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| Steve Day |
Rod was working at Elder Dempster Shipping office with Graham Hodgson, who had a group called 'Johnny Rocco & The Jets'. However Graham (Johnny Rocco ) started having throat problems and was advised not to continue singing so asked Rod if he would be the new front man for the group. Having met the rest of the band he agreed but it was decided he needed a new name so Graham suggested 'Steve' and the surname 'Day'.
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| Steve Day & The Drifters |
This band formed in June 1961 as 'Steve Day & The Drifters' with Steve as vocalist, Mike Nicholson on lead guitar ( later to be replaced by Barry Ezra), Derek Bond on bass guitar, Spike Sheratt on rhythm guitar and Phil Duggan on drums.
Now performing as a semi-professional band, Brian Epstein saw them perform at The Cavern and, impressed by their smart appearance and professional performance, offered them a date at the Locarno Ballroom in West Derby Road. They received specific instructions from Mr. Epstein on the time of arrival, duration of sets, etc, but unfortunately their car broke down on the night and they arrived late. Having turned up to watch them an unhappy Epstein wouldn't accept their explanation and, although they remained friendly, they never worked for him again.
Now performing as a semi-professional band, Brian Epstein saw them perform at The Cavern and, impressed by their smart appearance and professional performance, offered them a date at the Locarno Ballroom in West Derby Road. They received specific instructions from Mr. Epstein on the time of arrival, duration of sets, etc, but unfortunately their car broke down on the night and they arrived late. Having turned up to watch them an unhappy Epstein wouldn't accept their explanation and, although they remained friendly, they never worked for him again.
They did appear several times with 'The Beatles' at The Cavern, The Tower
Ballroom and, notably, The Thistle Cafe, on Banks Road, West Kirby in
1962, which was the first booking Brian Epstein made for 'The Beatles'.
In 1963 they went to Hamburg and played for Peter Eckhorn at the Top Ten Club with the 'Original Checkmates' and a London band called 'The Nightwalkers'. At the Star Club there was 'Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers', 'Johnny Kidd & the Pirates' and the 'Big Three'.When they came home lead guitarist Mike Nicholson left to go to University and the group disbanded. Some of the group stayed together to form 'The Rainchecks' but Steve strangely took a job as a waiter at the Devon Coast Country Club in Paignton whilst singing with the resident band at the ballroom of a night.
He returned to Liverpool to form 'Steve Day & The Kinsmen' before changing his name to Rod McKenzie and eventually became a comedian who won 'Opportunity Knocks' in 1978.
see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2016/09/mersey-beat-prowlers.html
In 1963 they went to Hamburg and played for Peter Eckhorn at the Top Ten Club with the 'Original Checkmates' and a London band called 'The Nightwalkers'. At the Star Club there was 'Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers', 'Johnny Kidd & the Pirates' and the 'Big Three'.When they came home lead guitarist Mike Nicholson left to go to University and the group disbanded. Some of the group stayed together to form 'The Rainchecks' but Steve strangely took a job as a waiter at the Devon Coast Country Club in Paignton whilst singing with the resident band at the ballroom of a night.
He returned to Liverpool to form 'Steve Day & The Kinsmen' before changing his name to Rod McKenzie and eventually became a comedian who won 'Opportunity Knocks' in 1978.
see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2016/09/mersey-beat-prowlers.html
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