The Sheffields

The Sheffields were one of Sheffield's best-known beat and rhythm & blues groups of the early 1960s. Formed in 1963, they emerged from the city's thriving live music scene at a time when local bands were inspired by American blues and the rapidly growing British beat movement.

Originally performing as The Vampires, the group won a major Battle of the Bands competition at Sheffield City Hall in September 1963. One of the judges was producer Tony Hatch, who helped secure the band a recording contract with Pye Records and suggested they adopt the name The Sheffields. They were also managed for a period by Peter Stringfellow, who was then promoting Sheffield's flourishing club scene.  Musically, They specialised in hard-driving rhythm and blues in the style of early The Rolling Stones. They released three singles for Pye between 1964 and 1965:

It Must Be Love / Say Girl (1964)
Got My Mojo Working / Hey, Hey Lover Boy (1964)
Bag's Groove (Scat Walking) / Plenty of Love (1965)

One of the band's proudest achievements was serving as the backing group on UK tours by American blues legends Little Walter and Memphis Slim in 1964. They also backed Champion Jack Dupree in 1965, reflecting the respect they had earned as live musicians.  The Sheffields supported several major touring acts, including an early appearance with The Rolling Stones at Sheffield City Hall in November 1963. They played at least twice at the Cavern club.

Towards the end, they occasionally appeared in horror make-up as Frankenstein & the Monsters, backing singer Ray Stuart in a novelty stage act. The band disbanded in 1965. Guitarist Roy Ledger went on to join Dave Berry and the Cruisers, while Ray Stuart recruited Dave Robinson, Phil Galley on guitars, and drummer Spud West to form a 'new' Monsters. The band became very popular in Sheffield during 1966.Spud West played the part of The Mummy in the horror show and introduced the new trick of setting himself on fire as he left the coffin, until it got out of hand at Worsley Civic Hall when the fire hose had to be employed.