MUSICIAN and local historian Dave Cherry has been searching his memories and archives for information about a London band who became hugely popular in Barnsley in the early 1960s.
Only one member of Me and Them was from Barnsley, the rest were Southerners, but they ended up effectively a ‘resident band’ in the town centre and one of their number settled here and remains today.
Dave has tracked down two of the members and is making a film all about the band.
“They were absolutely brilliant,” said Dave, 72, of Saxon Crescent, Worsbrough Bridge.
“Most of them were from London, but they ended up Barnsley based, mainly at the Corner Pin where they’d always be playing.
“In 1962 I was just learning to play the guitar myself, I was 16.
“I’d go and watch Me and Them, and they were just out of this world. They were something else.
“The way they could play, the quality of their harmonies, they were way ahead of their time.
“They had this record called I Think I’m Gonna Kill Myself, and it got banned by the BBC. In those days getting a record banned was good for sales. All publicity is good publicity.”
Dave has managed to track down Spencer K Gibbins, rhythm guitar player, who is now an actor who and lives in Northampton.
Dave has interviewed him for his film.
Drummer Dennis Herrington, originally from London, settled in Barnsley and has also been interviewed for the film.
Dave has been unable to trace sax player Mick Lucket, and sadly both bass player Roy Sullivan and singer/guitarist George Davies have died.
“George was killed in a car crash in 1970, it was very very sad,” said Dave.
“He was 32, and he had his eight-year-old son in the car with him who survived. I’ve spoken to him for the film.”
The crash happened in Newport, East Yorkshire, while George was driving back from a gig in Hull. He lived at Nicholas Street, Barnsley, and had a successful career after Me and Them went their separate ways.
George had been singing under the name Ulysees Smith, and his final record Jet Aeroplane had sold well in Barnsley.
He left a widow and three children, and had been working at the Ted Johnson motor dealer. Mr Johnson organised a variety show featuring George’s showbusiness acquaintances in order to help raise money for his family.
Dave would like to hear from anyone who has more photos or information about the band.
He can be contacted via his website here.
