In 2022, after more than six decades in the business, Cliff Bennett retired from performing and gave his band – ‘The Rebel Rousers‘ – his blessing to keep the music alive and continue performing with a new lead vocalist.
The Rebel Rousers play the hits that they have performed with Cliff for the past 30 years, including ‘One Way Love‘ and ‘Got to Get You Into My Life‘, as well as many other soul classics.
This is the closest audiences will get to see the original line-up of the iconic British soul band.
With an ensemble made up of former members from Cliff Bennett’s band, The Rebel Rousers consists of seven star musicians performing a set consisting of Soul and RnB classics.
With Geoff Nicholls on Drums (original Rebel Rouser and from BBC’s Rock School); Pete Pritchard on Bass (resident bassist in Sun Studios, Nashville); Lars Lundquist on Guitar (original Rebel Rouser, long term manager and friend of Cliff Bennett); Dave Jenkins on Keyboards (original Rebel Rouser); Aaron Liddard on Sax (from The Amy Winehouse Band); and Damian Hand on Sax (from Chris Farlow’s Band).
With original Rebel Rouser Drummer, Darren Bazzoni, taking on the mantle from Cliff Bennett on vocals.
The Best of British Soul
Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers were the first London band to be signed by The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein in December 1961. Their innovative brass sound introduced British youth to soul music. Within three months of Epstein’s management, the band had their first UK hit single with “One Way Love” and a tour of Germany with The Beatles. They were the first British band to be signed to the Motown label.
Cliff crowned his success with The Rebel Rousers in 1966 with a song written exclusively for him by Lennon & McCartney – “Got To Get You Into My Life” which reached No. 3 in the UK charts, creating a unique British soul sound. Their other hits include: “Back In The USSR”, “One Way Love” and “I’ll Take You Home.”
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Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers: Pioneers of the British Music Industry
To mark his phenomenal career as front-man of a ‘Band’s Band’, MLM Concerts released Cliff Bennett’s biography available to buy on Amazon.
Written by Mark Lundquist and Gemma Barnes, and using Cliff’s own voice, through interviews – this book records a unique perspective on the Music Industry in the late ‘50s and early ’60s. Including a selection of photographs from Cliff’s personal collection, this book proves to be a fascinating read for music lovers of the UK Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll sounds of the ‘60s.
Available to buy on Kindle, Hardcover and Paperback on AMAZON.
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