The Colours 70 - 78
A continuation of the band that had started in 1958 as The Residents, Rod An the Residents in 1960, became Dale Morris and The Furys in 1962, The Furys in 1964 and Blue Sand in 1966. This history is covered in Pompey Pop Pix.
In 1971 the band, now a 3 piece with Pete White (Lead Guitar) Bryan Baker (Bass) and Stewart Savage on Drums, were playing under the name of “The Colours” and landed a resident gig at Warners Sinah Warren as the band in the bar and in the Kon-Tiki. Pete also played with Dean Maddison on the Warners TV Commercial Soundtrack.
In 1972 Ray Baker (Rhythm Guitar) rejoined the band and they became the house “Rock band” alongside the Dean Maddison Dance Band. In that role they played both summer seasons and off-season functions moving into respectability with Velvet Suits and Bow Ties. In 73 Stewart left to emigrate to Florida and was replaced by Edward (Ted) Ball. The band then worked alongside the Arthur Ward Band (with Bill Cole). In that year the band was approached by agents of Hughie Green to perform on “Opportunity Knocks” but turned it down since we all had regular careers outside of music. The band also turned down offers to work at the Warners resorts In Yugoslavia. Ted was sadly killed by a drunk driver in West Lane on his way home from the gig in the summer of 74 and was replaced by Rich Seimark (who had been in the Universal Trash Band with Ray).
Musically Speaking - From the early 70’s the band turned to cabaret style show format, pretty much locked in to Warners at Sinah Warren so with playing four nights a week in the summer season and every weekend during the winter the band never really branched out musically missing much of the crazy stuff.
Pete immigrated to Florida in 1976 (where he lives today) Ray kept the Colours going (drafting in Pete Bugg) until he immigrated to Australia in 1978 (where he still lives today).
Sad to say that Bryan, Stewart and Ted are no longer with us.
But for a brief moment they all appeared in a mural painted on the hoardings erected round the old site of the Savoy.
Pete White
West Melbourne Florida, USA
2020
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