Ian & The Rebels: Chris Kenny R. I. P.

Friday 11 March 2016

Chris Kenny R. I. P.

Sadly we have this morning heard of the passing away yesterday of life long friend and drummer Chris Kenny. Chris started school at St Anne's RC School in Ormskirk and when moving up to secondary school at St Bede's also in Ormskirk. We our first band together at St Anne's Youth Club, The Nightriders later to become Ian & The Rebels. Chris then helped form renouned rock band Caliban who, over a five year period, as well as playing all the local gigs including Liverpool's Cavern Club, tour numerous venues in the UK and Europe, only curtailed when Chris became ill and had to leave the business. Chris then took up fell walking and was an esteemed member of the Cumbrian fell walking and mountaineering society. Recently on re-forming Ian & The Rebels, Chris got to play one last performance at Ormskirk Golf Club before illness again took it's toll. R. I. P. Chris Kenny. Our Sympathy's to all his family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVFaBRlxIcU

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Biblography

All five original member’s of Ormskirk 60's band; Ian & The Rebels namely; vocalist Ian Gregson; lead guitarist Keith Hubbard; rhythm guitarist Roy Smith; bass guitarist Derek Brough and drummer Chris Kenny are celebrating fifty years since the band first got together.

During the Mersey Beat era, Ian and The Rebels; while being the resident band at Ormskirk Young Peoples Club, (affectionally known as, The YPC) performed at all of the top North West venues such Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club, where the band supported top acts; The Merseybeats, The Fourmost, The Four Pennies, Millie (My Boy Lollipop) and after winning the Cavern heat; won the final of Norie Paramors "The New Sound of 64" talent show which was held at Morecombe Winter Garden’s.

Late in 1964, finding it difficult to mix performing in the band with his fulltime occupation, Ian decided to leave The Rebels. The Rebels joined up with Liverpool vocalist Ricky Gleason and continued, with differing line-ups until the late 1960's. After The Rebels Keith Hubbard spent eighteen months as a member of the cast of the rock musical HAiR before reuniting with Roy and Chris to form renowned rock band Caliban. Caliban toured both the UK and Europe and played on the original Cavern Clubs last night. Keith and Roy then joined hit pop group Chicory Tip (Son of My Father) again touring Europe and the UK. 1976 Roy left the music business while Keith, after stints with a number of bands, went on to form popular 60's music outfit; Shooter, with whom he has performed extensively throughout the UK

During the summer of 2011 Ian contacted guitarist Keith about guitar lessons. They met up and Keith invited Ian to perform a few songs with Shooter on the first of the “Rockin’ at the YPC” Teenagers of The 60s reunion shows at Ormskirk Civic Hall; this was to be held on Saturday 28th October 2011. Ian agreed; his set went so well that he became a regular performer for the following reunion shows.

Ian now had the bug; he contacted all the other members of The Rebels and, in December 2012, Ian organized a re-union. This went well and it was arranged that they would have a session in Keith’s studio to see if they could still cut it. The session was very positive and although drummer Chris would be away in Australia, the rest of the band decided that, to celebrate the 50 years since they first got together and played their gigs at Ormskirk Young Peoples Club, they would perform a set on the fourth “Rockin’ at The YPC” show.

With Shooter drummer Bob Dickenson filling in for the absent Chris Kenny.

The set was so well received that the band, with all original members including drummer Chris, then performed a second gig at Ormskirk Golf Club; unfortunately this would be the final time all five would perform together. Sadly original drummer Chris Kenny was not well and, under doctors orders, had to withdraw from the band.

Replacing Chris is ex Crying Shames drummer Charlie Gallagher. The Crying Shames had a chart hit in 1966 with a cover of The Drifters song ‘Please Stay’.

On December 31st 2015 (New Years Eve) three years after getting back together, vocalist Ian Gregson and drummer Charlie Gallagher decided to retire from the band. Roy and Keith now share lead vocals and the new drummer replacing Charlie Gallagher is Dean Marriott from Southport.

For further information email; keith@jkhmusic.co.uk

CD Track List

1. Roll Over Beethoven

2. Mean Woman Blues * *

3. You Never Can Tell

4. Be Bop A Lu La * *

5. Blue suede Shoes * *

6. Some Other Guy

7. Love Potion No. 9 * *

8. How Do You Do It

9. Chains

10. Need A Shot Of Rhythm

And Blues

11. Stand By Me

12. Tell Me What I Say * *

13. Do You Want To Dance

14. Move It

15. Halfway To Paradise

16. Singing The Blues

17. Teenager In Love

18. Lucille

19. You Can't Do That

20. Bad To Me

21. Your No Good

22. Walking The Dog

23. The Price Of Love

24. Johnny Be Good

* * tracks feature Chris Kenny

on drums; all other tracks

feature Charlie Gallagher.