The Vipers Skiffle Group

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

The Vipers Skiffle Group, later simply The Vipers, was one of the most important British skiffle groups of the mid and late 1950s. The group began in the spring of 1956 in central London as a trio of singers and guitarists: Wally Whyton, Johnny Martyn and Jean Van den Bosch, who was replaced in 1958 by Freddy Lloyd. Later that year a rhythm section was added, with Tony Tolhurst on bass and John Pilgrim on washboard. They played regularly at the Soho club 2i's Coffee Bar, where they sometimes jammed with Tommy Steele.

Music and breakthrough

In September 1956 they auditioned for George Martin of Parlophone and were given a record contract. Their second single, Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O, reached the British top ten in early 1957. The song is a variant of the folk song Sail Away Ladies, which Uncle Dave Macon had recorded in the 1920s. Their version of Maggie May also appeared that year, which the BBC banned because of its sexual lyrics. Lonnie Donegan on the Pye label was their competitor. He copied Whyton's arrangements and reached higher chart positions with the same song and with Cumberland Gap. Their version of Cumberland Gap also reached the top ten, and Streamline Train followed.

Influence

The Vipers are important because they helped shape British skiffle and prepared the way for beat. Martin later said that working with them taught him how to work with informal, enthusiastic musicians. Members of The Shadows also came from their circle.

Listening

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  Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O · The Vipers Skiffle Group, 1957
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