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Spike
- Mike Howley -
Guitar, Bass & Vocals.
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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.
Joe was the Nomads first drummer.
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Joe Conway - Lead 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
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An
original Nomad.
Now playing as a solo act "Storming Norman"
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John
Kirkham - Drummer
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Stuart
Lilley - Drummer
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Filled in as drummer
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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Colin
Storton - Drummer
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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.
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Sandy
- Ian Sanderson -
Keyboard, Guitar & Vocals.
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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.
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Kelly
- Chris Kelly - Guitar & Vocals
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In 1981 he joined “The Nomads”.
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. |
