Retford, North Notts based beat group 1960 – 1963.
They became The X’Caliburs with Paul Newman in August 1963.

Guitarist Garry Taylor was in a late fifties Retford group called THE TORNADO’S (one of many Tornadoes up and down the country) possibly with Bryan Holden and Charles Bowles. By 1960 those three were in a group together called “THE STORMBEATS“.

THE STORMBEATS 1960- Aug 1963. Line up:
Bryan Holden (17) of Retford: Drums
Charles Bowles of Worksop (18): Lead Guitar
Garry Taylor (26) of Retford: Rhythm Guitar

The Stormbeats sometimes had a vocalist. This was a common practice in the early sixties. Sometimes a regular member of the group and sometimes a one off. Sometimes the same person but with a changed name. It was only after The Beatles exploded onto the scene that this practice of a “lead” and “their group” slowly receded.

Shaun Tempest: Vocalist – Summer 1962
Eddie Rogers: Vocalist – November 1962
Jacki: Vocalist – November 1962
Pet Gail: Vocalist – Jan to Aug 1963 when the Stormbeats changed their name to The X’Caliburs.
Haley: Vocalist – Billed with The X’Caliburs in September when they took part in the “Beat Contest”. Not sure if Haley is a new singer or Pet Gail, or Paul Newman when he just joined or a mistake by the press.

THE STORMBEATS in August 1963 became THE X’CALIBURS with the addition of Irving McLeod. Line up:
Bryan Holden (17): Drums
Charles Bowles (18): Lead Guitar
Garry Taylor (26): Rhythm Guitar
Irving McLeod (24) of Blackpool: Bass Guitar and manager.

The Stormbeats played Gainsborough Drill Hall, Ivanhoe Club, Town Hall Gainsborough, Drill Hall Lincoln, Clipstone Welfare Hall, Cafe Dansant Grimsby, Empress Ballroom Mexborough, Princess Ballroom Halifax, Drill Hall Scunthorpe, Melton Corn Exchange, Conisbro’ Castle WMC and the Sunnyside Club Cleethorpes.

Playing the Notts, Lincs, Leic and South Yorks area they also played further afield in Lancashire and played alongside The Spotnicks from Sweden, Bert Weedon and Freddie Starr and the Midnighters.

Note. There were many other groups called The Stormbeats nationwide.

NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS

1962

1963

February

March

May

July

August

The Stormbeats had now become The X’Caliburs.