Folk group marks 50th anniversary (From Warrington Guardian)

Minor Bird Folk Song Group marks 50th anniversary

4:00pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in News

The original line-up of The Minor Birds

FROM Paul Simon to Barbara Dixon and Billy Connolly to Gerry Rafferty, The Minor Birds folk group played host to the stars.

Now 50 years after being set up, the band is reuniting for a special one-off concert.

The Minor Bird Folk Song Group first performed at the Golden Lion pub on Knutsford Road in 1962, part of the vanguard of the folk revival that swept the country at that time.

The group featured twins Norman and Jack Froggatt, Ken Wilson, Dave Head and Carol Melia.

Jack, now aged 78, from Appleton , said the idea to celebrate the golden jubilee was something the original line-up – which has changed over the years – will now look forward to.

He added: “My brothers and I last played at a friend’s golden wedding a few years ago so we will get together to try to play some of the old songs.”

Many of the guests who performed at the club went on to greater things.

Paul Simon was given a £12 cheque when he performed at the Red Lion on Bridge Street in 1965 while West End star Barbara Dixon appeared a number of times singing traditional Scottish songs.

Comedian Billy Connolly along with Gerry Rafferty guested as The Humblebums – when Billy concentrated on playing the banjo.

And while the club was based at the Bluebell pub in Horsemarket Street, Mike Harding recorded his first LP in front of a live audience there.

The show will take place at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club in Grappenhall on Saturday, October 27.