Drops of Brandy (Cov Band)

 

 

Drops of Brandy2a

DROPS OF BRANDY (Pop/Rock)

Ted Duggan – Drums / Ray Harte – Rhythm guitar / Iain McDonald – Vocals / Neil Richardson – bass / John Duggan – lead guitar.

 

 

Played four nights a week residency at the Bloomers Club in Birmingham; RAF bases all over the country; four months in Bradford; nine month residency at Tiffany’s Liverpool for the Mecca organisation. ‘We play strictly disco music, pop the kids can dance to’. They played their way from to John O’ Groats, to raise money for the Variety Club of Great Britain children’s fund. provided them with a float and played 30 gigs at pre-arranged venues and from the back of a lorry all the way. Money raised from venues and street collections and sponsorships totalled £1000 and the marathon was covered by Granada TV. Began rehearsing at the Arts Umbrella.

 

Tony Harte Management

Developed out of Rogation Sunday / Acorn

 

Drops of Brandy CET2

 

 

Rogation Sunday

Trev's recollections - I recall some of the members in earlier bands Acorn / Rogation Sunday (a change of name) at the Umbrella club - at least Derek McConkey sent a letter to the Umbrella requesting a gig at the Umbrella c 1970 (with Go Go dancers!). I can't remember if we actually had them on - I seem to recall they split up before we were able to offer them a gig. I think Ted Duggan and Tony Harte were the band (see letter).

Neil Richardson was in a band called Nak ed en with Loz Netto (later of Sniff and the Tears) on lead/ rhythm guitar and  Brad (later of the Specials) on drums and Neil Richardson played bass. They practiced at the Umbrella. After they split, Neil joined with ex members of Acorn to form a commercial pop rock band - Drops of Brandy - mostly covers including 10cc's I'm Not in Love. I saw them at the Ryton Bridge Hotel. Although they were touring intensivly around the country at the time, I'd bump into either Neil or Ted in town and get an update while doing Hobo Mag.

Drops of brandy CUTTING

Comments

[Tim Constable]

[this is good] In 1976 The line up changed to Ted Duggan (drums), Ray Harte (rhythm/ backing vocals), Steve Roberts (lead/backing vocals), Ian McDonald (lead vocals), Tim Constable (keyboards). Their main gig for several months was as resident band at

[Tim Constable]

... Baileys in Derby, commuting four nights a week. in 1977 the band divided. I don't recall the new Drops of Brandy lineup, but Ted, Steve and Tim formed PARIS to do original material written by Tim Constable and Clive Barnwell. Paris was completed with Pat Millar (vocals), Mike Harrington (bass, later replaced by Fran Pettifer). Ted was later replaced by Danny (?). Paris played around the Midlands, and continued until about 1982, including a residency at 'The Red House' pub (Stoney Stanton Road, now demolished).

[HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine]

Thanks for that Tim - I will add that in.I seem to remember Paris but had forgotten - think Ted told me about it at the time. Didn't know the Red House had been demolished but not surprised - a lot of old pubs are going now. Do you have any photos / audio of the band?Trevor

[david pettifer]

[this is good]

Hi Tim

[IainMacD]

[this is good] Update to what Tim Constable posted, the final line up of the band was the three original members, myself Iain MacDonald (notice the spelling), Ray Harte, Neil Richardson, with Clive Layton on keyboards, Des Beasley on lead guitar and Chris Peters on drums.
Iain.

[IainMacD]

Update to what Tim Constable posted, the final line up of the band was
the three original members, myself Iain MacDonald (notice the spelling),
Ray Harte, Neil Richardson, with Clive Layton on
keyboards, Des Beasley on lead guitar and Chris Peters on drums.
Iain.

[A Facebook User]

Hi Iain, I was one of the Dancers at Bloomers I remember you all, I later moved to the La Dolce Vita.. it was good fun, say Hello to all the guys for me,

Sue xx