The Roadrunners

... the story of the band

The band was formed in 1962, having previously played as the Tenabeats. In those days, there was no white R&B scene in Liverpool (as there was in London, centred on the activities of the rather older jazz-blues guitarist Alexis Korner).

For a short period, the Roadrunners cornered the R&B market in Liverpool, as we were the only group playing the same sort of Chicago/Muddy Waters style copies as our metropolitan counterparts - very different from the sound which came to be known as "Merseybeat". Thus we became the band of first choice for University and College gigs as the "trad" jazz bands were swiftly replaced by something a bit more "a la mode".

The band's spiritual home was the "Everyman Club" in the basement of the Everyman Cinema (now theatre) known as "Hope Hall". Four hundred yards from the Art School, and backing onto the university campus, the club was the hang-out of many local poets, painters and arty types, and so the Roadrunners became components of many diverse "events" arranged by Adrian Henri and based on Allan Kaprow's New York Happenings.

Simultaneously, the Roadrunners had a career as a quasi-pop group, appearing regularly at the Cavern (often with the Beatles) and even taking over the "Fab Four's" Tuesday night residency in the wake of their national success.

The Roadrunners were also the first band to appear on "Sunday Night at the Cavern", broadcast on Radio Luxembourg.

An almost-complete listing of the Cavern gigs can be found in "The Best of Cellars" by Phil Thompson (published by The Bluecoat Press, 1994, ISBN 1 872568 16 5, £9.95). Because this listing was compiled from newspaper advertisements of the 60s, it doesn't cover those occasions when the band stood in at short notice for other acts which had been forced to cancel. So the Roadrunners' total number of Cavern gigs is certainly greater than that recorded in the book.

At this time, the band were: Mike Hart - Guitar, Sax, Vocals Pete Mackey - Bass, Vocals Dave Percy - Guitar, Vocals John Peacock - Piano Dave Boyce - Drums

Dave Percy

It was this line-up which played the First Annual R&B Festival at Birmingham Town Hall on February 28th, 1964. Organised by Georgio Gomelsky, this one-night festival featured Sonny Boy Williamson backed by the Yardbirds. Supporting acts were Long John Baldry and the Hoochie Coochie Men, the Spencer Davis Rhythm & Blues Quartet (featuring a 15-year-old Stevie Winwood) and, of course, the Roadrunners.

The gig was recorded by Gomelsky, and this somewhat low-fidelity album was released by Charly Records. It is now available on CD on the Spalax label. In addition to the acts named above, the album also features an uncredited early appearance by Rod Stewart, who was then a roadie for Long John Baldry.

The Roadrunners have two contributions on side 1 - "You Can Make It If You Try" (unfortunately missing its intro thanks to technical problems with the recording equipment!) and "Mary Ann". They also appear on the finale, which is credited as an "All Star Jam" of "Got My Mojo Working".

It is on the sleeve notes to this album that the story about George Harrison makes one of its first appearances in print. He allegedly commented, after seeing the Rolling Stones perform: "They're good - but not as good as the Roadrunners". True or not (and we like to believe it is) the story has now gained its own small place in rock 'n roll legend.

Around this time, the band were offered a deal by a major record label. However, Mike Hart seemed reluctant to get involved with "all this commercialism", and the deal fell through. The band returned to Liverpool and added two sax players - Nick Carver and Johnny Phillips - to become a James Brown style soul outfit.

The Roadrunners also spent a long time in Hamburg, headlining at the legendary Star Club where they recorded two albums:

"Twist-Time im Star-Club 4"

is devoted entirely to the Roadrunners (original line-up).

"Tanz-Show im Star-Club 2"

features one side each by the Roadrunners (now with added sax appeal!) and Shorty and Them.

See the Jukebox page for more information. If you want to know more about the early days of the Star Club click the link!

The band returned to Liverpool and appeared on one more disc - "Pantomania" - an e.p. cut to raise money for the University rag week in 1965. They perform the Bobby Bland classic"Cry, Cry, Cry" and a version of "The Leaving of Liverpool".

Mike Hart left shortly afterwards to join Adrian Henri in the Liverpool Scene and later pursue a solo career. The Roadrunners carried on for a while under the leadership of Pete Mackey. To find out more about the various line-ups, see the family tree by Pete Frame. Pete and Mike Hart worked together again some years ago when Pete produced a demo tape for a proposed solo album by Mike. It never happened, but the demo tape still exists.

Pete Mackey

So, that's the brief history. Can you help us find any more of it? If there's anyone out there who has stories, photos, memorabilia, tapes or anything else connected with the Roadrunners, please get in touch by e-mailing info@liverpool-roadrunners.org.uk.

John Peacock

Dave Boyce

Mike Hart

We are the Liverpool Roadrunners: www.liverpool-roadrunners.org.uk