Ian and the Zodiacs

History

The Zodiacs started out as a jazz band in 1958, coming together after an audition at a local spot called Savoy Hall. In the spring of 1960, Ian Edwards left his old group, The Deltones, and joined them. That’s when they changed their name to Ian and the Zodiacs and switched from jazz to rock and roll. After a few lineup shifts, the band settled with Edwards singing lead, Pete Wallace on lead guitar, Geoff Bethell on piano, Charlie Flynn (who went by Wellington Wade) on bass, and Cliff Roberts on drums.

They played the best venues around and became the house band at St. Lukes Hall, also known as The Jive-Hive. While touring, they picked up manager Ralph Webster. On January 4, 1962, a Mersey Beat poll ranked them the eleventh most popular group in Merseyside. Their first single came out on the Oriole label in 1963, but it didn’t do much.

Edwards later said their lack of success in England came from spending too much time at the Grapes, a Mathew Street pub where bands hung out between sets. In May 1964, the band let Bethell go and brought in Geoff Bamford to replace Roberts on drums. Later that year, they headed to Hamburg, Germany, for what was supposed to be a one-month tour. They ended up staying for three years after building a big following through shows and TV appearances.

During the summer of 1965, they were the resident act at Butlins Skegness, a holiday camp in Lincolnshire, UK. Edwards’ unique vocals helped the band stand out. Their sets mixed US and UK hits with original songs. Manfred Weissleder, who owned the Star-Club, promoted them and put them in his clubs, and drummer Joe Walsh joined the group.

After a car crash in May 1965, Wallace and Walsh left, replaced by Freddie Smith and Arthur Ashton. While in Germany, the band put out three albums on the Star Club label: Star Club 7, Just Listen to Ian and the Zodiacs, and Locomotive!. All three charted in Germany. Their music covered rock and roll, pop rock, and later soul influences.