Band biography of The Presidents. The 60s rock band that almost made it big.


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The Presidents Photo Gallery


		1959 One of the first shots of the band, shortly after Martin joined. Taken at a private barn party in Swanage, Dorset. L to R: Colin Golding, Robin Mayhew, Martin Johnson, Ken Headley. Phil Cunliffe is on drums.	1959 Phil keeps his head down at the Swanage barn party. He borrowed the money to buy a brand new set of black pearl Premier drums, here on one of their first outings with the band.

		1959 Colin and Robin at a freebie gig at the Anchor public house in Swanage. Being left-handed, Colin had difficulty finding at left hand bass guitar. Here he plays a Burns but soon after he ordered a Fender, which took about six weeks to arrive.	1959 Phil and Colin pound it out in the Anchor's tiny public bar. The Anchor had been favourite drinking haunt for some members even before the band was formed. Martin Johnson arranged the pub and barn gigs as he had family connections in Swanage.

		1960 The original Presidents at Bermondsey in East London, sporting their new vinyl- fronted tops. L to R: Phil Cunliffe, Colin Golding, Ken Headley, Robin Mayhew, with Martin Johnson in front.	1960 On stage at Bermondsey with Glyn Johns (in the foreground, back to the camera) studying the band with a view to recording them where he worked at the IBC Studios in Portland Place, London.

		1964 The Presidents' line-up that almost made it big. L to R: Tony Busson - bass; Tony Finch - guitar; Ricky Tyrrell - vocals; John Styles - piano; Eddy Patterson - drums; Robin Mayhew - guitar. The band never turned professional and all had day jobs	1964 All but John Styles had their own transport. L to R: Robin Mayhew (15cwt Ford Thames); John Styles; Tony Busson (Ford Anglia 7 cwt); Tony Finch (Ford Anglia 7cwt); Ricky Tyrrell ( Ford Prefect 5 cwt); Eddy Patterson (15 cwt Ford Thames).



	1964 A series of promotional shots taken at the time of release of "Let the Sun Shine In" and "Candy Man"

		1964 The band performs to capacity crowds at the Red Lion pub in Sutton, Surrey, shortly after release of "Let the Sun Shine In" and "Candy Man"..	1964 Robin, Ricky and Tony Busson at the Red Lion. Despite its limited size the venue had become a Mecca for The Presidents' considerable fan base.

		1964 Eddy drives the band at the Red Lion.	1964 Robin finds the groove at the Red Lion.

1964 Signed fan club photos at the time of the single release

2010 A different take on The Presidents promo shots - courtesy of Electric Freakout of Glasgow .

A star is born? This undated photograph shows a young Jimmy Page (left) playing with The Presidents' Tony Busson, behind in the light sweater .

Lineup for The Presidents' last gig - August 1965 at the Greenford Hotel. (L toR): Eric Archer, Robin Mayhew, Eddy Patterson, Tony Busson, Martin Cowtan.

A (partial) reunion of band members in April 2010. They generally agreed that, like good wine, they continue to improve with age! From left to right: Eric Archer, Robin Mayhew, Eddy Patterson, Tony Busson, Martin Cowtan.

Future Rock Star? If you're going to give away all your worldly posessions and play guitar in front of thousands of fans, you should at least dress the part. You don't need a halloween costume, but a sense of style and grace is required. Maybe pirate or Rennaissance costumes would help your band's image.