HIS STABLE OF ARTISTS

HIS STABLE OF ARTISTS

Photograph of Reg Calvert’s 'stable'of singers and bands in Southampton, October 1960:
Reg is pictured 'holding a contract' with star drummer Rory Blackwell and the rest of his staff

left to right:
Front row
The Dowlands from Bournemouth, Danny Storm, Eddie Sex, Reg Calvert, Rory Blackwell, Dave Da Costa, Colin Wilsher (guitarist), Carol (from the Winchester singers)

Back row
Johnny Hammond (drummer of the Soundtracks), Geoff Chalke (Brook Brothers Band), Pete Mist (bass player of the Regents), Buddy Britten, Roy Phillips, Dorothy Calvert, drummer Tony Burnett


“THE SCHOOL OF ROCK & ROLL”
In the late 1950's, Reg Calvert ran various dance halls round the Midlands where he booked a few theme and copycat acts, on of the first to do look alike bands. The Nevitt Brothers or the Dowlands which were Everly Brothers sounding duos. Buddy Britain & the Regents, were a Buddy Holly tribute acts. Danny Storm was a Cliff Richard look-alike plastered etc.

Most of Reg Calvert's bands lived at one of his houses in Clifton Hall, near Rugby, where they practised by day. The place was also known as “the School of Rock and Roll”.
The drummers were sent to the 'barns' to practice because they were too the noisy.