September 1962 to August 1963
 THE
NOMADS. Stu James (real name Stu Slater): "I was in the Sixth form
at Liverpool Institute - post A-levels, waiting to go to University - but
somehow I got involved with the Nomads instead. I came in as pianist, playing
an ordinary upright until I could afford a Hohner, and then I started singing
too. Our repertoire was powerful, hardline R & B...we were a sort of
Liverpool Yardbirds. By the time we changed our name to the Mojos, we were
playing 4 or 5 nights each week - pubs and clubs - and we'd had a track
released on THIS IS MERSEYBEAT." James almost joined the Undertakers -
rehearsed with them for three days when Nugent threatened to leave.
Line-up
Stu James: vocal, piano;
Keith Karlson: bass;
John Konrad: drums;
Adrian Wilkinson: guitar, vocal (founder and leader during his year
with them).
August 1963 to October 1963
 THE
MOJOS. After winning a songwriting competition at the Philharmonic
Hall, they got a songwriting/recording contract with Carlin Music, who
leased their tapes to Decca. This line-up released one single: Forever/They
say (F11732 - October 1963). James: "Allan Williams was very good to us...he
gave us a residency at his Club, the Blue Angel. The first generation bands
would come along to see us...the scene up there was great around that time.
The Merseybeats, the Dennisons and the Mojos were the groups the little
girls liked best, whilst the other musicians favoured the Beatles, the
Big Three and the Undertakers." Wilkinson departed; Crouch arrived.
Line-up
 Stu
James: vocals;
Keith Karlson: bass;
John Konrad: drums;
Terry O'Toole: piano;
Adrian Wilkinson: guitar (Mastersounds).
November 1963 until
October 1964
Went over to play the Star Club - and Whilst in Hamburg cut their second
single...one of the great classics of the Mersey era: "Everything's alright/Give
your lovin' to me (F 11853 - March 1964 - #9). Followed with two less distinguished
efforts: Why not tonight?/Don't do it anymore (F 11918 - June 1964 - #25)
and Seven daffodils/Nothin' at all (F 11959 - August 1964 - #30). James:
"We made our name in Liverpool as blues specialists but later got persuaded
to do all sorts of lightweight pop stuff. After our initial success, we
just stumbled on in a fairly aimless way. If we got any acclaim it was
for our live performances which remained loud and raucous".
Line-up
 Stu
James: vocals (to Stu James & the Mojos);
Nicky Crouch: guitar, vocal (to Stu James & the Mojos);
John Konrad : drums (split up over diverging views/ideas);
Terry O'Toole: piano (split up over diverging views/ideas).
Keith Karlson: bass (split up over diverging views/ideas).
December 1964 until
September 1966
 STU
JAMES & THE MOJOS. Made two singles: Comin' on to cry/That's
the way it goes (F 12127 - April 1965) and Wait a minute/Wonder if she
knows (F 12231 - August 1965). Toured Britain consistently - but unable
to recapture earlier popularity and spirit. Dunbar, by then regarded top
drummer in Liverpool, quit to join John Mayall's blues band. Collins, whose
father (Bill) was the Mojos' road manager, was later to become a successful
TV actor (The Professionals). James and Crouch found new guys and kept
going a bit longer - two more singles came out. Crouch left the business;
James now heads up Chrysalis Music.
Line-up
 Stu
James: vocals;
Nicky Crouch: guitar, vocal;
Lewis Collins: bass;
Aynsley Dunbar: drums ( later in Journey and the Starship).
DISCOGRAPHY
(1963 - 1965)
SINGLES
'Forever'/'They Say'
DECCA F 11732 10/63
'Everything's Alright'/ DECCA F
11853 3/64
'Give Your Lovin' to Me'
'Why Not Tonight?'/
DECCA F 11918 6/64
Don't Do It Any More'
'Seven Daffodils'/
DECCA F 11959 8/64
'Nothin' at All'
'Comin' on to Cry'/
DECCA F 12127 4/65
'That's the Way It Goes''
'Wait a Minute'/
DECCA F 12231 8/65
'Wonder if She Knows'
EPs
'The Mojos'
DECCA DFE 8591 8/64
Date
of entry into UK charts - Title - Highest position
3/64
"Everything's Alright" 9
|