Front
man and a founder member and driving force behind the
band. Famous for his rendition of Peanuts. With Nomads drummer
Colin, and John Bretton, a dance trio was formed,
calling them self's The New Hammond Sound. After one of the
many Nomads "last" gigs, he and Kelly formed a duo,
Old Spice. Since 200?? he as been playing with Brian T
& The Strollers.
At last, some
snippets from the man himself, not necessasarily in the right
order of events.
Spike first showed his
musical talents in the Saint Anne's Boy Scout troop playing
bugle, where Colin was playing drums.
Their talents joined forces later when they joined Edger
Lenard's Concert Party.
Barry
Swain played base with the Beat Squad and was the first base
player to play with the Nomads, even though it was only at
rehearsals. At that time Spike played rhythm guitar and sang.
The
first base that Spike played was a Rossetti which had been
purchased for £5.00.
Robert
Bailey was the inspiration to Spike wanting to play base,
Duncan Buckley taught Spike to play base. Duncan later went on
to sing with the Nomads.
Robert and Spike, in need of a drummer called on Colin, they
were meet by a three legged dog.
Robert
used to turn to practice nights held at Normans Aunties in
Leeming, Oxenhope on a Fordson
Major tractor
The
Nomads won 2 auditions for
Opportunity
Knocks, one
at Doncaster and one at the
Ritz
Brighouse.
They
once made a 78 rpm record on the Decca label after winning a
talent competition. It was recorded in a small studio in
Bradford, Kathleen Nixon was singing with them at that time.
The songs were "Memories are made of this" and
''Tonight Tonight''. I don't think its the right title for the
later song, blame Spike not me.
Line up: Spike, Kath, Malcolm, Robert and John Kirkham.
The
Nomads have also backed at the Imperial Nelson, Freddy and the
Dreamers and at Kings Hall Ilkley, The Hollies.
Mick
Hack played lead guitar after Sandy left. Paul Marshall and
Jeoff Birkley have also appeared with the Nomads. Ted Earl
drummed, playing his own drums.
Before
joining the Nomads Colin played with a band called
''(something, and please lets wait till we know what the word
is, tempting has it may be lets not make guesses) Off''. Then
Robin Hood and his Merry Men, and they wore green tights!,
(now we are getting into areas my mind doesn't want to go)
Joe was the Nomads first
drummer.
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Joe Conway
- Lead Vocals
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| No
photo |
|
Kathleen
Nixon
- Vocals
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Malcolm
Nixon
- Guitar & Vocals |
He played with them
on-and-off for three decades as it became one of the most
popular bands on the local pub and club circuit.
He played in various other local groups, including jazz bands.
Malcolm came from a musical family, his brother Stuart
became a guitarist, and sister Linda formed a duo with husband
Bruce Russell called The Russell's.
Malcolm was originally from Keighley and spent his last few
years living in Skipton, where he died in 2004 after
suffering from a heart condition.
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Robert
Bailey - Guitar & Vocals |
Robert was a
founder member of the Nomads being the lead vocalist from
1962-72. His vocal talent was well known and had many a girl
swooning over his renditions of Bee Gees and 4 Penny songs. He
was also ‘Transport Manager’ (he owned the van!) and many
memories come to light over cold dark journeys due to his
refusal to turn up the heater! As well as possessing musical
talent Robert was highly educated and taught Engineering at
the local College. He also ran the family quarrying business
after the death of his father. Robert never played in public
after he left the band in 1972.
He sadly died
last year after a short illness and is sadly missed.
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Storming
Norman - Norman
Crabtree - Lead Guitar
|
An
original Nomad.
Now playing as a solo act "Storming Norman"
and can be seen every Friday night at the
Vine
on Halifax Road.
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John
Kirkham - Drummer
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No Photo |
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Barry
Swain
- Base |
No Photo |
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Duncan
Buckley
- Base |
No Photo |
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Mick
Hack
- Lead |
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Stuart
Lilley - Drummer
|
The
latest addition to the Nomads, playing his first gig with
them in Cullingworth on the 7th July 2006.
Colin
has broken so many drumsticks in the past he's exhausted all
his supplies and is enjoying his retirement. It is expected
that he will make the odd guest appearance on occasions,
drum sticks allowing.
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|
Best known drummer of
the Nomads. Also a member of The New Hammond Sound, a dance
band trio with Spike & John Bretton . When the
Nomads retired, he joined Size
Five, (thisisbradford.co.uk),
then after yet another Nomad comeback he
found himself the drummer of two bands.
On the few and rare occasions that Colin has been unable
to play, suitable stand ins have been available in the form of
his two drumming sons, Philip
and Shaun.
Sandy (Ian
Sanderson)
Started his musical career at the age of 16 when he used to
watch local bands including The Presidents / Beat Squad /
Beatniks. His heroes were Malcolm Nixon and Bruce Russell (The
Presidents)
In 1982 he got together with Jim Harrison, Tony Woodwiss and
Colin Wood to form The Rocking Spartans (based at the Crotona
Youth Club.)
The Spartans were rivals to the Nomads in the early sixties
with both groups having separate loyal fan bases.
Sandy was asked to join the Nomads as lead guitar in 1966
after Malcolm Nixon left to partner his wife on the local club
scene.
The Nomads line up consisted then of Robert Bailey, Spike,
Sandy and Colin
Storton and remained unchanged until 1972 when Robert left the
band to be replaced by the return of Malcolm Nixon.
Sandy remained with the Nomads for a further 3 years when the
Nomads disbanded.
1975-79 saw Sandy playing in a resident band at The Armitage
Arms (Brighouse) where he was later joined by Alan Senior
(Size 5) and eventually formed a club band called ‘PULSE’
(see photo) In 1982 Spike contacted Sandy and asked if he
would be interested in re-forming the Nomads with small Sunday
night gigs at the Victoria Hotel. Things went well so Malcolm
Nixon was contacted and re-joined the band to re-create the
vocal-harmony based line up of 72-75. This move started what
was to become some say the most exciting years of the Nomads
and was given further impetus by the arrival of Chris Kelly as
lead guitarist in 1985.
Sandy left the Nomads in 1990 and went on to form ‘New
Direction’ with local musicians Chris Meredith, Frank Farcas,
Steve Kirkham and Graham Dixon.
1995 saw Sandy re-joining the Nomads to replicate the 1980’s
line up playing local gigs Snooty Fox, Green Gables etc.
He also became a member of the ‘Travelling Bilberries’ as
well as playing with the Nomads during the late 90’s.
Sandy remains a Nomad to this day.
Chris Kelly Born 0ct
29 1943
Started back in late 1959 when he joined “The Presidents”
(probably Keighley's first rock band)
He went into the RAF in 1962 & played in various bands
both in the UK & abroad. After leaving the RAF in 1977 he
came back to Keighley & formed “Rondo” with Tony
Guitar.
In 1979-80 he took up with “Big John” Broadhead to form
"Kelly's Heroes"
In 1981 he joined “The Nomads” & has remained with
them ever since.
Kelly & Spike formed “Old Spice” to cover the dates
“The Nomads” could not do, although most of the covers
they perform originated with “The Nomads”
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Bill - William
Bennett - Guitar |
Billy,
was born Wednesday 16 July 1952 At Keighley West Yorkshire.
His dad had played accordion and as a boy Billy had gone with
his dad to watch him repair and punch out song cards for his
uncle’s collection of barrel organs. These had been brought
in from Italy by his great granddad who was one of the first
Italian's to move into the Bradford.
As a teenager he decided that he wanted to play in a band and
get famous like his hero Paul McCartney. To that end he made
an electric guitar in woodwork at school.
Billy started playing in bands at 15. After a couple of years
learning to play rhythm guitar he was asked to join The
Eclipse Show Band who worked locally.
He turned professional in 1972 with Silver Grass, who
worked all over the north of England. The band included a bass
player called Steve Hughes with whom Billy had worked in The
Eclipse. After member changes and a name change to The
Spotlight Wiz Kidz, he began touring all England and working
the US and the British bases in Germany. The band was offered
a deal with Mickey Most to perform, what turned out to be a
hit song, Do The Bump (Kenny). But the band was writing some
good stuff and turned down the offer of miming to a pre
recorded hit.
In 1976, having
left the pop band he was asked to join up with his old mate
Steve Hughes, now with Dillinger, in the already established,
Jeanie Denver and the JD Band. For four years they toured the
British, and European, country scene in their own right from
the top of the Shetland Isles to deepest Cornwall and also as
a backing band for many bubbling under country stars. Such as
Billy
Armstrong. The band worked all the major theatre and
country venues including 4 times appearing at the prestigious
Wembley Festival where the band backed various American
country stars the likes of Carl Perkins, Don Gibson, Charlie
White, to name just a few.
In 1980 he and bass guitarist Steve Hughes formed Freemans
Country Band and continued touring, with drummer Alan Holmes (Shuggy),
until 1985
Around this time Billy did some gigs standing in with some of
the local acts. Brilliant singer Linda Russell and Guitar
playing Bruce took up his Thursday evenings in a local Pub.
And a now great friend John (Toots) Toothill had him playing
folk to George Formby,The Black Lane Enders for several years.
Finally joining up with local Keighley phenomenon band The
Nomads for a brief spell.
At one point he played lead guitar for the late Carl Denver.
After 10 yrs working a solo, Git Voc, he got together again
with Steve Hughes.
Billy is presently playing with the Electric
Cowboys. Bill also still does the
occasional solo country gig as Bill Stevens. |
