Mersey Beat - The Clayton Squares

The Clayton Squares. L-R Mick Evans (Alto Sax), Denny Alexander (Singer), Pete Dunn Lead Guitar & Organ, Les Smith (Tenor Sax), Geoff Jones (Bass), Bobby Scott (Drums)

George Roberts was the original manager of 'The Clayton Squares' formed by Terry Hines, a jazz enthusiast, and Bobby Scott in 1963, they named themselves after Clayton Square in Liverpool. The original line-up in February 1964 consisted of Terry Hines, lead singer and rhythm guitar, Bobby Scott on drums, Peter Dunne on organ and guitar and Mike Evans on alto saxophone. They later added Les Smith on saxophone and flute and Arthur Megginson on bass, although he was replaced by Geoff Jones from 'The Georgians' early on.
Seen by some as the first 'mod' band they were Grammar school educated, with one of them a former London University Sociology student and were also known as as being the scruffiest, most untidy group ever to set foot on a stage. However the group had come to be regarded as not only the scruffiest but the most popular in Liverpool.

Bob Wooler from the Cavern became interested in the band in the early days and a legally binding contract of joint management was formed between him and George Roberts and Cavern Artists Ltd. This contract was signed by the parents of Terry Hines, Bobby Scott and Peter Dunne, Mike Evans signed for himself. This resulted in several appearances at The Cavern in 1964.

They went on the road all over England, Scotland and Wales with George Roberts as tour manager, at the same time integrating with the Liverpool poets of the time, introduced to them by Mike Evans. Rehearsing at 54 Huskisson Street Liverpool they were resident at the Hope Hall Everyman at Hope street Liverpool where they became the band of choice for TV appearances and the like as 'happenings' were the order of the day. They were the first band to back the Liverpool poets at Didsbury TV studios, Manchester, Padgate Teachers Training College and many other venues. The Liverpool poets were Adrian Henri, Mike McCartney, Brian Patten, Roger McGough and John Gorman.
In 1965 Terry left the group to form the 'Terry Hines Sextet' and the natural, charismatic frontman Denny Alexander joined. Denny remembers, "Bob Wooler told me of a group who had lost their singer and took me down to The Cavern where 'The Clayton Squares' were practising and deciding what to do. After the introductions, knowing who I had played with, they offered me an audition there and then, which I took up and that turned out well and the job was mine. I was now a 'Clayton Square'! That was when I found out that Bob Wooler was their manager!'
They had now become the regular band at The Cavern during 1965 appearing 3-4 times a week.

On the 31st of March 1965, the group joined Gene Vincent, Sandie Shaw, Petula Clark, 'Manfred Mann' and 'The Kinks' for a French TV special filmed at The Cavern. What they didn't know was London music impresario Don Arden was in the audience and was 'blown away' by the scousers' dynamic stage set. Arden asked Bob Wooler for a 50% share in 'The Clayton Squares' in return for a recording session with Andrew Loog Oldham, taking them down to London to record and work over a wider area. They spent six weeks at one stage at the Star Club in Hamburg before Arden sorted a recording contract and got them their first record, 'Come and Get It' on to Ready, Steady Go! Eventually, he took over sole management.They recorded two excellent singles for Decca Records, 'Come And Get It' and 'There She Is', but despite consistent touring and numerous international television appearances, the group was unable to achieve commercial success. Whilst down South in 1966 they appeared at The Marquee with 'The Yardbirds',' Cream' and 'The Alan Price Set'.

Clayton Squares Marquee Ad, August 1966

'The Clayton Squares' disbanded in 1966 after which Evans joined guitarist Andy Roberts with 'The Liverpool Scene'.

See also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2016/01/mersey-beat-koobas.html