Bern Elliot & the Fenmen-talking about you (live)

The band evolved in 1960 from local rock and rollers fresh out of school. Regulars at The Jolly Fenman pub near Eltham, the quintet consisted of singer Bernard Elliott, bass Eric Willmer and drummer John Povey plus guitarists Alan Judge and David Allen. Within a year, Allen has been supplanted by an apprentice electrician from Bexleyheath, Alan Waller, who adopted the nom de guerre" Wally Allen"- which, at a time when clear visual identification was required as ignition point for chart success, gave the quintet´s personnel at least a veneer of continuity while avoiding the confusion of Elliott having to introduce two blokes both called "Alan" on the boards.
This classic song was recorded live at the Cavern in 1964.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bern
• Elliot
• the
• Fenmen
• Cavern
• merseybeat
• 60´s

[kpmvc]

Super bass playing and sound from Eric Willmott. I tried to repeat it in Bern's next band The Klan. I even bought an Epiphone semi acoustic bass, but never quite got the same sound. It must have been the cabinet.

[Greenbeatriver]

@kpmvc I encourage you to upload a cover of your bass!

[MODTRASH]

Brilliant upload!!! Played in the Blackfen area also, probably 'The Black Prince'.

[Greenbeatriver]

@MODTRASH Thanks Brett for your comment.

[geofftiny]

Great band - And don't forget Eric Willmott the bass player - A carpenter by trade who made all the amp cabinets when they formed. I lived round the corner from Bern and when he left I'd stopped playing so used to be roadie.

[BUAV]

Great sound quality considering when this was recorded. Thanks for postng.

[ricmalbex]

Strange seeing this band on here...I remember them well. John Povey lived just around the corner from me.....I knew his sister, Sarah. Bern Elliott lived in Riverdale Road in Erith. They had a couple of hits on Top of the Pops with 'New Orleans' and 'Money'.....and faded away after a row, it was said.

I've had a few pints in The Fenman, Blackfen...Happy days....