LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
WELL-KNOWN TOWN BAND TO PUT ON ANNIVERSARY SHOW
ONE of Grimsby’s most famous groups, The Rumble Band, is set to perform a big gig to mark its 35th anniversary - a year later than planned.
Although they disbanded in 1970 after enjoying huge acclaim in the 1960s, the soul and Motown band were asked if they could get together for Grimsby’s Live Aid charity concert in 1985. The group has enjoyed plenty of success ever since.
The 35th anniversary celebration was meant to be held at The Beachcomber last year but, due to the coronavirus lockdown, the event was postponed.
Now the 13-piece band has rearranged the birthday bash to be held on September 11, at the same venue. Following the phenomenal success of Live Aid in London and Philadelphia in July 1985, bands across the UK staged their own gigs to boost the famine relief effort in Ethiopia. The Grimsby Telegraph’s inspirational music writer Steve Jackson approached The Rumble Band’s Dave Ranshaw with the idea of reuniting the group for the one one-off off gig at The Winter Gardens in September 1985. It was the spark which brought the group together and began a new life on tour throughout the UK playing 40 to 50 gigs a year for the next three decades.
Bassist, Grahame Clayton said: “The Rumble did appear, went down a storm and here we are 36 years later still going strong.
“Last year’s 35th bash fell victim to the lockdown, but hopefully this year we can celebrate.
“We’ll also have with us that other well known Grimsby band The Dangerous Brothers, who also appeared in 1985 as The Brothers Band.” Grahame added: “It is nice to have something we can look forward to. The 14 months enforced lay off has made us all appreciate all the more why we do it and how much fun we have.
“Although The Winter Gardens was our spiritual home, it is no longer there and we will be delighted to be back at The Beachcomber. It is the nearest Saturday to the anniversary in 1985. It is the only venue big enough. It will be great to be back on stage after 14 months.”
The Rumble Band has a five-piece horn section, four vocalists, guitarist, bassist, drummer and lead vocalist Allan Scorer. There could also be a number of surprises on the anniversary night, which are being kept under wraps.
The band’s success owes a lot to the cult following for soul and Motown music in northern Lincolnshire.
“It has been such a big following through all those years because people like to see a big band on stage. There are not many like us. The Rumble Band is a show,” Grahame said.
“We appreciate highly the audience that has followed us through 36 years. Without blowing our own trumpet, it is a group of damn good musicians, who get people dancing and enjoying a great night.” Having joined the band at the turn of the century, Grahame recalled The Rumble Band shaking the old South Bank Jazz Club to its foundations in the heart of Grimsby. Since touring with the band, he has experience memorable gigs in London and Birmingham and a
Harley-Davidson meeting with hundreds of bikers bopping to the soul music of The Rumble Band.
“We have not been able to be together since our last gig in Telford 14 months ago,” he said. “It has been dreadful and we are all desperate to get back. It has been tough. It has been the same for all in the performing arts.
“But it has given us the chance to lay the foundations for touring in venues throughout the UK.”
The Rumble Band drew its young stars from the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Youth Orchestra, who quickly learned from the longer-serving band members.
Among the most famous of The Rumble Band was Steve Curry, who
left the group to join legendary glam rockers T-Rex. It was just after The Rumble Band signed with music industry leaders Warner Brothers. Tragically he was killed in a car crash in Portugal in 1981.
The Rumble Band have packed out dance halls wherever they performed including Grimsby’s Customs House, The Casablanca Club, JDs, Grimsby Town Hall, Louth Town Hall and Scunthorpe’s Baths Hall.
■ The anniversary show is at The Beachcomber on Saturday, September 11. Entry is by ticket only and tickets, priced £10, are available at The Beachcomber by attending in person or by reserving them on 01472 812666.