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1 of 2
band name
The Spectres
submitted by
John Bell
who's in the picture
Left to right: John Bell, lead guitar; Frank Trusdale, bass; Teddy Palmer, vocals; Des Dumphy, rhythm guitar; John Smith, drums; Leaning over the tombstone is our manager David Parkinson doing a 'Hector' impersonation!!
where was the band based
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
years active
1963-1969
musical influences
Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Buddy Holly and The Crickets.
brushes with fame
We were playing in a little town called Comber. We were approached by a manager to let his band on to do our interval. We agreed and while having a break, this crowd of hairy yobs jumped onto the stage, screamed and yelled and wrecked the stage gear!! After about 3 numbers they finished and the singer cursed at the crowd and they all ran off stage. We all agreed that they were terrible and never be heard of again. BUT next week they were on TV with a hit record called 'Baby please don't go' It was the band called THEM and their singer was a guy by the name of VAN MORRISON!!!
notes
The band was formed by me (John Bell), with a few friends in a teacher training college, around 1963. We got the chance to play at College dances and other small engagements. We based ourselves on the Shadows, Cliff Richard's backing group and of course played all their numbers. When it came to a name for the group we decided on the 'Spectres' {ghosts} because I - who was a cartoonist, had a little character caller 'Hector the Spectre' and as well as a gimmick, he was drawn on the front of the drum kit. When we were more famous we issued little glove puppets of Hector to our fans.
As our fame spread around the Belfast area, we picked up many other engagements further afield, as instrumental music was the in thing in the early 60's. We won several talent contests too, and our talent was noticed by several influential managers. Then in 1964 we were approached by another student called Teddy Palmer who asked if he could be our vocalist. After a short audition he joined the ranks and the 'Spectres' became a five piece band - just like Cliff and the Shadows. It also meant that we could do full 5 hour dances on our own.
Top Showband at the time were The Royal, who had a hit record called 'The Hucklebuck'. The Spectres got their big break by being asked to open the dance by playing for the first hour to warm up the audience. However after playing about two hours without any sign of the Royal - and not being offered any money to play longer - the boys decided to do the unthinkable - SING THE 'HUCKLEBUCK! This was against protocol but we went down a bomb! and did it several times to please the huge crowd!! The result was that there was an awful row with the promoters - but the press coverage was worth it!!
The 'Spectres' made a record of the Student Rag Week called 'The facts of Life' backed with an instrumental called 'Whirlpool'. It has now become a collector's item.
However a row about the direction of the band caused a rift in 1965. Some wanted to go full time, and chuck in their studies, while I felt that we should finish their studies and graduate - just in case we didn't make the big time!!
I kept the name 'Spectres' and formed a small trio based on the Buddy Holly and the Crickets set up and we played around until 1969 by which time the Ulster 'Troubles' finished travel in the city and throughout the province.
In Ulster (Northern Ireland) there were only a few big bands called 'Showbands' usually about 8 - 12 members. But in the South (Republic of Ireland) the Showbands were the big thing, and they had hit records and travelled the world. For the small group like the 'Spectres', getting to play an interval spot on a big bill dance with a famous Irish Showband was really something.
where are they now
I am a retired teacher and still play Shadows music with backing tracks. Frank had 'disappeared', Teddy became a manager for several artists in England. Des followed John into teaching and is retired and living in Scotland. John still drums for various acts around Belfast and is still teaching. David is also a retired teacher, who is involved in publishing educational books.
band nameThe Spectres
submitted by
John Bell
who's in the picture
Left to right: John Bell, lead guitar; Frank Trusdale, bass; Teddy Palmer, vocals; Des Dumphy, rhythm guitar; John Smith, drums; Leaning over the tombstone is our manager David Parkinson doing a 'Hector' impersonation!!
where was the band based
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
years active
1963-1969
musical influences
Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Buddy Holly and The Crickets.
brushes with fame
We were playing in a little town called Comber. We were approached by a manager to let his band on to do our interval. We agreed and while having a break, this crowd of hairy yobs jumped onto the stage, screamed and yelled and wrecked the stage gear!! After about 3 numbers they finished and the singer cursed at the crowd and they all ran off stage. We all agreed that they were terrible and never be heard of again. BUT next week they were on TV with a hit record called 'Baby please don't go' It was the band called THEM and their singer was a guy by the name of VAN MORRISON!!!
notes
The band was formed by me (John Bell), with a few friends in a teacher training college, around 1963. We got the chance to play at College dances and other small engagements. We based ourselves on the Shadows, Cliff Richard's backing group and of course played all their numbers. When it came to a name for the group we decided on the 'Spectres' {ghosts} because I - who was a cartoonist, had a little character caller 'Hector the Spectre' and as well as a gimmick, he was drawn on the front of the drum kit. When we were more famous we issued little glove puppets of Hector to our fans.
As our fame spread around the Belfast area, we picked up many other engagements further afield, as instrumental music was the in thing in the early 60's. We won several talent contests too, and our talent was noticed by several influential managers. Then in 1964 we were approached by another student called Teddy Palmer who asked if he could be our vocalist. After a short audition he joined the ranks and the 'Spectres' became a five piece band - just like Cliff and the Shadows. It also meant that we could do full 5 hour dances on our own.
Top Showband at the time were The Royal, who had a hit record called 'The Hucklebuck'. The Spectres got their big break by being asked to open the dance by playing for the first hour to warm up the audience. However after playing about two hours without any sign of the Royal - and not being offered any money to play longer - the boys decided to do the unthinkable - SING THE 'HUCKLEBUCK! This was against protocol but we went down a bomb! and did it several times to please the huge crowd!! The result was that there was an awful row with the promoters - but the press coverage was worth it!!
The 'Spectres' made a record of the Student Rag Week called 'The facts of Life' backed with an instrumental called 'Whirlpool'. It has now become a collector's item.
However a row about the direction of the band caused a rift in 1965. Some wanted to go full time, and chuck in their studies, while I felt that we should finish their studies and graduate - just in case we didn't make the big time!!
I kept the name 'Spectres' and formed a small trio based on the Buddy Holly and the Crickets set up and we played around until 1969 by which time the Ulster 'Troubles' finished travel in the city and throughout the province.
In Ulster (Northern Ireland) there were only a few big bands called 'Showbands' usually about 8 - 12 members. But in the South (Republic of Ireland) the Showbands were the big thing, and they had hit records and travelled the world. For the small group like the 'Spectres', getting to play an interval spot on a big bill dance with a famous Irish Showband was really something.
where are they now
I am a retired teacher and still play Shadows music with backing tracks. Frank had 'disappeared', Teddy became a manager for several artists in England. Des followed John into teaching and is retired and living in Scotland. John still drums for various acts around Belfast and is still teaching. David is also a retired teacher, who is involved in publishing educational books.
1 of 2
band name
The Spectres
submitted by
John Bell
who's in the picture
Left to right: John Bell, lead guitar; Frank Trusdale, bass; Teddy Palmer, vocals; Des Dumphy, rhythm guitar; John Smith, drums; Leaning over the tombstone is our manager David Parkinson doing a 'Hector' impersonation!!
where was the band based
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
years active
1963-1969
musical influences
Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Buddy Holly and The Crickets.
brushes with fame
We were playing in a little town called Comber. We were approached by a manager to let his band on to do our interval. We agreed and while having a break, this crowd of hairy yobs jumped onto the stage, screamed and yelled and wrecked the stage gear!! After about 3 numbers they finished and the singer cursed at the crowd and they all ran off stage. We all agreed that they were terrible and never be heard of again. BUT next week they were on TV with a hit record called 'Baby please don't go' It was the band called THEM and their singer was a guy by the name of VAN MORRISON!!!
notes
The band was formed by me (John Bell), with a few friends in a teacher training college, around 1963. We got the chance to play at College dances and other small engagements. We based ourselves on the Shadows, Cliff Richard's backing group and of course played all their numbers. When it came to a name for the group we decided on the 'Spectres' {ghosts} because I - who was a cartoonist, had a little character caller 'Hector the Spectre' and as well as a gimmick, he was drawn on the front of the drum kit. When we were more famous we issued little glove puppets of Hector to our fans.
As our fame spread around the Belfast area, we picked up many other engagements further afield, as instrumental music was the in thing in the early 60's. We won several talent contests too, and our talent was noticed by several influential managers. Then in 1964 we were approached by another student called Teddy Palmer who asked if he could be our vocalist. After a short audition he joined the ranks and the 'Spectres' became a five piece band - just like Cliff and the Shadows. It also meant that we could do full 5 hour dances on our own.
Top Showband at the time were The Royal, who had a hit record called 'The Hucklebuck'. The Spectres got their big break by being asked to open the dance by playing for the first hour to warm up the audience. However after playing about two hours without any sign of the Royal - and not being offered any money to play longer - the boys decided to do the unthinkable - SING THE 'HUCKLEBUCK! This was against protocol but we went down a bomb! and did it several times to please the huge crowd!! The result was that there was an awful row with the promoters - but the press coverage was worth it!!
The 'Spectres' made a record of the Student Rag Week called 'The facts of Life' backed with an instrumental called 'Whirlpool'. It has now become a collector's item.
However a row about the direction of the band caused a rift in 1965. Some wanted to go full time, and chuck in their studies, while I felt that we should finish their studies and graduate - just in case we didn't make the big time!!
I kept the name 'Spectres' and formed a small trio based on the Buddy Holly and the Crickets set up and we played around until 1969 by which time the Ulster 'Troubles' finished travel in the city and throughout the province.
In Ulster (Northern Ireland) there were only a few big bands called 'Showbands' usually about 8 - 12 members. But in the South (Republic of Ireland) the Showbands were the big thing, and they had hit records and travelled the world. For the small group like the 'Spectres', getting to play an interval spot on a big bill dance with a famous Irish Showband was really something.
where are they now
I am a retired teacher and still play Shadows music with backing tracks. Frank had 'disappeared', Teddy became a manager for several artists in England. Des followed John into teaching and is retired and living in Scotland. John still drums for various acts around Belfast and is still teaching. David is also a retired teacher, who is involved in publishing educational books.
band nameThe Spectres
submitted by
John Bell
who's in the picture
Left to right: John Bell, lead guitar; Frank Trusdale, bass; Teddy Palmer, vocals; Des Dumphy, rhythm guitar; John Smith, drums; Leaning over the tombstone is our manager David Parkinson doing a 'Hector' impersonation!!
where was the band based
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
years active
1963-1969
musical influences
Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Buddy Holly and The Crickets.
brushes with fame
We were playing in a little town called Comber. We were approached by a manager to let his band on to do our interval. We agreed and while having a break, this crowd of hairy yobs jumped onto the stage, screamed and yelled and wrecked the stage gear!! After about 3 numbers they finished and the singer cursed at the crowd and they all ran off stage. We all agreed that they were terrible and never be heard of again. BUT next week they were on TV with a hit record called 'Baby please don't go' It was the band called THEM and their singer was a guy by the name of VAN MORRISON!!!
notes
The band was formed by me (John Bell), with a few friends in a teacher training college, around 1963. We got the chance to play at College dances and other small engagements. We based ourselves on the Shadows, Cliff Richard's backing group and of course played all their numbers. When it came to a name for the group we decided on the 'Spectres' {ghosts} because I - who was a cartoonist, had a little character caller 'Hector the Spectre' and as well as a gimmick, he was drawn on the front of the drum kit. When we were more famous we issued little glove puppets of Hector to our fans.
As our fame spread around the Belfast area, we picked up many other engagements further afield, as instrumental music was the in thing in the early 60's. We won several talent contests too, and our talent was noticed by several influential managers. Then in 1964 we were approached by another student called Teddy Palmer who asked if he could be our vocalist. After a short audition he joined the ranks and the 'Spectres' became a five piece band - just like Cliff and the Shadows. It also meant that we could do full 5 hour dances on our own.
Top Showband at the time were The Royal, who had a hit record called 'The Hucklebuck'. The Spectres got their big break by being asked to open the dance by playing for the first hour to warm up the audience. However after playing about two hours without any sign of the Royal - and not being offered any money to play longer - the boys decided to do the unthinkable - SING THE 'HUCKLEBUCK! This was against protocol but we went down a bomb! and did it several times to please the huge crowd!! The result was that there was an awful row with the promoters - but the press coverage was worth it!!
The 'Spectres' made a record of the Student Rag Week called 'The facts of Life' backed with an instrumental called 'Whirlpool'. It has now become a collector's item.
However a row about the direction of the band caused a rift in 1965. Some wanted to go full time, and chuck in their studies, while I felt that we should finish their studies and graduate - just in case we didn't make the big time!!
I kept the name 'Spectres' and formed a small trio based on the Buddy Holly and the Crickets set up and we played around until 1969 by which time the Ulster 'Troubles' finished travel in the city and throughout the province.
In Ulster (Northern Ireland) there were only a few big bands called 'Showbands' usually about 8 - 12 members. But in the South (Republic of Ireland) the Showbands were the big thing, and they had hit records and travelled the world. For the small group like the 'Spectres', getting to play an interval spot on a big bill dance with a famous Irish Showband was really something.
where are they now
I am a retired teacher and still play Shadows music with backing tracks. Frank had 'disappeared', Teddy became a manager for several artists in England. Des followed John into teaching and is retired and living in Scotland. John still drums for various acts around Belfast and is still teaching. David is also a retired teacher, who is involved in publishing educational books.
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