The Swinging Blue Jeans (NME-1964)

[Chimbo65]

Ray Ennis will return th the stage in 2012 with:

Ray Ennís Blue Jeans

[hopop313]

I read that at the NME '64 gig the bands had to just run straight out onto the stage without setting up or doing a sound check. As result it really tested the musicians out in such rushed circumstances. If you listen to other performances from the same gig you'll notice the mixing is sometimes terrible. These did alright though, I think the performance by the Kinks weren't very good though. It ain't their fault.

[Multikingsley]

I remember seeing them at the Mardi in Liverpool when I was a young slip of a girl, happy days...

[kntshrm]

It's too bad the Swinging Blue Jeans had to contend with a loose microphone stand. How annoying for them, and usually quite a preventable problem!

[dang622]

I like Jerry lee´s version

[sharonkayb]

The Beatles copied Swinging Blue Jeans.

[arcamadeus]

@sharonkayb they sure did but what's wrong with that?

[arcamadeus]

Remember that is was the Swinging Blue Jeans, the established house band at the Cavern in Liverpool who invited the then unknown Beatles to play at the Cavern!

It's quite possible that macca and lennon learned a trick or two from the seasoned Swinging Blue Jeans!

[0000song0000]

2:20 he sounds like macca

they were from liverpool too.... cool!

they say ralph (the one with the strato) was lennon's double...

i'm starting to believe it

[sharonkayb]

@0000song0000 He's cuter than Lennon.

[12347771]

at 0:58 the world's most famous loose microphone stand makes its appearance. This same mic plagued the Merseys and finally onto John Lennon at this same concert. Those were the days of no serious roadies or techs. All was by the seats of the britches, SAY why do these English guys all hang their guitars so high. Here, Gerry Marsden, Ray Davies, Lek and a host of others. Right up to their chins.

The British beat groups were the most important thing in my life growing up.

[MrCombat1965]

We need another invasion like this to get back to good ol' rock 'n' roll and force Beiber and Gaga into early retirement.

[Babyhowdy233]

@MrCombat1965

AMEN!!!

[caverndaze]

brilliant my fave SBJ's

[duk909]

So Beatle-esq. I've always wanted a pair of Beatle boots. If a time machine is ever invented I'm going back to Liverpool in that era, get a guitar, amp and most definitely

a pair of Beatle boots.These are great post. Thanks I'm having day. Rock on

[TravelerDiogenes]

Does anybody notice the the guy on the left looks an AWFUL lot like John Lennon of that era? The lead singer looks a good bit like Denny Laine, too.

[Chimbo65]

@TravelerDiogenes

"The guy on theft" is Ralph Ellis who left the Blue Jeans in 1966.

[beattleBob]

Today, May 26th, is Ray Ennis 70th birthday!

[12347771]

were the Blue Jeans an N.E.M.S. act?

[Chimbo65]

@12347771

No they had a manager called Jim Ireland also from Liverpool.

He died about ten years ago.

all the best

Chimbo

[Grifiki]

George Harrison did not sing in 1964. John and the idiot Acka did all the singing for the beatles."

[lk63]

@Grifiki George Harrison sang in 1964, what about I'm just happy to dance with you and Everybodys trying to be my baby, Don't bother me, Roll over Beethoven, to name a few.

[Chimbo65]

@Grifiki

Well he sang: "Devil in her heart" 1963,"Roll Over Beethoven" 1963,"Do You Want To Know A Secret" 1963,

"Happy Just To Dance With You" 1964,"Everybody`s Trying To Be My Baby"1964,and back on The Decca tapes in 62 he sang "Sheik of Araby"

[1911bugre]

Faltam bandas assim hoje em dia.O rock atual tá muito chato e sem alma.Isso,no mundo inteiro.O povo nem sabe mais dançar.

[sigrun243]

I saw them in Iceland 1964 I think, it´s was fun, good time.

[tubetwang]

these guys kicked my ass back then...

i still love to rock today!

[DarkHunter601]

I went to Ray Ennis barbecure...hes my cousin, might go to his singing thingy in 2 weeks :D

[B17b25guy]

The epitome of Merseybeat rock and roll , straight out of a Liverpool or Hamburg club. A great band. Be sure to check out the Swingin' Blue Jeans 'EMI Years' 4 cd set.

[comicbookinker]

Their UK compilation CD '25 Greatest' is an excellent collection for anyone not wanting to get some multi-CD set. I had their first US LP, but it didn't make much of an impact on me other than the hit tracks.

Years later, I think they are quite under-appreciated. The mono/stereo reissue of their first album is also excellent, as some of the mono mixes are punchier.

[ReVox777]

This voice somehow reminds George Harrison performaces around that time period....

[Freyja1133]

@ReVox777 reminds me more of Paul Mccartney from the same time

[nosleep62]

@ReVox777 You're right, and I think a lot of it is down to their shared 'Scouser' accent...

[alonenjersey]

@ReVox777 Holy Cow, you're right! Good ears.

[TZAVELENA]

@ReVox777 it was the sound of the time...

[SUNNYRHOADES9]

wow they are awesome -before the Beatles -lol They remind me of the Beatles -they should of been as big as the Beatles - oh well .

[Chimbo65]

Well The Swinging Blue Jeans started around the same time as The Beatles in 1957,and had five worldwide hits.

Still going strong today after 53 years.

[mzkorox]

They're better than the beatles when performing live!!

[80620ash]

The compere was stoned out of his fucking mind. But otherwise, a fine performance!!!

[bbtablet]

What! - David Jacobs stoned out of his mind! - I don't think so! - in fact he always had that stary look - watch him in charge of Juke Box Jury - just his way, I think you'll find.

[RodCow]

Too high t be the bass.That's the lead guitar (the Strat)

[gabylennon]

Is a copy of The Beatles... *=/

[espiriguidiberto]

the guitarrist is a copy of John Lennon!

[Chimbo65]

the guitarist is Ralph Ellis.

He got fired in 1966

[espiriguidiberto]

Maybe because they tought he was the real Lennon spying their band

[vwmodrock]

Ralph Ellis actually quit to go into the insurance business where he had a successful career. Sadly, Ray Ennis announcec his retirement next year. RIP Les Braid and Colin Manly

[WhiteCamry]

@espiriguidiberto ,

Who knows where Alf Lennon was when he wasn't at home?

;^)

[alonenjersey]

Dear god, seems like every cat in England was wearing those beautiful Beatle Boots.

[panzerjj]

ya..this dude sounds like harrison..if george started a band????

[Chimbo65]

This "dude" is Ray Ennis,founder,singer

of The Swinging Blue Jeans since 1957

[Tonicbubbler]

Yes, I've always thought that. Especially when he sings "You're No Good."

[writeroffthelake]

This is rock & roll at its best - give me that great blues bass line all the time! - writeroffthelake at Geneva-on-the-Lake

[marvy1118]

He sounds like Harrison.

[Aleeratajemna]

I love mersey sound!

[mzkorox]

this is the champion of liverpool, second is the searchers, third is the beatles

[ArleneTheBikerQueen]

RIGHT ON! & BANG ON!! & ROCK ON!!!

[robertlaberge]

Those NME shows were dynamite.

All bands always seem to be in top shape!

[blackbirdtwigg]

AHHH,those were the days, these guys were the business !!!

[mokogintaz]

ROCK ON !!!

[ArleneTheBikerQueen]

best beat group out of liverpool ever!!!

[ColinGilera]

hehehe There's probably a few million people out there who disagree, but they were very popular at The Jacaranda Club in Liverpool. Mum used to love seeing them there, as well as another beat group playing not far away in Mathew Street...

[RingaStarrdust]

Really funny, I love The Swinging Blue Jeans, especially Ray Ennis with his soooo great voice.

It's funny when they laugh because of the microphone.

And yes, I think that Ralph Ellis did the solo, he was the lead guitar and Ray the rythm guitar.

Love Ray!! :D

[twoslices]

Did Ralph Ellis play the guitar solo on Hippy Hippy Shake? If he did he was a damn fine player back then.

[evilcornflake]

Yes, doesn't he? I'd noticed that as well XD

[FlipMartian]

Really raw voice - brilliant.

[twoslices]

The lead guitarist looks uncannily like John Lennon

[ryantunks]

They're both from Liverpool...maybe it was something in the water.

[beatlefannumber1]

oh wow that is wierd

[stratman123]

John's dad was a sailor, and got around a bit, ya know?!

[maryquant1967]

yeah, I just noticed it too. He looks like the John Lennon on the meet the beatles cover...who the heck is he?

[kaysguy]

Ray Ennis, he's still fronting the band...in fact, except for a new drummer and guest bassists to replace the dead original, they are still together.

[donletmedon]

Nope, he meant the lead guitarist, kaysguy....

the lead guitarist that's looks like John Lennon is Ralph Ellis...

[Chimbo65]

The "dead original" as you called him

was the late great Les Braid.

With The Swinging Blue Jeans

from 1959 to 2005.

[Chimbo65]

Oh dear,Ralph Ellis and John Lennon

were not related.