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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBENNETT, Cliff(b 4 June 1940, Slough) UK pop singer. Started Rebel Rousers in West London '59, playing Elvis and Gene Vincent covers and for nine years worked steadily in the UK and Germany; the ever-changing lineup included at various times Frank Allen (Searchers), Roy Young, Nicky Hopkins, Chas Hodges. A two-man brass section was added late '61 when the band was produced by Joe Meek, but singles on Parlophone flopped. The fat brass sound lent itself to covers of USA R&B material (Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, Sam Cooke); a version of the Drifters' 'One Way Love' was Bennett's first top ten at the seventh try, followed by 'I'll Take You Home' (no. 42, '65); then Brian Epstein was appointed manager: cover of 'Got To Get You Into My Life', written/produced by labelmate Paul McCartney, made no. 6 '66. The lineup at this time was Bennett; Sid Phillips, Moss Groves, saxes; Young on keyboards; Hodge on bass, Mick Burt, drums. Young absconded with the rest of the group '68; Bennett formed the 8-piece Cliff Bennett Band and attempted to clone his hit with 'Back In The USSR' but failed. A late '69 lineup re-emerged as progressive Toe Fat, with future Uriah Heep sidemen Ken Hensley, guitar; Lee Kerslake, drums; but had no luck. Bennett scuffled for years; linked with former Pirates/Cliff Bennett Band guitarist Mick Green in group Shanghai (other members Brian Alterman, guitar; Speedy King, bass; Pete Kircher, drums) but the punk explosion and record company problems killed their album Fallen Heroes '76; after another Beatle retread '80 ('Drive My Car') Bennett left music. Never an innovator, Bennett was nevertheless good value in his genre. Dexy's Midnight Runners paid homage with '80 version of 'One Way Love'; a brassy arrangement of 'Got To Get You Into My Life' ws revived '78 by Earth Wind & Fire. |