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 Ernie Endean on bass.
The Kalvins from the collection of Bob Whymark and showing Bob on rhythm guitar, Dennis Trowbridge on lead guitar, Giles Young on drums with Ernie Endean on bass.
The Kalvins 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.
We have no information about this photograph - apart from being The Kalvins, of course. However, that badge on the wall, behind drummer Decca Carr, does look like the British Legion emblem.
A publicity photograph in somebody's front room!
Above (left) is another publicity photograph of the band. The gentleman at the back was their manager at the time, Mike Almond. Dennis Trowbridge is holding his treasured 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.
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 Endean 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!
This 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.
Eric Whitehouse, of the Blue Caps, was kind enough to send this photograph of The Kalvins to us. It shows Ian Morrison, Dennis Trowbridge, Les Bennett and Tony Martin. Both Les and Tony, whose real name is Albert Smith, were later to join the Blue Caps.
This page is dedicated to the memory of George Kitching who passed away peacefully at his home on March 19th, 2020, aged 78, and to Dennis Trowbridge (above) who passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 12, 2007.
Fender Stratocaster by Dave Sutton
The Google image and bass playing monkey on this page were created by Dave Sutton graphics and free 3D animated gifs for web sites.
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The Kalvins
A brief history of The Kalvins as written by Dennis Trowbridge
The Kalvins came into being in the late 50's when Dennis Trowbridge, Ernie Endean, Tony Jowett, Bob Whymark 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 Kitching who replaced Bob Whymark on rhythm guitar and Terry Popple on drums. We started to do a few gigs - the first was at a nursing home in Guisborough. Terry Popple 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! My father loaned me the money and I 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 a former family web site and had lots of emails from old fans and previous group members - most notably Ian Morrison and Les Bennett. Then an old school chum of Terry Popple passed me his email.
The Kalvins taken at a community centre in Acklam, 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.
Bob Whymark on rhythm guitar.
Bob Whymark playing his steel guitar in Saudi Arabia in 1998.
Two Kalvins business cards which have almost survived.
A newspaper cutting which advertises The Kalvins appearing at the Queen's Rink Ballroom in Hartlepool. No date on this I'm afraid.
The Astoria Sunday Club.
Another newspaper cutting which has seen better days but saved thanks to George Kitching.
Thanks to George Kitching, Dennis Trowbridge, Eric Whitehouse and Bob Whymark for their contributions to this page and sharing their collection of photographs.
Perhaps you'd like to enjoy a selection of George Kitching's videos and music on You Tube. Thanks for the memories George!
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...Copyright © Stan Laundon