Wayne Fontana and The Jets 1962-63

Wayne Fontana and the Jets formed in Late July 1962 in Manchester with a line-up of:

  • 17-year-old Wayne Fontana on lead vocals, tambourine (b. Glyn Geoffrey Ellis, Sunday, October 28, 1945, Levenshulme, Manchester 19, Lancashire, England d. Thursday, August 6, 2020, Stepping Hill Hospital, Poplar Grove, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire, England), 
  • Terry Morton on lead guitar (b. Terence James Morton d. Wednesday, October 27, 2021), 
  • 14-year-old Stuart Syrett on rhythm guitar (b. 1948, Levenshulme, Manchester 19, Lancashire, England d. April 2005), 
  • 20-year-old Kevin Lang on bass (Fender Precision) (b. Tuesday, March 3, 1942, Levenshulme, Manchester 19, Lancashire, England d. Tuesday, March 27, 2018) 
  • 17-year-old Ian 'Skins' Lucas on drums (b. c. 1945, England). In Late July 1962 

Fontana fell in with guitarists Terry Morton and Stuart Syrett, drummer Ian Lucas and bassist Kevin Lang; as Wayne Fontana and the Jets and this semi-professional group appeared regularly in clubs around the Manchester area.

Kevin Lang was the was the son of Tom Lang (b. Thomas Lang) and Mrs. Eileen Lang and lived in Bury, Lancashire with his younger brother Bob Lang (b. Robert Francis Lang, Thursday, January 10, 1946, Levenshulme, Manchester 19, Lancashire, England).

Lucas had an American accent as although he was born in England, he went to America when he was young and came back in 1961.

The Jets would rehearse on a Sunday evening in a small church hall in Manchester. Kevin Lang not did stay long and was replaced by his 16-year-old younger brother Bob Lang who was just leaving school and had started to play bass and Kevin Lang introduced him to Fontana and so Bob Lang joined Wayne Fontana and the Jets.

Morton and Lucas went on to join The Scorpions. Terry Morton also played for a brief time with Peter Cowap in The Country Gents.
As for Kevin Lang he joined up with Deek Rivers and the Big Sounds (1962).  He did not stay long with them either.

This semi-professional outfit played the Manchester club circuit. On Wednesday, December 12, 1962 and Thursday, December 27, 1962 they played the  Oasis Club at 45 - 47 Lloyd Street, off Albert Square, Manchester 2, Lancashire, UK. In 1963 the band played places like The Savoy Ballroom in Oldham, Lancashire. 

The Jet's first big break came on Saturday, May 4, 1963 performing a showcase gig at the Oasis Club in Manchester for Fontana Records A & R man, producer Jack Baverstock, who was looking for a new Beatles. Only Fontana and Lang showed up, so local substitutes Eric Stewart and Rothwell were recruited at the last minute. Rothwell had a London School of Music Diploma.

Despite a disastrous performance, Baverstock saw enough potential to sign them. Fontana was a charismatic front man and they put up a brave show for Baverstock. They also changed their name to Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, choosing the new name from a current horror film The Mind Benders starring Dirk Bogarde.

John H. Warburg - December 2023 

Some Wayne Fontana and the Jets concerts: 

  • Wednesday, December 12, 1962: The Oasis Club, 45 - 47 Lloyd Street, off Albert Square, Manchester 2, Lancashire, UK 
  • Thursday, December 27, 1962: The Oasis Club, 45 - 47 Lloyd Street, off Albert Square, Manchester 2, Lancashire, UK 
  • 1963: The Savoy Ballroom, Oldham, Lancashire, UK
  • Friday, March 15, 1963: The Regal Ballroom, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, UK, with The Electrons, Johnny Martin and the Tremors, Cliff Bowers and his Arrows
  • Friday, March 22, 1963: The Regal Ballroom, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, UK, with The Hollies, The Country Gentlemen 
  • Saturday, May 4, 1963: The Oasis Club, 45 - 47 Lloyd Street, off Albert Square, Manchester 2, Lancashire, UK, showcase gig for Fontana Records A & R man, producer Jack Baverstock 
  • Saturday, May 18th, 1963: St Ann's Hall, Ashton 
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  • The Hall 1963
  • Glyn Ellis and The Jets 1960
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