The Presidents UK Rock covers band formed in 1958 by Robin Mayhew, Colin Golding, Phil Cunliffe, Ken Headley and Pat Lavelle. In 1960 the line up changed with Lavelle being replaced by Martin Johnson on vocals and Eddie Patterson taking over from Cunliffe on drums. Ken Headley left the band to study at Durham University and sadly died of liver failure in the same year. Martin Johnson left in 1961 to join the RAF and Ricky Tyrrell took over also Tony Finch joined on rhythm guitar. In 1962 Golding hung up his bass and was replaced by Tony Busson and pianist Johnny Styles was brought in. This new line up of Tyrrell vocals, Mayhew lead guitar, Busson bass, Patterson drums, Finch guitar and Styles piano gave friend and producer Glyn Johns just what he needed to try out his skills at IBC Studios in London.
The band's version of the Ross and Neil song Candy Man which had been recorded by Roy Orbison and Wanda Jackson became Johns' first true production and with a 'B' side of the Teddy Randazzo song Let the Sun Shine In he took the finished masters to Decca who signed the band and did a photo shoot in preparation for its release. For some unknown reason the song got passed to Decca's star band Brian Poole and the Tremelos who also cut it and with The Presidents forced to relegate their version to the 'B' side both products were released simultaneously. The Tremelos achieved a No 8 hit in the UK and though The Presidents played to packed club gigs and got great reviews Finch, Tyrrell and Styles left the band being totally disillusioned by the music industry.
Mayhew, Busson and Patterson enlisted the skills of guitarist Martin Cowtan to take over on lead guitar to allow Mayhew to concentrate on vocals and Eric Archer was brought in on percussion and trombone. With this new line up a follow up single of Sonny Bono's song She Said Yeah, originally recorded by Larry Williams, was recorded with a 'B' side of Buddy Holly's Midnight Shift and again the two were passed to Decca. No more was heard till She Said Yeah appeared on the Rolling Stones 1965 Decca album release Out of Our Heads. Totally dismayed the band decided to call it a day in July 1965 playing their last gig at the Greenford Hotel Middlesex.
After settling down and having a family Mayhew got back into music and became sound engineer with David Bowie and the Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars phenomenon. When Bowie broke up the band in July 1973 Mayhew formed the sound equipment rental company Ground Control working with many artists during the 70s. References
The Presidents at the-presidents.org.uk - Robin Mayhew at robinmayhew.co.uk