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The Royal Oak.
This is the Royal Oak, Alderley Edge home of The Harbour Lights from 1961 through to 1967 - and before you ask, no, that's not their Commer tour van outside!
"You’ve got the gig…"
The Royal Oak is the official birthplace of The Harbour Lights. During a disastrously attended gig for Bobby Laine and the Confederates, landlady Ruth Eckersall overheard a stand up row where a disgruntled Confederates guitarist told their manager, “Listen mate – I could fill this place on MY OWN!” After the gig, when Ruth collared the now ex-Confederates guitarist and asked him whether he was really serious, she was met with some bravado: “You give me the gig and I’ll show you who can fill this place!!” Her response was quick and a little surprising - “OK, you start next Saturday!”. Brian Higham, the guitarist in question, had got the gig alright – he just hadn’t got a band! A quick phone call brought bass player and old friend John Lee on board and some frantic rehearsals followed. |
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The pair had a history together having played many gigs previously – they’d even had to lend their gear to other acts on the same bill at times, such as an unknown "Aussie" who broke his guitar strings and then blew his amp. Despite the risk, John and Brian lent their gear to Frank Ifield(!) who was very grateful!! The pair did the gig at the Oak that Saturday night and went down an absolute bomb. After a few months as a duo, drummer Pete Pattendon (right) joined to complete the set up. |
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"The who?"
The band's popularity was increasing all the time and with new material coming quicker they were really rocking, but they still didn’t have a name. It finally came courtesy of Brian's mum who was humming a tune called ‘Harbour lights’, which his pals little sister thought was a great name for a band.....and it was. The Harbour Lights were born.
"A Foord Mini"
Unfortunately 9 months down the line, drummer Pete had to bow out due to job pressures which left a hole that needed filling and quickly. Despite the promises of fame and fortune made via an ad in the Manchester Evening News, they only got one call. And when Mike Foord arrived for the audition in a beaten up mini van and unloaded an even more beaten up drum kit things didn't look good….but when they started playing a few minutes later, Mike just slotted straight in and the three clicked. This was to become the long term line up for their residency at the Royal Oak from 1961 to 1967 and which competed in ITV’s Ready Steady Win!
Brian, John and Mike (L-R)
"The Beatles are playing your song…!!"
The band had gained quite a reputation for their Beatles covers, they were huge fans of the Fab Four and worked quite a few songs from the 'Please Please Me' album into their set. In an inspired moment one night, John Lee managed to take a recording of an as yet unheard Beatles track called “All my Loving” from a TV programme on which The Beatles were promoting their new album. The album was not actually due for release for another four weeks. Of course the Fab Three didn’t need that long – a week later “All my Loving” was a firm favourite in The Harbour Lights set, three weeks before the original was out!! When The Beatles finally released the song officially everybody kept telling the band, “Hey, The Beatles are playing your song!” Whatever happened to the royalties though, eh? If only...
A fan request |
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