(c’60-’67) – Peter “Ricky Clayton” Arthur (vocals), Errol “Lew / Lou” Newman (bass), Chris “Butch” Butcher (guitar), Tom O’Looney (guitar) and Geoff Salmon (drums).

Ricky & The Rythmics (L-R: George Trask (roadie), Butcher, Salmon, O’Looney, Arthur and Ted Cassell (bass guitar). Picture courtesy of Peter Arthur

Guildford based Ricky & The Rhythmics were sometimes seen under just The Rhythmics or fuller Ricky Clayton and the Rhythmics monica at gigs around Guildford, Woking, Horsham, Lymington, etc. They played every weekend and up to three week nights – including the Social Club, Farncombe; Village Hall, Merrow, Civic Hall, Guildford and T.A. Centre, Guildford – in fact just about every club within a 60 mile radius of Guildford is likely to have hosted the band at least once. They were also house band at The Tunsgate Club, Guildford for a while.

Ricky & the Rhythmics (R-L: Butcher, Erroll Newman, Tom Terny, Arthur, Salmon) on the Tunsgate Club roof over Russell & Bromley. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records

Arthur, who joined the O’Looney led band about a year after they were formed by Butcher, only recently revealed that the Ricky Clayton name is a combo of his second name ‘Richard’ and a pin in a list of names that blindly landed on ‘Clayton’. Arthur had previously been in The Leopard Spots and The Canal Street Ramblers. O’Looney had replaced Tom Terny (guitar). Newman had attended the Royal Grammer School where he picked up the nickname Lew, and was not the bands first bassist; that was Ted Cassell, who was O’Looney’s neighbour on Hillspur Close, Westborough. The band could be heard practicing at Onslow School.

The Village Hall, Merrow hosted the band on 18 May ’63 and on 27 November ’63, The Rhythmics took part in a charity gig at Civic Hall, Guildford for Oxfam along with Humphrey Lyttleton, Cyril Davis All Stars, Long John Baldry and the Velvettes, and The Yardbirds.

At some point Penny Collins, from Aldershot, joined the boys as a vocalist. George Trask, on leaving the Navy in ’61, used to roadie for the band while Salmon drove the band’s 40-seat coach. Prior to the coach the band had their own van owned and driven by Richard “Sim / Simo” Simpson.

Ricky and the Rythmics first transport in the early 60s. Richard “Sim / Simo” Simpson (with guitar alongside Arthur) owned and drove the van. Picture courtesy of Peter Arthur.

O’Looney moved to America and became a pilot, flying out of Newark, NY. He still lives in New York. Newman sadly passed away in 2016/17 at his home in North Somerset after being diagnosed with cancer. Arthur moved to France where he passed in September 2019. Collins also sadly left us in 2017. Salmon now lives in Ross-on-Wye. Butcher was contacted by Arthur c’2018 and was still in Fairlands.

Gallery:

Press clipping of Ricky & The Rythmics (date unknown). The photo was taken at Tunsgate Square in front of Boxers coffee house. Picture courtesy of Peter Arthur
Clippings (date/s unknown) covering the ‘Guildford and Godalming Times’ pop dance featuring Ricky Clayton and the Rhythmics. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
18 May 1963: Handbill for Ricky Clayton & The Rythmics gig at Merrow Village Hall. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
Ricky & The Rhythmics in early special effect picture taken at The Tunsgate Club, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
27 November 1963: Flyer for charity gig at Civic Hall, Guildford featuring: Humphrey Lyttleton, Cyril Davis All Stars, Long John Baldry and the Velvettes, The Yard Birds and The Rhythmics. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
Ricky and the Rythmics (L-R O’Looney, Butcher, Arthur, Salmon, and Newman). Picture courtesy of Peter Arthur