The Zodiacs started life as “The Phantoms”, Five (5) 13 year olds who either lived in Rhigos or were friends in the Aberdare Boys Grammar School (ABGS).

The PHANTOMS were:-

Roger Davies – Bass from the Bryn, Heol Gwrangfryn

Martin Davies, Rogers older brother – Guitar

John Bradley – Drums from Old Rhigos, Cwm Hunt

Phil Pendry – Guitar from the Bryn, Heol Esgyn,

Paul Wyatt – Guitar from Bronyestyn Terrace, Trecynon.

The group played all guitar music with no vocals, copying the Shadows, Ventures and others of the time.

Eventually Paul Wyatt began to sing Beatles songs and due to another group named the Phantoms they changed their name to the ZODIACS. At about the same time, Martin Davies finished to prepare for “O” level examinations and John Bradley’s father, who worked for the Forestry, was relocated to another district, which meant John had to finish. This brought a long time friend (and fellow taped music exchanger) Peter Lipscombe (again from Heol Esgyn) to the group to play drums. Although Peter had not played drums before, he quickly learned on an old set he bought and became a first class drummer in no time. The group played mainly in the Croesffordd Community Centre (the Hostel) on Friday nights, starting by playing 5 or 6 songs in the interval between the records for dancing and culminating in 2 x1 hour spots with records in between. The group purchase black “Beatle Jackets” for the first half, turning them inside out to reveal bright red and white linings for the second half. They also practised in the Glynneath Youth club, taking all guitars, amplifiers and drums from Rhigos to Glynneath in the Western Welsh Service bus!!. The highlights of this phase of the groups development was supporting the Merseybeats at the Aberdare Memorial Hall dance.

Soon after, Paul Wyatt also left to attend University and was replaced by a young singer from Glynneath, named Royston Williams. Royston’s powerful and rich voice, combined with great stage presence belied his age. In this format, the Zodiacs were around for approx. 6 years, namely: -

Roger Davies – Bass

Peter Lipscombe – Drums.

Phil Pendry – Guitar.

Royston (Roy) Williams – Vocals.

Offical (unpaid !!) Roadies – Philip Walstow, Peter Wilson and Dai’ Knibb.

Roys’ voice gave another dimension to the group and the music style changed from Beatles to more soulful sounds from the likes of the Animals, Wilson Picket, Geno Washington, Sam and Dave to name just a few. This fuelled the Rhondda Friday Night dance circuit with regular appearances at Treherbert RFC, Treorchy RFC, Penygraig RFC, Porth Legion, Tonypandy Naval club, Treorchy Pig and Whistle as well as more exotic places such as the Ocean Club in Cardiff and the Top Ranks in Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol. At this time they also shared a 2 weekly spot at “Concrowleys’” club in Tynt, Abercynon with another group on the circuit, Tommy Scott and the Senators (Tom Jones for those who didn’t know). They actually did Tom’s booking for £32 when he went to London to make his first record “Chills and Fever”. They also met a young and just starting singer in a Barry Club who said he was starting a group named “Shakin’ Stevens and the Sunsets”, ah well !!.

Peter Lipscombe then got married in 1968 and moved to the Isle of Wight and was replaced by John “Ginger” Price from Dallas (Dowlais) Merthyr and then Paul Weedon from Mountain Ash. Roger soon followed Peter to work in the Isle of Wight, returning to the group a number of years later. John was an excellent comic so the group moved into the Workingman’s Concert scene, giving regular Friday, Saturday, Sunday Morning and Night work. At this time they joined forces with other local artists to form the VALE SHOW. This line up included:-

The line up was based around the Zodiacs but included any 2 more acts as listed below:-

Doug and June Morris – Solo and duo artists.

Doug “Ghost Riders in the Sky” Walters – Male Vocalist (Tommy Scott pinched his song for Opportunity Knocks and won !!!).

Reg “Beechie” Harrison – Male Vocalist

The Crystals (Violet Lloyd and Margaret Evans) – two piece female harmony. Violet eventually changed her name to Shelly Dawn and has been a professional Vocalist and TV actor for many years.

The Zodiacs continued for a number of years with various line-up changes at Bass and Drums, Phil and Roy being the nucleus. Eventually, due to family and work commitments Phil and Then Roy left to form a two piece outfit named the Roy Duval Duo.

The rest of the boys then joined Oscar as the new Kingfishers (Oscars’ son being Kelly Jones of Stereophonic’s Fame).

Information and photographs kindly contributed by Philip (Phil) Pendry.

Rhigos Memories