THE DENMEN

This photograph of the Middlesbrough band the Denmen was taken by Bernard Fernley about 1966. It came to me in a round about way. A gentleman called Don, in Coulby Newham, sent it to John Foster of BBC Tees following a radio show about memories of the sixties. In turn, John, knowing about this website, sent it on to me! It shows, left to right in the back row, guitarist and vocalist Alan Ludley (who sadly died in a car crash in the mid 1960's) drummer Merv Jones and bassist Peter "Tubby" Ayton. In the front row is keyboard player Peter Jackson with Paul Rhucroft on baritone sax.

The Denmen when they first formed featured band members Alan Ludley, Peter "Tubby" Ayton, Bill Randall, Dave Ritchie on drums and Mike Gutteridge on guitar.

Missing from this photograph - although the neck and head of his guitar can be seen - is Mike Gutteridge.

Another photograph of The Denmen which was kindly sent to us by Adrian Ludley, the son of guitarist and vocalist, Alan Ludley. The line-up is the same as mentioned above.

Paul Rhucroft, Alan Ludley, George Trigg, Merv Jones, Peter Jackson with Peter Ayton seated.


Alan Ludley with Bill Randall taken in Gresham Road, Middlesbrough. Bill was last heard of living in Sweden.

Alan, George and Tubby

Studio portrait of Alan Ludley


Alan Ludley - side view with shorter hair

Tubby, Alan and George go walkabout.

In memory of Alan Ludley and Paul Rhucroft - always remembered and never forgotten.

My thanks to Peter Ayton, Adrian Ludley, Mike Gutteridge and Jenny Rhucroft in supplying photographs and background information for this page.