The Roulettes formed in London in 1962 and were recruited to play as the backing group to singer Adam Faith, in order for him to compete with the beat bands then emerging from Merseyside.
With Faith, they enjoyed a run of chart hits in the 1960s, backing him on The First Time, We Are In Love, I Love Being In Love With You, If He Tells You, and Someone’s Taken Maria Away.
Original bass player John Rogers died on 27 May 1963 in Lincolnshire from injuries sustained in a car crash. His place in the band was filled by Mod Rogan (given name, John).
The band signed with Pye Records and began releasing their own material, switching to Parlophone in 1963. None of their own singles reached the charts.
Their only album Stakes And Chips was released in 1965 with a similar lack of success. Early in 1967, they joined the Philips Fontana label but still failed to reach the charts. They broke up at the end of that year.
Ballard and Henrit went on to join Unit 4 + 2 and eventually joined Argent in 1969.
Russ Ballard
Lead guitar
Peter Thorp
Rhythm guitar
John Rodgers
Bass
Bob Henrit
Drums
John ‘Mod’ Rogan
Bass
