User:MarkForty9/sandbox

People Like Us Pop Group which evolved from the mid 60s in England Dave Waller had a drumkit and Mark Henshall had a guitar - they would make a noise in the cellar of Dave's parents' house in Kingswood, Surrey during school holidays - Dave was at Seaford College Seaford College in West Sussex and Mark was at Millfield School Millfield School in Somerset. The name came from their parents, who, jokingly, described people as either "People Like Us" or "Non People Like Us."

At Millfield, Mark teamed up with other like-minded teenagers who considered that playing guitars and wanting to be the next Beatles was more important than actually working for A-level exams. A group emerged, and, for want of a better name, People Like Us was adopted. The line-up: Denis Rayment - vocals Tony Hooton - bass or lead guitar, backing vocals Mark Henshall - rhythm guitar, backing vocals Dave Astell - drums, backing vocals Somebody else - lead guitar

Other people played with the group occasionally, including Harry Williamson Harry Williamson on bass and Rick Macphail Richard Macphail who sang.

The mother of a good friend of Tony and Mark, Rick Notley, was organising the annual Junior Hunt Ball at Herstmonceux (East Sussex), and asked if People Like Us would like to perform there in the summer holiday of 1967(?) - they agreed. The "holidays" lineup was Tony, Mark, Dave, Denis with Tony's near neighbour George Bowser Bowser and Blue on lead guitar and vocals. Luckily, George had more musical talent and ability than the others put together.

At some point, George, Denis, Tony, Dave and Mark played two gigs - one in The Masonic Hall in Kingswood (Surrey) and the other at The Riddell Memorial Hall in Walton-on-the-Hill. A demo was recorded, without Denis, at RG Jones of Morden, featuring two George Bowser songs: ........... and ...............(at a cost of £8)

Mark, having left school in the summer of 1968, on a visit to Tonbridge School, where George was taking examinations for Oxford (University) in the Michaelmas Term, met Chris Tookey Christopher Tookey, who played piano and, like George, wrote songs. Chris and George wanted to form a group before going to Oxford the following September and said they were looking for a drummer - Mark offered his services. In December 1968, Mark exchanged his precious Rickenbacker guitar + amplifier for a Broadway drum kit at Rose-Morris in Shaftesbury Avenue and rehearsals began at Chris's parents' house in Beckenham (Kent). The name adopted by the trio was "Uncle Wilfrid," and their first performance was at a private party held by one of Chris's older sisters - playing covers and a few songs written by Chris and George. Name changed to People Like Us.

An advertisement was put in Melody Maker for a lead guitarist (George would play bass) and, after several auditions, Terry Nelson joined. Terry had previously worked for Wallace amplifiers and had had some involvement with the group Amen Corner - in addition, George remembers that he had undone the seams of his trousers and inserted triangles of a different coloured material to create very flared trousers!

First gig was at The Savoy Rooms in Catford followed by: The Boat House, Kew George swapped back to lead guitar and Terry produced a 6-string Fender bass Terry left New Advertisement in Melody Maker.. An Australian, also called George, auditioned and seemed to attempt to take over as leader (Chris' role)! Roger Hodgson Roger Hodgson auditioned, playing guitar (Hofner Verithin) and singing along to a cassette recorder producing amazing harmonies. (to be continued...)