Many thanks to Frank Baker who sent me this photo of some local choir boys, one of whom went on to become a band member with Freddie Starr.
Frank received the photo from Brian Woods… Frank is currently filming a documentary about Brian’s involvement in the music industry. Commenting on the photo Franks says:
the photo from L/R Gerald Smith, Brian Woods, John Payne, and Ted Owen.  Hoylake Parish Church Choir day out to Chester Cathedral 1958? One of these angelic boys Brian Woods went on to be a member of the Midnighter’s Beat group with Gus Travis and later Freddie Starr, going on to record at the Joe Meek studios in Holloway Road, London.
You can read more about Merseybeat and Gus Travis starting at this page. We’ve previously discussed the interesting life of Joe Meek here.
Love the photo. I remember 3 of the 4 lads.
Think it must have been before 1958, as my old friend, Gerald Smith would have been 17 then, while he appears somewhat younger in the photo. Gerald was in Calday Grange G.S. cross country team, selected to run in English Schools Championship at Lyme Hall, probably in 1955. That Saturday morning, his fisherman father went missing, later found drowned, and Gerald game me his team uniform to take to the bus departure point. I then ran as his replacement in the team and came in at 236th. My grandkids can’t believe that I ever ran as far as 3+ miles!
Lovely pic. Brian Woods also played with Heinz in his group. They were on top of the pops I remember in the 60’s.
Lots of things grandkids don’t believe Bob.