The Hillsiders

[bob adams]

I could have put this in the oldies section but since they did form such a part of the 70s history I felt the pic should be here!

Kenny Johnson, rhythm guitar and lead vocalist;
Joe Butler vocalist and bass guitar;
Ronnie Bennett, steel guitar;
Brian 'Noddy' Redman, drums
Brian Hilton, vocals and lead guitar

[Uncle Roy]

They were the days.

[Dave Nutt]

They were the days.

They certainly were Roy.
Does anyone remember the steelie before Ronnie? Frankie Wan now! thats going back yonks.
What a great outfit the Hillsiders, even the later incarnation with Kevin McGary on vocals and Dave Hayward on steel
would put on a brilliant show.
Bumped into them loads of times over the years, always professional, smart and right on the button as regards what the punters wanted to see and hear.
Is it just nostalgia? I dont think so.

[bazzrd9th]

Hi Dave
The later reincarnation was Dave Rolands not Dave Hayward.
Cheers
Barry

[Dave Nutt]

Hiya Baz, where have you been??

I stand corrected by a better man
happy new year to you.

[bazzrd9th]

Cheers Dave, all the best to you.
I've been having 5 stents put into an artery....things got a bit hairy...but all's well now ....except my sanity...but I can live with that.
Cheers
Barry

[Dave Nutt]

And here was me thinking you had won the lottery or something.
Sounds a nightmare, I put all down to 'Laura the traffic warden' we did a lot of damage to ourselves as nippers Baz, come to think of it , I think she 'knackered' my knees up

Hope all goes well from now on, keep in touch.
Dave.

[ZBSD-10]

Hallo Dave, I came up with this great idea to lessen the weight of my ZB D-11/10, I'd get Ronnie to strip out
the complete undercarridge and put his own in but keeping the ZB changerhead, he did a fantastic job and
swore he'd never do another ZB like that again ,whether he did or not I don't know but it never made an iota
of difference to the weight !
A great guy and makes (is he still building steels ?) as good as any US steel.
Correct me if I'm wrong but did'nt the Hillsiders back George Hamilton 4th on a TV program recorded at the
Barn restaurant in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent where I hail from back in the '60's ?
All the best
Frank. Corfu

[David Roberts]

Don't know about the Barn but saw them backing George at The Nashville Room, West Kensington around that time. That was two shows recorded back to back.

[Dave Nutt]

Hiya Frank.
Yep they did loads with Goerge I can remember other TV shows from the Snape Maltings (Peterborough I think)
They also cut an album with George, one of the first serious, decent budget UK produced country albums, dont quote me but I think it was an Ian Grant production, I know he did loads with the Hillsiders around 60s 70s. Ian worked as a producer for the Beeb, the relationship would have come about through that connection.
What a pity we cant get Ronnie to tell all on here, that would make an interesting read.
As he ever been featured in the BSS newsletter?

Hows the snow out there Frank? we are basking in -2 here today and forcast to be wet and windy tomorrow. I bet you dont half miss Wales (not!)

Dave -Nashville Rooms, that was a place hey? such memories.