Sham 69
Sham 69 are an English punk rock band that formed in Hersham in Surrey in 1975. They changed their musical direction after seeing the Sex Pistols play live in early 1976. They were one of the most successful punk bands in the United Kingdom, achieving five top 20 singles, including "If the Kids Are United" and "Hurry Up Harry". The group's popularity saw them perform on the BBC’s Top of the Pops, and they appeared in the rockumentary film, D.O.A.. The original unit broke up in 1979, with frontman Jimmy Pursey moving on to pursue a solo career.
Sham 69
Hersham Boys
- 1975–1979
- 1987–present
- Polydor
- Parlophone
- Step Forward
- Classic version
- Jimmy Pursey
- Dave Bonee
- Dave Tregunna
- Robin Guy
- Tim V version
- Tim V.
- Tom Austin-Morgan
- Paul Brightman
- Ian Whitewood
- Billy Bostick
- Alby Slider
- Johnny Goodfornothing
- Neil Harris
- Jonathan Phillips
- Pete Nash
- Ricky Goldstein
- Andy Prince
- Mat Sargent
- Mark Cain
- Danny Fury
- Stuart Wilson
- Rob Jefferson
- Sonny Boy Williamson
- Alan Campbell
- John Woodward
In 1987, Pursey and guitarist David Parsons reformed the band, joined by new personnel. Although subsequently going through a number of line-up changes, Sham 69 remained active and were still playing gigs as of 2022.[1]
History[edit]
Formation[edit]
Sham 69 formed in Hersham, Surrey in 1975, although originally known (according to some sources) as Jimmy and the Ferrets.[2] 'Sham 69' is said to have derived from a piece of graffiti that co-founder Jimmy Pursey saw on a wall. It originally said Walton and Hersham '69 but had partly faded away, and made reference to when Walton & Hersham F.C. secured the Athenian League title in 1969.[3]
The 12 November 1976 issue of NME noted that Sham 69 was rehearsing in 1976, although only Pursey would remain from this early line-up twelve months later.[4] Original guitarists Johnny Goodfornothing (a.k.a. John Goode) and Neil Harris were replaced by Dave Parsons, and drummer Billy Bostik (a.k.a. Andy Nightingale) by Mark Cain.[5] Albie Slider (a.k.a. Albie Maskell) remained for the group's first single in 1977[6] before being replaced by Dave Tregunna. The Pursey/Parsons/Tregunna/Cain line up then remained stable until 1979,[4] when Ricky Goldstein took over on drums for the band's fourth album.
Sham 69 did not have the art school background of many English punk bands of the time, and brought in football chant backup vocals and an implicit political populism. The band attracted a large skinhead following (left wing, right wing and non-political). Their concerts were plagued by violence, and the band ceased live performances after a 1979 concert at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park was broken up by National Front-supporting white power skinheads fighting and rushing the stage.[7][8]
Legacy[edit]
Sham 69 have been cited as a major influence on the Oi! musical subgenre of UK punk in the late 1970s, and also on the working class street punk musical subgenre of the 1980s.[21]
Pursey
Parsons
Tregunna
