The Hunters

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Hunters were a British instrumental band of the late 1950s and early 1960s. They came from the area around Cheshunt in Hertfordshire and emerged from the remains of The Parker Royal Five. The line-up consisted of drummer Norman Sheffield, rhythm guitarist Norman Stracey, lead guitarist Brian Parker and bassist John Rogers. The group worked as a backing band for American stars touring England, such as Bobby Rydell and Jimmy Jones, and for British artists such as Frank Ifield and The Avons.

Music and breakthrough

Their first big hit was Sweet Dreams, as backing band to singer Dave Sampson, which reached number 29 on the British chart in May 1960. Teen Scene then came out under their own name on Fontana, which did not make the chart. Even so, their singles sold enough for two albums, in 1961 and 1962. In total they released several singles and albums between 1960 and 1964. The band also once played behind Cliff Richard in place of The Shadows, when they were unable to appear because of a car accident. Their sound was therefore often mistaken for that of The Shadows, but this was down to the guitars and equipment of the time, with which more bands sounded that way.

Influence

After The Hunters, Parker, Rogers and Stracey played in The Roulettes, Adam Faith's backing band. Parker also founded Unit 4 + 2. Drummer Norman Sheffield started Trident Studios in London with his brother, where Queen later recorded among others, a band he managed in its early years. The Dutch rock band Golden Earring is named after their single Golden Earrings. In 2009 Teen Scene sounded again in the film An Education.

Listening