The 'Simon Dupree & The Big Sound' story continues - 1967

BBC documentary - The Ravers

In 1967 a television production crew from the BBC's
'Man Alive' programme spent a week on the road with us.
They were filming a documentary about groupies called 'The Ravers'.
Today it would be considered a rather tame programme,
but in 1967 it was pretty risqué.
The producer was pushing the BBC's rules on censorship.

We were away from home the evening it was shown on TV so we
arranged to watch the programme on the hotels television before the gig.
We had no idea what the show would be like as they had filmed ten times
the footage that was needed.
When the show was over it was funny as a fight to see some
of the guys rush to the hotels pay-phone explaining to partners
their actions. One of their partners even left home and went
to live with her mother for a while !
We traveled with the roadies in the same van at the time.
A short story - board of this programme is below.

The programme was 28 minutes long, and was filmed in black and white.

It was mainly filmed at the local church hall in Stonehouse Gloucestershire where many
of the top bands of the sixties played, including the 'Swinging Blue Jeans',
'Pinkerton's Assorted Colours', 'Screaming Lord Such' and 'Dave Berry' to name but a few.
( With thanks to Darrell .. ;-)

Click on the frames to enlarge ....
Read the hand text first ..!

The Ravers	BBC's Man Alive Programme 1967

The Queue	Derek - Simon Dupree - On Stage

Tony Ransley	The Fans

The Hands	Simon Dupree's shirt, what's left of it !

Tony Ransley in the dressing room after the show, Brian West in the background.	Phil's hairy chest.

Signing a left leg	Not signing a left leg

Not signing a right leg	Wot a laugh !

Into the money	Into the van

Into the night	Into no comment !
Courtesy of the BBC.
Frames ©BBC The Ravers - 1967.	Man Alive Series

	The real stars of the show. Were are you now, have you had a good life, do you have children, grandchildren ? ... If you are here please E-mail Me and let me know. ( The photo's don't do the girls justice )