Formed in Kirkby, Liverpool, in 1960 (originally under the name The Tuxedos and later, The Panthers), this Merseyside group were accidentally introduced by Cavern Club compere Bob Wooler by their hometown rather than their band name. The name “The Kirkbys” subsequently stuck.
The group were managed by Beryl Adams, who had been Brian Epstein’s former secretary and their driving force was guitarist and principal songwriter Jimmy Campbell, widely regarded by music historians as one of the great undiscovered songwriters of the Merseybeat era.
Curiously, their earliest single releases in 1965 and 1966 – including Cos My Baby’s Gone and Don’t You Want Me No More – were only released in Finland.
Their only official UK release came in September 1966 on RCA Records, with the driving, fuzz-guitar-beat track It’s A Crime. It failed to chart but became a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Drummer Kenny Goodlass left the group to join The Escorts and was replaced by Mervyn Sharpe. Kenny subsequently returned to the lineup following Sharpe’s exit.
By the summer of 1967, as the musical landscape shifted toward psychedelia, the band renamed themselves The 23rd Turnoff (named after an M6 motorway exit leading to Liverpool) and recorded the baroque psychedelic masterpiece Michael Angelo for Deram Records.
Despite sessions even being produced by George Martin, the single failed to gain traction, and the group disbanded in 1968.
Jimmy Campbell subsequently launched a brief solo career. In 1971, he formed a group called Rockin’ Horse, who released a superb album, Yes It Is, containing the sublime single Biggest Gossip In Town.
Campbell died from a respiratory illness on 12 February 2007 at the age of 63 in his hometown of Liverpool.
Despite his massive songwriting talent, he died in relative anonymity and financial obscurity, having never received the commercial success or royalties his work deserved during his lifetime.
Joe Marooth Vocals
Gerry Savage Vocals
Jimmy Campbell
Guitar, vocals John “JD” Lloyd
Guitar Alby Power
Bass Kenny “Goody” Goodlass
Drums Mervyn Sharpe
Drums
You May Also Like
Judy Stone Born Judith Anne Stone in Sydney in 1940, this Australian singer successfully straddled pop, rock and…
Grass Roots, The The Grass Roots began as a studio-only project by Los Angeles songwriter PF Sloan and producer…
Chantays, The The Chantays - from Orange County, California - were launched upon the world by Dot Records…
Koko Taylor Koko Taylor - so named because of her lifelong fondness for chocolate - was born in…
Remains, The (Barry & The Remains) The Remains formed in November 1964 at Boston University, where all four members were first-year students…
Fontella Bass Born in St Louis on 3 July 1940, Fontella Bass began her career by playing the…
Keane Formed in Battle, East Sussex, in 1995, Keane struggled to find momentum when their original guitarist,…
Big Mama Thornton Born in Montgomery, Alabama, on 11 December 1926, Willie Mae Thornton's father was a minister, and…
Their only official UK release came in September 1966 on RCA Records, with the driving, fuzz-guitar-beat track It’s A Crime. It failed to chart but became a highly sought-after collector’s item.
