Monty Little 

& the Selection Soul Band

Info kindly supplied by Trevor Davis (second from left)

The Selection Soul Band was  a big hit in the sixties, Bands like Rivers Invitation, Steve Brown soul Set, Den Men were all the rage and brass was starting to feature in bands. We were among the first bands to have Sax and Trumpet players .As soul music was just taking hold, we were in the right place for once.  We played in all the posh places like the Caribbean and the Bongo club over the border in Middlesbrough. We would be in Hartlepool at the Red Admiral 8pm till 10.30 then dash to the Caribbean going over the transporter bridge as the last to cross for the night then on the the club till 4 am I think we only got about £2.50 each as I remember. 

The band members are Lionel Mac McLennan Sax (sadly died in Jamaica),Trevor Davis Bass (now living in France and still playing). Paul on drums  (Cant remember his last name but he was good at sucking petrol out of  cars!! ) The singer was Monty Little, better known as Collin Bilton. Pictured on the floor is Lenny Smith keyboards  (Big thanks to his Mum and Dad for letting us practice at their place and for financing the band for kit and a new Transit Van), Bob Raper (last heard was playing at Redcar Workmen's Club). The trumpet player was Vic Hall, (last heard playing the cruise ships not on this photo)

 We had a ball would we do it again -  I think I could speak for us all YES

When the band split  I (Trevor Davis) went on to play for the Blue Caps and the Johnny Taylor Five and then to play in the residential band at the Starlite club in Redcar. 

 I retired for a while then I put together the Soul Survivors a 15 pce  soul band with three female backing singers and male front man plus a 5 pce brass section and they are still rocking in Saltburn  

NOTE: Trevor would love to here from anyone who remembers him  on trevor.davis@wanadoo.fr

L/R Colin Bilton (Monty) Trevor Davis ,Paul Barker , Bob Raper, Mac,Lenny Smith