The Blackouts
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The Blackouts – Bob Ballard, Tony Harper, Trevor Pickering and Bob Childs
Photograph courtesy: Tamworth Herald
Full-size Image |
Bob Ballard - Rhythm Guitar
[Formerly of the Delta Skiffle Group, Danny Coral and the Surfriders and The Inn-Sect]
Tony Harper - Vocals
Trevor Pickering - Lead Guitar
Bob Childs - Drums
Tamworth Herald - Friday June 5th 1964
The Blackouts are ready to leave their hen-house home
The Blackouts – Bob Ballard, Tony Harper, Trevor Pickering and Bob Childs – taking a break from practice in a converted hen house rear of Trevor Pickering’s home at Elford.
From within the confines of a hen house at Elford comes a rhythm and blues sound that could take the four local boys inside to fame in the beat world.
They are THE BLACKOUTS, a group that has already made many fans playing at local spots. Now the group – they practise in the hen-house – are set to burst into real limelight.
The boys, Bob Ballard, Tony Harper, Trevor Pickering and Bob Childs have only been together for two months. But already their brand of music is showing maturity and depth and hints at a dedicated approach to R and B.
They do not profess to be great but if this standard of progress is maintained The Blackouts could become a powerful name.
HIGH STANDARDS
One thing they do lack is a (bass player) but lead guitarist Trevor Pickering said unless they could recruit a bass guitar of a reasonably high standard, they were not interested in using one in the group.
What they lose on the deep backing they gain on polished performances. Vocalist Tony Harper combines with rhythm guitarist Bob Ballard in precise harmony with Trevor Pickering really thumping the lead guitar to pick a strong melody.
The ‘baby’ of the group, Bob Childs only picked up a drum stick for the first time a month ago but has already fitted into the run of things, giving the group the essential resounding beat.
 04/05/64
Peter and Gordon (World Without Love – No. 1)
The Cyclones, The Blackouts and Barmy Barry
Assembly Rooms
Admission: 7/6, 10/6, 12/6
Two performances: 6.30pm and 8.30pm
03/10/64
…and the Joysticks, The Farinas and The Blackouts
Assembly Rooms
Admission: 5/-
31/10/64
The Blackouts
Elford Village Hall
Admission: 3/- 8.00pm-11.45pm
Proceeds to the Old Folks Christmas Fund
07/11/64
Elford Youth Club – Guy Fawkes Dance and Barbecue
The Panthers and The Blackouts
Admission: 5/- 9.00pm-11.45pm
18/12/64
Big Beat Dance
The Zombies and The Blackouts
Assembly Rooms
Admission: 5/-
Tamworth and District Youth Members Council
17/04/65
The Blackouts
Elford WM Club
Admission: 5/-
24/04/65
The Blackouts
Fazeley Youth Club, Fazeley Parish Hall, 8.00pm-11.30pm
Admission: 4/6
05/06/65
The Blackouts
Belgrave WM Club
04/09/65
Peter Vickery and his boys The Spirits – Tamworth’s one and only top group
Elford wizards of beat The Blackouts
Assembly Rooms 8.00pm-11.30pm
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The Blackouts – Bob Ballard, Tony Harper, Trevor Pickering and Bob Childs
Photograph courtesy: Tamworth Herald
Full-size Image |
Tamworth Herald - 28/05/65
Alongside the “Applejacks”
Life’s really swinging along at a pace these days for the local beat group – “The Blackouts”. Last month saw them down at the Cambridge “Jive Hive” – one of the top beat clubs in the university city – and also doing many bookings around the Burton area and locally.
And last Friday at the first social evening organised by Wearwell Overalls Ltd at the Chequers, Hopwas, the group’s leader and lead guitarist, Trevor Pickering, told the “Herald” that they had captured a booking alongside Solihull’s top group “The Applejacks” at Sutton Coldfield’s carnival on June 18, and also will be playing at a Birmingham University dance organised by the Student’s Union.
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The Blackouts – Bob Ballard, Tony Harper, Trevor Pickering and Bob Childs
Photograph courtesy: Tamworth Herald |
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The Blackouts as featured in the Tamworth Herald - 05/06/64
Photograph courtesy: Tamworth Herald |
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31/10/64 -The Blackouts - Elford Village Hall - Admission: 3/- 8.00pm-11.45pm - Proceeds to the Old Folks Christmas Fund.
Photograph courtesy: Tamworth Herald |
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The Blackouts play alongside Solihull’s top group “The Applejacks” at Sutton Coldfield’s carnival on June 18th 1965
Photograph courtesy: Tamworth Herald |
If you have any further information about this band please email: info@tamworthbands.com |
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