Bobbie Clarke - Vince Taylor and The Playboys

Vince Taylor and The Playboys

In about December 1958 Bobbie met 19-year-old Vince Taylor who was brought to the UK from America by his brother in law, Joe Barbera who had hit it big in the cartoon industry with his company Hanna/Barbera. At that time, rock and roll was experiencing phenomenal growth and American rockers were in high demand in England. Concerts starring Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry and Bill Haley & His Comets (referred to collectively as the American Invasion), played to crowds of UK teenagers in sold out halls.

In September 1960 Clarke and his band became Vince Taylor's Playboys with Kenny Pavell (guitar), Clive Powell (piano), and Tex Makins (bass). Clive Powell later became notable as Georgie Fame. When Kenny Pavel left the band to play for Cliff Richard's Drifters, he was replaced for a while by 16-year-old Jimmy Page, future guitarist of Led Zeppelin.

In 1958, their first records, “I Like Love” and “Right Behind You Baby” were released by Parlophone, with Tony Sheridan (Lead Guitar), Tony Harvey (Rhythm Guitar), Brian 'Liquorice' Locking (String Bass), Lou Brian (Piano) and Brian Bennett (Drums). In 1959 “Brand New Cadillac” was released. On 19 August 1960, Palette Records Ltd. released “I'll Be Your Hero” and the famous “Jet Black Machine” with Tony Harvey (Lead Guitar), Johnny Vance (Bass), Alan Le Claire (Piano) and Bobby Woodman (Drums). It stayed in the charts 9 weeks and reached the top 15. The single might have been a bigger hit, but UK teenagers of the time, under the influence of the media, were guided to listen to a more 'clean' sounding Cliff Richard and his band The Shadows.