Nottingham group circa 1964 – 1967

The Carpet Baggers were based in Beeston, Nottingham and operated between 1964 and 1967. From early 1963 they had been known as The Turning Points.

The first line up of The Carpetbaggers was:

Steve Saxon: Vocals, Harmonica
Norman Rowell: Guitar
Mick Hinchcliff: Bass
Mick Amos: Rhythm Guitar
Johnny Bell: Drums

Their manager was Mr A. Nice of Beeston.

Mick Amos and Johnny Bell were replaced and the five piece line up became:

Mick Barker (Drums)
Mick Hinchliff (Bass guitar/vocals)
Mick Topliss (Rhythm guitar)
Norman Rowell (Lead guitar)
Stevie Saxon (Vocals)

There are three great photo’s of The Carpetbaggers at the Playedinaband website.

Steve Saxon and his brother Alan lived with their parents on Leyton Crescent in Beeston, Nottingham. Ben Bennett lived round the corner on Lilac Crescent and also remembers Norman Rowell and a brother Tony who played sax.

There were others groups called The Carpetbaggers. There was a Northern Irish band of the same name but they were active in the late 60’s. There was a Carpetbaggers from the USA and a group from Derbyshire (probably) in 1965 who used to be Sue and the Clefmen.

They recorded a demo disc (most likely an acetate) in London in 1966, “I Wanna meet her” / “I’m so Lonely”.

The Carpet Baggers are mentioned on the Eel Pie Museum website
which is a list of bands who played at this famous venue. This is most likely our “Carpetbaggers”.

“1966
Sun. Sep 11th – The Naz (£10)
Sun. Sep 11th – The Artwoods (£65) from AC’s accounts
Wed. Sep 14th – The Carpet Baggers (£10) from payment letter
Wed. Sep 14th – The Herd (£35)”

Chris Kitson joined or replaced a member in the groups later days and he followed Norman Rowell to join Billy Campbells Mighty Sparrows in 1968. Steve Saxon went on to join “Robert Hirst and the Big Taste”, “The Clockwork Toys” and later in the 70’s “Cisco” as well as a solo career. Norman Rowell was also in Billy Campbells Mighty Sparrows.