Mersey Beat - The Prowlers

The Prowlers

 

Formed in the early part of 1964, 'The Prowlers' were a Birkenhead-based R&B/Blues group with an initial line-up of Alan Davies on vocals and harmonica, Phil Norman on lead guitar; Dave Stanton on rhythm guitar, Ian Macdonald on bass and Malcom 'Mally' Coram on drums. Phil, Ian and Alex were the remaining members of short-lived Wirral band 'The Blackjacks' and were joined by Dave (ex 'Abstracts') and Alan. They all lived in Birkenhead and rehearsed in the cellar of the Ian McDonald's house. They began playing around the local area at youth clubs and dances and at clubs like the Kraal, Cubik, Left Bank and the River Mersey cruise ship, the Royal Iris. There were also the ballrooms locally including the Tower in New Brighton and the Majestic in Birkenhead. In August 1964  Mally Coram from 'Vince Earle's Talismen' had replaced Alex McLachlan as 'The Prowlers' drummer.

 

 

They travelled all over the country and spent 3 separate months at the Star Palast, Kiel, Germany, in January, April and July 1965. In Germany, with a steadily growing following, they were offered recording contracts by both Philips and Polydor (German divisions) but it would have meant staying in Germany long term and they were convinced they were going to become successful in the UK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a proper manager/agent by now their first German visit only lasted a month and once back in the UK were anxious to find out if their popularity had suffered while they had been away. They played a great show at Birkenhead Technical College Hall to an over-capacity audience (mainly screaming girls) and a lot of people had to be turned away. They then went all over the country going down particularly well around the Birmingham area, Scotland and Dublin. They opened for 'Manfred Mann' on one occasion in Stirling, playing to an audience of over 2000 and also with 'The Swinging Blue Jeans' a couple of times. At a local dance they supported 'The Pete Best 4' before they made their second visit to Germany. However by the summer of 1965, Dave Stanton and Alan Davies had left to be replaced by Peter Wharton (ex-'The Deerstalkers') and Phil Munro but things weren't going that well as they were back in regular employment, with the band now performing on a semi-professional basis, although they did play the Cavern on many occasions in 1966-1967.

'The Prowlers' did not release any records, but made three double-sided demo records:-
'Lost & Alone' (written by Alan and Dave)/King Bee (Slim Harpo)
'I Believe to my Soul' (written by Alan and Dave)/You Don’t Own Me
'Cadillac/Motor Car' (written by Peter Wharton).

'Cadillac' was used by Radio Caroline on the adverts it broadcast for The Cavern Club, Liverpool. Decca liked the demo of 'Cadillac' and were going to record the band but then they had a change of heart.
Dougie Hughes replaced Peter Wharton in 1967 and although they had a fair bit of success locally, playing the Cavern regularly and various other local venues, the band was nowhere near as good as the original line-up and finally broke up in late 1967.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2016/09/mersey-beat-cheetahs.html