Plebs, Herald & News, 1964 Oct16

The Plebs

Plebs, Herald & News, 1964 Oct16Terry Crowe – lead vocals
Mick Dunford – lead guitar
Danny McCulloch – bass
Chris Dennis – keyboards
Derek Sirmon – drums

An historically interesting band, The Plebs were formed around May 1964 after former Nashville Teens members Terry Crowe and Mick Dunford joined forces with Danny McCulloch and Derek Sirmon, who had previously worked together in Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages and before that Frankie Reid & The Casuals.

Mick Dunford (aka Mick Forde) had started out with Weybridge, Surrey band, The Cruisers Rock Combo while Sirmon had once been a member of The Conchords (Mungo Jerry in its early days) and then Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers with Ritchie Blackmore on lead guitar.

The Plebs were all experienced professional musicians (one of the members trained at the Royal Military School of Music) and could play anything from modern jazz to rock ‘n’ roll to ballroom.

After backing Jess Conrad and Mark Wynter on the road, The Plebs signed to Decca Records and released a lone single, a cover of The Coasters’ “Bad Blood” c/w “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”, in October 1964.

That same month, the band accompanied the internationally acclaimed American modern ballet company the Alvin Ailey dance show at London’s Shaftsbury Theatre, which proved to be a long and successful engagement. However, this took them out of the “loop” with bookers for rock venues.

The Plebs went on to become the backing band for Jerry Lee Lewis on a European tour. The band can be seen on Ready Steady Go on YouTube playing “High Heel Sneakers” and “Whole lot of shakin’” with Lewis.

In early 1965, the band played at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany and then appeared in the film Be My Guest (again with Jerry Lee Lewis).

A few months later, the group went back to Germany without Derek (Degs) Sirmon who had got married. In his place, The Plebs took replacement drummer Dave Maine, who been with original Nashville Teens.

Differences in the band, however, saw its break-up in spring 1965 with Crowe and Dunford forming The Pentad. Both are now deceased.

As for the other members, Chris Dennis later moved to Italy where he teaches English.

Danny McCulloch meanwhile went on to work with singer Tony Sheridan and then spent a brief period of time in Germany in a “scratch” band with Ritchie Blackmore.

Back in the UK, he briefly hooked up with The Carl Douglas Set in the summer of 1966 before joining Eric Burdon’s New Animals later that year. He still composes and produces music and advertisements.

Derek Sirmon became a company director but is now retired.

Notable gigs

5 September 1964 – Jazz Cellar, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey (Surrey Comet)

16 November 1964 – Jazz Cellar, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey with Jimmy Reed and John Lee Groundhogs (Surrey Comet)

 

4 December 1964 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London with Jerry Lee Lewis, Mike Rabin & The Demons and The Hideaways (Streatham News)

 

6 March 1965 Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with Daniel & The Emeralds (Surrey Advertiser)

Huge thanks to Derek Sirmon and Danny McCulloch for providing information on the band. I would also like to credit the Woking Herald for source material.

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.

I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com

14 thoughts on “The Plebs”

  1. The Plebs were popular regulars at the Cellar Club at this time and I tried to set up a fan club for them, but they were hopeless at giving me any information so I didn’t get very far. Terry was going out with one of my schoolfriends (Mina) and eventually married her. We’re still in touch.
    The Cellar was actually an upstairs room in a rickety old boathouse by the river, having previously been located in a cellar in Ashdown Road, Kingston. Many famous bands played there and it was where I first heard the Animals perform House of the Rising Sun. A magical moment for all!

    1. Hi Christine – Good to know you are still with us. I was the Drummer with The Plebs and am still “Doddering about”- God bless and stay well – Degs

  2. Hi – I am Degs Sirmon (drummer with Savages and Plebs) Still alive and kicking, although Terry, Mick and Danny have passed away. Just me and Chris left (Chris teaches music in Italy) Of the Savages – Dave Sutch (Screamin’) Freddie Fingers Lee, Danny McCulloch, passed away. Just me, Geoff (Pussy) Mew and Ashton (Toots) Tootal stil around. Toots and Pussy now in Australia.

    1. Hi Degs, Am trying to put together some facts about my band Paul Dayton & The Deputies active in the early 60s. Remember supporting The Plebs at Coronation Hall Kingston sometime in 1964? Probably a big ask but do you happen to have a record of your gigs at this venue.
      Many thanks and all the best, Steve (drummer)

      1. Hi Steve, this is Pete Hill with you on rhythm guitar in The Meteors with Ray Booth and Bob Ward, from Glastonbury School before forming the Deputies with Eddie Horton and Paul Gibbs, How are you? I’ve plenty of info about our early days if you want to make contact. I’m still playing!

      2. Hi Steve, I was with you at the formation of the band with Ray Booth, Eddie Horton and Brian Gibbs, after our first band from Glastonbury School, the Meteors with Bob Ward. I have info from those early days, venues, publicity etc if you want.
        Pete Hill. e-mail p.hill23@sky.com

      3. Hi Steve, I was with you at the formation of the band with Ray Booth, Eddie Horton and Brian Gibbs, after our first band from Glastonbury School, the Meteors with Bob Ward. I have info from those early days, venues, publicity etc if you want. Would be nice to make contact again after all these years! Pete Hill, e-mail p.hill23@sky.com

  3. Chris Dennis worked with Lee Curtis & The All Stars in Hamburg from about March 1965. He joined Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays around May 1966 and worked with them until they finished backing PP Arnold on the Roy Orbison tour in April ’67. He then went to Italy with The Bad Boys

  4. I am sue I seen the Plebs at The Capitol in Aberdeen around 64 65 ..they wer either on a tour with The Hollies or The Rolling Stones ??

  5. Just seen the plebs mentioned on best of ready steady go (2020).never heard of them before, but quite a lot of interesting stuff online. Well done fellas, those of you still here!
    … Great stuff of Dusty just on. Didn’t realise how influencial she was.

  6. just saw the Plebs backing Jerry Lee Lewis on The Best of Ready Steady Go,
    it sounded great although I was never aware of them. Found out more about them online, great name to! Great seeing all those bands from the early days, especially The Stones and The Animals!
    BBC4 put on some great music shows.

  7. Hi Kim,
    Still around (Just) and enjoying the happy memories of:
    Mungo Jerry
    Screamin’ Lord Sutch & The Savages
    The Savages (Without Dave Sutch but major act in Germany after Star Club
    The Alvin Ailey Dance troup (Ballet) Drummer not a dancer!
    The Plebs as Jerry Lee Lewis’s backing band.

    Great days and many Happy memories!

    God bless
    Stay well

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