Darwen’s own fab 5 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen’s own fab 5

11:03am Thursday 11th June 2009 in

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THE 1960s was a bright new era for music. New groups were appearing almost every day and dance halls were suddenly thumping to a new kind of beat.

Nationwide bands such as the Beatles were causing a frenzy, so much so that in 1963 it was reported the Fab Four had banked £150,000!

Local lads were also getting in on the act – does anyone remember The Shotguns from Darwen?

We found this photograph of the young lads in our archives and found out a bit about them.

The group had a regular Saturday night slot at Darwen Co-op and when Gerry and the Pacemakers visited, they provided support for the enthusiastic audience and dancers.

The Shotguns were that little bit different, as they played an electric bass organ, instead of the usual bass guitar and at the keyboard was leader Peter Yates, then 16.

Co-vocalists were Gary Grimshaw, 19, a market salesman, who hoped to take up singing as a future career and Frank Crompton, 18, an apprentice who lived in Tockholes.

Rhythm guitarist, 16-year-old Blackburn schoolboy Jim Titterington was then the newest member of the group, while lead guitarist was Donald Martin, 19. He, like drummer Alan Dearden, was a self-taught musician.

l Do you remember dancing to The Shotguns at Darwen Co-op?