(c’66-67) Julian “Whisker” Davies (piano / keyboards), Jim Cook (bass), Vince “Vin” Godier (guitar), Pete Newberry (drums) and Jim Luck (vocals).
The Grapes of Wrath disband in ’65, as the members various careers took precedence, leaving Cook and Godier. Luck stepped up to fill vocalist Ian May’s spot, and the nucleus of what would become the Whisker Davies Blues Stormers was formed. Cook’s friend Nick Davies suggested that his younger brother Julian, who was still at school but already playing organ with Haslemere based Dimples R&B, might play piano with the band – he also played trumpet and guitar. The schoolkid’s key work impressed immensely, and at the suggestion of Julian’s father, who was ‘protective’ of his youngest son’s acceptance to the Royal College of Music, the band used the kid’s nickname: Whisker. Newberry joined on drums and Godalming’s Whisker Davies Blues Stormers were born in October ’66. Brian Page (guitar) rehearsed with them, but it’s unclear if he joined the band.
The band took off immediately. They regularly support for The Stormsville Shakers at the likes of The Wooden Bridge, Guildford and, thanks to Kirk Riddle, used their Marshall amps. This led The Whisker Davies Blues Stormers to regular support slots at the Stoke Hotel, Guildford‘s Sunday night dances for the likes of Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, Nashville Teens, and Alexis Korner. The band also supported The Mike Cotton Sound and The Art Woods.
On 4 December ’66 the band played at The Stoke Hotel, Guildford with The Motivation. Twelve days later they were supporting The Stormsville Shakers at Chichester Hall, Witley.
The Youth Club, Liphook hosted the band on 18 March 1967, who were once again supporting The Stormsville Shakers. In April ’67 it was reported that the band were to record a track written for them by Philip Goodhand-Tait, although this appears to have not come to fruition. As the fanbase grew a fan club was formed and led by Candy Chandler.
The next month the group performed at a charity concert organized by ex-Grape May and headlined by The Graham Bond Organisation. This was held at the Borough Hall, Godalming on 9 May ’67. After approaching three well known blues artists, May happened to speak to Graham Bond at The Wooden Bridge – possibly the same night Bond and band caught and complemented the Whisker Davies Blues Stormers – and asked if he’d participate. He accepted, and waved their fee, joining Whisker Davies Blues Stormers, The Georgia Skin Men from Kingston that included Top Topham and Duster Bennett pre-solo career, Alfie Lucas accompanied by Cook, and The Combined Forces. A couple of months later they also open for P.P. Arnold backed by The Nice, Tony Rivers and the Castaways and Tony “Duster” Bennett at a Guildford School of Art gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford on 6 July ’67. Later Whisker Davies Blues Stormers played once again with Tony Rivers and the Castaways at The Stoke Hotel.
The band split in July / August ’67 when Davies went off to the Royal College of Music, but got together for one more gig at The Angel, Godalming. Davies was also in The Combined Forces and Newberry went on to found the The Gin Mill Club, Angel, Godalming. May would replace William Neal in Smokestakks. Cook, who has written a wonderful ebook: Jim Cook’s 1960s Memoirs – Mostly Music & Me that is well worth a read, joined Spirit Level.
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