The Senators 1961
Bruce Turner – Lead guitar and vocals.
Bruce was an all round entertainer, both on and off stage. On stage he could play his guitar round the back of his head. Off stage, at Penton Corner Cafe after a gig he would push a whole Walls Steak and Kidney pie into his mouth and eat it.
Arthur Smart – Bass Guitar
After the group split up Arthur emigrated and now lives in Byron Bay Australia. He spends a lot of his time with wife, Yvonne, travelling the world and when in this country we meet up for a meal.
John Walker – Drums
John has a good voice and must love his playing because he has been in so many bands and is still playing in the USA (Johnny and the Rebels.)
Pete Staples - Rhythm Guitar
This is the Senators hand out card. Note: Own Transport, Wow! On the back I have Roy Orbison's autograph, my prized possession!
May 2012
I was pleased to hear from Arthur & John recently and it’s amazing that none of us can remember how we joined ‘The Senators.’ Is it an age thing? – or perhaps it wasn’t that important at the time.
Arthur “I worked as a butcher for A C Stevens, Bridge Street, Andover and Bruce (lead singer/guitar) worked as a dental technician next door. I’d known him at school and he was always popping in for a chat. He was going to start a band and asked if I would play the bass. I’d never played a musical instrument in my life, but we went to Sainsbury Fisher and purchased a bass and amp on the HP. The next few months I learned, in Bruce’s mum’s kitchen, to play FBI with just two fingers”.
‘The Senators’ went on to be at the forefront of the Andover musical scene; played many gigs and had an enthusiastic following.
John “I played in a skiffle group with Bruce called ‘The Bandits’ and then with a new line up with Bruce, Mickey Roach, Morrie and Gigner Mansfield playing more rock numbers.
I can’t remember how ‘The Senators’ were formed, but I did have a lot of fun playing the pubs, clubs and dance halls around the Andover area.”
'The Senators' 1962 at the Fiesta Hall, Andover with Jess Conrad. Wearing our new midnight blue glitter jackets and silver grey crocodile boots WOW. The line up is : Arthur, Bruce, Jess Conrad, John and me.
