Shakin' All Over - The Raiders:

Almost before they knew it, The Raiders had a new singer.

The Raiders’s origins, in fact, went back to the days of skiffle and they were formed during 1962 by Tony Goodman (drums and washboard); Tisser Rollins (vocals) and Dave Beckley (bass). All were from the Clensmore area of Kidderminster – and rehearsals, such as they were, took place in the outhouse of The Royal George, a pub run by Rob Newell’s uncle.

Inspired by his older brother’s collection of Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent records, Rob Newell used to practice on Beckley’s ‘Antoria’ stand-up bass that was left lying about in their make-shift rehearsal room.

When Mick Thomas (guitar) and Colin Hepwood (lead guitar) both accepted the call of The Raiders’ shilling, they suggested that Rob should similarly join on bass – paving the way for the three original members to leave as Chris Hayes (drums) also joined up.

At one of their earliest shows in this new incarnation, Jess stepped up to sing Shakin’ All Over – and, such was the response from the assembled company, that he was immediately recruited.

I joined the group and started doing the more rocky tunes whilst Keith, the other singer whose surname, I’m ashamed to say, is lost to me now did the ballads; actually, he called it a day pretty soon after I joined.

The now five-piece Raiders – sporting the best equipment hire-purchase could afford at the time (including a pristine Fender Precision bass for Rob Newell) played all the local halls and youth clubs as well as frequenting a place known as Frank Freeman’s which became their base as well as rehearsal room.

We played all the local venues quite frequently but I don't recall ever venturing much further than Stourport on Severn which was about fifteen miles away.

As the band grew in stature – attracting something of a local following, they moved up a gear and began playing support sets at both Kidderminster and Stourbridge Town Halls to many of the big names of the time who were, themselves, out on tour – The Hollies, Tom Jones, The Yardbirds (who, at that point, featured Eric Clapton) and The Small Faces.

I don't think we ever recorded anything – although, Colin Hepwoood, the lead guitarist, did have a tape recorder because I remember being at his house and he recorded me singing some stuff.

Blimey, now I come to think of it, we might have been trying to write a song!!!

Jess sang with The Raiders for eighteen months until…




Picture above from left: Rob Newell; Chris Hayes; Mick Thomas; Jess Roden; Colin Hepwood with Norris Cale (The Raiders' manager)