Eric Clapton three degrees of separation
Liverpool singer Brian Casser provides the link between The Beatles and… Eric Clapton three degrees of separation.
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Eric Clapton three degrees of separation
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Eric Clapton three degrees of separation
There are three degrees of separation between the Beatles and Eric Clapton. The link comes through a well-respected but relatively obscure Merseybeat group, Cass and the Cassanovas and their vocalist Brian Casser
As an aside, lead singer Brian Casser formed a skiffle Group with future Rolling Stone Bill Wyman in November 1957, when they met during National Service in Germany.
In May 1959 Brian Casser formed Cass and the Cassanovas in Liverpool.
Cass and the Cassanovas
The Beatles – Billy Fury audition
On 10 May 1960, the Silver Beetles failed their audition to back Billy Fury on his upcoming UK tour. At that point the Silver Beetles comprised, John, Paul and George with bassist Stuart Sutcliff and drummer Tommy Moore.
Manager Larry Parnes wanted a backing band for Liverpool rock’n’roller Billy Fury. Local promotor and club owner Allan Williams arranged the audition at his Wyvern Social Club in Liverpool.
Another popular Liverpool group Cass and the Cassanovas were also auditioning that day. Tommy Moore was late and Cass and the Cassanovas’ drummer Johnny Hutchinson, filled in for him.
The Silver Beetles failed to secure the gig with Billy Fury but they impressed Larry Parnes sufficiently enough to back one of his other artists, Johnny Gentle.
Shortly afterwards they embarked on a Scottish tour backing Johnny Gentle. This was when the future Beatles adopted stage names. John became “Long John” and Paul liked the sound of “Paul Ramon”. Nearly fifteen years later, the Ramones used this as the basis for their band’s name.
Drummer Tommy Moore quit the group at end of that tour.
Brian Casser parted company with Cass and the Cassanovas at the end of 1960. They played one of their final gigs on 16 December 1960 at the Mardi Gras Arts Ball in St. George’s Hall.
Brian Casser moved to London
Brian Casser moved to London and became manager of the Blue Gardenia club in Soho.
The remaining Cassanovas, guitarist Adrian Barber, bass player Johnny Gustafson and drummer Johnny Hutchinson stayed together and changed their name to the Big Three.
Johnny Hutchinson later played with the Beatles again, when he covered several gigs after Pete Best left and before Ringo joined.
On 9 December 1961, the Beatles played their first gig in the south of England, at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot. Sam Leach promoted the concert as, “Battle of the Bands, Liverpool v London: Liverpool’s No. ‘1’ Rock Outfit The Beatles versus one of London’s Top ‘Beat’ Groups Ivor Jay & the Jaywalkers”
Sadly, the event was poorly advertised. This resulted in an audience of just 18 people, to witness the Beatles’ southern debut.
After the gig the Beatles headed off to London, to the Soho club Blue Gardenia. They took the opportunity see their old Liverpool mate Brian Casser, who managed the club. The Mop Tops also delivered an impromptu set that night.
Casey Jones and the Engineers
Brian Casser’s group – Eric Clapton guitarist
Brian Casser also formed a new group, Casey Jones and the Engineers. They released a single, One Way Ticket in the summer of 1963. It failed to trouble the charts.
In September/October 1963 aspiring guitarist Eric Clapton joined Casey Jones and the Engineers. He was only with them for a handful of gigs and left to replace Top Topham in the Yardbirds. The lineup for that few weeks comprised, vocalist Brian Casser, guitarists Eric Clapton and Tom McGuinness, bassist Dave McCumisky and drummer Ray Stock.
Radio Show – Mop Tops & The King
Author of the book Rock’n’Roll Unravelled, Derek Shelmerdine, is a fortnightly guest on The Mop Tops & The King. In short, host Steve Chelmsford’s radio show is all about the music and the times of The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Check out the MTK network of nearly 100 radio stations carrying the show around the world
