MOONRAKERS, THE

Lead Vocals, Guitar: Pierce Arnup

Vocals, Guitar: Rod Clarke

Vox,Guit: Dennis Cushing > Bass

Guitar: Rodney Skewes

Drums: Roger Ned Spruce                                           

Dennis Cushing & Pierce Arnup first got together in 195? [date required] and advertised for a drummer which resulted in the addition of Ned Spruce who had been Skiffling with the makeshift Sundowners at the Shuddingfield Hotel

The group started out as Leeroy & The Red Cravats but became The Moonrakers after only a handful of gigs. The appearances of Rodney Skewes on rhythm guitar were during those early days, Rodney was the local Bobby

Rod Clarke saw the band performing at the Clearmont Pier and was asked to join, and Dennis moved over to Bass to give the bands sound more depth. Rod had previously Skiffled with mates along the seafront at Kessingland his influences had been the likes of Slim Whitman and he served his apprenticship learning to play the harmonica, and accquired his first guitar on his 14th birthday in 1956.  Whilst                           the group would be resident at the Red Lion in Wangford at weekends                                and not having any transport would catch the bus there and rely on the landlord bring them home. Dennis recalls some of the bands High’s & lows  ‘We were once engaged to back Eden Cane at Haverhill Hall, Ede                        . The lord mayor came down and apologised to the crowd.  

Rods played regularly stayed with    .

In 1963 Rod moved to the capital and turned professional with The Carter’lewis & the Southerners but this was only the tip of the iceberg as Rod went on to followed by succesive spells with groups like The Moody Blues (66)/The Rock’in Berries (66/67)

Supports: Bert Weedon / Johnny Duncan & The Blue Grass Boys

<> (Spruce -The Brokers) (Clark - Aesops Fabels)