THE CHESSMEN

The Chessmen were formed in 1960 as Johnny Chester's backing band. They became regulars at Preston Town Hall and by 1963 began providing backing for Chester on his many records. The Chessmen also recorded on the W&G label. In 1962 they released ''The Rebel (Johnny Yuma)'' which had some success on the charts. In 1964 they released the album 'The Chessman Play And Sing Dance Favourites'. The lineup on this recording was: Les Stacpool on guitar, Albert Stacpool on piano, Frank McMahon on bass and Mike Lynch on drums. The album was a combination of instrumental and vocal tracks sung by Les and Frank. Further single releases were ''Wild Little Willie / Twistified'' (1964), Chuck Berry's, ''Rock and Roll Music'' (1964) and ''Hound Dog / Bop-A-Lena'' (1965). They became resident group on Johnny Chester's ABC TV show Teen Scene which started in October 1964. They disbanded when Johnny Chester's teenage popularity waned. Les Stacpool would go on and play in bands of the ilk of Levi Smith's Clefs and Doug Parkinson In Focus.

Members

Jeff Cason (Upright Acoustic Double bass), Huey Fryer (guitar), Albert Stacpool (piano), Ken Branchflower (bass), Barry Windley (drums), Billy Dale (guitar), George Dale (guitar), Laurie Arthur (guitar), Les Stacpool (guitar/sax), Len Woodhouse (drums), Frank McMahon (bass), 

Graeme Trottman (drums), Mike Lynch (drums)

SINGLES

''A Funny Little Feeling'' [with Johnny Chester] 1963 W&G

''The Rebel (Johnny Yuma) (#55) / Outer Sanctum'' 1962 W&G

''Let's Dance / Forty Days'' [with Johnny Chester] 1962 W&G

''I Love Mary / Summertime Blues'' (#30) [with Johnny Chester] 1963 W&G

''Come On Everybody (#44) / The Old Copper Kettle'' [with Johnny Chester] 1963 W&G

''Nick-Nack Paddy Whack (#44) / Butterflies'' [with Johnny Chester] 1963 W&G

''Bye Bye Johnny (#93) / Miss Ann'' [with Johnny Chester] 1964 W&G

''Unless You Care (#65) / (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care'' [with Johnny Chester] 1964 W&G
''Wild Little Willie / Twistified'' 1964 W&G
''Rock And Roll Music (#64) / Like Longhair'' 1964

''When Will I Be Loved / Shop Around'' [with Johnny Chester] 1965 In Records

''Your Cheatin' Heart'' [with Johnny Chester] 1965 W&G
''Hound Dog / Bop-A-Lena'' 1965

ALBUMS

'The Best of Ches!' [with Johnny Chester] 1963 W&G

'The Chessmen Play And Sing Dance Favorites' 1964 W&G

References

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