The Alan Bown Set

Trumpeter Alan Bown was leading The John Barry Seven when its founder, John Barry, gave notice of disbandment. He decided to form a band of his own and invited the other members of the JB7 to join him. Four of them: Keyboardist/vocalist Jeff Bannister, bass guitarist Stan Haldane, saxophonist/flautist Dave Green and drummer Vic Sweeney all agreed to join; and guitarist Pete Burgess was also recruited, to make up The Alan Bown Set, which played its first gigs in May 1965. During the next six years or so various changes in the line-up led to other musicians joined the band, such as Jess Roden, Robert Palmer, John Helliwell and Tony Catchpole. The band made several singles and albums, and appeared on radio and television shows, such as Ready Steady Go and Top of the Pops. It underwent changes of name to "The Alan Bown!" and "Alan Bown", before Bown finally called it a day in 1972.