JACK O DIAMONDS SKIFFLE GROUP, THE

Lead Vocals, Guitar: Micky Holmes

Guitar: Mick Large

Bass: Barrie Butcher

Drums: Ronnie Hanton (2)Ron Lee  

It was from the Ronnie Hanton Trio that Mick ,Barrie & Ronnie formed the Jack O Diamonds skiffle group or to give them their official title the Jack’O’Diamonds Four

Mick Holmes had been recruited from the now de-funked Cygnets to take on the main vocal duty, a role filled by guest appearance’s and talent at the mic up until that point. The bands first appearance together was backing The Billy Roy Band at the Orford Cellar Jazz Club on 10th June 1958

The same month the group entered the Jazz Clubs Skiffle of the year contest. Skiffle nights at the Orford were a new idea at that time and were being run by Norman Guest who would later run the Guest Star Entertainments agency. The band made it to the finals on the 30th June 1958 and came third overall with Ronnie winning best drummer in the individual sections of the competition. Impressed by each others guitar work Mick Large & Don Ingram, guitarist of the band that was placed first (The Sidewinders) became good friends and Don would guest with the band as the Jack O Diamonds Five

Tragedy struck the band in August 1957 when Ronnie, a chronic asthma sufferer passed away suddenly. The group placed an advert for a replacement and got the call from [age required] year old Ron Lee who was a [details required] at Looses and had decided to [details required] .The group continued until mid 1959 when they disband. Holmes moved on to front the Norwich Strollers, Ron Depped with many bands including John Lofty, while Mick and Barry slowly put together The Continentals

Supports: Billy Roy Band / Beryl Bryden / Ramonas Juvenilles

(Holmes - The Cygnets) The RH Skiffle Group <> The Continentals (Holmes - The Strollers)(Lee - Mark Preston Trio)