THE DENVERMEN

Sixites instrumental surf band that formed in 1961 in Sydney from the remnants of two groups, Paul Dever and the Denvermen and Digger Revell and the Lonely Ones. The new group experienced even more changes in its line-up before settling on the combination of Digger Revell (vocals), Les Green (guitar), Alex Ihasz (guitar), Alan Crowe (bass) and Phil Bower (drums). It remained intact for most of their recording career. The group played a mixture of vocal and instrumental songs. At first, they organized their own dances, but then local promoter Bill McColl took over as manager.

He quickly secured them a regular gig at the Bankstown Capitol Theatre dance. He also arranged for their television debut appearance on Six O’Clock Rock. Throughout 1961 they performed continuously, gaining experience and a following. In 1962 they cut their first two instrumental recordings in a small studio in the city. They took their recordings to EMI Records who signed them to their subsidiary label HMV Records. The debut single, ''The Mexican / Outback'', attributed to Digger Revell's Denvermen
was released in late 1962 but unfortunately it was a flop. They met Johnny Devlin when they backed him at the Teen Canteen, a teenage dance club located in Pitt Street, Sydney. Their next single was an instrumental called ''Surfside'', which was written and produced by Johnny Devlin.

It became a national hit for one week in early 1963 and was subsequently released in the US, UK and South Africa. They were the first group to achieve Australian chart success with a surfing instrumental, months in advance of any American releases. Johnny Devlin took over as the group’s manager and guided them through their most successful period. He wrote and produced the group’s next Top 40 hit singles an instrumental called ''Nightrider''. The band recorded one vocal track called ''Building Castles In The Air'' that was credited to Digger Revell with The Denvermen. Johnny Devlin signed the band to the RCA label where he used them minus Revell, as a backing band on his own live performances and recordings. 

With the onslaught of Beatlemania in 1964 the band with Digger out front changed tact and became a 'beat' band. The band continued to record instrumentals as well. Their 1965 cover of The Everly Brothers' "Bird Dog" was the group's first vocal recording without Digger. Their final recording with Digger was ''I'm Gonna Send You Back To Georgia'' was recorded in 1965. Digger left the band for a solo career at the end of 1965. He later formed his own band (The Digger Revell Revue) who toured Vietnam and the USA. During this time bassist Alan Crowe was replaced by Kenny Kramer. The band had a gig at the well-known Yagoona Pub and became the resident band there. Les Green left after about 4 months after he was offered a spot in a band called The Sundowners – a NZ show band that featured singer John Rowles. 

Frank Kennington (ex-Missing Links) and Mick Liber joined the band and they continued on when another lineup change occurred when Alex Ihasz decided to leave the band and move to Canberra. This final lineup of The Denvermen moved back to HMV and released their last single "I Can Tell / Time Will Bring Everything" and evidently broke up soon around the time that the single came out. Kennington and Liber formed the first version of Python Lee Jackson in December 1965. Drummer Phil Bower died in 2015. Les Green died in 2016. Alex Ihasz died in 2023.

Members

Digger Revell (vocals), Les Green (guitar), Alex Ihasz (guitar), Alan Crowe (bass), Phil Bower (drums), Ron Patton (sax), Kenny Kramer (bass), Mick Liber (guitar), Frank Kennington (vocals)

SINGLES

''The Mexican / Outback'' 1962 HMV
''Surfside (#17) / Lisa Maree'' 1962 HMV
''Building Castles In The Air / The Habit Of Loving You'' [with Digger Revell] 1963 HMV
''Night Rider (#37) / Blue Mountains'' 1963 HMV
''Avalon Stomp (#25) / Harbour Cruise'' 1963 HMV
''Over The Rainbow / I'm Gonna Make You'' [with Digger Revell] 1963 RCA
''Stomp Fever (#39) / The Sun-Seeker'' 1963 RCA
''Mystery Wave (#74) / Spanish Sands'' 1963 RCA

''The Hootenanny Stomp / Forever Mine'' [with Tony Weston] 1963 RCA
''She's Gone / Route No. 1'' 1964 RCA
''My Little Rocker's Turned Surfie (#32) / Tip Of My Tongue'' [with Digger Revell] 1964 RCA
''The Rebel / Vaquero'' 1964 RCA
''Just Call On Me (#90) / Mr. Moon, Mr. Cupid And I'' [with Digger Revell] 1964 RCA
''Don't You Know / C'mon Let's Go'' [with Digger Revell] 1964 RCA
''The Proud Ones / Surfer's Blues'' 1964 RCA
''Jenny, Jenny (#71) / I Love The Way You Love Me'' [with Digger Revell] 1964 RCA
''A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues / Take Your Time'' [with Digger Revell] 1965 RCA
''Bird Dog / Without You'' 1965 RCA
''High School Confidential'' [with Digger Revell] 1965 RCA
''I'm Gonna Send You Back To Georgia'' [with Digger Revell] 1965 RCA
''I Can Tell / Time Will Bring Everything'' 1965 HMV

EPs

'Surfside' 1963 HMV

'Stomp Fever' 1964 RCA

ALBUMS

'Let's Go Surfside With The Denvermen' 1963 RCA




References

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Denvermen/+wiki

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/