The REBBELS

Graeme is the singer, he has been with the reBBels since the early days . The art of a good singer is more that just a great voice, You have to be able to read a crowd, interact to make each show different, so Graeme changes the songs to suit each and has the a raport with the audience that makes each event a great experience.

This rapport allows him to change the order of songs on the fly to suit the moment. Graeme has been singing in bands for the last four decades. He sang in musicals at school, but wasn't allowed in the school choir because his voice overpowered everyone else's. Graeme started in a cover band called Final Demand in Surrey and went on to sing in many bands and many genre's over the years from folk to punk. He managed live music pubs for 10 years and was lucky enough to work and sing with a number of famous musicians during this time. He also met and collaborated with other top musicians whilst working in the addiction recovery field. Graeme uses a Shure SM58 microphone through a PA that is chosen to suit each venue (see below).

In the 1970s, Derek worked in the offshore Oil and Gas industry. He did not play guitar but as the evenings were long and lonely, he decided learn to play the guitar. Once his days on the rigs were behind him, Derek joined local band, The Olympics. After 3 years playing with the Olympics around the clubs, Derek joined Backtracks. The next few years with Backtracks consisted mainly of playing country music in pubs. He was then invited to join Brian Moon and the Satellites and spent many years with them playing in Clubs and Pubs across the region. After a brief rest, honing his craft, Derek was invited to join The reBBels around 5 years ago and has been with the band ever since.

The “man at the back” making all the noise is Ron, who has been with the ReBBeLs since the restructuring of the band. Ron has been drumming since his very early teens, and was taught for some time by a local drummer who subsequently went on to play with Emile Ford & the Checkmates.

His semi pro career started with local bands in the 60’s, playing Beatles / Rolling Stones and other covers. He subsequently played with Organ-drums combos, Jazz Trios, and small {8–9 piece} dance bands. After a period of absence caused by work commitments Ron returned to drumming with a vengeance, joining the “Northern All-Stars Orchestra” one of the premier 18 piece dance bands in the North West at that time.

After the All-Stars disbanded, Ron went on to play with a Manchester based smaller dance band, playing prestigious gigs such as Civic Balls, Masonic Functions etc. Work commitments forced Ron to leave this band, however, he was able to join a local Blues Band, who then went on to become one of the most popular in The Potteries area, making and selling CD’s as well as performing at festivals as well as local pubs. Following his move to Mere, Ron eventually found The ReBBeLs, and the rest is history.

Like most bassists, John started life as a guitarist but switched around 2000 when former band, Luna C, had no Bassist.

Life as a musician(sic) started at 6 when he was taken to a music shop by Dad. "do you want a toy guitar or a real one" he was asked. Silly question. John was the proud owner of a guitar that sat looking pretty for the best part of 10 years before he tried to play in earnest. Soon after, a visit to the 2nd hand shop saw the old acoustic guitar traded for a Hohner Electric.

Then came bands, and more guitars and marriage and babies and mortgages until an impromptu jam session led to the formation of Berkshire band Luna C, around the turn of the century. Luna C gigged for around 10 years on and off and only split when people moved away for work.

.From 2016 to the start of lockdown, John was bassist for Fog on the Quay, and served as resident bassist at the King's Head open mic night. John joined The reBBels just after Peter and just before COVID. The picture(left) shows John with previous band Fog on the Quay. We are saving up for some film to get some new photographs taken!

John plays Fender Aerodyne Jazz and Sire Marcus Miller M2 basses through a Bugera Bass Amp and LFSys cabinet.