Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen - 50th Anniversary

2008 Marks the 50th Anniversary of Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. Take a look through the years and watch how the band has developed...

1958-1967 \| 1968-1977 \| 1978-1987 \| 1988-1997 \| 1998-2008
1958	The band is formed by Kenny Ball and Trombonist John Bennett, who remains with the band to this day. The other original musicians were Dave Jones on Clarinet, Tony Budd on Drums, Brian Prudence on Bass, Colin Bates on Piano and John Potter on Guitar/Banjo. Before the year was out Dickie Bishop was the new Banjo player.
1959	Kenny releases his first single entitled Waterloo, now a collector's item, along with an EP simply entitled Kenny Ball Jazz Band. Jimmy Garforth had taken over the Drums with Dis Disley taking the Banjo spot for a brief time. Alan Cater arrived on Clarinet but soon made way for the return of Dave Jones. Colin Purbrook took over on Bass. Most notable change was the arrival of Ron Bowden on drums, who stayed right up to 1999. The picture on the left from John Bennett's archives shows the band with its original line-up at the Fleet Street Jazz Club in 1959.
1960	Another single released - Teddy Bear's Picnic - another collector's item. More significant changes to the line-up with Vic Pitt arriving on Bass, Ron Weatherburn on Piano and Vic's brother Tony Pitt on Banjo/Guitar. The 1960 line-up: Vic Pitt, Ken, Ron Weatherburn, Ron Bowden, John Bennett, Dave Jones and Dickie Bishop
1961	Release of Kenny's biggest hit singles, Samantha, I Still Love You All, Someday and of course the biggest of them all - Midnight In Moscow. The only changes to the personnel this year were in the Banjo/Guitar department with Bill Dixon replacing Tony Pitt and then Terry Lightfoot's brother Paddy Lightfoot stepping in. There were to be no more changes to the line-up until 1966 as the band enjoyed it's greatest period of success. It was time to release the first greatest hits album, pictured left, entitled Kenny Ball Hit Parade! Another great honour for the band when they are invited to perform at the Royal Command Performance in front of The Queen Mother.
1962	The hit movie featuring the 3 B's (Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk and Chris Barber) called It's Trad Dad is released. Kenny receives a Gold Disc for Midnight In Moscow from none other than Louis Armstrong. More hit songs released: March Of The Siamese Children, The Green Leaves of Summer, So Do I and The Pay-Off. The band make their first visit to the USA when they play for 2 weeks in Chicago. Before the year is out, the band embarks on it's first World Tour, visiting USA, Australia and New Zealand.
1963	More hits, including Sukiyaki, Rondo and Acapulco 1922. Another World Tour and an appearance on the Johnny Carson TV show in New York.
1964	The hits continue with From Russia With Love being most notable. The band makes its first visit to Japan.
1965	More singles released and the band does a summer season for 3 months in Blackpool!
1966	Another hit with Poor People of Paris amongst others. Terry Lightfoot joined his brother in the band on Clarinet.
1967	When I'm Sixty-Four hits the UK Charts. Terry Lightfoot left to re-start his own band and current Clarinettist Andy Cooper joined the band and is an instant hit with the fans with his on-stage antics!!