User:KenLyons/sandbox



Hustler are a British rock band that formed in London in 1972 and performed under the name of Flesh until changing their name to Hustler in 1974. The name change coincided with the signing of a recording contract with the Firefly Record Label and A&M Records.

The band subsequently recorded 2 albums and toured extensively during a relatively short period of notoriety.

The name 'Hustler' has been subsequently used by numerous music groups since but we believe this particular group was the first.

Early days, 1964–72
Steve Haynes and Ken Lyons met in their early teens at Queensmead Secondary Modern School, South Ruislip in West London and hatched a dream of becoming professional musicians. As self-taught musicians, they were the catalysts for numerous local musical groups.

Their first live performance was as ‘The Twilight Reflectors’ and was followed by performances at their School, local youth clubs and church halls.

In 1968 the two collaborated to form ‘Nice & Lazy’ with drummer Steve Sayers, singer Steve Church and Rhythm Guitarist Peter Lyons (Ken's brother). In addition to playing locally in the Ruislip area, in the summer of 1969 they travelled Germany to play at the RAF base at Wildenrath and other local venues.

Flesh, 1972–74
After a period when Steve and Ken played in rival bands, they teamed up again in the 5 piece lineup called Flesh. The band also included another school friend, Kenny Daughters (Keyboards) plus Tony Beard (Drums) and Terry Elliott (Guitar). They were finalists in the Melody Maker National Rock/Folk Contest in June 1972. After which the band was managed by Mike Berry of ‘Sparta Florida’ and toured the UK extensively as a semi professional band during a 2 year period.

Manager Mike Berry was responsible for turning the unknown semi professional outfit into a hard working band, performing nationally at pubs, clubs, colleges and Universities in England, Scotland and Wales. The band played regularly at the London Marquee Club in Wardour Street between 1972-74 under the name of Flesh and toured with Fairport Convention in the summer of 1973.

During this period, guitarist Terry Elliot was replaced by Micky Llewellyn. The group remained semi professional and built a following of loyal fans, gaining experience of performing live, recording and drawing the attention of the London based record companies.

Change of Name, 1974
The ensemble changed their name to Hustler in January 1974 when they signed a recording contract with Firefly Records and A&M Records.

High Street Album, 1974
(A&M AMLS 68276) High Street was recorded at Studio 1 in Island Recording Studios, Basing Street, London W11 during the Spring of 1974 and the album was released in July 1974.

Steve Haynes – Vocals, Ken Lyons (AKA Tigger) – Bass & Vocals, Mick Llewellen – Guitar & Vocals, Tony Beard – Drums, Kenny Daughters – Keyboards

Producer: Pete Gage, Sound Engineer: John Burns, Backing Vocalist: Elkie Brooks, Vicky Brown and Lynn Cornell

Side One

Just Leave A Good Man (Llewellyn/Lyons)

Piranhas (Llewellyn/Beard)

Let The Wind Blow (Haynes)

Uptight Tonight (Haynes)

Get Outa Me 'Ouse (Lyons)

Side Two

Jack The Lad (Haynes/Daughters/Llewellyn)

Midnight Seducer (Lyons/Llewellyn)

Miranda (Lyons)

The Hustler (Haynes)

The Queen Tour, 1974
In October and November 1974 Hustler supported Queen on their UK Tour (England, Scotland & Wales). During the tour Queen's 2nd single, 'Killer Queen', reached No.2 in the UK record charts. Hustler's final performance of the tour at the Rainbow Theatre was filmed and made available online in 2014.

The Status Quo Tour, 1974
In February 1975 Hustler supported Status Quo on their European Tour (Switzerland, France & Germany).

Play Loud Album, 1975
(A&M AMLH 33001) Play Loud was recorded in April 1975 at Rockfield Studios, Rockfield Road, Monmouth and was released in July 1975.

Steve Haynes – Vocals, Ken Lyons (AKA Tigger) – Bass & Vocals, Mick Llewellen – Guitar & Vocals, Kenny Daughters – Keyboards, Henery Spinetti - Drums

Producer: Roy Thomas Baker, Sound Engineer: Pat Moran. The album was mixed at Sarm Studios, Osborn Street, London E1 Sound Engineer: Gary Lyons

Side One

Money Maker (Haynes)

You Had It Coming To You (Haynes/Llewellyn)

Boogie Man (Haynes/Lyons)

Break Of Day (Haynes/Lyons)

Who D'yer Think Yer Foolin' (Lyons/Llewellyn)

Side Two

Going Home (Haynes/Llewellyn)

Strange Love (Haynes/Lyons)

Little People (Lyons/Llewellyn)

Night Creeper (Haynes)

Vinyl Singles
Get Outa Me ‘Ouse/Happy Days (Firefly AM 5001) 1974

Little People/Why D’Yer Think Yer Fooling (Firefly AM 5002) 1975 Little People/Why D’Yer Think Yer Fooling (A&M AMS 5002) 1975 Boogie Man/You Had It Coming To You (Firefly AM 5003) 1975

Boogie Man/You Had It Coming To You (A&M AMS 5003) 1975

Money Maker/Goin’ Home (Firefly AM 5004) 1975

Money Maker/Money Maker (different version) (A&M AMS 5004) 1976

Musical style
Within the genre of ‘Rock’ the bands objectives were to combine, high energy rock music with simple melodies. They are remembered mostly for the energetic live performances.

Influences
The main and most obvious influences effecting style and direction were Cream, King Crimson, Humble Pie, Deep Purple and Free. Less obvious influences were Otis Reading, James Brown, Little Richard and song writing of Lennon and McCartney and Stevie Wonder.

Legacy
The band remains a memory of the British Rock Scene of the 1970s. Guitarist Mick Llewellyn died on Thursday 30th January 2014 on his way to perform in Hamburg. Vocalist Steve Haynes lives in North Carolina and no longer performs. Tony Beard resides in New York City and remains an active session drummer.

In 2016 Ken Lyons and Kenny Daughter came out of retirement to work on a new Hustler project, 'Hustler Reloaded', to reform the band with the original drummer Tony Beard and began working on a 3rd Hustler Album. New Yorker, Freddie Katz was brought in to play guitar and produce the album. Due to illness Steve Haynes was no longer able to sing but they are utilizing 8 track recordings made with Steve in the 1980s and are re working the backing tracks.

Radio
August 1974 - The first single, 'Get Outa Me Ouse' was the 'Power Play' on Radio Luxembourg for a week. In 1975 the band performed live on John Peel's show BBC Radio.

Television
The band appeared twice on television:

12th December 1974 - 45 Rock On with Kid Jenson (Episode 24) Hosted by Kid Jensen & Rosko. Produced by Murial Young Hustler - 'Get Outta My Ouse' Other Artists: Maynard Williams, Medicine Head, Wayne Gibson, Thin Lizzy, Bay City Rollers. Live music programme recorded ant Granada Television Studios, Manchester. ITV Network Only 15 editions 'officially' survive in the Granada archives.

27th February 1975 - The Geordie Scene (Episode 23) Hosted by: Dave Eager Hustler - 'Get Outta My Ouse', 'Money Maker', 'Miranda', 'Uptight tonight' Other Artist: Half Breed A live music programme recorded at Tyne Tees Television Studios, City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. The programme featured popular bands and artists from the mid seventies.

Band members
Flesh: Terry Elliot (Guitar & Vocals), Steve Haynes (Lead Vocals), Ken Lyons AKA Tigger (Bass Guitar & Vocals), Kenny Daughters (Keyboards) and Tony Beard (Drums). In 1973 Guitarist Terry Elliot was replaced by Mick Llewellyn.

Hustler: Steve Haynes (Lead Vocals), Ken Lyons AKA Tigger (Bass Guitar & Vocals), Kenny Daughters (Keyboards), Mick Llewellyn (Guitar & Vocals) and Tony Beard (Drums). In 1975 Tony Beard was replaced by Henry Spinetti.