After the demise of the Sundowners Peter formed The Romans.
They began life playing instrumentals but with the vocal numbers becoming more popular the band turned most to vocal numbers.
The Might Avengers from Plymouth were due to play the White Hart in Hayle one evening but cancelled at the last minute, leaving the Romans to pick up the gig. The band were playing mostly instrumental material and dying a death. Big George stepped in to sing vocals and it went down so well he came on board as a full time member. They would play Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, etc. and tried to keep their set fresh by quickly learning the latest releases. After they stopped going out as an instrumental band the gigs started to increase and they were able to purchase better equipment.
They used to practice at the old YMCA in Falmouth opposite what is now Trago. In return they would play for free at some dances. Once hot sunny summer day they had the windows open and locals and tourists stopped to see what was happening causing the high street to jam up with curious onlookers enjoying the band. In the end the police were called to disperse the crowds as the road was blocked up so much nobody could get into the town!
As well as playing all around the Falmouth area they played at the Winter Gardens and also supported Screaming Lord Sutch at the Black Cat Club in Plymouth. The band were fairly skint at the time and couldn't afford to drive back to Cornwall so slept overnight in their van. They would support the Four Pennies at the Flamingo. They also played on same bill as Roger Taylor's Beat Unlimited at one of their final gigs.
Like many bands in the era trying to hold down full time jobs and gigging most nights of the week took it's toll them, and in the end they called it a day. Peter would later play in caberat bands, playing throughout all the main venues in Cornwall such as Talk of the West and Bernard Mannings Cabaret Club in Newquay. |
