The Dynamic Detours featuring Roy Ravelle and Wendy

Kirky-In-Ashfield beat group 1963-1968

Line up:
Brian Coleman (Lead Guitar)
Ray Coleman(Drums)
Derek Turner (Rhythm Guitar)
Dave Painter (Bass Guitar)
Roy Ravelle (Roy Benison) (Vocals)
Wendy (Dorothy Town) (Vocals)

K. Burton: Manager

Alwyn Bowskill is the cousin of Dave Painter and has given me some details of The Detours plus some photos:

Roy Ravelle had been in a previous group called Roy Ravelle and The Gamblers.

Dave Painter was a member of The Saints, who supported Roy Ravelle and the Gamblers at Annesley Welfare Youth Centre on January 11th 1963. Alwyn added “Their van (The Rocking Saints) was parked on Nuncargate Road in the early 60’s outside Gren Townsends bungalow and it had the symbol made famous by The Saint TV program starring Roger Moore at the time painted on the side / back. My cousin Dave Painter played Bass in the band and later with the Dynamic Detours who were fronted later on by Roy Ravelle who was also on the bill“.

It is likely that when Roy became aware that Billy Fury’s backing band were also called The Gamblers he most likely changed the name of his backing group to The Dynamic Detours with or without line up changes.

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The Dynamic Detours played their first gig at Bentinck Welfare, Kirkby in Ashfield Notts, supporting Eric Winstone Big Band at Sutton Baths.

The Detours / Dynamic Detours, March ’63 to April ’66. Gigs at Festival Inn/Trowell, Dancing Slipper & Commodore/Nottingham, Palais/Worksop & Mansfield, Golden Diamond/Sutton, Pavilion/Matlock plus numerous others.

They were frequently joined by a female singer stage name Wendy ( Dot Clarke nee Dorothy Town).

In April ’65 they signed to the Jack Denman Agency which gave them the opportunity to perform further afield in the counties adjoining Nottinghamshire were the band was based.

Memorable evening Monday December 27th ’65, they appeared at Palais/Mansfield 19.30 to 23.30 then on to The Baths/Sutton playing from Midnight to 04.00. What a night!

There are a couple more photos on the Playedinaband website.

By August 1966 Roy Ravelle wasn’t taking the lead vocalist role. Terry Ashton was billed and in November someone called Mike.

NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS

1964

1965

1966

1968

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It was common in the sixties for many groups to share the same name. There was another group who were called The Dynamic Detours, shortening it to The Detours, from 1961 to 1964 in London. Three of their members were Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and John Entwistle. In February 1964, the Detours became aware of the group Johnny Devlin and the Detours, and changed their name to The Who.