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THE TOFFEES

Photograph © Stan Laundon

Robin O'Carroll and Alan Lindridge

Founder and lead guitarist of The Toffees, Robin O'Carroll meets former band member, Alan Lindridge, after more than 40 years. The two musicians met at Hartlepool Marina on July 24th and again on July 26th, 1980. The reunion was organised through our website bands pages. Robin also met up with Kenny Allen who was in Magic Roundabout with Robin after The Toffees disbanded.

The first photograph taken of The Toffees as a group in early 1964, but without a drummer at that time. They are Ray Stuart on vocals and guitar, Kenny Burgess on vocals, Iain "Jock" Campbell on bass guitar and vocals, Alan Lindridge on organ, guitar and vocals with Robin O'Carroll on lead guitar and vocals.

...and a little piece of Toffees history for you. Robin O'Carroll tells us that he suspects he may have the only surviving 45rpm single the original Toffees made as a demo in London in late 1964. It was a two-track recording system - vocals and instruments, drums separate. Ray Stuart sang lead vocal on the Chuck Berry classic "Reelin' And Rockin'" and he, and Alan Lindridge, sang a duet on the 'b' side - "She's Gone" an old Cliff Richard track from his "Me And My Shadows" album circa 1960. You can hear the organ played by Alan Lindridge on the a-side. The band had the first electric organ in the area at the time. Robin has cleaned up the songs the best he could as the original disc was badly scratched and worn. The studio it was recorded in - 'City of London Recording Studios' is long gone now.

"Reelin' And Rockin'" "She's Gone"

One of the first photos taken of The Toffees early 1964. It shows Alan Lindridge, Jock Campbell and Robin O'Carroll at the rear with Mike "Goldie" Peacock, Kenny Burgess and Ray Stuart in the foreground.

The Toffees at the Borough Hall, Hartlepool in 1965 when they were support band to Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages. They are Alan Lindridge with a Gibson 335, Ray Stuart on bass and Mike Peacock on drums. Alan Lindridge tells us: "When Lord Sutch ran onto the stage he was wearing a scarlet coloured toilet seat round his head and was carrying a chopping axe!"

 This photograph was taken during a break at a local venue and dating back to 1964. Ray Stuart, Eddie Leighton – manager (desperately wanted to be in the photo holding any guitar) - Alan Lindridge and Robin O'Carroll.

Dancing the night away at the Rainbow Coffee Bar in Seaton Carew around March 1964. Almost hidden by the dancers are Jock Campbell, Mike Peacock, Robin O'Carroll, Alan Lindridge, Ray Stuart and Kenny Burgess.

Two photographs that were taken of the original Toffees in early 1964. Members at that time included Jock Campbell, Mike Peacock, Alan Lindridge, Robin O'Carroll, Ray Stuart and Kenny Burgess.

The Toffees taken in 1964 at a school hall in Hartlepool. Alan Lindridge is almost hidden by a Vox AC-30 amplifier, Robin is in the centre with Ray on the right. The photograph on the right was from 1965 with The Toffees entertaining at a local girl's 21st birthday party in the Blind School Hall, in Lauder Street, Hartlepool. It shows Robin O'Carroll on lead guitar and vocals, Alan Lindridge on guitar and vocals and Eddie Saul on vocals.

Jock Campbell, bass guitar, on the left with John Madge almost hidden by his own drum kit and Alan Lindridge on vocals. Above is Robin and Jock concentrating on their harmonies - or, perhaps, thinking about a cold one waiting for them at the next break!

Two photographs of Eddie (Lightnin') Leighton, manager of the Toffees with his wife Margaret - nee Palmer - cousin of Ray Stuart, the vocalist and guitarist with the band and hamming it up with the 21st birthday girl.

Robin and Alan at the United Services Club, Miers Avenue in Hartlepool about 1966

John Madge looking good on his drums playing with the Toffees.

Jimmy Fawcett, who took over as Toffees drummer when John Madge left the band, is seen here in the Olde Durham's Club in Hartlepool with John's Premier drum kit.

Eddie Leighton - looking cool as always!

A couple of Toffees Business cards

Publicity from Hartlepool Mail early 1964
 

The original members of The Toffees were Ray Stuart, Robin O'Carroll, Ian "Jock" Campbell and Kenny Burgess. The groups manager was Eddie Leighton. Alan Lindridge was not in the band at this time and they were also without a drummer.

This is from Hartlepool Mail dated 1966
 

Robin O'Carroll, who sent us the Toffees cuttings for this page, says this was the 'phase two period' of the band. The photograph, taken at the Catcote Hotel, left to right rear, shows Ian "Jock" Campbell on bass guitar and vocals, John Madge on drums, Robin O'Carroll lead guitar and vocals. At the front of the photograph is John Pontone on vocals and Alan Lindridge on organ, guitar and vocals.

John Pontone (Pontoni) 1945-2005
 

When John Pontone was with the Comets and Toffees he worked as a lifeguard at the swimming baths in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool. Eventually, he turned full time professional (as John Pontoni) and was was resident in several night clubs in the mid sixties and worked the club circuit for many years. His cousin Fred Lawson sent us this rare music track:
 

"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"
 

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