03/11/22 - Just a sad note to say that my brother-in-law John Dunlop passed away yesterday after a long illness.  John played bass with the Druids Jazz Band (Tony Pringle) , in the 50's and 60's and depped with many bands. He had a brief episode with the New Orleans Express in the late 70's.  Will let you know of further details. - Jim West

This was written by John in 2018 -

At the start of the skiffle boom in 1957 with 3 mates Henry Parker Vince Bibby and Dave Stroud we decided that we were going to form a skiffle group I said that I would buy a double bass as I was really impressed with the sound of it and it would be easier to play than a guitar and at that time people were playing tea chests. When we formed our first group and I said I would play bass so I went over to Liverpool to buy my first bass on the bus and ferry to take it home to my parent’s house in Leasowe road. At that time I only had a motor bike so I used to travel to the Cavern which at that time was a jazz/folk club. This meant travelling on the bus to Seacombe ferry and then walk up to Mathew Street Cavern from the pier head. The ferry was no problem but I did have a problem at times being allowed onto the double decker buses where I had to stand at the bottom of the stairs holding my bass. At the time I only had a motorbike. Because of the countless refusals by the conductor I sold my motorbike and bought a second hand ex dairy Morris small van. Transportation problem solved.

I went to New Brighton tower to listen to a jazz band which I think was Kenny Ball. In the audience I saw a school mate Brian Williams and said how great this music is and he said that they were forming a jazz band where he was playing clarinet and I said my mates and I were trying to form a Skiffle group and he asked what instrument I played and I said bass. He said tea chest? I said no the real thing! He then asked me if I would like to join his Band, The Druids, which he was forming, and they needed a string bass player. I said great because our group had folded. His band consisted of Tony Pringle trumpet/cornet, Vic Sanderson banjo, Rusty Hartshorn drums, &  Roy Penny trombone.

We played at the Kraal club (new Brighton), the Temple bar (Liverpool), Harrison Hall and rugby clubs. We also played at the Cavern which started off as jazz/skiffle until the arrival of the Liverpool sound meant goodbye jazz, hello the Mersey sound - No more jazz

I am unsure of the years it happened but it was the late 50's early 60's. Everything was going great until Brian decided to emigrate to Canada Tony to America Rusty to Canada and Vic Australia. I didn't realise I was that bad!

The next band I played with was the Roy Potts band in the seventies. As I said before when the Mersey sound arrived that was the end of our band gigs.

John Dunlop

04/11/22 -

Had some good chats with John when he used to come to The Irby Club to listen to The OPJB: A very nice and interesting chap with some good reminiscences.

Jon Critchley.

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