Cops 'N Robbers | Rebels Lane

The Cops 'N Robbers

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One Summer’s day in 1964 I was out enjoying the Southend sea air and views out over the estuary when an some amazing sounds captured my ears. It came from the Southend Bandstage situated on top of the cliffs on Westcliff Parade. Although an ardent jazz fan since the age of 14, I was cool regarding rhythm and blues. I had just discovered one the greatest bands of the 60s. Though they never achieved recording fame, they gigged tirelessly for some two years, especially in my home town of Southend. I could not wait to tell my mates who I had discovered!

Originally formed in Watford in June 1964 'The Cops 'N Robbers' was a six piece band with line up: Brian ‘Smudger’ Smith (vocals), Keith Canadine (mouth harp/backing vocals), Brian Raines (lead guitar), Steve Smith (bass guitar/backing vocals), Henri Harrison (drums) and Terry Fox (piano). However a few months later Brian Raines left and Smudger took up guitar. It became a four piece for economic reasons in July 1965.

Their manager was Rodney Saxon who owned Studio Jazz club in Westcliff, my favourite haunt for live music, was where Cops 'N Robbers often played.

On stage ‘Smudger’ was a character and had a great voice for singing blues. Terry Fox progressed from piano to Hammond organ which for me was great for they always included Jimmy Smith jazz organ numbers.

With the original line up the band cut it’s first single on the Decca label, ‘St James Infirmary’, ‘A’ side and, ‘There’s Gotta Be a Reason, ‘B’ side. Unfortunately it was not a success, put down to it being in competition with The Animals, ‘House of the Rising Sun’.

They never became famous for disc releases but were always on the road gigging. Their most notable tour was as a backing band for the great American blues singer, John Lee Hooker.

Although they were never big recording stars they did appear on the Friday TV show, ‘Ready Steady Go’ performing their latest single, ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’. For Terry the song was a bit of an embarrassment, here is what he has said about it.

‘‘I Could Have Danced All Night’. Whoah! It’s a shocker, isn’t it?! I played alto sax on that. I’d only had it a few weeks. Smudger played the trumpet as well as singing. It was Pete Eden’s idea to record this song. Pete was always one for novelty, the surprise element. He knew Smudger liked Ben E King who had recorded this song on an album. I was so scornful of it I didn’t bother to listen to the King version. Stupid of me as it turned out because there’s some great boogie piano on it that would have perhaps redeemed it for me. We did Ready Steady Go! with that song, halfway through touring with the world’s greatest blues man. What a contrast.’

These were great days for live music, but they did not last. Smudger left the band in October ’65 and his replacement was a disappointment. A year later, totally exhausted, Terry gave up. In December '66 the band folded for good.

My favourite recording is their version of the Bob Dylan number, ‘It’s All Over Now Baby Blue’. This and all three of their singles releases, plus 'B' sdes can be found below.