The Elevators – Forty-Nine Ford
Massive Records 001 [1994]
Forty-Nine Ford – Foolish Eyes
The Elevators formed around 1990 and were based near Portsmouth. The band’s first singer was Benny, who then went on to form the Ricardos. The line-up then stabilized around Chaz Rodgers (vocals), Brian Gillman (guitar, formerly in the Caravans), Andy Gent (double bass), and Lawrie Dridge (drums).
After an appearance on the Cool Town Bop compilation (Fury Records) with the song Heartache Underlined, the quartet released this single, which included two compositions on their own label, in 1994. The Elevators practiced a bouncy Neo-Rockabilly significantly influenced by Restless and others. If not revolutionary, the result is very pleasant and excellently played.
After the group broke up, Gillman, Gent, and Dridge continued with another singer under the name of the Marvels. Andrew Gent also played with Blue Jean Bop.
Fred ” Virgil” Turgis
