Urgent:Alan Silson Rushed to the hospital in a critical condition
The band was formed in 1964 at St. Bede’s Grammar School in Heaton, Bradford as The Yen. The Yen’s first gig was at Birkenshaw School in February 1965. It was composed of Chris Norman (lead vocals, rhythm guitar and piano), Terry Uttley (bass and vocals), Alan Silson (lead guitar and vocals) and Ron Kelly (drums). As Essence, they toured small clubs in Bradford and surrounding communities before they split in 1966. The Black Cats were already a working band when Ron Kelly joined them at Dewsbury College, in September 1966. The Black Cats at this time were Peter Eastwood on guitar/vocals and Arthur Higgins
In April 1968, the group found a manager in Mark Jordan, who advised them to rename themselves, The Elizabethans. The group now became fully professional and the members garnered higher salaries. In June 1968, Terry Uttley joined the group as replacement for Arthur Higgins who had left the band into furtehr on his education. December saw the group having a first TV appearance on Yorkshire Television’s news and magazine
