make It b/w Goodbye Mr Heartache
Parlophone Records R5465 [r] 10/06/66

Selected advertised supports:
05/12/65 Tavern Club, Dham - The Mersey Beats
16/01/66 Tavern Club, Dham - The Clayton Squares
06/02/66 Tavern Club, Dham - Trendsetters Ltd
22/05/66 Tavern Club, Dham - The Paramounts
12/06/66 Tavern Club, Dham - The Soul Agents
24/07/66 Tavern Club, Dham - The Summer Set
02/04/67 Tavern Club, Dham - Cole Train Union
10/04/67 St Andrews Hall, Nch - Georgie Fame & The GFB
12/08/67 Floral Hall, Gorleston - Cream
27/01/68 Gala BR, Nch - The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown

Tours:
Germany, including dates in Denmark (??/11/66-??/02/67)

Mediography:
London date for Ipswich band IES 24/02/66 [p]

Formed in August 1965 drummer Ron West had already tasted the fruits of success on the hardened stages of Germanys, Hamburg regions with the Ipswich based Nomads. Here he found himself signed to the Beatles', Parlophone label and heading back to Germany

The group left for Germany in November 1966. The four month tour took in the Star Club, Karlsruhe & a short diversion to Copehagen to support Ex Manfred Mann frontman Paul Jones who celerbrated with the group at his hotel as his second solo release went into the UK top ten

After the group returned in February 1967 the rigours of touring and having very little money divided the band who effectively split although with the introduction of ex [band required] Ben Foster saw the band continue until the summer of 1967

With the addition of [name required] and [name required] from The Champange Set who by now had popped their cork the group became known as Charles ‘n’ Babycake & the Too Much Band

Supports:

The Paramounts / The Soul Agents / The Summer Set / The Merseybeats / Trendsetters Ltd / Paul Jones

The Clayton Squares / Mark Leeman Five / The Loose Ends / Herbie Goings & The Nightimers

Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames / The Cream / Cole Train Union / The Summerset

Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band

Tours:

Germany Nov 1966 - Feb 1967 (includes Copenhagen)

Discography:

Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk

7Actd You Don't Know, Like I Know / We're Doing Fine / Come Home Baby (Instro) / The Bounce

Abbey Road Studios, London

7” Goodbye Mr Heartache b/w Were Gonna Make It Parlophone R5465[ ]1966

Mediography:

London date for Ipswich band IES 24/02/66 (P)

(West/Maun - Front Bench)(Kemp -The Sleepwalkers)(Moles - Les Blues) <> The Too Much Band (West)(?? - St Willies Cool School)(Kemp - The Champagne Set)