| The Roulettes | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | London, England |
| Years Active: | – |
| Label: | Pye, Parlophone |
| Associated Acts: | Adam Faith Unit 4 + 2 |
| Past Members: | Peter Thorp Martin Blackwell Tony Burgess John Roberts Brian Parker Norman 'Henry' Stracey John Rogers Alan 'Honk' Jones Russ Ballard Bob Henrit John 'Mod' Rogan |
The Roulettes were a British rock and roll and beat group formed in London in 1961. They were recruited to play as the backing group to singer Adam Faith the following year, and continued to perform and record until the late 1960s.
The group originated among friends at Sutton High School for Boys, including guitarist Peter Thorp. Originally called the Strangers, they were seen by publicist Leslie Perrin, who recommended them to Adam Faith's manager Eve Taylor. Faith was looking for a touring band that would enable him to perform similar music to that of the beat bands then emerging from Merseyside. Renamed as the Roulettes, the band - then comprising Peter Thorp, Martin Blackwell, Tony Burgess and John Roberts - first performed with Faith at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1961.[1]
The group toured widely with Faith between 1961 and 1963, with several changes of personnel, many instigated by Faith. They recorded one unsuccessful single for Pye, "Hully Gully Slip'n'Slide".[2] By early 1963, the group comprised Thorp (guitar), the only remaining Strangers member, John Rogers (bass), Bob Henrit (drums), and Russ Ballard (guitar and keyboards).[2] They recorded a 6 weeks series of short 15-minute shows with Adam Faith for Radio Luxembourg. John Rogers was killed in a car crash in May 1963 as a passenger in a vehicle carrying the band's kit up North to a gig; he was replaced by John 'Mod' Rogan, previously of Hartlepool group the Hartbeats.[2]
They began recording with Adam Faith - who had previously recorded with session musicians - for the Parlophone label, and their records were credited to "Adam Faith with The Roulettes".[1] They enjoyed a run of chart hits with Faith in the mid-1960s, including the UK chart hits; "The First Time", "We Are in Love", "I Love Being in Love With You", "If He Tells You", and "Someone's Taken Maria Away".[2]
They also recorded in their own right for Parlophone, recording several early compositions by Chris Andrews, though none of their singles reached the chart. Their only album Stakes And Chips was released in 1965, consisting predominantly of the A and B sides of their previous singles, but with similar lack of success.[2] As well as backing Adam Faith on record, they most notably backed him on a 'Live' album. The Roulettes continued to accompany him on tour until October 1965.[3] Early in 1967 they joined the Philips Fontana label but still the charts eluded them. They continued to tour in Europe until later that year, when the group split up.[4]
Band members Russ Ballard and Bob Henrit went on to join Unit 4 + 2 formed by former Roulettes' member Brian Parker (on whose 1965 number one song, "Concrete and Clay", they had played); the two would later also become members of rock band Argent.[2] In addition Ballard had later success as a solo artist and songwriter, whilst Henrit became a renowned session drummer and also replaced The Kinks' long serving drummer Mick Avory in their later years.
Adam Faith's song "Cowman, Milk Your Cow", on which the Roulettes (Ballard, Rogan and Henrit) played, was written by Bee Gees members Barry and Robin Gibb. Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green also played guitar on the song.[5]