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The Grumbleweeds

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The Grumbleweeds
The Grumbleweeds in 1973. From left to right: Carl Sutcliffe, Robin Colvill, Albert Sutcliffe, Graham Walker, Maurice Lee
MediumFilm, television
NationalityBritish
Years active1962–present
Notable works and rolesThe Grumbleweeds Radio Show
MembersRobin Colvill
James Brandon
Former membersGraham Walker
Maurice Lee
Carl Sutcliffe
Albert Sutcliffe
Phillip Hall
Tony Jo

The Grumbleweeds are an award winning British comedy band, performing music and comedy. They were mostly popular on radio and television in the 1980s, including The Grumbleweeds Radio Show which ran from 1979 to 1988 on BBC Radio 2[1] and a later television incarnation[2] (also known initially as "The Grumbleweeds Radio Show").

The group continue to tour the United Kingdom under the lead of Robin Colvill.

History

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Formation

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The band formed in 1962 in Leeds by Robin Colvill (born 8 August 1944 in Leeds). Colvill was a jukebox mender who was asked to fix a broken Jukebox at a coffee bar. As he was fixing the machine, he saw Maurice Lee (born 12 May 1946 in Leeds) who was playing the guitar on the other side of the bar, keeping the customers entertained whilst there was no music. Colvill approached Lee and asked him to join his group; when Lee asked who else was in the band Colvill replied “So far, just you”.[3] Lee accepted with the condition that his friend Graham Walker could join as well; after Colvill asked Lee what instruments Walker could play, Lee said that he would teach him bass guitar.[3][4] The group practised at Stainbeck Youth Club, Meanwood. They played at the "Battle of the Bands" (organised by a Leeds-based newspaper) at the Queens Hall, Leeds (an all nighter) on the same night on 28 June 1963 that the Beatles played this venue as second on the bill to Acker Bilk and his Jazzmen. In 1967, they added Carl Sutcliffe (born 1944 in Leeds) to the lineup and his brother Albert (born 22 December 1940 in Leeds) was later added in as well due to him owning a microphone, as he was an “Opera trained” singer.[5] Also in 1967, was the addition of Phillip Hall, who left the group later on in the year.

Success

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They turned professional following success on the television talent show Opportunity Knocks. In the late 1960s and early 1970s the band released several records, none of which made the UK charts, however their fortunes improved when they were commissioned to star in a BBC children's television series, The Coal Hole Club, in 1974. Continuing to perform to packed venues around the UK, BBC radio producer Mike Craig spotted them at the Batley Variety Club and went on to produce several series of "The Grumbleweeds Radio Show" for Radio 2 throughout the 1980s. The group once had a fan club that included American singer Roy Orbison.[6]

Brothers Albert and Carl Sutcliffe left the group in 1987. Blackpool comedian Tony Jo (1951 – 23 January 2022) was briefly a member in 1997.[7] Maurice Lee left the group in 1998 and the remaining members continued to perform as a duo, up until Graham Walker's death in 2013. After Walker’s death, Colvill had plans on ending the group once and for all, but after working on a stage production called “39 Steps” with actor James Brandon, Robin’s manager suggested that instead of finding a new replacement for Walker, Colvill should instead assume Walker’s comic role and add Brandon into the lineup as Straight man.

With the addition of stand-up comedian James Brandon, The Grumbleweeds redeveloped the act, with Robin Colvill assuming the role of the rough-and-ready sidekick to Brandon's smooth straight man. In 2017 the group embarked on another UK tour, supported by vocalist Lisa Jane Kelsey.[8] The following year, comedian Mike Lancaster joined the tour, which ran for a further 12 months throughout the UK.[citation needed]

Tony Jo died from an 18 month battle with cancer on 23 January 2022, at the age of 70.[9][7] Albert Sutcliffe died in September 2023.

Album discography

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  • In a Teknikolor Dreem (album, 1971)
  • Al Bum (album, 1976)
  • Comedy From their Radio 2 Series (BBC 1979)
  • Worravagorrinmepocket (MFP 1981)
  • Let the Good Times Roll (K-Tel 1986)

The Grumbleweeds recorded the song 'String of Beads' to celebrate Leeds United's 1972 FA Cup Final.

Personnel

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Current members
  • Robin Stewart Colvill – vocals (1962–present); (born 8 August 1944, Leeds)
  • James Brandon - vocals (2014–present)
Former members
  • Graham Paul Walker (1962–2013); (born 17 May 1945, Leeds died 2 June 2013[10][11])
  • Maurice Lee – guitar, drums, vocals (1962–1998); (born 12 May 1946, Leeds)
  • Carl Sutcliffe – guitar, keyboards, vocals (1967–1987); (born 1944 in Leeds)
  • Albert Sutcliffe – keyboards, drums, vocals (1967–1987); (born 22 December 1940, Leeds, died September 2023)
  • Phillip Hall (1967)
  • Tony Jo (1997; died 23 January 2022)
  • Sharky (dancer)

References

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  1. ^ Graham Walker Dies, The Scottish Daily Record. Retrieved 4 June 2013
  2. ^ "The Grumbleweeds Radio Show (1984)". bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022. Film details: Year - 1984, Type - Television [..] Production Company - Granada Television [..] Transmission Company - LWT London Weekend Television
  3. ^ a b Neil Sean meets The Grumbleweeds, retrieved 8 August 2023
  4. ^ DV, admin (24 October 2017). "Maurice Grumbleweed – a master craftsman on stage". uCruise with Doris Visits. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ Legacy - The Story of The Grumbleweeds, retrieved 17 July 2023
  6. ^ "Maurice Lee on life in Leeds in the 60s, the Grumbleweeds and superfan Roy Orbison".
  7. ^ a b "Blackpool comedian and former Grumbleweed Tony Jo's funeral is packed in celebration of his life". 18 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Grumbleweeds to be born again on stage in Coventry". www.warwickshireworld.com. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Blackpool stand-up comic and former 'Grumbleweed' Tony Jo dies after cancer fight". 25 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Grumbleweeds' Graham Walker dies". Chortle.co.uk. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  11. ^ "The Grumbleweeds star Graham Walker dies at 68". BBC News. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
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