PREMIERS, THE (2)

Lead Vocals: Rod Codling aka Rodney Kingston

Guitar: Ian Duffy

Guitar: Kevin Duffy lnr

Piano, TSax: Brian Dunn

Bass: Julian ?? (2)John Quincey (3)Maurice Bates

Drums: Graham Seal (2)Alan Fred Darby

Later in 1965-6 I left and was replaced by Alan Darby and John Quincey left and was replaced by Maurice Bates. [Graham Seal 09/08/2017]

"it was obvious that the Intruders didn’t need two rhythm guitars and I was keen to play lead so I left them to form my own band. I managed to find Kevin Duffy (no relation) to play rhythm and Graham Seal to play drums. Graham had a friend named Julian who was convinced to play bass. Graham also knew this guy named Rodney Codling who thought he could sing. I interviewed Rod in my Mum’s kitchen and knew after a couple of bars that he was understating his ability but managed to drag out the interview for about half an hour, saying “I think you’ll do.” Still look back and think how lucky we were to get such a brilliant singer. Julian didn’t last too long and was replaced by John Quincey. Rod and Graham went to school with Brian Dunn who wanted to join us on piano. Unfortunately the three guitar line-up was all the rage so we said “No”. Not to be outdone, Brian said “How about if I learn to play sax?” So that’s what happened. The Premiers carried on for some little time like this until Kevin left to join the Army so Brian got his wish and moved to piano.
Then Graham told us that he was going to get married and would have to leave the band which left us looking for a drummer. We were lucky to find Alan (Fred) Darby who informed us that Maurice (Mods) Bates was looking for a bass job. So Mods then joined replacing John Quincey and this is how the band continued until we folded.
I then joined Danny Ford and the Offbeats (from Sutton Bridge) whilst the others had a break before they went on to do other things. I’m sure that others will pick up the story." Ian Duffy 03/09/02019

A small update ... Maurice Bates joined us before Fred Darby as John Quincey resigned before Graham Seal left to get married. Then when Graham left Mods knew that Fred was at a loose end (they played in the same band until it folded and Mods joined us) so we weren’t without a drummer for any time at all.