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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZTEMPERANCE SEVEN, TheUK band formed at Royal College Of Art mid-'50s, playing semi-hot dance music in late-'20s style, members (usually nine) dressed accordingly, vocals by "Whispering' Paul McDowell delivered through a megaphone. Trombonist was multi-instrumentalist and jazz buff John R.T. Davies (see his entry) using pseudonym Sheik Wadi El Yadounir, wearing a fez; others incl. Cephas Howard (trumpet), John Watson (banjo and spoons), Brian Innes (percussion). Appeared on TV's Juke Box Jury '61 playing "You're Driving Me Crazy', which shot to no. 1 UK; same year had chart hits "Pasadena', "Hard-Hearted Hannah', "Charleston'; made three LPs. They did it all straight but appeared hilarious; in film It's Trad Dad '62 upstaging serious jazzers; they also appeared in film Take Me Over and play The Bed Sitting Room with Spike Milligan, were regulars on TV series headed by comedian Arthur Haines, but began to fall apart, McDowell leaving (replaced by Alan Mitchell), then sousaphone ace Martin Fry. Split '68; drummer Dave Mills later leased the name, but a new edition disappeared after a trip to Hong Kong: they had to hitch-hike home as Mills had failed to negotiate their passage. Another version still played odd gigs mid-'80s, original members occasionally sitting in. |