Larry Parnes

Larrys Boys Larry Parnes

Manager/agent/impresario/entrepreneur LARRY PARNES, known euphemistically as "Parnes, Shillings And Pence", was perhaps the most important non-performing figure in UK Rock 'n' Roll.

He discovered and managed Britain's first genuine Rock 'n' Roller, Tommy Steele, in 1956, following which steadily built his famous "Stable Of Stars", whose frontline members featured Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Dickie Pride (Billy, Marty and Dickie are widely acknowledged as Britain's finest rockers) and the irrepressible Joe Brown.

His 'second string' comprised the eternally unlucky Vince Eager, Steele's younger brother Colin Hicks, Johnny Gentle, Duffy Power, Peter Wynne, Julian X, The Viscounts, Lance Fortune, Danny Rivers, Terry Dene, Nelson Keene, Jess Conrad and of course The Tornados, whose multi-million selling 'Telstar' even topped the U. S. charts.

All are featured on this excellent 'tribute' compilation, which juxtaposes hits and well-known near misses, alongside a couple of real collectors' rarities.