Really interesting website.
Hailing from the Eastern Valley, I’m currently compiling names of bands and members from the 60s from the Cwmbran, Pontypool, Newport area.
Maybe we will one day put a website together for this part of the world.I was studying in Cardiff College of Art back in the 60s, and remember many of the Cardiff bands of the time.
I became friendly with John Jenkins who is mentioned on the website. We spent many an evening at his house in Fairwater, knocking out some Jerry Lee licks on his piano – although he was a much better player than me at the time. (Hope I’ve got the right guy – worked in piano section of Gamlins until a few years ago?).
I worked in an office with Steve Percy of The Sunsets several years ago. He was always telling us about the band’s court case – which no-one believed. But I understand they won their case eventually.
The Cwmbran band I later joined was called Gerry and The Rebels, and we were very well known in the Easter Valley. We supported Dave Edmunds at Croesyceiliog School. Dave used a lot of pedals, but had unfortunately forgotten one, so we had to keep playing until someone had driven back to Cardiff to collect it before he would make an appearance.
Also played a few gigs with Andy F-L at Porthcawl Pavilion.
A popular visiting band then was The Sons of Adam. I remember Tommy Riley was on drums, but can anyone tell me anything more about them? Band members etc – I think they were just a three-piece at the time.
Glad to say, I’m still gigging at 69 with a band called The Beavers – often to be seen in O’Neill’s (opposite The Prince of Wales near Cardiff bus station).
Best wishes with the website,
Keith