The Olympics

Earl Royce and the Olympics were a minor Liverpool band who were lucky enough to get swept up in the record company frenzy to cut singles with anyone from the city that could even hold an instrument. The group was formed in early 1963 by members of several other local bands, most notably Pete Cook of Groups Inc., who exited soon after and was replaced by George Peckham (of the Pawns), who then jumped ship for the Fourmost. Their core lineup was Billy Kelly (aka Earl Royce) on lead vocals, Jimmy Jordan on the skins, Kenny Hazzard on rhythm guitar, and Brian Dee on bass and vocals. They cut a pair of singles, "Que Sera Sera" b/w "I Really Do," and "Guess Things Happen That Way" b/w "Sure to Fall," for EMI-Columbia and Parlophone, respectively, with George Martin playing piano on the latter; Neither of them charted. Those records weren't as visible internationally as their appearance in the Gerry & the Pacemakers feature film Ferry Cross the Mersey (1965), in which they're seen giving an enthusiastic performance of "Shake a Tail Feather." Rita "Jeannie" Hughes, of Jeannie & the Big Guys, passed through their lineup in 1964, and Frank Bowen, the lead guitarist for the Trends, was in their lineup from 1965 through 1966. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi