The Flee-Rekkers
Encyclopedia
The Flee-Rekkers - also known as The Fabulous Flee-Rakkers - were a British
instrumental
rock and roll
band in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The spelling of the group's name varied between records. They were fronted by tenor saxophonist
Peter Fleerakkers (or Fleerackers), and their records were produced by Joe Meek
. Their biggest hit was "Green Jeans" in 1960.
. They started under the names The Ramblers and The Statesiders, before taking a more permanent name derived from that of their leader, whose father was Dutch
. Other members of the group were Dave Cameron (lead guitar), Alan Monger (rhythm guitar, baritone sax), Elmy Durrant (tenor sax), Derek Skinner (bass), and Mickey Waller (drums).
They were spotted playing at a ballroom in Putney
, west London
, in late 1959, and successfully auditioned for record producer Joe Meek. He produced their first single, "Green Jeans", a rocked-up version of the traditional "Greensleeves
" released on Meek's own label, Triumph Records, in early 1960. The record reached #23 on the UK Singles Chart
, but demand outstripped Meek's capacity to supply copies. After the Triumph label collapsed, the record was reissued on the Top Rank label, which itself was then taken over by EMI
. The group also featured on a single, "Hot Chick-A-Roo", by singer Ricky Wayne
(born Learie Carasco), who became a prominent bodybuilder and, later, a noted writer and broadcaster in Saint Lucia
.
The Flee-Rekkers released several more singles and an EP
with less success, at first on the Pye
label, and then on Piccadilly. According to the liner notes
of their EP, they "were the first 'rock' group to be signed for a long term contract with Mecca
after making appearances at their ballrooms up and down the country, and in the London area." They toured Britain extensively in the early 1960s, with a reputedly "wild" live act. Their final single in 1963, "Fireball", a version of the theme music to the animated TV series Fireball XL5
, arranged by Tony Hatch
, is regarded as one of their best.
The group broke up in 1963. Fleerakkers played in various unsuccessful bands before leaving the music business in the late 1960s. Cameron, Monger and Durrant formed a new group, The Giants, who mainly performed in Germany
. Skinner became a member of the Spotnicks. Waller became a leading session drummer
, playing with such musicians as Cyril Davies
, Long John Baldry
, Rod Stewart
, Brian Auger
, John Mayall
and Jeff Beck
; he died in 2008.
A CD containing most of the group's recordings was issued by C-Five Records in 1991, and later in expanded versions by See For Miles Records
and Castle Records.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The spelling of the group's name varied between records. They were fronted by tenor saxophonist
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
Peter Fleerakkers (or Fleerackers), and their records were produced by Joe Meek
Joe Meek
Robert George "Joe" Meek was a pioneering English record producer and songwriter....
. Their biggest hit was "Green Jeans" in 1960.
History
The group was influenced by saxophone-led bands like Johnny and the HurricanesJohnny and the Hurricanes
Johnny and the Hurricanes was a rock and roll band that began as The Orbits in Toledo, Ohio in 1957. Led by saxophonist Johnny Paris , they were school friends who played on a few recordings behind Mack Vickery, a local rockabilly singer.-Career:They signed with Harry Balk and Irving Micahnik of...
. They started under the names The Ramblers and The Statesiders, before taking a more permanent name derived from that of their leader, whose father was Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
. Other members of the group were Dave Cameron (lead guitar), Alan Monger (rhythm guitar, baritone sax), Elmy Durrant (tenor sax), Derek Skinner (bass), and Mickey Waller (drums).
They were spotted playing at a ballroom in Putney
Putney
Putney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, in late 1959, and successfully auditioned for record producer Joe Meek. He produced their first single, "Green Jeans", a rocked-up version of the traditional "Greensleeves
Greensleeves
"Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song and tune, a ground of the form called a romanesca.A broadside ballad by this name was registered at the London Stationer's Company in September 1580 as "A New Northern Dittye of the Lady Greene Sleeves". It then appears in the surviving A Handful of...
" released on Meek's own label, Triumph Records, in early 1960. The record reached #23 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, but demand outstripped Meek's capacity to supply copies. After the Triumph label collapsed, the record was reissued on the Top Rank label, which itself was then taken over by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
. The group also featured on a single, "Hot Chick-A-Roo", by singer Ricky Wayne
Rick Wayne
Rick Wayne is a writer, editor, and former professional bodybuilder and pop singer.-Biography:Wayne was born Learie Carasco in St. Lucia. In the 1950s he emigrated to England, and served two years in the Royal Signals, most of the time in Yorkshire...
(born Learie Carasco), who became a prominent bodybuilder and, later, a noted writer and broadcaster in Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 km2 and has an...
.
The Flee-Rekkers released several more singles and an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
with less success, at first on the Pye
Pye Records
Pye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
label, and then on Piccadilly. According to the liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
of their EP, they "were the first 'rock' group to be signed for a long term contract with Mecca
Mecca Leisure Group
Mecca Leisure Group was a British business that ran nightclubs, hotels, theme parks, bingo parlors, and Hard Rock Cafes. During the 1960s they were the centre of entertainment with numerous nightclubs throughout major UK towns and cities. Mecca ballrooms were used for the BBC TV show Come Dancing...
after making appearances at their ballrooms up and down the country, and in the London area." They toured Britain extensively in the early 1960s, with a reputedly "wild" live act. Their final single in 1963, "Fireball", a version of the theme music to the animated TV series Fireball XL5
Fireball XL5
Fireball XL5 is a science fiction-themed children's television show following the missions of spaceship Fireball XL5, commanded by Colonel Steve Zodiac of the World Space Patrol...
, arranged by Tony Hatch
Tony Hatch
Anthony Peter "Tony" Hatch is an English composer, songwriter, pianist, music arranger and producer.-Early life and early career:...
, is regarded as one of their best.
The group broke up in 1963. Fleerakkers played in various unsuccessful bands before leaving the music business in the late 1960s. Cameron, Monger and Durrant formed a new group, The Giants, who mainly performed in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Skinner became a member of the Spotnicks. Waller became a leading session drummer
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
, playing with such musicians as Cyril Davies
Cyril Davies
Cyril Davies was one of the first British blues harmonica players and blues musician.-Biography:Born at St Mildred's, 15 Hawthorn Drive, Willowbank, Denham, Buckinghamshire, near London, he was the son of William Albert Davies, a labourer, and his wife Margaret Mary...
, Long John Baldry
Long John Baldry
John William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
, Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, Brian Auger
Brian Auger
Brian Auger is a jazz and rock keyboardist, who has specialized in playing the Hammond organ.A jazz pianist, bandleader, session musician and Hammond B3 player, Auger has played or toured with artists such as Rod Stewart, Tony Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Sonny Boy Williamson, Led Zeppelin, Eric Burdon...
, John Mayall
John Mayall
John Mayall, OBE is an English blues singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose musical career spans over fifty years...
and Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
; he died in 2008.
A CD containing most of the group's recordings was issued by C-Five Records in 1991, and later in expanded versions by See For Miles Records
See For Miles Records
See for Miles Records is a British record label which distributed some of the records of Dandelion Records on CD in the 1990s. The name hints both to its owner Colin Miles and The Who's "I Can See for Miles."...
and Castle Records.
Singles
| Date | Artist Credit | A-side | B-side | Label Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1960 | The Fabulous Flee-Rakkers | "Green Jeans" | "You Are My Sunshine You Are My Sunshine "You Are My Sunshine" is a popular song first recorded in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana as a result of its association with former state governor and country music singer Jimmie Davis. The song is copyright 1940 Peer International Corporation, words and music by... " |
Triumph RGM 1008 |
| Apr 1960 | Ricky Wayne And The Flee-Rakkers | "Chick A'Roo" | "Don't Pick On Me" | Triumph RGM 1009 |
| Aug 1960 | The Flee-Rakkers | "Green Jeans" | "You Are My Sunshine" | Top Rank JAR 431 |
| Aug 1960 | Ricky Wayne And The Flee-Rakkers | "Hot Chick-A-Roo" | "Don't Pick On Me" | Top Rank JAR 432 |
| Sep 1960 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Sunday Date" | "Shiftless Sam" | Pye Pye Records Pye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man... 7N 15288 |
| Jan 1961 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Blue Tango Blue Tango "Blue Tango" is an instrumental composition by Leroy Anderson. it was later turned into a popular song with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. It was published in 1952... " |
"Bitter Rice" | Pye 7N 15326 |
| Jun 1961 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Lone Rider" | "Miller Like Wow" | Piccadilly 7N 35006 |
| May 1962 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Stage To Cimarron" | "Twistin' The Chestnuts" | Piccadilly 7N 35048 |
| Oct 1962 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Sunburst" | "Black Buffalo" | Piccadilly 7N 35081 |
| Feb 1963 | The Flee-Rekkers | "Fireball" | "Fandango" | Piccadilly 7N 35109 |
Extended Play
| Date | Artist Credit | Tracks | Label Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | The Fabulous Flee-Rekkers | "Isle Of Capri" "Brer Robert" "Hangover" "P.F.B" |
Pye NEP 24141 |
Albums
| Year | Title | Label Info |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Joe Meek's Fabulous Flee-Rekkers | C-Five Records, C5CD 564 |
| 1997 | Joe Meek's Fabulous Flee-Rekkers (re-issue) | See For Miles See For Miles Records See for Miles Records is a British record label which distributed some of the records of Dandelion Records on CD in the 1990s. The name hints both to its owner Colin Miles and The Who's "I Can See for Miles."... |
| 2007 | Green Jeans : The Anthology | Castle Castle Communications Castle Communications was a British independent record label founded in 1983 by Terry Shand, Cliff Dane and Jon Beecher. The company was acquired by the American music distributor Alliance Entertainment in 1994 and in 2000 it was absorbed into Sanctuary Records Group... CMQDD 1457 |