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The Presidents was formed in 1959 and played mainly in pubs and clubs throughout the South London suburbs, experiencing numerous personnel changes until the band dissolved in 1965. During this time they played alongside bands such as The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, and Georgie Fame.

Over the years there were numerous changes to The Presidents line-up which included: Eric Archer, Tony Busson, Martin Cowtan, Phil Cunliffe, Tony Finch, Colin Golding, Ken Headley, Martin Johnson, Pat Lavelle, Robin Mayhew, Eddy Patterson, John Styles, and Ricky Tyrrell. The web site has links to biographies authored by individual members, photographs, press clippings and selected sound tracks of the bands demo and Decca single, in MP3 format.

The band was always supported by an enthusiastic fan base. Playing mainly cover versions of hits of the day they also played their own versions of more obscure American “underground” music, making them unique among their peers. Sadly, the band did not write its own material and this was a major (but not the only) factor preventing them from achieving stardom, despite top-notch musical talent and presentation that was slightly ahead of its time.

In 1964, The Presidents became Decca recording artists, releasing their one and only single, "Let the Sun Shine In", backed with "Candy Man". This might have been their ticket to stardom had it not been for a major set-back just prior to release.

The Presidents was produced by Glyn Johns, who went on to produce The Eagles, Joan Armatrading, and many other well-known recording artists and bands.

This web site reunites the personnel that founded and played with The Presidents between 1959 and 1965. The site is dedicated to the memory of Ken Headley, who, had he survived, undoubtedly would have enhanced the band's chances of commercial success.

Website created and built by Robin Mayhew and Phil Cunliffe. December 2005. Updated March 2008