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THE KALVINS

The Kalvins in the lobby of the Astoria, in Middlesbrough where they were resident for a while. This was in 1962 and they are, from left to right, George Kitching on rhythm guitar, Colin Stokes on vocals, Terry Popple on drums, Dennis Trowbridge the lead guitarist with Tony Endean on bass.

The Kalvins from Middlesbrough at the Coatham Hotel, in Redcar about 1964. It shows Decca Carr on drums, Ian Morrison on rhythm guitar, Les Bennett on bass (he went on to play with the Blue Caps after this band split up) Dennis Trowbridge on lead guitar and Albert (ex Blue Caps) Smith on vocals.

Above left is another publicity photograph. The gentleman at the back was their manager at the time, Mike Almond. Dennis is the one with the Red Fender Stratocaster. The photograph on the right was taken at a "much more classy joint" according to Dennis. It was at the Top Rank Astoria in Middlesbrough - one of the biggest halls in the North of England which played host to the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers and such like. The Kalvins were resident group. The Beatles actually played at the Astoria Ballroom in Middlesbrough on June 25, 1963 - not to mention the Globe Theatre in Stockton on November 22, 1963 and again on October 15, 1964.

This photograph was taken at a community centre in Acklam, in Middlesbrough. Dennis, third from the left with his guitar almost under his chin, reminds us that suits on stage were the in thing to wear during the 60's.

Another rare photograph of the band which was kindly submitted to us by rhythm guitarist, George Kitching. Left to right is Dennis Trowbridge on lead guitar, Ernie (surname needed) on bass with George Kitching on rhythm. It was taken in the Astoria Ballroom, Middlesbrough in 1963.

Drummer Terry Popple, the only group member to make it "big" and he was only a little guy! The black and white photograph was featured in the Evening Gazette, Middlesbrough, on March 7th 1964 and shows Trevor Watson from Middlesbrough on bass guitar, Dereck "Decca" Carr from Thornaby on drums, Ian Morrison of Stockton on rhythm guitar and the group's manager and lead guitarist was Dennis Trowbridge from Nunthorpe.

A brief history of The Kalvins as written by Dennis Trowbridge

The Kalvins came into being in the late 50's when Dennis Trowbridge, Tony Endean, Tony Jowett and a couple of others - whose names I forget - got together to mess around with  guitars. Within a few months only Tony Endean and myself were left so we recruited a couple of other guys - George on rhythm and Terry Popple on drums. We started to do a few gigs - the first was at a nursing home in Guisborough. Terry went on to play professionally for many years - eventually ending up backing Van Morrison on many tours and a couple of albums.

After a few months I dumped my ageing Hofner guitar and replaced it with a red Fender Stratocaster. We had arrived! His father loaned him the money and he paid 160 guineas for it from Hamilton's Music Store in Middlesbrough.

We later made contact with Brian Naylor's sister - Brian was the manager of the Astoria - and managed to get a few bookings there. We were the very first live group to play at this venue. That gig lasted several months, was great fun, and led to many other bookings. Eventually we were playing 4 or 5 nights most weeks. More personnel changes saw Albert Smith (ex-Blue Caps) come and go until the final line up was established as myself on lead, Ian Morrison playing rhythm, Les Bennett on bass, and Decca Carr on drums. That's how it stayed until one night after a really poor gig at the Maison in Stockton we all had a big bust up! Then to top it all someone ran into our van and smashed the back door. I'd had enough! In anger I dropped the guys off together with their gear - and some of mine – one of which was a Binson Baby echo chamber. The guys did try to talk me into going back but I refused.

Later that year (1966) I got married and sold my red Fender Stratocaster back to Hamilton's music store for a mere £80 which I used to buy a half set of golf clubs. I never touched a guitar for more than 30 years when my daughter said she wanted to learn. That was easy, she needed a Fender Stratocaster but she ended up with a red Squire Strat. She never did learn to play, but I really enjoyed myself. I recently got a mini Vox Valvetronix amp together with a brilliant digital echo and started playing some old Shadows stuff. Recently I got hold of a 1962 re-issue Japanese Fender Strat and sold the Squire.

I put the Kalvins on our family web site and have had lots of emails from old fans and old group members - most notably Ian Morrison and Les Bennett. Then an old school chum of Terry Popple passed me his email.

Dennis Trowbridge sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 12, 2007.

My thanks to George Kitching & Dennis Trowbridge for their contributions to this page and sharing their collection of photos

This page is dedicated to the memory of Dennis Trowbridge

 
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