There are a few sets of negatives featuring local bands, this is the first I shall put up. I confess my knowledge of the skiffle era is limited to say the least but i’ve done a tiny bit of research and the main mention of this group comes from this site.
The Lonnigans started gigging in early 1990s when Derek Mason (Ronnie Lonnigan) walked into our lives after a tip-off from the BBC who had been doing a programme on skiffle. Apart from being an excellent washboard player, always a fraction ahead of the beat, which gives us our momentum and drives us along, Derek also gives the group skiffle credibility. His association with the New Station skiffle group and their defeat of Adam Faith’s Worried Men on ITV’s ‘6.5 Special’ in the semi finals of the 1957 National Skiffle competition, still carries an immense amount of kudos amongst his peers.
So, these guys were the winners of the 1957 National skiffle competition, beating Adam Faith. As always I’m fond of the crowd shots and this one is no exception. Is one of these lads a soon to be famous musician in their own right?
Do you have any photos of the Ally Cats Skiffle band they appeared on the 6.5 special in around 1956. My dad played the guitar in this band
Thank you
I have a couple of other skiffle groups but the name doesn’t ring a bell. I’ll try and root them out and see what they are.