The Speakeasy (Salford  1966-1968) 

Line-up 

• Mike Sweeney - vocals
• Ged McLellan - lead guitar
• Liam Morris - 2nd lead guitar
• Steve Barnes - rhythm guitar
• Ray Stacey - bass
• Steve Revell - drums

Came out of the ashes of The Irwells (for a short time known as The New Irwells) : Mike Sweeney vocals, Ray Stacey bass, Steve Barnes, Ged McLellan, Liam Morris (all guitar) and Steve Revell drums.

Through late ’66 into the ‘Summer Of Love’ we were probably influenced by a combination of The Move and The Pretty Things than any other bands.

Liam left after a year or so to be replaced by Ronnie Grundy who doubled up with Mike on vocals and led to an increase of ‘soul’ type songs in their repertoire (Ride Your Pony, Shotgun Mama ect). We did the usual Club/Nightclub scene and some colleges.

In 1969 Ronnie joined Sweet Chariot, Mike, Ray and Ged Joined John Parker (ex Irwells) and Keith Jones (ex Sins Of The Family) in the bluesy/rock outfit ‘Archangel’.

Barney stopped gigging and Steve Revell joined Stackwaddy.

One thing I do remember is that all the guys in the band came from Salford and we were a bit ‘rough and ready’. Although we wouldn’t have started any trouble …. My memory is that we did (occasionally) finish it !!!!!

Set List: Weird !! The band looked like The Pretty Things, long hair etc. did some blues, I’m A Man etc. but also bits of psychedelica (Pink Floyd’s Interstellar Overdrive would you believe), soul and even rock and roll !!!

Big Moment: Headlining at “Hobbs Moat” in Birmingham with the same billing as the bands on the next two weeks after us … The Move and The Idle Race !!!

Fee …£18

Mike Sweeney - 20/2/13