THE Alphabeats were one of the bands which were hugely popular at local gigs.

The quintet – a trainee salesman, two apprentice plumbers, an apprentice draughtsman and an oar maker - provided the music for hundreds of youngsters to dance the night away at numerous venues in and around Oxford.

The five were Mike Godwin (bass guitar), Mick Hopcroft (lead guitar), Tony Behan (singer), Richard Burrage (rhythm guitar) and Mick Charlton (drums).

They started life as the Teenbeats but later changed their name to avoid a clash with an American band.

The group was formed during Sunday night sessions at the Red Lion in Wolvercote.

Mr Godwin later recalled: “A few of us would go along with our instruments on Sunday evenings.

“The landlord, Gilbert Rivers, and his wife allowed us to use a small room at the front of the pub.

“But eventually, so many came to see us that they agreed we should move to a bigger building at the back.

“People would try to dance if there was room, but it was often choc-a-bloc.”

One happy result of the Sunday night sessions was that the Teenbeats were formed.

When this picture was taken in 1961, the group had just had a lucky break.

Visiting Southampton where they had been told there was a lot of work for up-and-coming musicians, they were put in touch with Len Cranham at the Royal Pier Pavilion.

He was a band agent and after hearing their tape, he gave them a job on the pier and put them on his agency list.

Locally, the band performed at Carfax Assembly Rooms in Oxford, the Corn Exchange at Faringdon, the Institute Hall at Bampton, Ickford village hall and the Masonic Hall at Wantage, to name a few.

But they were also in demand at places like High Wycombe, Hereford, Nottingham, Southsea and Salisbury.

Of the local venues, Carfax Assembly Rooms was one of their favourites. Often, Eric Tolley and his orchestra were upstairs providing the music for ballroom dancing while the Alphabeats kept the young fans happy downstairs, all for five shillings.

Life for the young musicians was always hectic and sometimes exhausting. When they appeared in St Michael’s Hall in Shoe Lane, Oxford, they had to haul their equipment up and down several flights of stairs - and the electrics in the hall often blew.

And their van was too small to take the gear and all five performers – so some of them had to walk home late at night.

Any memories of the Teenbeats – or Alphabeats – to share with readers? Write and let me know.