That was the easy bit.
The difficult bit is finding out the band line-up because 3 other acts have strong connections to them which overlapped and various members were shuffled about as they came & went.
The bands connected to Forever Amber are - Souled & Healed, Sweet & Tender Motion and Rite Tyme.
So a definitive band line-up is the mystery I will need your help to solve.
I can set the ball rolling by naming one definite - Harry Adams. I know this because he was my next door neighbour at the time in Kemnay Gardens, and the band used to practise there quite a lot. In fact I remember getting a couple of lessons from their guitarist (Richie?) around the backies when they were having a break from rehearsing. I would only be about 11 then.
Harry was a keyboard player and used to have a red portable organ (Farfisa or Vox?) similar to the kind Peter Tork played on "I'm a Believer".
I have asked quite a few of my older music contacts and some names have made the list of band member possibilities, but none of them have been confirmed as definite. Here who's on the *maybe* list - DOUGAL McINTOSH - RICKY MUNRO - DONNY COUTTS - IAN CUSSICK.
If anyone can say for sure whether any of the above were or weren't in Forever Amber, that would be great. Or if you have any more contenders, just drop the info into the comments.
Musically, they were a pop-r&b outfit, and although I saw their band van come and go, I'm unsure how long they were together.
I have Forever Amber adverts spanning 1968 to 1972 but I suppose there could be others from before or after.
The first advert is when they were supporting the Tremeloes in 1968 up in Montrose.
The second one confirms a connection to Souled & Healed, this was for a gig in Aberdeen in 1971.
The third is for a gig a couple of months later in Comrie.
I seem to remember that Forever Amber did, at least, a couple of dances organised by the 42nd BB at Downfield South Church hall, around 1970ish.
ReplyDeleteCan't help with names ,but I think they may have played at the Y.M.C.A in the Ferry in the late sixties as did others like Onyx.
ReplyDeleteI have vague memories that a couple of guys in my year at Harris - Norrie Tennant and Neil Connell - played in Forever Amber
ReplyDeleteThis is only vague but I remember I'm sure seeing Forever Amber at the Top Ten Club Palais Balroom in the mid sixties. Norrie Tennant was on drums.One of my school friends seemed to know him. This might be jumbled sos orry about this but did this band have anything to do with another band called The Rite Time? Who I saw at the Palais Top Ten Club. Vaguely I remember a guy called Stuart that sang with Rite Time and I'm pretty sure Norrie played drums for them.
ReplyDeleteI am Ian Cussick - I played with Forever Amber around the time you mentioned - 1969 - 1973.
ReplyDeleteRitchie Duncan - Guitars-
Harry Adams - Keysboards
Sid Brand - Drums
Ian Cussick - Bas & Vocals.
I am now a professional writer & producer working out of Hamburg & Austin, Texas.
Please see. myspace.com/iancussickusaband
www.iancussick-icebergmedia.com
I greatly enjoy your blog...many happy memeories of Dundee.
Best Regards,
Ian Cussick.
I have been a follower of Dundee bands for over 30 years, and it is great that I have just discovered where you are now. I am listening to your Free tribute CD recorded at Hastie Retreat!
DeleteI used to follow Forever Amber around 1963 and Jim McCarra was the singer (not sure of the spellin). I believe he is now a Dundee Councillor
ReplyDeleteOOops, sorry I got the date wrong, it would have been nearer 1970
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where Frankie and Ricky are Brenda
DeleteThanks for all the info guys...especially Ian for managing to give the full band line-up details.
ReplyDeleteAnother puzzle from the past cleared up!
Cheers. GG
Forever Amber were formed late 60`s when Jim Macara replaced Stuart Cuthbert on vocals. The band was named the ryte tyme when stuart was in the band.The band members were Frankie Vetraino gtr,Ricky Monroe drums, Norrie Tennant bass, and Jim gtr/vocals. We played the Palais on Sundays as support to some of the big names Andy Lothianjr was our agent.This line up lasted only a short time. After a short stint with the Emerald Showband,Norrie and Frankie moved to Leeds to rejoin Stuart and his new wife Sandra Stevens(who subsequently joined Brotherhood of Man)to play in the Mecca dance halls. Norrie is still a working musician and has his own band resident at Nidd Hall Hotel near Harrogate.
ReplyDeleteHe also has another wife !!!
DeleteSandra was so lovely, as was his wife Lynn and my Uncle Stuart also has a beautiful daughter Lisa. Stuart died in Benidorm, the place that was his home for may years. I remember watching Stuart and Sandra in their rehearsals at a club in Leeds when we visited.
Deletehi , graham sheridan here , as far as i can remember , forever amber were originaly called sweet and tender motion... danny mitchell on drums , john manby on bass , ritchie duncan on guitar , ian mann on vocals...forver amber were ian cusick on vocals , ritchie duncan on guitar , john manby on bass , sid brand on drums , harry adams on keyboard. re norrie tennant Was a bass player , who played with the RITE TYME
ReplyDeletehi , forever amber went on to be "sweet and tender motion " with ian mann on vocals , Richie Duncan on guitar , harry adams on keyboard ,john manby on bass , sorry , can't remember drummers name . b.t.w re Norrie tenant , he was a bass player , he played with the f.b.i. then the rite tyme , does anyone out there has any idea of his whereabouts , the last I heard he was m.d. for little and large in blackpool.....cheers graham sheridan
ReplyDelete