Youngsters once wanted to become engine drivers or films stars, then they wanted to be pop stars, and now they want to be “influencers” or something on YouTube.
There was a time when it seemed there was a pop group in almost every Shropshire street, and youngsters with stars in their eyes created music on whatever instruments they could lay their hands on.
It was a vibrant pop scene, and a great era for live music in pubs, clubs, and halls. Fun times, but also past times, as although there’s still live music about, things are just not quite the same these days.
Let’s roll back the clock with a photographic encore featuring some of Shropshire’s pop bands from yesteryear. Were you in one of these groups, or do you remember seeing them play? Share your memories in the comments or get in touch here, we’d love to hear from you. Yeah, yeah, yeah!
- Did you see the story about the 450-year-old Shropshire pub that vanished in just a few hours? Read it here
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17. Solid Silver
Sixties pop band Johnny Silver and the Falcons. Johnny Silver's real name was Frank Wills, of Little Dawley. He was also a solo artist later as Frankie Warwick. From left are: Johnny Silver, Dave Harris, Trevor Mason, and John Smith. | Frank Wills
18. Did they make a killing?
The Five Assassins, a 1960s beat group from Much Wenlock. They started their career as members of the Much Wenlock Youth Club. Second from right is lead guitarist David Newton, aged 17. Other members were (there is no left-right key) Malcolm Brown, who shared lead guitar spot with David, Phillip Davies (rhythm), Michael Langford (bass) and Neil Woodvine (drums). | Shropshire Star archive
19. Six musical characters from Shrewsbury
The Characters were a 1960s Shrewsbury group. If you're sharp-eyed you'll have spotted that the lead guitarist on the right is Roger Francis, whom we have earlier seen as part of The Deltas. | Roger Francis
20. The cool guys in White Heat
The Shrewsbury area pop group White Heat. Back left is Dave Alexander of Shrewsbury, who played lead guitar and did some vocals, and who loaned us the photo. Back right is the late Alan Stockton from Myddle. Front right is John Cain, who was the singer and still lives in Shrewsbury and is Dave’s brother-in-law, and front left is Malcolm Salisbury who lived in Montford Bridge before moving to Shrewsbury. White Heat would support Amen Corner when they played Oakengates Town Hall, and also supported Pickettywitch and The Foundations. "We were quite big fish in this little pool around here," said Dave. The picture is undated but Dave was born in 1952, so based on his apparent age you can make your own guess. | Dave Alexander