Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich biography

Formed in 1961 as Dave Dee And The Bostons, this zany pop quintet found a settled hit line-up as Dave Dee (b. David Harman, 17 December 1943, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England; vocals), Dozy (b. Trevor Davies, 27 November 1944, Enford, Wiltshire, England; bass), Beaky (b. John Dymond, 10 July 1944, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England; guitar), Mick (b. Michael Wilson, 4 March 1944, Amesbury, Wiltshire, England; lead guitar) and Tich (b. Ian Amey, 15 May 1944, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England). The band established their power as live performers during residencies at various Hamburg clubs in 1962. Their act featured rock 'n' roll spiced with comedy routines and an element of risqué patter from their engaging frontman. While supporting the Honeycombs on a 1964 UK tour, they came to the attention of managers Howard And Blaikley (Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley) and were subsequently signed to Fontana Records by Jack Baverstock and assigned to producer Steve Rowland. After two unsuccessful singles, "No Time" and "All I Want", they hit the UK chart with the upbeat "You Make It Move".

Thereafter, they had an incredible run of a dozen strong chart hits, all executed with a camp flair and costume-loving theatricalism that proved irresistible. With songs provided by Howard And Blaikley, they presented a veritable travelogue of pop, filled with melodramatic scenarios. "Bend It" was their "Greek" phase, and allowed Dave Dee to wiggle his little finger while uttering the curiously suggestive lyric; "Zabadak" was an exotic arrangement sung in a unknown language; "The Legend Of Xanadu" was a ripping yarn, which allowed Dee to brandish a bullwhip in live performance; "Last Night In Soho" was a leather-boy motorbike saga portraying lost innocence in London's most notorious square mile. The sheer diversity of the hits maintained the band's appeal but they lost ground at the end of the 60s and Dave Dee left for an unsuccessful solo career before venturing into television presenting and A&R. The others continued as a quartet, but after one minor hit, "Mr President", and an album, Fresh Ear, they broke up. A couple of brief nostalgic reunions later occurred, but not enough to encourage a serious relaunch. Zabadak, a fascinating fanzine, is published in France for those fans who wish to monitor their every move.