Earl Royce & The Olympics

Billy Kelly (Earl Royce) - vocals

Kenny Hazzard - rhythm guitar

Brian Dee - bass guitar/vocals

Jimmy Jordan - drums

Other personnel included :-

Pete Cook - lead guitar

George Peckham - lead guitar

Rita "Jeannie" Hughes - vocals

Frank Bowen - lead guitar

Earl Royce and the Olympics were another of the Liverpool contingent. The core quartet of Kelly, Hazzard, Dee and Jordan. together with guitarist Pete Cook were formed during the early months of 1963 from the remnants of several local groups.

In 1964 they were selected to appear in the feature film "Ferry Cross The Mersey" which starred Gerry & The Pacemakers. In the film, they performed "Shake A Tail Feather" and while they were playing a warm-up song, "Que Sera Sera" they were seen by the Beatles' producer, George Martin. Martin was so impressed by "Que Sera Sera" that he recorded the song and released it as a single.

In April '65 Cook exited the group following a dispute with other members about their "musical policy". He was replaced by the former lead guitarist with the Pawns, George Peckham, who had more recently been playing bass with the Kinsleys.

A second single, "Guess Things Happen That Way", was released that year. Again with Martin at the console - and this time featuring the legendary producer on piano - the record, like its predecessor, failed to make the charts. Towards the end of 1965 Peckham received an offer from the Fourmost, which he accepted, leaving the group without a lead guitarist once more. Frank Bowen was brought in as his replacement but their days were numbered.

During a trip to Germany their van was destroyed by the police having been vandalised and they returned to Liverpool in January 1966. Lacking the money necessary to carry on, they disbanded.