Keith, Bill
Dave, Rob
Bill, Keith
Dave, Keith, Bill, Rob
When they reached the final of Westward TV's 'Beat' competition in July 1964, The Rustiks knew that to win was the only way of keeping the group together. Disheartened after an exceptional run of bad luck, The Rustiks began to wonder if there was a future for them in the 'beat' business. 'So many things had gone wrong that we felt there would never be another chance for us if we lost and if that had happened I don't think we should have kept on playing together,' says founder-member Rob.
After 18 months of appearing with great success locally, they felt the time had come to turn professional - but making the move was a different matter. Applications for jobs in Germany and Blackpool both met with refusals. Then their van was badly damaged in a collision with a bus. While it was being repaired they had to travel to jobs in a filthy old cattle truck, which a friend had bought for £3.10s.
' It was almost the final blow,' adds Dave, 'when we thought we weren't even going to be in Westward's competition. We had sent a tape of one of our songs to the company and were invited to audition for the contest. But afterwards we received a letter telling us that we had not scored enough marks. Then, a month later I had a telegram asking me to call Westward and I could hardly believe my ears when I was told a mistake had been made in adding up the marks and we were in after all.'
Win? of course they did, and collected a £100 first prize and a recording contract with DECCA. Then right out of the blue came a management offer from Brian Epstein, one of the judges. Their first public appearance after joining NEMS ENTERPRIZES LTD was at a Sunday concert before their own fans at Torquay on 30th August 1964. The Rustiks personal manager at NEMS was John Lyndon, NEMS Enterprizes Limited, Saville Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2. A NEMS Enterprizes press release, compiled by Tony Barrow, gave the following information about the group.
Robert Ernest Barrie Tucker (Lead guitar & vocals) Born: 16 May 1944 in Torquay. Started to play guitar in 1959 after hearing Buddy Holly records. Studied musical theory for 18 months at Torbay School of Music. Before turning professional he worked as a machinist for a cabinet company. Writes much of the group's original material. Height: 5' 10''. Weight: 12st. 5lbs. Hair: Fair. Eyes: Blue. Likes: Eggs, Milk and Beetroot. Music. People who are encouraging. Skin Diving. Ten-pin bowling. Johnny Mathis and Peggy Lee. Dislikes: Nosey people, mustard, headaches, sound distortion, rain and over-talkative girls. Personal ambition - to visit Buddy Holly's parents in America.
David Reginald Gummer (Bass guitar and vocals) Born: 16 December 1945 in Ilminster, Somerset and lived until he was 10. The son of a semi - professional drummer, Dave sang for the first time in public at an Old People's Christmas party when he was seven. A former choir boy, he took piano lessons for two years, but at 15 was playing guitar in a Shadows-style group at school. When this broke up, he joined Rob. An outstanding sportsman, he wanted to be a professional footballer, later considered the police force (but was half an inch below the minimum height) and finally became a bank clerk. Collaborates with Rob on song writing. Likes: Children, driving, salad, milk and orangeade. Travel books, dancing, documentary films, ten-pin bowling. Dislikes: horror films, getting out of bed, shaving, liver and routine. Height: 5' 9'' Weight:12st. Hair: fair. Eyes: blue. He has an ambition to go on a big-game hunting safari.
William Covington (Drums) Born 23 August 1947 in Plymouth. Has been playing drums for semi-professional groups for two years, working as a warehouseman during the daytime. Says he is inspired by Buddy Rich, Max Roach and Chico Hamilton. Height: 5' 8'' Weight: 10st. 8lbs. Hair: fair. Eyes: blue. Likes: Music, fish and chips, leather and suede, the Spencer-Davis group, Dionne Warwick and The Hollies.
Keith (Ginger) Taylor (Organ and vocals) Born 30 January 1943 in Stockport, Chesire. Spent 6 years in the Air Force. Height: 5' 8'' Weight:10st. 12lbs. Hair: Light Auburn, (hence the nickname). Eyes: blue/grey. Likes: steak & kidney pie with chips, and Horlicks. Gardening, playing piano, watching football. Casual clothes. The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Dislikes: tomatoes.
Records (Decca label)
1. What A Memory Do (backed by Hallo Anne) released 4 September 1964.
2. Not The Loving Kind (backed by Can't You See) released 15 January 1965.
Personal Manager: John Lyndon, NEMS Enterprizes Ltd, Sutherland House, 5/6 Argyll Street, London W1. Tel: Regent 3261.
Further enquiries: Press Division, NEMS Enterprizes Ltd, Sutherland House, 5/6 Argyll Street, London W1. Tel: Regent 3261.
Fan Club: Miss Deanna Duke, 65 Foxhole Road, Paignton, Devon.