The Nightriders current line up have been together for 21 years in 2014....and after much discussion have decided to keep on rockin for a wee while longer.
The Nightrider’s were originally formed in 1958 and known as ‘Billy King and the Nightriders’, playing pubs and clubs around Birmingham and the Midlands. In 1959 Mike Sheridan joined them as pianist and soon after the band became Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders, continuing in much the same vein. The sixties saw the success of the ‘Mersey Beat’ bands and singers. Impresario Norrie Paramour had the same ambitions for Birmingham. After holding auditions at the Moat House in Birmingham a certain group; namely The Moody Blues, failed their audition while The Nightriders passed and were signed to Decca Records.
The Nightriders released numerous singles but only achieved one minor hit with their version of ‘Please Mr Postman’ reaching number 64 in the ‘Hit Parade’. This lack of commercial success did not prevent the band from working and indeed they became one of the country’s busiest non-famous bands appearing on T.V shows like ‘The 5 o’clock Club’ on A.T.V and supporting bands like ‘The Beatles’, ‘The Who’, ‘Little Richard’ and ‘Joe Brown and the Bruvver’s’. Chart success remained elusive and after a few years the band split. Guitarist Roy Wood went on to form ‘The Move’ and later after leaving ‘E.L.O’ became the face of ‘Wizzard’. The remaining members carried on and recruited Jeff Lynne dropping The Nightriders name and becoming The Idle Race. Jeff went on to front E.L.O and was more recently a ‘Travelling Willbury’, as well as producer to artists like ‘The Beatles’ and Brian Wilson of ‘The Beach Boys’. Mike reformed The Nightriders a few years later and continued to work the clubs and pubs, with regular radio and T.V performances on shows such as the B.B.C’s ‘Barmaids Arms’.
Phil Middleton joined The Nightriders in 1987 after leaving his own band ‘Mid-Air’. Having just missed out on a recording deal with Magnet Records, Phil was recruited as drummer and backing vocalist. As he settled into the band Phil took on more lead vocals which proved enormously popular with audiences. The Nightriders continued to work solidly, appearing on live Radio shows and local T.V and recording three albums in as many years. The Nightriders became well respected for their opening support to acts like ‘The Hollies, ‘The Searchers’ and ‘The Fortunes’ and were invited to open the stage version of sixties T.V show ‘Oh Boy!’ with ‘The Dallas Boys’ ‘Craig Douglas’ and ‘The Kaye Sisters’. After opening a show for ‘Joe Brown and the Bruvver’s’ Joe was so impressed by the band that he invited them to become his ‘Bruvver’s’, an offer they could not refuse. This partnership led to extensive tours, T.V, Radio and Theatre shows, appearing with artists like Chris Montez and Suzi Quattro.
In December 1991 The Nightriders appeared at the London Palladium on Chas ‘n’ Dave’s 25th Anniversary concert, providing backing as ‘The Bruvver’s’ and also backing the late ‘Screaming Lord Such’Unforgettable. The Nightriders also recorded a live album with Joe and provided backing vocals for Joe’s wonderfully talented daughter
In 1993 Mike Sheridan called it a day and The Nightriders split. Phil moved to Cumbria and after meeting up with Bass player Nick Cripps via local band ‘The Blues Connection’ decided to reform the band.
Today’s line up is:
Phil Middleton Lead Vocals, Drums & Acoustic Guitar.
Rod Godwin LeadVocals,Lead GuitarSynth.
Nick Cripps Bass Guitar and Vocal Harmonies.
Phil’s history in music goes back for as long as he can remember, writing his first song aged eleven and forming his first band aged just fourteen. Phil has a powerful melodic vocal style that combines with a solid flair for Drums. As well as providing backing vocals for Joe and Sam Brown on her album “45 minutes”, Phil has also worked with impressionist Phil Cool on a live video release as well as co-producing singer Tony Christi and Roy Orbison impersonator Gerry Grant. More recently Phil was involved in recording legendary Guitarist Albert Lee. Having been involved in many projects; song-writing, drum and vocal sessions, producing and recording original material, Phil was delighted to receive a Gold Disc from the B.P.I in 1998 for two songs co-written for ‘The Woolpackers’ ‘Greatest Line Dance Party’ Album.
Rod Godwin is an established professional lead guitarist with a true ‘feel’ for whatever type of music he is performing and is simply second to none. A natural musician Rod has managed to combine modern technology with authentic guitar work to tastefully ‘fill- out’ The Nightriders’ ‘original’ sound. Rod’s vocal talents ensure that a wide variety of styles can be included in the set and with a mutual love of vocal harmony; Rod is able to provide many of the band’s vocal arrangements. Rod’s own band credits also bear testimony to his abilities, having been a member of Coventry band ‘Jigsaw’ who charted with ‘Sky High’ and before joining The Nightriders was a member of ‘Bad Finger’ who’s chart successes included Come And Get It’, No Matter What You Are’ and the classic ‘Without You’. Originally from Coventry, Rod now lives in Cumbria and is still writing original material and spends his spare time looking for ‘new’ old songs for the band.
Nick Cripps is The Nightriders ‘solid as a rock’ bass player and high harmony vocalist. Nick came to the music scene a little later than the norm, buying his first bass at the age of twenty-two purely for his own amusement. After being asked to deputise for local country band ‘The Silver Dollar Band’ Nick was hooked. Moving from Country to Rock to Blues Nick has developed his own style which fits perfectly with ‘The Nightriders sound. Nick came close to major success in the early nineties when rock entrepreneur Mickey Most (RAK Records) produced demos for local blues outfit ‘The Blues Connection’. Born in Kent, Nick now lives in Cumbria and when not searching through his record collection he spends his spare time restoring old Mini’s.
Having evolved into a tight musical unit over the past 17 years The Nightriders are Cumbria’s top 50’s, 60’s and 70’s band and continue to perform the songs you know and love.
Cut and Paste this address or click the link opposite for a link to our website and loads of info.
http://thenightriders.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/
Yes... every weekend all over Cumbria and the northern counties but will go almost anywhere if the gig is right for us.
As The Nightriders we play 50's 60's and 70's rock and Pop but our influences are legion.
Below is a set list that is constantly changing but gives you an idea of what we play:
Walk in the room (Searchers)
Picture of you (Joe Brown)
Buddy Holly Medley
Travelling light (Cliff)
Shadows Medley
Dr Who sci-fi Medley (60s themes)
All my loving (Beatles)
8 days a week (Beatles)
Young Girl (Gary Puckett)
All over now (Stones)
Knock on wood (Eddie Floyd)
Mr Tambourine man (The Byrds) Medley
Billy fury Medley
My girl (Otis/Temptations)
Billy J Kramer Medley
You Really got me (Kinks)
All day and All of the Night (Kinks)
Lazing on a sunny afternoon (Kinks)
Under the Boardwalk (Drifters)
Commitments/Mustang Sally Medley
Itchycoo Park (Small faces)
December 63 (4 seasons)
All or Nothing (Small Faces)
Aint too proud too beg (Temptations)
The Wanderer (Dion/Status Quo)
High heel sneakers (Little tommy tucker)
Now that I’ve found you (Foundations)
Walking the dog (Rufus Thomas)
Daydream Believer (Monkees)
Groovy kind of love (Mindbenders)
He Aint heavy (The Hollies)
Love is all around (Wets)
Something good (Herman’s Hermits)
I’m a believer (monkees)
Memphis Tennessee (C Berry)
Another sat night (Sam Cooke)
Sitting on the dock of the bay (Otis)
Bad moon rising (CCR)
Lets dance (Chris Montez) Medley.
Tequila sunrise (Eagles)
Peaceful easy feeling (Eagles)
Move it/Please don’t tease (CLIFF)
Dancing in the street (Martha Reeves)
Shakin all over (J Kidd)
Bye Bye Love (The Everleys)
Stuck in the middle (Stealers wheel)
Hi Ho silver lining (Jeff Beck)
He’ll have to go (Jim Reeves)
That’s alright mama (Elvis)
Crazy little thing called love (Queen)
You’re gonna lose that girl (Beatles)
Dream (The Everleys)
Always on my mind (Elvis
Here comes my baby (Tremeloes/Mavericks)
Cecilia (Paul Simon/Suggs)
Up on the roof (The Drifters)
Keep on running (Spencer Davis Group)
Tiger Feet (Mud)
Take it Easy (Eagles)
To Love Somebody (Bee Gees)
Pretty Flamingo 60s/70’s Medley
Let your love flow (Bellamy Brothers)
Come up and see me (Cockney Rebel)
Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
Four Tops Medley
Hard Days Night (Beatles)
Love Grows (Edison Lighthouse)
Listen to the Music/Long Train running. (Doobie Bros.)
Who Medley
Status Quo Medley
Hollies Medley
Sweet home Alabama (Lynryd Skynryd)
Matchbox (Carl Perkins)
Ain’t no sunshine (Bill Withers)
It’s a crazy World (Joe Brown)
The Last Time (Rolling Stones)
Flowers in the Rain (The Move)
Blackberry Way (The Move)
This Boy (The Beatles)
That Loving Feeling (Righteous Bros.)
Rip it Up Medley (Rock n Roll)
*Medleys are around 4-5 mins
Fender guitars. Marshall Amplification.
Yamaha Drums.Zildjian Cymbals.
Peavy,Carlsboro and Soundcraft PA.
Shure Mics.
Available for direct bookings.
Phone or TEXT
07747 817549
