Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Collection @ VBR

Russ was born Alfred Sainty in April 1938. At the age of 20 he made his debut performance at The Antelope in Leyton with the BUDDY MONROE 5

The place to be seen and heard in those days was a coffee bar in Old Compton Street called 2i's. It was owned by Paul Lincoln, a wrestler and promoter but was a hotbed for all the aspiring and big name acts of the day. It had an old piano and not much else but its fame was world-wide as the place to be. Tom Littlewood was the doorman, he also taught Judo and auditioned the acts. Alfred was offered a place, subsequently doing a 20 minute act every night for the next year, backed by Tony Sheridan and his friends.

A band called the 4 TEENS from Stamford Hill were looking for a singer and asked Alfred who accepted. It seems that at this time they changed their name to the NU-NOTES. They played Halls and Airbases around London covering the big numbers of the day by Elvis Presley, the Everlys etc. but although they had no original material they were known for their vocal backings.

"Alfred" was decidedly not "Rock n Roll" and something had to be done about it. A girlfriend at the time suggested that he looked more like a Russ and the name stuck.

In 1959 he passed a BBC audition which led to more than 500 radio appearances. He became a regular on the popular programme of the day - the Saturday Club.

Around this time Edwin Green was building himself a Ballroom in Dunstable. It was to be called The California Pool Ballroom and he needed some acts. In those days it was usual for a venue to have a resident band and when Edwin saw Russ he offered him the position. Russ accepted along with Rhet Stoller, Bernie Martin, Mel Miller and Roy Toft - The NU-NOTES. The early rehearsals were done amidst builders and carpenters but on the 12th March 1960 the California opened its doors and Russ found himself on stage with RONNIE CARROLL and the RAY MILLER ORCHESTRA.

Russ and the NU-NOTES appeared almost every Friday and Saturday for the next year, often headlining for some very big names. It was a busy year. From July to October, the band had a summer season at Butlins in Bognor, and whilst there, Russ met and courted a 17-year old Redcoat called Ann.

The band made a number of recordings. Whether the promotion was wrong, timing was out or they just weren't good enough, none of them charted. It has been said that they were a great live band and just didn't come across on vinyl. Guitarist, Rhet Stoller, recorded a solo number called 'Chariot'. This reached number 26 in January 1961 and he soon left to start a group of his own called the DYNAMICS, taking drummer Bernie Martin with him.

The NU-NOTES regrouped with new members. Nigel Menday came in on drums and Rhet was replaced by Big Jim Sullivan who had been with the Wild Cats. Six months later Jim was offered studio work and left. He was replaced by Roger Dean who had been a trainee manager at the Maples store in the Tottenham Court Road. 1962 was a whirlwind of work and the guys never stopped. They appeared on the BBC Radio programme "Meet the Beatles" and toured with BOBBY VEE & THE CRICKETS as well as dashing back to the California for regular appearances. Nigel Menday left the group to join Pam Cordell and was replaced by their old mate Bernie Martin.

By 1963 the beat era was coming to an end. Groups like the ROLLING STONES were beginning to surface, making waves on the music scene. Russ and the NU-NOTES carried on but gigs were beginning to dry up. They headlined for the STONES at the end of 1963 and the beginning of 1964, but on the latter of these, it was noted by a customer that the STONES were using the big stage along with Russ. By their third appearance, the STONES had charted and were now the headliners.

Russ and the NU-NOTES continued to perform at the California throughout 63 and 64 but the end was near. They made their last performance at the California on 24th April 1965.

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Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Collection (homemade) @ VBR

1. The Nu-Notes - Saturday Club (Saturday Club radio)  (1:55) 2. The Nu-Notes - I Listen To My Heart (Saturday Club radio)  (1:07)

3. The Nu-Notes - Peanut Vendor  (2:12) 4. The Nu-Notes - Tico Tico  (2:03) 5. The Nu-Notes - Fury  (2:02)

6. The Nu-Notes - Sleep Walk  (2:11) 7. The Nu-Notes - Country Twist  (2:05) 8. The Nu-Notes - Hall Of Mirrors  (2:16)

9. The Nu-Notes - Peanut-Vendor  (2:05) 10. The Nu-Notes - Kathy  (2:37) 11. The Nu-Notes - Sunset  (1:54)

12. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Too Shy  (2:29) 13. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Standing Around  (2:27)

14. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Happy Go Lucky Me  (2:34) 15. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Race With The Devil  (2:24)

16. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Don't Believe Him Donna  (2:15) 17. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Bless You, Girl  (2:47)

18. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - I've Got A Girl  (2:02)19. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Keep Your Love Locked   (2:45)

20. Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes - Race With The Devil  (2:25) 21. Russ Sainty - And Then  (3:02)22. Russ Sainty - She  (2:22)

23. Russ Sainty - Saving My Tears (For A Rainy Day)  (3:06) 24. Russ Sainty - I Can Give You A Love  (2:49)

25. Russ Sainty - Your Other Love  (2:15) 26. Russ Sainty (Johnny Chester) - As You Like It  (1:58)

27. Russ Sainty - Saving My Tears For A Rainy Day  (3:06) 28. Russ Sainty - Send Me The Pillow That (You Dream On)  (2:08)

29. Russ Sainty - The Twinkle In Your Eye  (2:45) 30. Russ Sainty - Unforgettable Love  (2:32)

31. Russ Sainty - What Do You Know About That?  (2:20) 32 (bonus). Tanya Day & Nu-Notes - I Get So Lonely  (2:48)

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