THE MARKSMEN

Instrumental band The Marksmen (pictured above with their manager Bruce Stewart (bottom right) surfaced in March 1961 basically as a semi-professional concern. Doug Trevor worked in an advertising agency, John McCarthy (Johnny Mark) was a storeman, Kenny Williams a salesman and Barry Skinner an apprentice plumber. Within a few weeks of their formation manager Bruce Stewart got them a recording deal with the W&G label.

Their first single released in 1961, ''Lost Guitar'' made the charts. This single was also released in Belgium of all places. I'd love to know the reason why. The main characteristic of their sound was that they didn't initially have a bass guitar and as a substitute Doug would play a riff on the bass strings of his guitar. Their second single was ''Hawaiian War Chant / La Cumparsita''. In 1962 they released their third single ''Pinnochio'' which made the Top 40. This single was also released in the USA. Moving to the Astor label they recorded two singles ''Triangle / Gunshot'' and ''On The Run / Slalom "9''. They also released a couple of EPs. The band broke up in 1963. Doug Trevor would go on to join The Cherokees. John McCarthy died in 2024.

Members

Barry Skinner (guitar), Doug Trevor (guitar/bass), John McCarthy [Johnny Mark] (guitar), Kenny Williams (drums)

SINGLES

''Lost Guitar (#36) / Beachcomber'' 1961 W&G
''Hawaiian War Chant / La Cumparsita'' 1961 W&G
''Pinocchio (#38) / Rock Lomond'' 1962 W&G
''Tailwind / Beach Party'' 1962 W&G
''Triangle (#63) / Gunshot'' 1963 Astor
''On The Run / Slalom "9" 1963 Astor

EPs

'The Marksmen' 1961 W&G

'The Marksmen's Hit-Parade' 1962 W&G

References

Noel McGrath

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