Bo Street Runners, The

September 1964 saw the launch of the short-lived Ready Steady – Win!, a sister show to Ready Steady Go! aimed at finding the next Beatles in what was basically the first X Factor.

Raw R&B outfit The Bo Street Runners sufficiently impressed a panel chaired by Brian Epstein to scoop the £1,000 prize and Decca record deal – their debut single, Bo Street Runner, sold over 20,000 copies but did not chart – launching a three-year career which saw three more singles.

The group went through several lineup changes (they had three drummers in six months, including future Fleetwood Mac founder Mick Fleetwood) and endured other setbacks: vocalist John Dominic (real name, John Jenkinson) had trouble with his voice, the band’s van was written off in a road accident in London and their insurance company refused to pay out.

Band members went back to their day jobs and called it a day in October 1966.

John Dominic (John Jenkinson)
Vocals, harmonica
Gary Thomas
Guitar
Dave Cameron
Bass
Tim Hinkley
Keyboards
Glyn Thomas
Drums
Dave Quincy
Saxophone
Mick Fleetwood
Drums
Mike Patto
Vocals
Alan Turner
Drums
Barrie Wilson
Drums
Royston Fry
Keyboards
Nigel Hutchinson
Drums