Guide to British Music of the 1960s
Biography | Discography | Web Links | Books
Vocals - Kenny Pickett/Lee, rhythm guitar - Mick "Spud" Thompson, guitar - Norman "Miff" Miffin, bass - John Dalton, drums - Jack Jones
The Mark Four was formed in the Hertfordshire/North London area. They built up a strong following on the North London and Hertfordshire circuits, initially as Jimmy Virgo & the Blue Jacks, playing R&B and current chart hits. Norman Miffin left in late 1964 to be replaced by Eddie Phillips who had been in Bobby Lee & the Travellers. Mercury Record signed the band and they released four singles including a very "straight" cover of Rock Around the Clock although its b-side cover of Larry Williams' Slow Down was more in tune with what the band had been playing. The Mark Four gigged extensively in Germany building up a following. ay forward was writing their own songs and they came up with Hurt Me If You Will and I'm Leavin'. After this, Dalton left to replace Pete Quaife in the Kinks. Tony Cooke replaced Dalton
By the third single Phillips and Pickett had realised that the won bass in time for the release of the fourth single. Tony Stratton-Smith became the band's manager and this led to a new name and Bob Garner joining on bass, replacing Cooke. He had previously played with the Merseybeats and Tony Sheridan. Stratton-Smith also introduced the band to American producer Shel Talmy who had already been successful with the Who and the Kinks. In April 1966, the band signed to Talmy's Planet Records as The Creation.
Kenny Pickett died of a heart attack on January 10th 1997. Bob Garner died in July 2016.
- The Creation
- The Kinks
- The Merseybeats
- Tony Sheridan
Making Time Recommendation
Tweet