(c’64-’68) – Richard Over (rhythm guitar), Ian Latimer (bass / vocal), Andrew Latimer (guitar) and Alan Butcher (drums).

Started by Butcher and the Latimer brothers – Andrew was 15 at the time – this 4-piece beat/harmony/blues group formed in ’64. They gigged in and around their Guildford hometown developing a positive notoriety with appearances at the Civic Hall, Guildford and supporting the likes of Artwoods, Savoy Brown, John Mayall, Graham Bond, and Alan Bown at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. In addition to guitar, Andrew Latimer had learnt to play the piano with Mrs Shoebridge, but this skill was never used in The Phantom Four.

On 17 December ’64, the band, along with Smokestakks, supported Hogsnort Rupert and His Band at the End of Term Dance organized by Guildford School of Art Student Union and held at the school. They won a Battle of the Bands at Charlotteville Youth Club were the Primevals were runners-up. When Over left he was replaced by Graham Cooper and they became Strange Brew. Then, in summer 1968, Ian Latimer and Cooper departed, leaving the remaining Latimer brother and Butcher to form The Brew.

In June 2003: Phillip Goodhand-Tait and the Stormsville Shakers, The Switch, The Phantom Four and Razzle Dazzle got together and played a final gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford.

Gallery:

The Phantom Four: Richard Over (rhythm guitar), Ian Latimer (bass / vocal), Andrew Latimer (guitar) and Alan Butcher (drums).
17 December 1964: The Phantom Foiur and Smokestakks supported Hogsnort Rupert and His Band. Image courtesy of William Neal
8 June 2003: Poster for “Let The Good Times Roll” featuring The Phantom Four at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
8 June 2003: Page 1 of the programme for the ”60’s Return” gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford featuring The Phantom Four. Source Tina Lambley via Guildford Town Past & Present
8 June 2003: Page 2 of the programme for the ”60’s Return” gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford featuring The Phantom Four. Source Tina Lambley via Guildford Town Past & Present
8 June 2003: Page 3 of the programme for the ”60’s Return” gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford featuring The Phantom Four. Source Tina Lambley via Guildford Town Past & Present
8 June 2003: Page 4 of the programme for the ”60’s Return” gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford featuring The Phantom Four. Source Tina Lambley via Guildford Town Past & Present
8 June 2003: Page 3 of the programme for the ”60’s Return” gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford featuring The Phantom Four. Source Tina Lambley via Guildford Town Past & Present
8 June 2003: Page 6 of the programme for the ”60’s Return” gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford featuring The Phantom Four. Source Tina Lambley via Guildford Town Past & Present