The Nashville Teens

John Hawkens b. 9 May 1940, Bournemouth: piano Pete Shannon b. Peter Shannon Harris, 23 August 1941: bass Arthur Sharp b. 26 May 1941, Woking: vocals Ray Phillips b. Ramon John Phillips, 16 January 1944, Tiger Bay, Cardiff: vocals John Allen b. John Samuel Allen, 23 April 1945, St. Albans, Hertfordshire: guitar Barry Jenkins b. 22 December 1944, Leicester: drums   1962   [AS 20-21; RP 17-18] The origins of this band can be traced to Arthur Sharp and Ramon Phillips in Weybridge, Surrey (south and west of London) when the two singers decided to join forces. They convinced a local band — which included Pete Shannon (bass), John Hawken (keyboards), Mike Dunford (guitar), and Roger Groom (drums) — to accompany them. They name themselves after an Everly Brothers song, "Nashville Blues" (Hogg 1993).

1963   [AS 21-22; RP 18-19]

Arthur Sharp worked in a Weybridge record store where he was able to hear disks imported from the US and to meet musicians who came into the shop looking for music.

After further personnel changes, the band (now with Barry Jenkins on drums, John Allen on guitar, and another singer, Terry Crow) the group traveled to Hamburg, performing at the Star Club and backing Jerry Lee Lewis during his visit (recording with him).

1964   [AS 22-23; RP 19-20]

Returning to London (Crow decided to stay in Hamburg), they take on Don Arden as their manager who arranges for them to accompany American artists Chuck Berry and Carl Perkins [appearing on a recording by the latter] during their tours.

Mickie Most (who was vocalist with the Minutemen at the time) heard them on the Berry tour and convinced them that he could be their producer. He had already been working with the Newcastle blues group, the Animals, and arranged a contract with Decca on the basis of the success he had already had. (Hogg 1993)

9 July. "Tobacco Road" / "I Like It Like That" [Decca F 11930; charts; UK #6]

22 October. "Google Eye" / "T.N.T." [Decca F 12000; charts; UK #10]

Subsequent problems with US immigration limited their U.S. tour with the Zombies to New York State. They record while in the US, creating problems for them in the UK with Mickie Most and Don Arden.

1965 [AS 23-24; RP 20-21] 4 March. "Find My Way Home" / "Devil-In-Law" [Decca F12089; charts; UK #34] 20 May. "This Little Bird" / "Whatcha Gonna Do?" [Decca F 12143; charts; UK #38]. Produced by Andrew Oldham. "I Know How It Feels to Be Loved" / "Soon Forgotten" [Decca F 12255]. Produced by Mark Wildey.   1966   [AS 24-25; RP 20-21] 3 February. "The Hard Way" / "Upside Down" [Decca F 12316; charts; UK #45] "Forbidden Fruit" / "Revived 45 Time" "That's My Woman" / "Words"

See the Nashville Teens website for additional information. http://www.nashville-teens.com/

London	Schedule	Peter and Gordon
	20-Feb-2012