(02) TEN FEET FIVE

 

Is there a relation between The Troggs and The Roulettes? Not really, but the following story is just too good to be shelved… In short: pre-Troggs group ‘Ten Feet Five’ once opened for The Roulettes. And drummer John Walker still remembers.   

Apart from backing  one of the UK’s hottest teen idols ever -  Adam Faith - The Roulettes released a string of records under their own name and occasionally performed as an independent unit, playing what they liked best of all: tough beat and R&B. In a way, they belong in the Mod pantheon.

Ten Feet Five weren’t too easily impressed, as they used to open for all the stars that toured their region – such as Brian Poole or The Hollies - and could count on a loyal following. If a group like Ten Feet Five thought it was really something to open for The Roulettes – whose records never charted - it is because they were highly respected for their musicianship. As Roulettes bassist John ‘Mod’ Rogan proudly stated during the group interview I conducted:  ‘A  lot of groups really liked what we did.  It was quite amazing, because some really big names knew you.  Everybody worked in different parts of the UK and many bands would meet at the Blue Boar Café on the M1. It was the only way south from the north. It didn’t matter what time it was, wherever you were working you’d end up there for toast and beans.  You’d go there and meet Eric Clapton and everybody sort of chewed fat, you’d hear  who’d bought ‘The Long Cigarette’  (a Roulettes single – EB) and that’. [1]   

Locarno Circuit

When I posted a message on the ‘Ready Steady Go!’ facebook group referring to the Roulettes page I had just set up, one John Walker  replied that his group had once opened for The Roulettes, an event he still remembers today. That band was called ‘Ten Feet Five’ and Walker was their drummer [2].  
John Walker: ‘The only contact I ever had, and it was brief one, was the night my band supported The Roulettes. They definitely were on their own. I cannot remember where or the exact date, but it would have been 1963. Where exactly? We were on the Locarno circuit so it may well have been the Portsmouth Locarno. We supported so many of the top groups in those days, playing sometimes four nights a week, so it all becomes a blur’.

Staples & Britton

Walker: ‘Ten Feet Five was based in Andover, Hampshire.  We recorded just one single on Fontana before we faded into oblivion. Except: not all of us faded away. Pete Staples (bass) and Chris Britton (lead guitar), two of my oldest friends who both were in Ten Feet Five, co-formed The Troggs with Reg Presley (real name Ball) and Ronnie Bond (real name Bullis). Sadly, both Reg and Ronnie are no longer with us but Pete and Chris are thriving in Andover and I see them every time I visit from my home in Virginia, USA’.

Dezo pictures

John Walker: ‘The publicity picture of Ten Feet Five I sent you was taken by celebrated photographer, Dezo Hoffman. Chris Penfound (rhythm guitar) is centre in the picture, Pete Staples (bass) is far left, I myself (the drummer) am far right. The guy with the glasses is Dave Smith (lead vocals, who passed away). Our manager  Lance Barrett, who himself passed away a few months ago, was instrumental in obtaining the services of Dezo Hoffman. Sadly, the picture I sent you is the only survivor of a full day’s shoot.’

Chronology

Ten Feet Five were founded in 1962. The early line-up was comprised of vocalist Dave Smith, Chris Britton on lead guitar, Chris Penfound on rhythm guitar, John Hayward on drums and Dave Glover on bass. Glover left to be replaced by Pete Staples and John Walker joined with the departure of Hayward. Pete Staples and Chris Britton co-formed The Troggs (also based in Andover) and were replaced by Simon Pay and Charlie Porter respectively.
Ten Feet Five released their only single on Fontana on 28 April 1965: ‘Baby’s Back In Town c/w Send Me No More Lovin’, feat. future Troggs Pete Staples and Chris Britton. In the Autumn of 1965, the career of Ten Feet Five came to an end.
The Troggs were signed by Larry Page (of Kinks fame) in 1965 and released their first single ‘Lost Girl c/w The Yella in Me’ on CBS in February 1966,  switching to Fontana for ‘Wild Thing’ in April.

Drummer John Walker relocated to the USA, where he is still making music.
 

© Eddy Bonte, first publication on this site 02 December 2019.  Version EB1 Eddy 04NOV19 sent to John Walker. Thanks to John Walker. 

MORE: Go to THe Roulettes facebook page > PIctures
https://www.facebook.com/theRoulettesUK/?modal=admin_todo_tour

NOTE

[1] Group interview with all four Roulettes of the final line-up (May 1963 > demise in late 1967; Russ Ballard, Bob Henrit, John ‘Mod’ Rogan, Peter Thorp) conducted at Russ Ballard’s on Thu. 15 December 2016.
[2] Messenger correspondence from 14 January 2019 onwards.

References:
Detailed and illustrated account of Ten Feet Five  (and their van!): http://www.davidstjohn.co.uk/tenfeetfive.html
Pete Staples' own webpage:  http://www.petestaples.co.uk
Alan Clayson & Jacqueline Ryan: ‘Rock’s Wild Things. The Troggs Files’, Helter Skelter, London, 2000