Rob Tucker born in Torquay, Devon, 16/5/44
Dave Gummer born in Ilminster, Somerset, 16/12/45
Joe Romaine born in Totnes, Devon, 8/4/44
Tony Mant born in Stanmore, Middlesex, 28/1/46
In 1964, they participated in a beat-group competition, the chief judge of which was Brian Epstein, and the prize was a recording contract and promotion from his company NEMS.
The Rustiks won the competition, got a contract with the Decca studio when they rejected the Beatles, and in 1964-65 they were able to record two singles. Moreover, they were invited to act as an opening act for the Beatles themselves during their 64-year-old UK tour.
Drummer Bill Covington left some interesting memories of this for the book " Beatlemania! The True Story of the Beatles Touring England. "
" The rest of the NEMS wards were northerners, and we are from the west of the country. Everyone was hostile to us. We moved to London and settled at the Madison Hotel, where we stayed for about a year.
We made £ 30 a week, which was good for a 64, but after all the bills were paid, there wasn't much left."
And right after the release of the first single, they were on tour with the Beatles. Bill often listened to their performances from behind the scenes.
" Beyond the first row, nothing could be heard, because the girls were going crazy. Yes, and I only heard the drum beat. Anyone who came out of the door leading off the stage could have their clothes ripped off. Just by association with the Beatles. It was crazy! The fans could tear down the wall just to get to them."
For the Rustiks, the touring environment was far from luxurious.
" We stayed in the cheapest hotels with breakfast included and always calculated the costs. Brian was always looking after money."
"The Beatles did not travel on a shared tour bus, simply because it would be inconvenient for the rest of them: they had to run out of concerts, jump into the car and rush, running away from the audience. It was difficult to talk to them: there was always a line of people who wanted to see them, and these were often people they knew from Hamburg and Liverpool. The only Beatle who listened to us was George Harrison, but he also seemed to think we were just a bunch of assholes."
The guys played very good beat music. And everything could be otherwise, if, if, if ...
Can't You See... - Singles & EPs
I'm looking for these two songs by The Rustiks:
1.Nothing Left To Do
2.Should I Cry
Fascinating ...
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