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{{Short description|British beat group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
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| caption =
| caption =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| origin = [[Erith]], [[Kent]], [[England]]<ref name="Kent">{{cite web|url=http://www.kentgigs.com/musicbiz/Bands.html |title=Kent MusicBiz - Bands |publisher=Kentgigs.com |date= |access-date=2014-01-25}}</ref>
| origin = [[Erith]], [[Kent]], England<ref name="Kent">{{cite web|url=http://www.kentgigs.com/musicbiz/Bands.html |title=Kent MusicBiz – Bands |publisher=kentgigs.com |access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref>
| genre = [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[rock and roll]], [[pop music|pop]]
| genre = [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[rock and roll]], [[pop music|pop]]
| years_active = 1961&ndash;1964
| years_active = 1961–1964
| label = [[Decca Records|Decca]]
| label = [[Decca Records|Decca]]
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts =
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}}
}}


'''Bern Elliott and the Fenmen''' were a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[beat music|beat]] [[musical ensemble|group]], active between 1961 and 1964, and best known for their 1963 [[cover version]] of the [[song]], "[[Money (That's What I Want)|Money]]".
'''Bern Elliott and the Fenmen''' were a British [[beat music]] group, active between 1961 and 1964, and best known for their 1963 [[cover version]] of the song, "[[Money (That's What I Want)|Money]]".


==Biography==
== Biography ==
Bern Elliott and the Fenmen formed in [[Kent]] in 1961, and performed over the next two years in [[nightclub|clubs]] in [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]], before being signed to a [[recording contract]] with [[Decca Records|Decca]] in early 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Villa/9500/eliot.htm |title=Bern Eliot & The Fenmen |date=2009-10-29 |access-date=2014-01-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029033236/http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Villa/9500/eliot.htm |archive-date=29 October 2009 }}</ref> "[[Money (That's What I Want)|Money]]" was released by several artists at the time, but Bern Elliott and the Fenmen were unique as a group in registering a [[UK Singles Chart]] [[Top 40|Top 20]] hit in December 1963.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p73789/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Bern Elliott and the Fenmen|author=Unterberger, Richie |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=18 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
Bernard Michael Elliott was born in [[Erith]], [[Kent]], on 17 November 1942. He attended Picardy School in [[Belvedere, London|Belvedere]], before forming his own beat group, which became Bern Elliott and the Bluecaps before changing their name to become Bern Elliott and the Fenmen in 1961.<ref>[https://www.45cat.com/record/f11970 Biography, Decca Group Records]. Retrieved 16 December 2022</ref> The group performed over the next two years in clubs in [[Hamburg]], Germany, and were signed to a recording contract with [[Decca Records|Decca]] in early 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Villa/9500/eliot.htm |title=Bern Eliot & The Fenmen |date=29 October 2009 |access-date=25 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029033236/http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Villa/9500/eliot.htm |archive-date=29 October 2009 }}</ref> "[[Money (That's What I Want)|Money]]" was released by several artists at the time, but Bern Elliott and the Fenmen were unique as a group in registering a [[UK Singles Chart]] [[Top 40|Top 20]] hit with the song in December 1963.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p73789/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Bern Elliott and the Fenmen|author=Unterberger, Richie |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=18 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| first= David
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| last= Roberts
Line 28: Line 29:
| location= London
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 182}}</ref> Elliot and the Fenmen's [[Beat music|Merseybeat]] style belied their southern England roots.<ref name="AMG"/> However, they did appear on the 13 March 1964 episode of the UK [[television program]]me, ''[[Ready Steady Go!]]'', playing their follow-up hit, "[[New Orleans (Gary U.S. Bonds song)|New Orleans]]".<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.tv.com/ready-steady-go!/petula-clark-bern-elliott-and-fenmen-julie-grant/episode/309420/summary.html |title=Ready Steady Go! - Season 1, Episode 33: Petula Clark; Bern Elliott & Fenmen; Julie Grant |publisher=TV.com |date= |access-date=2014-01-25}}</ref>
| page= 182}}</ref> Elliott and the Fenmen's [[Beat music|Merseybeat]] style belied their southern England roots.<ref name="AMG" /> However, they did appear on 13 March 1964 episode of the UK television programme ''[[Ready Steady Go!]]'', playing their follow-up hit, "[[New Orleans (Gary U.S. Bonds song)|New Orleans]]".<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.tv.com/ready-steady-go!/petula-clark-bern-elliott-and-fenmen-julie-grant/episode/309420/summary.html |title=Ready Steady Go! - Season 1, Episode 33: Petula Clark; Bern Elliott & Fenmen; Julie Grant |publisher=TV.com |date= |access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref>


In May 1964, Elliot parted company with The Fenmen, and utilised The Klan for a short time as his backing group on one release "Good Times" / "What Do You Want With My Baby" on Decca F11970, which was released on 4 September 1964. The following year two further solo efforts, "Guess Who" and "Voodoo Woman", also failed to chart. The Fenmen continued, issuing further efforts both for Decca and [[Columbia Records|CBS]], including "I've Got Everything You Need, Babe" (1965) and "Rejected" (1966).<ref name="Kent"/><ref name="AMG"/>
In May 1964, Elliott parted company with The Fenmen, and utilised The Klan for a short time as his backing group on one release "Good Times" / "What Do You Want With My Baby" on Decca F11970, which was released on 4 September 1964. The following year two further solo efforts, "Guess Who" and "Voodoo Woman", also failed to chart. The Fenmen continued, issuing further efforts both for Decca and [[Columbia Records|CBS]], including "I've Got Everything You Need, Babe" (1965) and "Rejected" (1966).<ref name="Kent" /><ref name="AMG" />


[[Led Zeppelin]]'s [[Jimmy Page]] recalled:
[[Led Zeppelin]]'s [[Jimmy Page]] recalled:
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:{{quote|"On the [[BBC]], there's a little musical clip that comes on. I think the song's called 'I've Got Everything You Need, Babe.' There's a new version of it right now but, beforehand, when it was originally there, I heard this [[Guitar solo|solo]] and I said, 'My goodness, that's me!' So I tracked it down and it was Bern Elliott and the Fenmen. So I must have done this session, because it's me, without a shadow of a doubt. I wouldn't have remembered if I did a solo, let alone a song or what was on the [[Studio recording|session]] – they were coming fast and furious. You didn't know who you were going in with."<ref>{{cite journal|first= Michael |last= Bonner |title= An Audience with Jimmy Page |journal= [[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |date= January 2015 |page= 16}}</ref>}}
:{{quote|"On the [[BBC]], there's a little musical clip that comes on. I think the song's called 'I've Got Everything You Need, Babe.' There's a new version of it right now but, beforehand, when it was originally there, I heard this [[Guitar solo|solo]] and I said, 'My goodness, that's me!' So I tracked it down and it was Bern Elliott and the Fenmen. So I must have done this session, because it's me, without a shadow of a doubt. I wouldn't have remembered if I did a solo, let alone a song or what was on the [[Studio recording|session]] – they were coming fast and furious. You didn't know who you were going in with."<ref>{{cite journal|first= Michael |last= Bonner |title= An Audience with Jimmy Page |journal= [[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |date= January 2015 |page= 16}}</ref>}}


After the Fenmen themselves disbanded, [[Wally Waller|Wally Allen]] (aka Wally Waller) and Jon Povey moved on to [[The Pretty Things]].<ref name="AMG"/>
After the Fenmen themselves disbanded, [[Wally Waller|Wally Allen]] (aka Wally Waller) and Jon Povey moved on to [[The Pretty Things]].<ref name="AMG" />


Lead guitarist Alan Judge died in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bern Elliott (and the Fenmen / and the Klan) |url=https://www.magic-potion.net/eagles---eyes-of-blue.html |website=Magic Potion |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref> Frontman Bern Elliott died from heart failure in [[Margate, Kent]] on 13 September 2022, at the age of 79.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bernard Michael Elliott |url=https://www.forevermissed.com/bernard-michael-elliott/about |website=Forever Missed |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref> On 9 May 2023, Jon Povey died at the age of 80.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dmme.net/pretty-things-jon-povey-passed-away/|title=PRETTY THINGS' Jon Povey Passed Away|website=Dmmme.net|access-date=10 May 2023}}</ref>
"Money" later reached the UK Singles Chart in versions by [[The Flying Lizards]] (1979) and [[Backbeat (film)|The Backbeat Band]] (1994).<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums 2">{{cite book
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 675}}</ref>


==Band members==
== Band members ==
*Bern Elliott - [[human voice|lead vocals]] (born Bernard Michael Elliott, 17 November 1942, [[Erith]], [[Kent]], [[England]])
*Bern Elliott – lead vocals (1942–2022)
*Alan Judge - [[lead guitar]] (born 1942 died 2018/2019)
*Alan Judge – lead guitar (31 May 1942–2017)
*Jon Povey - [[drum]]s (born Jonathan Leslie Povey, 20 August 1942, [[Barnhurst]], Kent, England)
*Jon Povey – drums (20 August 1942–2023)
*[[Wally Waller|Wally Allen]] - [[rhythm guitar]] (born Alan Edward Waller, 9 April 1944, Erith, Kent, England)
*[[Wally Waller|Wally Allen]] – rhythm guitar (born 1944)
*Eric Willmer - [[bass guitar]] (born 11 November 1942, [[Bexleyhealth]], Kent, England)<ref name="Kent"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartwatch.co.uk/TopTen/acts/ACT03599.htm |title=Bern Elliott & The Fenmen: UK Top 10 hits |publisher=Chartwatch.co.uk |date= |access-date=2014-01-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1264335/|title=Wally Waller|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=2014-01-25}}</ref>
*Eric Willmer – bass guitar (born 11 November 1942)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartwatch.co.uk/TopTen/acts/ACT03599.htm |title=Bern Elliott & The Fenmen: UK Top 10 hits |publisher=Chartwatch.co.uk |date= |access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref>


==Discography==
== Discography ==
===Singles===
=== Singles ===
*"[[Money (That's What I Want)|Money]]" (1963) - [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] #14
*"[[Money (That's What I Want)|Money]]" (1963) – [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] #14
*"[[New Orleans (Gary U.S. Bonds song)|New Orleans]]" (1964) - UK #24<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
*"[[New Orleans (Gary U.S. Bonds song)|New Orleans]]" (1964) – UK #24<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums" />


===EPs===
=== EPs ===
*''Bern Elliott and the Fenmen'' (1964)
*''Bern Elliott and the Fenmen'' (1964)
**"Shake Sherry Shake" / "[[Please Mr. Postman]]" / "[[Shop Around]]" / "Mashed Potato Chills" / "I Can Tell" (Decca) DFE 8561<ref name="Kent"/>
**"Shake Sherry Shake" / "[[Please Mr. Postman]]" / "[[Shop Around]]" / "Mashed Potatoes” / “Chills" / "I Can Tell" (Decca) DFE 8561<ref name="Kent" />


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* {{Discogs artist|The Fenmen}}
* {{Discogs artist|The Fenmen}}


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[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:Beat groups]]
[[Category:Beat groups]]
[[Category:Musical quintets]]
[[Category:British musical quintets]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 01:19, 2 October 2023

Bern Elliott and the Fenmen
OriginErith, Kent, England[1]
GenresR&B, rock and roll, pop
Years active1961–1964
LabelsDecca
Past membersBern Elliott
Alan Judge
Jon Povey
Wally Allen
Eric Willmer

Bern Elliott and the Fenmen were a British beat music group, active between 1961 and 1964, and best known for their 1963 cover version of the song, "Money".

Biography

[edit]

Bernard Michael Elliott was born in Erith, Kent, on 17 November 1942. He attended Picardy School in Belvedere, before forming his own beat group, which became Bern Elliott and the Bluecaps before changing their name to become Bern Elliott and the Fenmen in 1961.[2] The group performed over the next two years in clubs in Hamburg, Germany, and were signed to a recording contract with Decca in early 1963.[3] "Money" was released by several artists at the time, but Bern Elliott and the Fenmen were unique as a group in registering a UK Singles Chart Top 20 hit with the song in December 1963.[4][5] Elliott and the Fenmen's Merseybeat style belied their southern England roots.[4] However, they did appear on 13 March 1964 episode of the UK television programme Ready Steady Go!, playing their follow-up hit, "New Orleans".[6]

In May 1964, Elliott parted company with The Fenmen, and utilised The Klan for a short time as his backing group on one release "Good Times" / "What Do You Want With My Baby" on Decca F11970, which was released on 4 September 1964. The following year two further solo efforts, "Guess Who" and "Voodoo Woman", also failed to chart. The Fenmen continued, issuing further efforts both for Decca and CBS, including "I've Got Everything You Need, Babe" (1965) and "Rejected" (1966).[1][4]

Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page recalled:

"On the BBC, there's a little musical clip that comes on. I think the song's called 'I've Got Everything You Need, Babe.' There's a new version of it right now but, beforehand, when it was originally there, I heard this solo and I said, 'My goodness, that's me!' So I tracked it down and it was Bern Elliott and the Fenmen. So I must have done this session, because it's me, without a shadow of a doubt. I wouldn't have remembered if I did a solo, let alone a song or what was on the session – they were coming fast and furious. You didn't know who you were going in with."[7]

After the Fenmen themselves disbanded, Wally Allen (aka Wally Waller) and Jon Povey moved on to The Pretty Things.[4]

Lead guitarist Alan Judge died in 2017.[8] Frontman Bern Elliott died from heart failure in Margate, Kent on 13 September 2022, at the age of 79.[9] On 9 May 2023, Jon Povey died at the age of 80.[10]

Band members

[edit]
  • Bern Elliott – lead vocals (1942–2022)
  • Alan Judge – lead guitar (31 May 1942–2017)
  • Jon Povey – drums (20 August 1942–2023)
  • Wally Allen – rhythm guitar (born 1944)
  • Eric Willmer – bass guitar (born 11 November 1942)[11]

Discography

[edit]

Singles

[edit]

EPs

[edit]
  • Bern Elliott and the Fenmen (1964)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Kent MusicBiz – Bands". kentgigs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  2. ^ Biography, Decca Group Records. Retrieved 16 December 2022
  3. ^ "Bern Eliot & The Fenmen". 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 October 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d Unterberger, Richie. "Bern Elliott and the Fenmen". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  5. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 182. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. ^ "Ready Steady Go! - Season 1, Episode 33: Petula Clark; Bern Elliott & Fenmen; Julie Grant". TV.com. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  7. ^ Bonner, Michael (January 2015). "An Audience with Jimmy Page". Uncut: 16.
  8. ^ "Bern Elliott (and the Fenmen / and the Klan)". Magic Potion. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Bernard Michael Elliott". Forever Missed. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  10. ^ "PRETTY THINGS' Jon Povey Passed Away". Dmmme.net. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Bern Elliott & The Fenmen: UK Top 10 hits". Chartwatch.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
[edit]
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