THE TOFFEES

 

Robin O'Carroll and Alan Lindridge - photograph © Stan Laundon

Founder and lead guitarist of The Toffees, Robin O'Carroll meets former band member, Alan Lindridge, after more than 40 years. The two musicians met at the Café Bar Rapport, in Hartlepool Marina, on July 24th, 2008 and again two days later. The reunion was organised through our website bands pages. Robin and Alan also met up with Kenny Allen at the same venue. Kenny was also a member of The Toffees during the band's final year. He also became a founding member of Magic Roundabout with Robin in 1969 some two years after The Toffees had disbanded in late 1967.

The first photograph taken of The Toffees as a group in early 1964, but without a drummer at that time. They are Ray Stuart on vocals and guitar, Kenny Burgess on vocals, Iain 'Jock' Campbell on bass guitar and vocals, Alan Lindridge on organ, guitar and vocals with Robin O'Carroll on lead guitar and vocals. These initial black and white portraits of the band - numbers 2,3, 6 and 7 on this page - were taken by Hartlepool photographer, Pete Sandor.

...and a little piece of Toffees history for you. Robin O'Carroll tells us that he suspects he may have the only surviving 45rpm single the original Toffees made as a demo in London in late 1964. It was a two-track recording system - vocals and instruments, drums separate. Ray Stuart sang lead vocal on the Chuck Berry classic "Reelin' And Rockin'" and he, and Alan Lindridge, sang a duet on the 'b' side - "She's Gone" an old Cliff Richard track from his "Me And My Shadows" album circa 1960. You can hear the organ played by Alan Lindridge on the a-side. The band had the first electric organ in the area at the time. Robin has cleaned up the songs the best he could as the original disc was badly scratched and worn. The studio it was recorded in, the City of London Recording Studios, is now long gone.

Reelin' & Rockin' She's Gone

One of the first photos taken of The Toffees early 1964. It shows Alan Lindridge, Jock Campbell and Robin O' Carroll at the rear with Mike Kirton holding the drumsticks, Kenny Burgess and Ray Stuart in the foreground.

This photograph was taken during a break at a local venue and dating back to 1964. Ray Stuart, Eddie Leighton – manager (desperately wanted to be in the photo holding any guitar) - Alan Lindridge and Robin O'Carroll.

Dancing the night away at the Rainbow Coffee Bar in Seaton Carew around March 1964. Almost hidden by the dancers are Jock Campbell, Mike Kirton, Robin O'Carroll, Alan Lindridge and Kenny Burgess.

Two photographs that were taken of the original Toffees in early 1964. Members at this time included Jock Campbell, Mike Kirton, Alan Lindridge, Robin O'Carroll, Ray Stuart and Kenny Burgess.

On the left The Toffees at the Borough Hall, Hartlepool in 1965 supporting Screaming Lord Sutch and, at anorher venue, Jock Campbell, John Madge - almost hidden by his drums - with Alan Lindridge.

Robin and Alan at the United Services Club, Miers Avenue in Hartlepool in 1965.

The Toffees appeared wth top Merseyside band The Searchers, and other local groups, on Hartlepool promenade in July 1964. Thanks to Mike Watson of The Corantos for sending this poster.

Thanks specifically to Robin O'Carroll for this page's major contribution from his collection of photographs, memorabilia and music - as well as photos gratefully shared by Alan Lindridge and Fred Lawson.

This page is dedicated to Eddie Leighton, Mike Kirton, John Madge and John Pontone - always remembered and sadly missed. John Madge lost his battle against cancer on Monday, July 7th, 2008. He was just 63.

 

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