Portsmouth Music Scene


The Portsmouth Music Scene

Ron Hughes


First Group ; "The For-tune$"
Name had to be changed because of the new Decca recording group, new name "The Original For-Tune$"
Name chaged to "The Rampant"
"Sleeper" in the 1970's
Next came some time working(day job) in America.
Back in the UK in "Cadillac"
"Hat-Trick" with brother Ken on drums and Nigel Baker on bass
Ken left and was replaced by Chris Hughes(no relation)
At this time Ron was teaching banjo, and produced two banjo books with CD recordings (see below)

Four-Tunes & Lyn A

An early 1960 Photo, Ron far left

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Four-Tune$ & Josie Franklyn

The Four-Tunes at Rickys

Four-Tune$ with brother Ken left, Ron then Paul Spooner and right Dave Cawte at Ricky's Club

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The Rampant, left to right Ritchie Peters, Mick Cooper, Ron Hughes, Don Golding, Ken Hughes.

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Into the 1970's with Sleeper

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Into the 1990's with wife Hilary as Cadillac

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Ron with his pal Noel

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A grab shot of Hat-Trick at the Jolly Sailor, Southsea in 2014

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Ron with all of his beloved guitars

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A For-Tune$ annual re-union gathering


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Ron's Banjo Books
Christmas Carols for the 5 string banjo
O'Carolan for the 5 string banjo

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Today, Ron teaches banjo

On a personal note;
Having known Ron since the early 1960's and seen him play often over the years and recently, it is a great shame that he has decided to stop gigging. Of course it had to happen one day, having often heard him say it takes him all day Sunday to recover from the Saturday night gig. He has become an accomplished and talented guitarist and singer,
and I think his decision will be a very sad loss to the local music scene.

Ron's Brother Ken Hughes, drummer

Original Fortunes 1960's
Rampant 1960's
Transit - (I was about 27, so circa 1974) Ron played with them too but he got fired.
Autumn Leaves - 1976/77 (Ron Hughes, Nigel Baker, Mick Hackett (deceased)) What a concentration of sheer talent!
Kansas Country - ???? Trevor Fry - lead guitar, Bob Bennett - Rhythm, Richard Croft - bass, Patsie Frost - vocals
Harlequin - ???? (Nigel might know the year) - Bob Downs, Nigel Baker
Redman Set _ ????
Sleeper - ???? (Ron will know the year) - Charlie Keenan, Ron Hughes, Dave Saunders
Hat Trick - I'm guessing but for nine years I think. My longest gig. Ask Ron for dates.
Nightshade. 2016 ?

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