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Musicians - snippets
Snippets and some local bands that played at the dance halls.

If you have any photographs of these bands, or can
tell us of others, we'd be pleased to hear from you.

Rushden Argus, 30th August 1912 - Extract from a long article by Joseph Enos Smith.

Rushden Musicians

The late Mr. George Packwood, violinist and ’cellist, used to lead the music in the Parish Church ....

Mr Charles Packwood was no ordinary composer, and an arrangement by him of the old carol “A Virgin Unspotted” is the best I know of. One of his best tunes has the name of “Woolwich” – an L.M. in G.

"Charles Thacker and his Music" played in the 1930s, but ceased in the 1940s.
After the war Charles played with "Gordon Meadows and his Music".
"The Stardusters" played at the Windmill Hall in the 1950's
Double Bass: Arnold Surridge
Drums: Frank Tyers
Saxophones: Alex Sykes, Stan Clarke, Roy Hunt
Trumpets: George Barrick, Sid Bradley
Piano: Gordon Meadows
"The Gordon Meadows Band" gave their final performance at Higham Ferrers Working Mens Club in 1981.
Keyboard: Gordon Meadows
Sax/Clarinet: Charles Thacker
String Bass: Ernest Allen
Percussion: Reg Ruff

The Bunny Rogers Band - Bunny led his band on piano, with Rex Webb on drums, Lenny Walker playing bass, Derrick Clark and Ted Hawes played trumpets, Lance [Wynn or Gill] played trombone, Paul Calter was lead alto, Roger Hall 2nd alto, George Autey 1st tenor, Harry Wills 2nd tenor, with Jim Worthington baritone, and Jim Scott another trumpet.

Rod Barker and his Band
Rod Barker & his band

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