Hells Bells

Nottingham beat RnB group circa 65/66.

They started life as Big “Ugly” Dane and the Diamonds in 1964 and had this line up:

Ray Dane – Vocals
Keith Bird – Lead Guitar
John Radford – Bass guitar
Keith Smith – Drums

It is likely this was still the line up of Hells Bells. Keith Bird certainly was and even late in 1966 they were referred to in the Nottingham Evening Post as Big “Ugly” Dane and the Diamonds suggesting it was pretty much the same group. Keith Bird would occasionally join Bob Todd and Ray Wood as a backing band for Heinz in 1968 when they played in the East Midlands area.

Big “Ugly” Dane and the Diamonds who changed their name to Hells Bells in the Autumn of 1965.

1965

Now officially known as Hells Bells

1966

MAY 1966

On the bill with “The Children”.

JUNE 1966

Here referred to as “Big Ugly Dane and the Diamonds”.

JULY 1966