THE BLACK ABBOTS

• Robert 'Bobby' Turner - lead guitar, vocals (1963 - ) 
• Dudley Ronald Sydney 'Doug' Haywood - bass (1963 - Sept 1965) 
• Paul Dodd - rhythm guitar (1963 - 1964)
• Russell Allan 'Russ' Roberts - drums, backing vocals (1963 - )
• Michael 'Mike' Mcglachan - rhythm guitar (1964 - )
• Barry Hollinshead - bass (Sept 1965 - )
• Philip Blackwell - piano, organ, lead vocals
• Leonard 'Lenny' Reynolds - lead vocals, piano
• Clive Jones - lead vocals, bass 

The Black Abbots were founded in 1963 in a Bowling Alley in Chester by Bob Turner on lead guitar, vocals (b. Robert Turner, Monday, February 14, 1949 d. August 2018) with Doug Haywood on bass (b. Dudley Ronald Sydney Haywood, 1944 d. Wednesday, September 29, 1965, Blacton Road, Stockport, Cheshire, England in a van crash), Paul Dodd on rhythm guitar, Russ Roberts on drums, backing vocals (b. Russell Allan Roberts, Tuesday, September 16, 1947, Stockport, Cheshire, England). 

The name The Black Abbots came from a book by Edgar Wallace 'The Black Abbot' which the group's bass player at the time was reading. The name sounded full of mystery and intrigue, the perfect name for a band. 

In August/September 1963 at The North Pier, Blackpool, Lancashire The Black Abbots came third in The Franky Vaughn Talent Contest, which was won by Liverpool group Denny Seyton and the Sabres. The Blackburn group The Lionel Morton Four came second and Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Cheshire band Bobby Laine and the Confederates came fourth.

Dodd left later in 1964 and was replaced by rhythm guitarist Mike Mcglachan (b. Michael Mcglachan).

The group was later joined by lead vocalist, pianist Lenny Reynolds (b. Leonard Reynolds, Friday, April 7, 1944).

Doug Haywood sadly died in a van crash on Wednesday, September 29, 1965 in Blacton Road, Stockport, Cheshire and he was replaced by bassist Barry Hollinshead.

It seems at some point they had Philip Blackwell on piano, organ, lead vocals (ex-The Pacemakers (from 1961), Four Hits and a Miss (from Aug 1962) and Jeannie and the Big Guys (from 1963), The Excheckers, Aug 1963 - 1965), according to Pete Frames' book 'The Beatles And Some Other Guys.'

On Tuesday, January 28, 1967 Russ Roberts married Patricia Simpson. 

When Barry Hollinshead left, he was replaced by lead vocalist, bassist Clive Jones. 

The Black Abbots split in 1983 and Russ Roberts changed his name to Russ Abbot, taking his name from the band.

Some Black Abbots concerts:

August/September 1963: The Franky Vaughn Talent Contest, The North Pier, Blackpool, Lancashire, England

The Black Abbots came third in The Franky Vaughn Talent Contest, which was won by Liverpool group Denny Seyton and the Sabres. The Lionel Morton Four came second and Bobby Laine and the Confederates came fourth.  

1964: The Albion Hotel, City Road, Chester, Cheshire, England

 Friday, November 6, 1964: The Twisted Wheel Club, 30 Brazennose Street off Albert Square, Manchester 2, Lancashire, England

Sunday, June 20, 1965: The Alma Lodge, 149 Buxton Road, Stockport, Cheshire, England

Advertised in The Evening News and Chronicle as Alma Lodge Stockport. This Sunday. First appearance here of great new finds from - Chester, The Black Abbots.

Boxing Day, Sunday, December 26, 1965: The Royal Theatre, City Road, Chester, Cheshire, England  Also on the bill: Miki and Griff.  This was the last pantomime at the club which was Aladdin.

Thursday, December 15 - Friday, December 16, 1966: The Annual Christmas Carnival Dance, Willenhall Baths Assembly Hall, Bath Street, Willenhall, Staffordshire, England, 8pm - 1am
Supported The Alan Price Set as did The N'Betweens, The Cobras.  
Advertised as Willenhall St. Giles Youth Club presents their Annual Christmas Carnival Dance at Willenhall Baths Assembly Hall on Thursday, December 15, 1966 8-0 p.m. - 1-0 a.m. starring ''The Alan Price Set'' supported by '' The 'NBetweens'' and ''The Black Abbotts'' and ''The Cobras'' ''A great line-up'' Licence Applied for ...... Refreshments ...... Novelties

Wednesday, September 18, 1968: The Royal Theatre Club, City Road, Chester, Cheshire, England The Black Abbots drummer, backing vocalist Russ Abbott celebrated his 21st birthday. 

Monday, August 24 - Sunday, August 30, 1970: The Golden Garter, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester 22, Lancashire, England 

Monday, August 24, 1970: The Golden Garter, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester 22, Lancashire, England Supported Ray Allen and Lord Charles.

Tuesday, August 25, 1970: The Golden Garter, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester 22, Lancashire, England  Supported Ray Allen and Lord Charles. 

Wednesday, August 26, 1970: The Golden Garter, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester 22, Lancashire, England Supported Ray Allen and Lord Charles.

Thursday, August 27, 1970: The Golden Garter, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester 22, Lancashire, England Supported Ray Allen and Lord Charles.

Friday, August 28, 1970: The Golden Garter, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester 22, Lancashire, England Supported Ray Allen and Lord Charles. 

Saturday, August 29, 1970: The Golden Garter, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester 22, Lancashire, England Supported Ray Allen and Lord Charles.

Sunday, August 30, 1970: The Golden Garter, Rowlandsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester 22, Lancashire, England Supported Ray Allen and Lord Charles.

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle-2-15039/a-way-out-of-the-madhouse-1-967436

Info courtesty: John H. Warburg
16/1/20