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Web Master:

Ian Haskayne

Line up 1962/63:*

Ted (Kingsize) Taylor - Lead Guitar/vocals

Sam Hardie - Piano

Dave Lovelady - Drums

Bobby Thompson - Bass Guitar

John Frankland - Rhythm Guitar

*

Possibly a different photograph to the above line up

Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes appeared regularly at many local venues, especially St. Luke’s Hall, Crosby (also known as the ’Jive Hive’ ) On occasions Cilla Black, Ted’s girlfriend at the time, would get up and sing with the band and at one time was going to become a permanent member. In 1962 they appeared at the Star Club and proved so popular, were offered a residency. Drummer Dave Lovelady had taken time

off from his Architectural studies to appear for the short season but couldn’t remain for the residency. Ted offered Ringo Starr £20 a week to take over from Dave and Ringo agreed, a couple of day’s later Ringo wrote and said he had received an offer of £25 a week to join The Beatles and had accepted the offer, Brian Redman eventually replaced Dave. ‘Kingsize’ was one of the best vocalists to come out of the ‘Mersey Scene’, the group had a strong repertoire of obscure but brilliant American rock ‘n’ roll songs Ted had got hold of. The group had spent a lot of time in Germany; Hamburg, Kiel and Berlin, a decision they felt (some years later) caused them to miss out on the Mersey Beat Boom. When they did return to the UK for a Chuck Berry Tour in 1964, they made an appearance on the popular television show ‘Ready, Steady, Go!’ performing ‘Stupidity’ a single released by Decca, which had made the No.1 spot in Germany. After a ‘Trivial Quarrel’, about which, no-one can remember, The Dominoes split from ‘Kingsize’.

Ted Taylor had a very distinctive voice, his group was among the best to emerge from Liverpool and were superior to many of the groups who had found recording success in the ‘sixties’.

Press ‘Play Button’ to listen to original recording.

I have seen Ted performing live at the MerseyCats club (see MerseyCats page), he still sounds the same 40 years later, and with same passion!