The Syndicats
Encyclopedia
The Syndicats were an English
group
, who were Steve Howe
's first band. Their three singles
on Columbia (EMI) were produced
by Joe Meek
. When lead guitarist Howe left for Tomorrow
in 1965, he was replaced by Ray Fenwick
. Fenwick played lead guitar on the band's most famous song "Crawdaddy Simone". He co-wrote it with Jeff Williams, the bands' keyboardist.
Further members were Tom Ladd (lead vocals) (born 1947), Johnny Melton (drums) (born 1947), John Truelove (drums), Kevin Driscoll (born 1945) (vocals and guitar), Johnny Lamb (lead vocals), Paul Holm (drums, last single). Co-founder member, Kevin Driscoll, died in London on 16 August 1982.
"Crawdaddy Simone" is played over the end credits of Telstar
, a film biopic of Joe Meek, released in June 2009.
Songs released on the Mothballs CD
(RPM Records 1994), were "Don't Know What To Do" (Howe), and "Leave My Kitten Alone
" (Little Willie John
/Titus Turner
/James McDougal).
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
group
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, who were Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
's first band. Their three singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on Columbia (EMI) were produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Joe Meek
Joe Meek
Robert George "Joe" Meek was a pioneering English record producer and songwriter....
. When lead guitarist Howe left for Tomorrow
Tomorrow (band)
Tomorrow were a 1960s psychedelic rock band. Despite critical acclaim and support from DJ John Peel who featured them on his "Perfumed Garden" radio show, the band was not a great success in commercial terms. They were among the first psychedelic bands in England along with Pink Floyd and Soft...
in 1965, he was replaced by Ray Fenwick
Ray Fenwick
Ray Fenwick is an English guitarist and session musician, best known for replacing Steve Howe in The Syndicats, and as the lead guitarist of Ian Gillan's post Deep Purple solo project, the Ian Gillan Band.-Biography:...
. Fenwick played lead guitar on the band's most famous song "Crawdaddy Simone". He co-wrote it with Jeff Williams, the bands' keyboardist.
Further members were Tom Ladd (lead vocals) (born 1947), Johnny Melton (drums) (born 1947), John Truelove (drums), Kevin Driscoll (born 1945) (vocals and guitar), Johnny Lamb (lead vocals), Paul Holm (drums, last single). Co-founder member, Kevin Driscoll, died in London on 16 August 1982.
"Crawdaddy Simone" is played over the end credits of Telstar
Telstar (film)
Telstar is a film adaptation of James Hicks' play of the same name. It stars Con O'Neill as Joe Meek and Kevin Spacey as Meek's business advisor, Major Banks...
, a film biopic of Joe Meek, released in June 2009.
Singles
- "MaybelleneMaybellene"Maybellene" is a song recorded by Chuck Berry, adapted from the traditional fiddle tune "Ida Red" that tells the story of a hot rod race and a broken romance. It was released in July 1955 as a single on Chess Records of Chicago, Illinois. It was Berry's first single release and his first hit...
" (BerryChuck BerryCharles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
) / "True To Me" (Ladd/Howe) (8 April 1964, Columbia DB 7238) - "Howling For My Baby" (DixonWillie DixonWilliam James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
) / "What To Do" (Howe/Truelove/K. Driscoll/T. Driscoll) (January 1965, Columbia DB 7441) - "On the Horizon" (Leiber/Stoller) / "Crawdaddy Simone" (Fenwick/Williams) (September 1965, Columbia DB 7686)
Songs released on the Mothballs CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
(RPM Records 1994), were "Don't Know What To Do" (Howe), and "Leave My Kitten Alone
Leave My Kitten Alone
"Leave My Kitten Alone" is a 1959 R&B hit, written by Little Willie John, James McDougal and Titus Turner, first recorded by Little Willie John, and covered in 1960 by Johnny Preston. The song is also the 22nd song on the second disc to The Beatles' Anthology 1...
" (Little Willie John
Little Willie John
William Edward John was better known by his stage name Little Willie John. Many sources erroneously give his second name as Edgar...
/Titus Turner
Titus Turner
Titus Turner was an American R&B and East Coast blues singer and songwriter. His best remembered recordings were "We Told You Not To Marry" and "Sound-Off," plus he wrote "Leave My Kitten Alone," and "Tell Me Why."...
/James McDougal).