Justin Hayward (Lead guitar / lead vocals)

Jeff Bull (Drums)

Nigel Norman (Bass / vocals)
??? (Rhythm)

Tony Cole (Rhythm - replaced ???)
Chris Richardson (Drums - replaced Jeff Bull)

Mike Greenland (Guitar / vocals - replaced T.Cole)

Dave Miller (Bass - replaced N.Norman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the ashes of the Offbeats, in spring 1962 came The Whispers, with Jeff Bull on Drums, Nigel Norman playing Bass on the Clavioline. Justin Hayward and a rhythm guitarist, here seen as the band returns to the familiar Penhill Common Room.  Shortly afterwards  the rhythm guitarist was replaced by  Tony Cole (originally intending to join the Offbeats in Jersey).

 

 

 

Around the same time, the band once more wowed the audience at the Walcot Common Room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 1963 saw major changes within the band, with Chris taking over drums from Jeff, and Mike replacing Tony.   Local magazine Swindon & District Review’s own music journalist Tony Bowd took a keen interest in the band, becoming their manager,  a shrewd move for both parties and the resulting publicity helping to spread the word to a wider audience as these cuttings from spring 1964 demonstrate.     The article talks about their plan to shortly cut a disc, unfortunately this never materialised.

 

 

 

One of the band’s regular venues was The Ferndale Club, Swindon and a fantastic set
of photographs was taken at one of their shows. Note too the appearance of Justin’s original Gibson ES335.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The band also found time to have some fun, as seen here posing for a few  shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By August 1964, Nigel had decided to leave the band, with Dave Miller to join shortly afterwards.   For some time, there had been confusion around the area as there was another popular band also known as The Whispers, fronted by Robb Storm, respective fans often disappointed to find they’d got the wrong band!   It was therefore time to adopt a new name, so, departing from convention, by November, the band were now All Things Bright.

 

Photos courtesy of Nigel Norman

 

Click here to visit Nigel’s Swindon Music Scene website