The
Electrons |
Bill
Reece, Dave Needham, Brian Holmes, Raymond Hendren and Jeep Jones
The Electrons were a Workington band formed by Bill Reece and Dave Needham who had formerly been members of the Strangers. In January 1963 they became founder members together with Brian Holmes, Alan Stubbs and Raymond Hendren who had previously played with the Defenders. Pat Barnes was later added on vocals and Eric Short on keyboards. Peter Reay looked after their gear.
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 Pat Barnes |
The Founder Members of The Electrons
Bill Reece, Brian Holmes, Raymond Hendren, Alan Stubbs and Dave Needham,
Bill Reece on lead guitar started off with a cheap guitar and a home made amplifier and learned to play at the YMCA in Harrington.
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Alan Stubbs (above) on rhythm guitar was still at Workington Grammar School when he played with both the Defenders and the Electrons. His brother David played with the Strollers.
Alan went on to play with "Just Us" and "Glass Mountain".
Dave Needham on bass played with Whitehaven group called the Rebels on rhythm guitar before switching to bass when playing with the Strangers with Bill Reece.
Raymond Hendren on sax learned his musical skills with Workington Town Band where he tried cornet, trombone, trumpet, euphonium and guitar before deciding on alto sax. For a time he played in both the Electrons and Seaton Brass Band.
Brian Holmes on drums was self-taught and played with the Defenders before joining the Electrons. Brian went on to found Northern Sounds which provided (and still provides) equipment to many West Cumbrian bands, together with sound systems for clubs etc.
Dave Needham - Bass, Billy Reece - Guitar
The picture above shows
the later lineup of the band during their appearance at the band competition
held at the Carnegie theatre Workington in front of a large audience and
a representative of EMI records. Jeep Jones is holding their award.
The poster on the home page of this site was for the opening rock and roll show at the Keswick Pavilion which featured both The Electrons and The Defenders. These Friday night shows became a regular venue for many of the Cumbrian bands of the time.