Shimmy Shimmy CoCo Bop

In last night's Agatha Christie "The Pale Horse", early on in the piece they were playing 'Shimmy Shimmy Co Co Bop'. Does anybody remember the band in mid 1960s from Barnsley the "Chicago line", this was their first and I think only single. They were a blues band but this was an out and out pop record. I remember the line up as Terry Hooson (guitar), Phil Kaye (vocals), Keith Shone (keyboards) and two others. BTW I saw an advert in an old copy of 'Record Collector' wanting an original 45 and willing to pay £250.

 

Just seen a copy for sale on Ebay £395 !!!

 

Terry pops in our shop from time to time. He's still teaching guitar around these parts.

 

I knew Terry Hooson pretty well. Played football with him for The Silkstone on Park Road. His cartilages were shot and his knee kept coming out while we were playing. He just snapped it back in and kept going! I knew he was a pretty good guitarist and he told me he’d played in Hamburg around the time The Beatles were there. Went out a few times with him and his wife but lost contact years ago.

 

Did they ever play the Monday Beat Nights at the Civic Hall?

 

Terry was better than "a good guitarist", I think for a while he was a session guitarist for Mike Vernon's Blue Horizon label. He was also a 'bit of a lad'. He got me, him and another mate (a past mayor of Barnsley) banned from the "Cricketer's" pub in Scarborough. I'm not saying what for.

 

To be honest, I don’t recall we ever spoke much about his activities as a guitarist. Quite ironic given I spend most of my time these days trying to play one! I knew his mum and dad who had a stall on Barnsley market (lived somewhere off Racecommon Road I think). I do know he was a bit of a lad. My most abiding memory is of him and a well-known Barnsley character called Phil Smith (who had a fearsome reputation), winding up the opposition on Sunday mornings.

 

Up to him getting married to Tina, he lived in Junction Street off Doncaster Road a few doors away from John Parkinson the ex mayor.

 

It’s all coming back to me! Terry and Tina lived on one of the streets off Racecommon Road when they got married. Terry briefly had a stall on Barnsley market (his mum also had a stall and his dad worked for the Markets Department). I worked in the Market office, and that’s how I first got to know him. The football bit came later.

 

George was it Stuart O'Conner on Drums and I think Graham Lampshire on Bass Guitar (could be wrong long time ago)

 

did Graham work for the pop company in Dodworth.

 

I've no idea t'owd man but I know he lives down south now talked to him about 18 months ago he'll be 75 now I know him as I played in the same youth football team as him and Stuart O'Conner.

 

Yes I did.

 

Stuart O'Connor was the drummer. He still lives in Silkstone. I went to his 70th birthday do at Shaw Lane a couple of years ago and some of the lads from Chicago Line were there. They played a live set including Shimmy Shimmy. They did play in Hamburg. Their first manager was Pete Stringfellow the famous night club owner. Stuart is a cousin of ex Barnsley player Doug O'Connor. He was a good player too as was his brother Dave. They both played for Silkstone Common FC

 

Continuing the TV/ Barnsley theme, today's Bargain Hunt ( BBC 1 @ 12-15pm) is from the
Elsecar Heritage Centre.

 

Can you remember Rob Swan, he worked there same time, he used to drag us along to watch you at the civic. A long time ago I know, I haven't seen him for over 40 years.

 

Did the Phil Kaye you speak of once work in the labs at Newton Chambers? Might be barking up the wrong tree but the Phil Kaye I knew packed in work to tour Hamburg with his band in the.mid 60's. Think he was from Chapeltown or High Green.

 

I think he worked 'darn t' pit' as he got injured riding on the belt. He may have worked at Newton Chambers later.