Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers

In 1957 Bennett formed the band the Rebel Rousers. They recorded several singles with record producer Joe Meek that were released by Parlophone. Bennett continued recording for Parlophone, issuing cover versions of "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "Got My Mojo Working".

Brian Epstein became their manager in September 1964 and their seventh release, "One Way Love" (written by Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy under their pseudonyms Bert Russell and Norman Meade) b/w "Slow Down", reached No. 9 in the British charts. Their next, "I'll Take You Home" (written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil) b/w "Do You Love Him", charted at No. 42.[1] "Three Rooms With Running Water" (written by Jimmy Radcliffe and Bob Halley) did somewhat better.[2] In early 1966, the band was the opening act for the Beatles on their final European tour. Bennett got the opportunity to hear the Paul McCartney song "Got to Get You into My Life", which was used on the Revolver album but was never released as a single. Bennett recorded it, with his own composition "Baby Each Day" appearing on the B-side. McCartney was producer for the session. The record reached No. 6 on the British charts, becoming Bennett's biggest ever hit.[1] Cliff returned to the songbook of McCartney / Lennon in 1968 when he recorded "Back in the USSR" as Cliff Bennett and his Band, a single on Parlophone but this failed to make any impression on the charts. Also in 1968,The Rebel Rousers left Cliff Bennett & Harvey Hinsley joined this Lineup,-Chas Hodges, Mick Burt, John Golden, Moss Groves & Roy Young. They played gigs in the UK & played clubs in Germany, Austria, Italy, Beruit,& The Bahamas. Also recorded single "Should I',-which didn't chart.At the end of August 1969, Roy left to form his own band. Chas, Harvey, Mick & Dave Peacock, formed Black Claw, & played clubs etc, until Chas left to join Heads, Hands & Feet in early 1970. Harvey joined Hot Chocolate in late summer 1970.

Bennett went on to be part of Toe Fat, whilst Chas Hodges (keyboards) and Mick Burt became Chas & Dave with Dave Peacock. After Toe Fat disbanded, two of their members (Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake) joined Uriah Heep,[1] and Bennett was asked to join them but declined. He was also considered for the lead vocalist position in Blood, Sweat & Tears when David Clayton-Thomas left in the early 1970s but once again turned the position down. He released a solo album, Rebellion in 1971 but he was not to rekindle his success of the previous decade. Between 1975 & 1976, he was the vocalist for a band called Shanghai, which released two albums, in 1974 and 1976; other members included, Mick Green (guitar), Chuck Bedford (vocals, harmonica, 1974–75), Pete Kircher (drums, vocals), Mike Le Main (bass, keyboards, 1974–75), Brian Alterman (guitar, 1975–76), Pat King (bass, 1975-76).

In the late 1970s, Bennett retired from the music industry to go into shipping, through which he made a considerable amount of money. In 1988, Mark Lundquist reformed the Rebel Rousers and toured as manager and band leader of Cliff and the band until 1996. More recently he has toured alongside Mike d'Abo, Chris Farlowe, Zoot Money, Maggie Bell, Screaming Lord Sutch, The Manfreds, Steve Ellis and New Amen Corner.

• Roy Young – piano, organ (born Roy Frederick Young, 20 October 1934, London, England died 27 April 2018, Oxford)
• Bobby Thomson – bass (born Robert Thomson, 1942, Liverpool, Lancashire, England)
• Frank Allen – bass (born Francis Renauld McNiece, 14 December 1943, Hayes, Middlesex, England)
• Chas Hodges – bass (born Charles Nicholas Hodges, 28 December 1943, Edmonton, North London, England died 22 September 2018)
• Ben Jordan – bass (born Benjamin Jordan, in 1941, Edmonton, North London, England)
• Ricky Winters – drums (born Richard Winters, 27 September 1940, Aldershot, Hampshire, England)
• Dave Edmunds – percussion
• George Mattingley – Rhythm guitar, early years 1957-1960. Lives in Castle Donington, North Leicestershire.
• Dave Wendels – lead guitar (born David Wendels, 5 July 1942, Hounslow, Middlesex, England)
• Mick Currell – rhythm guitar (born Michael Currell, 1940)
• Bernie Watson – lead guitar (born Bernard Watson, 1944)
• Mick King – lead guitar (born Michael Borer, 1942, Croydon, Surrey died 26 November 2010)
• Moss Groves – tenor saxophone (born Maurice Groves, 3 April 1940, Birmingham)
• Sid Phillips – tenor saxophone (born Bernard Phillips died 18 December 2015)
• John Golden – trumpet
• Rahsar Nesskrag – triangle
• Mick Burt – Drums - (Born Michael William Burt on 23 August 1938 Redhill, Surrey, England, Died 18 October 2014)
• Lars Lundquist - Lead Guitar - (Born Mark Lundquist on 27 July 1954 London, England.)
• Dave ‘dynamo’ Forristal - keyboard- (Born Dave Forristal Feb 14 1973) Surrey.

• Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers @ 45-rpm.org.uk
• Soundsofthe60s.com Mini-biography
• Geocities.com – The British Beat Boom – fan site
• Old Cliff Bennett site, still accurate and up to date