(c’57-’62) Peter Roberts (tea chest bass) George Robson (guitar), Tony Robson (guitar/vocals), John Bryan (guitar), Mick Hammond (washboard/drums), and Mick Betts (?).
This Aldershot skiffle band were known for their strong stage presence and good vocals – three of the members sang in church choirs and the band spent a lot of time singing in the local pubs, at venues such as Memorial Hall, Farnham; and local jazz clubs, encouraging people to sing along.
The Skeleton Skiffle Group also played the Summer Fete at the Recreation Ground near to Ash Football Club and won a lot of competitions. At one in Southampton, judged by Frankie Vaughan and a female jazz singer (TBID’d), most of the band went to the pub after playing, while Hammond stayed with Tony Robson who was only 15 (he was 14 when they started). They were pronounced the winners and Hammond had to find the band and get them back for an encore, where they were presented with a cup that was kept at the youth club.
They also played at the Hippodrome, Aldershot with many of the top groups at the time, including The Freight Train Boys, Chas McDevitt and his Skiffle Group, and Johnny Parker and his Band on 24 November ’57. One of these acts was the duo of Chas McDevitt and Nancy Whiskey, who wanted the Skeletons to go on tour with them. This was declined due to a member’s apprenticeship commitment, and they went back to playing the interval at the New Cental Ballroom, Aldershot for other bands, such as The Mickey Kennedy Band.
Roberts introduction and joining of the Skeletons was very much happenstance: He was sitting in Macari’s Cafe, Aldershot sipping coffee and the band were to play the Hippodrome that night, but Allan Smith the tea chest bassist (a tea chest with one string) failed to appear. George Robson came running into Macari’s, grabbed Roberts and said “Come with me Pete, we want you to play the bass” – that was the start of Roberts time with the band. The band were auditioned for a TV appearance at one point and they also played at the odd event, including Silvia Stallard’s wedding in ’57.
By ’60 the skiffle morphed into R&R and Tony Robson started to use the stage name Tony Angelo and took on lead vocals. Hammond progressed from washboard to snare, then drums. By this point the band were known as just The Skeletons, but were still supporting around Aldershot. In early ’62, Emille Ford and the Checkmates played The Palais Ballroom, Aldershot and The Skeletons opened.
Unfortunately, National Service disseminated the group all over and the group fell apart. Tony Angelo went on to form The Bandits, with Brian Allender. Mike Betts became Sky’s roadie, doing the same part time for Sound of Time. He ended up playing the bagpipes.
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