RON BOWMAN ORCHESTRA, THE

Vocalists: Mike Richardson aka Buster Richardson (2)

Saxophone: Bob Kidman

Piano: Ron Bowman

The resident band at The Dorothy BR from 1948. First under the leadership of Reg Cottage as the Reg Cottage Orch and then from 1964, saxophone player Bob Kidman. The Dorothy had three floors of music, so it was often possible to see the band playing alongside a host of well-known local and national acts. In August 1969, Kidman handed over the leadership batten to pianist Ron Bowman who had been with the group for 18 years and as deputy leader for 15 of them. Renamed the Ron Bowman Orch, it came as a shock when the band were dropped by the ballroom in March 1970 and replaced by The Lew Day Set from Norwich.

The Reg Cottage Orchestra 1948-1964

The Bob Kidman Orchestra 1964-1969

The Ron Bowman Orchestra 1969-1970