ROGER COOKE FOUR, THE

Lead Vocals: Sonny Day (2)Jill Stevens (3)Judi Watts (4)Liz Taylor

Vocals, Keys: Roger Cooke 63-??

Guitar: Lionel Fredrick Lawrence aka Fred Ward > Bass (2) ?? (3)Mick Betts

Guest Guitar: Mick Large 67

Bass: Lionel Fredrick Lawrence aka Fred Ward (2)Les Smith (for summer season work)

Drums: Colin Campbell (2)Peter Clarke (3)Stuart McIntosh + vocals

Cooke began to play the piano at the age of 5. “I took lots of exams, played many festivals at The Assembly House, Nch, all culminating in a diploma at 17. From there I didn’t take the classical route, my hands were too small! I just played lots of pubs,” said Cooke. Cooke is first seen in the papers playing at The Manor PH, Nch with singer Billy Clark in July 1958 but one of his first regular nights was playing at The Raven PH, Nch with blind pianist Eddie Gates, between October and December 1959. “Those were very interesting nights. I did also play in many of the resident bands around the city at the time, Al Collins, Tony Howard and Colin Copeman to name a few,” adds Cooke. In 1961 Cooke forms his first trio and temporarily takes over Chic Applin’s regular spot at The Norwood Rooms. “We turned professional and were retained by Mecca. When Chic returned we moved on to The Leicester Palais. I didn’t like it at all so I left the band and returned to Norwich, joining The Ross Mitchell Trio, who where resident at The Samson & Hercules BR.” In March 1963 Cooke once again strikes out on his own with another trio and becomes the second resident ensemble to The George Douglas Orchestra at The Federation Club’s, Sunday Social Night in Norwich. Day was the group’s vocalist for the opening weeks but he was soon replaced by Jill Stevens. “Freddy soon moved on to bass but when we did summer seasons Les Smith would come in to play bass and Freddy would move back on to guitar,” said Cooke. Watts later replaced Stevens and they are advertised as The Roger Cooke Group or Quartet. The band continues to evolve into the seventies best becoming known under the title The Roger Cooke Four.

Residencies:

Federation Social Club, Nch: Mar-Oct63 & Jan-Feb67

Kings Head Hotel, Wroxham Feb-Oct64

The Tower BR, GY Dec66-

The Samson & Hercules BR, Nch Mar67-??67

The Hotel Victoria, Lwst Jun69-

Corton Beach Holiday Camp Summer Season 65 / 66 / 67

Related tiles:

Roger Cooke Trio with Sonny Day

Roger Cooke Trio with Jill Stevens / Roger Cooke Group

Roger Cooke Trio with Judi / Roger Cooke Quartet

EEN Advert Roger Cooke Four Aug 77 contact Wymondham

Releases
Cover	Title	Studio	Label	YoR
	VARIATIONS		HILLSIDE RECORDS	1979