IRON TONIC

Lead Vocals, Guitar: John Jarvis

Guitar: Roger Flood

Bass: Trevor Leeder

Drums: Malcom Fish        

Frontman Jarvis had been part of the East Anglian rock ‘n’ roll revival scene, and many of this band had previously played with him in revivalists Page Nine. Tonic, though, had barely begun when they split in early 1971. Jarvis explains, “We were good friends with Norman Trollor, manager at The Olympia in Cromer; he had helped our previous bands with equipment and gigs. One night we supported a Hells Angels followed group called Satan’s Slaves. The concert incited a big fight, and the blame was put on us, and we were told in true Hollywood style, ‘You will never work in this town again’.” It was soon realised that the band were not to blame. Trollor rebooked them, but not as Iron Tonic. He told the group to check the paper to see what name he had chosen. Jarvis checked the date in question and saw the band announced as ‘The East Coast Rock & Pop Combo’, so he quickly painted it on the front of their drum kit. This title was soon shortened to East Coast Rock. This was the birth of one of the longest serving bands in East Anglia.

Page Nine <> East Coast Rock & Pop Combo