Who Is Garth Watt-Roy?

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 7:51 am

I have recently learned that Garth Watroy has taken over the lead guitar duties of Kevin Healey with MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS. I do not know anything of his performance history. Can anyone shed some light on his CV?

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:58 am

IS IT POSSIBLE IT IS GARTH WATT-ROY

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 11:02 am

It is entirely possible. I took the spelling of his name from the latest issue of MPS News. I see now that he played with Fuzzy Duck on one of their releases.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 12:44 pm

http://alexgitlin.com/npp/gsoe.htm

Some possible insight, but lately a guy under that name has been playing with the Barron Knights

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 1:39 pm

Roy: Thanks the photo shown of the Great Show On Earth has Garth in the background. Here is a cropped portion.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 6:34 am

Mike Pender plays so onfrequently now as Mike Pender's Searchers, I have no doubt you could expect to see different group members at different gigs.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:14 am

Difficult to argue with you Michael. It must be frustrating for musicians to wait in the wings.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 9:17 am

Michael, the name's Roy, are you having a senior moment!!

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 10:09 am

Sorry Roy but my name is Peter, not Michael. I had the name "Mike Pender" rolling around in my head during lunch break today, after posting your most recent article.

tim · Post by **tim** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:08 am

The Garth Watt-Roy is the same person who played with The Barron Knights a few years back. He was in the New Cafe Racers in the 80s.

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:21 am

Thanks Tim. Gary Jackson was kind enough to send along a biography of Norman Watt-Roy, Garth's brother that refers to Garth Watt-Roy.

Born in Bombay, India on 15th February 1951
When Norman was a four year old his family moved to England and settled
in Highbury, North London and at eight years of age relocated to Essex
where he remained until he left school and moved back to London.

In 1967 he formed 'The Living Daylights' with his brother Garth and
released a single on the Philips label called 'Lets Live For Today' and
did regular gigs in venues such as The Angel Blues Rooms in Edmonton,
London. In 1968 Norman and Garth formed a nine piece soul band and
toured U.S. bases in Germany backing American soul singers such as Sonny
Burke and played a summer residency at the Maddocks Club in Spain. By
this time the band were known as 'The Greatest Show On Earth' and by
1969 had procured a recording deal with Harvest Records leading to the
release in February 1970 of a single 'Real Cool World' which was a hit
in Europe and reached No.1 in Switzerland. A debut album was to follow
entitled 'Horizons' and by 1971 they had put out another single 'Tell
The Story' and a second album 'The Goings Easy'

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:42 am

Garth didn't last long with MIKE PENDER'S SEARCHERS. Seems he has now gone with Gerry and the Pacemakers. One has to wonder whether there is much point to have a permanent MPS band given the few gigs that they play these days.

One band backing a number of artists seems to be the trend nowadays.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 12:53 pm

Mike Pender has been a permanent feature of the Reeling and Rocking tour for 2/3 years now. I note though thatat present there are only about 13 dates between now and June, more could be added of course but the format may ahve run it's course plus there is a big tour next year with the Searchers. Merseybeats, Swinging Blue Jeans and Gerry Marsden

I am actually catching up with the R and R tour again this week, if opportunity presents itself I will try and ask Mike.