Can anyone remember Jackie Bates, who was a drummer in the Bernard Taylor band of the 1950's and 1960's ? He died in 1965.

He was my grandad and i am eager to find out if anyone saw him and the Bernard Taylor band play at the city hall and the Cutlers Hall.

Thanks very much,

Quixall :)

I hope this is Jason, if not get back to me although I think Quixall is probably a very apt choice of pseudonym

I hope this is Jason, if not get back to me although I think Quixall is probably a very apt choice of pseudonym

A very apt pseudonym indeed sharrovian :)

Hi Don, yes it's me, how are you ?

I use this username on other sites and it's suprising how many people ask about it and of course i duly oblige them. As you will know, Albert Quixall was one of many great players that have played for wednesday and he will always go down in history, as a player who broke the British transfer record in 1958, moving to Manchester United for £45,000.

Just joined the website last night and i think it's great. You can find out about many things and it's almost like having the star or telegraph, but with about a thousand journalists and many more pages to read lol.

Hope your having a good day Don, enjoy the sunshine :)

I remember Albert Quixall quite well, his name was well known in local schools football when I was "nobbut-a-lad", he would be around my age and it was no surprise when his career blossomed. I wish you the best of luck in the search for information about your grandfather, you never know ! !

I remember Albert Quixall quite well, his name was well known in local schools football when I was "nobbut-a-lad", he would be around my age and it was no surprise when his career blossomed. I wish you the best of luck in the search for information about your grandfather, you never know ! !

One or two people have spoken of Haydn Cook, who sometimes used to drum for the Bernard Taylor band, when grandad was away on business or doing one of his many cruise trips to New York. I did meet Haydn in the early 90's and it was nice to here him speak so fondly about grandad. I also met up with an old time drummer called Alan Markham, who had informal lessons with grandad and went on to become quite a well known jazz drummer in the local area. He too had very fond memories and i was introduced to him as "Jackie Bates grandson...", something which had'nt happened before, because he died three years before i was born and it was a very special and proud moment for me.

This is a very wierd coincidence, but I knew Haydn a bit, and one time I'd gone to an instrument repair shop somewhere down Pond Street way and Haydn was there with Jackie. Haydn introduced me as 'that well known trumpet player', the ****, and I was as embarrassed something bloody awful.

This is a very wierd coincidence, but I knew Haydn a bit, and one time I'd gone to an instrument repair shop somewhere down Pond Street way and Haydn was there with Jackie. Haydn introduced me as 'that well known trumpet player', the ****, and I was as embarrassed something bloody awful.

That's interesting....

Did you know my grandad at all, or was that your only meeting ? When was this, roughly ? Do you or did you play an instrument ?

Sorry quixall, I didn't know J B at all, that was the only time I met him, introduced by Haydn. He was only having a laugh. I used to mess about with cornet/trumpet about that time, around 1958 or so, and hang out with the jazz crowd. I don't know about Haydn's description of my abilities though.

I am a distant relation of Haydn Cook and knew him quite well.He plyed with many bands and was on the t/v in the Worzel Gumage series. He also taught at the Guildhall School of Music

I am a distant relation of Haydn Cook and knew him quite well.He plyed with many bands and was on the t/v in the Worzel Gumage series. He also taught at the Guildhall School of Music

Did you meet, speak to, my grandad Jackie Bates ?

Sorry Quicksall. I never met Jackie Bates. I did know other musicians in the band though.

Sorry Quicksall. I never met Jackie Bates. I did know other musicians in the band though.

The Bernard Taylor band were great and great sounding, they were as near to seeing and hearing a full pro band that one could see on a regular basis, (does'nt sound quite right, but i'm sure you big band lovers will know what I mean). Jackie Bates and Haydn Cook, what great names for drummers. I've mentioned this before, I met 'Digger' a tenor player from the BT band at a Sunday afternoon private session in Rotherham, don't remember Diggers real name though.

I used to work in the foundry at Newton Chambers in the '60s with a guy called Roy Whitham. I believe he played with Bernard Taylor.

My father was a pianist/ organist and Jackie Bates was a much mentioned and respected name in our house. I believe that he would do the holiday cover for the drummer that worked with my dad, when he was available. That would be in the early 60's. I remember my dad doing some musical arranging for the band so I guess it would have been Jackie that introduced him.

My father was a pianist/ organist and Jackie Bates was a much mentioned and respected name in our house. I believe that he would do the holiday cover for the drummer that worked with my dad, when he was available. That would be in the early 60's. I remember my dad doing some musical arranging for the band so I guess it would have been Jackie that introduced him.

Thanks for the message,

Can you remember what was said about my grandad (Jackie Bates). I'm trying to put pieces together about my grandad, because he died three years before i was born and iv'e only had family accounts of his personality, musical talent etc. I have met Haydn Cook and Alan Markham, both drummers, who knew grandad and that was special, because they knew him personally.

Thanks,

Quixall

I would only have been around 10-12yrs old at the time, I can't remember anything specific sorry. My dad was a pro musician from the age of 15 when he worked on the music halls/ theatres etc. There are a few names from the early 60's that stick in my mind and Jackie is one of them. I'll say this though, my dad was not one to heap praise where it wasn't deserved and had a very critical ear where music was concerned, so you can be assured that Jackie was a fine muso.

Its a shame that we couldn't have spoken before my dad passed away just over 2 yrs ago. He would have talked for hours about the 'old days'.
Such is life...........good luck.