BLUEBOTTLES, THE

Lead Vocals: Mike Patto

Guitar: Roger Bunn

Keys: Paul St Gunnell

Bass: Ronnie Day (2)Barry Fats Dean Sept64-Dec64

Drums: Barry Wilson

It only took the swapping of guitarists George Parsons & Roger Bunn in March 1964, between The Brokers & The Breakaways to produce The Bluebottles. The change was literally overnight and the adds for the de-funked Breakaways appeared for several months after. To begin with the group were without a name and they appeared in the paper as The Orford House Band. This happened with a few bands during the rising popularity of venue and can be confusing as many unrelated acts come under the Orford House band umbrella.

At the groups first performance they were offered a deal by Dick Charlesworth to go professional an offer they took up immediately. Bram Lowe of the Charlesworth agency became the groups personal manager and went about securing as many bookings for the group as he could.

Despite all of the help the band ground to a halt quite quickly. Roger Bunn moved to London. Interim Mike Patto fronted top Norwich outfit The Continentals and in the meantime became aqainted with Kings Lynns top music impresario, Jack Barrie who had fixed him up on the Robert Stigwood promoted Chuck Berry tour as compare. Barry Wilson had started his own trio until being invited by Mike to join Ready, Steady Go winners, The Bo Street Runners as previous drummer Mick Fleetwood had left. Mike himeslf had been spotted by the band and asked to join. Ronnie Day is reported as joining Bob Miller and his Miller Men [unconfirmed]

 
LVox: Mike Patto aka Michael McCarthy

 
[Mike Patto & The Bluebottles] Overnight in March 1964, The Breakaways recruited guitarist Bunn and keyboard player Gunnell and became The Bluebottles. Bunn had previously been linked to The Brokers, and in what looks like an unintentional exchange, ex-Breakaway guitarist Parsons joined The Brokers. Gig adverts for the Breakaways continued after the change, with the dates being fulfilled by The Bluebottles. Unnamed at first, their debut performance at The Orford Cellar on 11 March 1964 was advertised as The Orford House Band, and as well as performing their own set, they backed Graham Bond as The Graham Bond Quartet. This gig also featured slots from The Alex Harvey Soul Band, Long John Baldry, and an early Norfolk appearance of The Animals. Agent Dick Charlesworth instantly offered the band the chance to turn professional, and they accepted. Local promoter Bram Lowe became the group’s manager, but, disappointingly, the work did not pour in, and they found it hard to escape the region and the cellar residency. “The Bluebottles were the best band Norwich ever produced,” claimed Bunn shortly before his death in 2005. “The group clicked musically and could play anything. Barry and Ronnie were solid natural musicians, and that made my job much easier.” However, it was Bunn that hastily departed in late 1964, bringing the band to an abrupt end. From there, King’s Lynn agent Jack Barrie, who had high hopes for Patto, helped him land the Chuck Berry Tour as compere in early 1965. Barrie hoped this exposure would lead to a recording contract for him - see Patto, Mike. Unconfirmed reports say Day shot off up to London and joined Bob Miller & The Millermen, then later The Puppets, before returning to Norwich for a spell with The Contours. Gunnell formed his own trio and was seen in residence at The Washington Club 400, Nch. Wilson’s movements are unknown, although he was next seen playing with The Tempos in late 1965 before being lured away by Patto in January 1966 to join his new band, the London based Bo Street Runners.

Selected advertised supports:

11/03/64 Orford Cellar, Nch - The Alex Harvey Soul Bd
Long John Baldry + The Animals + The Giants

Mediography:

‘Second City group go professional’ EEN14/03/64 [p]

The Breakaways (Bunn -The Brokers) <

> (Patto -The Continentals) (Wilson - Barry Wilson Trio) (Gunnel - ??) (Day - ??)