Saxophonist Howie Casey formed The Seniors in Liverpool in 1959, and they started gigging as Derry & The Seniors, with frontman Derry Wilkie.
The group travelled to Germany and played regularly in Hamburg over the summer of 1960, later being joined there by rival Liverpool group, The Beatles. However, since the group members did not have work permits or visas, they were repatriated to the UK in October 1960, where they continued to play at local clubs and venues around Liverpool.
Their 1962 single Twist At The Top – referencing the popular dance craze – featured vocalist Freddie Fowell. Their album of the same name, released in February 1962, was the first LP by a Liverpool beat group.
Two further singles followed in 1962 – I Ain’t Mad At You and The Boll Weevil Song – but they were not hits.
The band broke up mid 1962, and Casey subsequently recorded with Kingsize Taylor and The Dominoes in Germany and became a successful session musician, playing on Wings‘ Band On The Run and the Quadrophenia soundtrack.
Meanwhile, Fowell sang with the Midnighters before finding fame and infamy as comedian and impressionist Freddie Starr. He died on 9 May 2019, aged 76.
Derry Wilkie died on 22 December 2001.
Derry Wilkie
Vocals Freddie Fowell
Vocals Howie Casey
Saxophone Billy Hughes
Guitar Stan Foster
Piano Brian Griffiths
Guitar Lu Walters
Bass Phil Whitehead
Bass Frank Wibberley
Drums Kenny Hardin
Drums Jeff Wallington
Drums
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Their 1962 single Twist At The Top – referencing the popular dance craze – featured vocalist Freddie Fowell. Their album of the same name, released in February 1962, was the first LP by a Liverpool beat group.
