Grimsby's Rumble Band set dates for two not-to-be-missed 40th anniversary gigs

Let's hear it for Grimsby's most popular combo, the sensational Rumble Band, who this year celebrate their 40th anniversary.

There are a couple of not-to-be-missed gigs this year, along with other performances, to kick off the band's next 40 years of guaranteed entertainment.

The Rumble Band formed in the Sixties and had huge success before breaking up a few years later.

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It was all thanks to the Grimsby Telegraph's musical maestro, Steve Jackson, that the band got back together 40 years ago. He urged Rumble Band frontman, Dave Ranshaw to headline a Live Aid concert in 1985.

The success of the Live Aid concert at the legendary Winter Gardens venue in Cleethorpes, paved the way for their next 40 years entertaining thousands of fans and performing at hundreds of gigs.

On March 8, the 13-piece band will raise the roof for a 40th anniversary gig at Louth Town Hall in aid of Louth and District Lions' local charities. Their other birthday celebration will be on September 13 at The Beachcomber in Humberston.

Drummer, Ray Wilson has been with the band 19 years. The line up now is Allan Scorer as lead singer with three backing singers, Gemma Williams, Sally-Ann Eaglestone-Stout and Lesley Jamieson. The brass section includes Bill Routledge and Don Souter on trumpet, Beccy Thorpe on baritone sax and Nigel Ward on tenor sax with Matt Smith on trombone. His brother Adam plays keyboards with Warren Jolly on bass guitar along with the renowned guitarist Duncan Peddie.

Ray said: "Since 1985 there have been a few members who have come and gone but we have always kept a good professional soul and Motown sound. A few of the venues The Band played at are gone, like the South Bank Jazz Club and The Winter Gardens. But the band has kept going.

"We have worked all around the UK and have sold out venues in London, such as The Alexandra Palace and The Isle of Wight Festival and the Harley Davison 70th anniversary, which were all spectacular events."

Ray added the band is looking forward to a celebration tour this year and a big theatre tour in 2026.

As a gesture to Louth Lions the band will not be putting their Beachcomber 40th anniversary concert tickets on September 13 on sale until later in March so fans can see them live at Louth Town Hall on March 8.

Ray said the band's long life was due to their passion for soul. "I think it is because everybody in the band has a camaraderie and we enjoy playing live music and fun to go out and play. It isn't money-orientated. We just have fun," he said.

Duncan said: "The Beachcomber gig will be great and we will be playing the same set as The Rumble Band did for Live Aid in 1985 with a few others added on. Hopefully Dave will come out of retirement and sing." He said the band's success was down to not many other bands playing the magic of Motown as well as The Rumble Band. He said the popularity was a homage to the genre and was helped by top bands The Commitments and The Blues Brothers who brought the music to the mainstream.

Duncan said: "It is amazing to see so many young people at the gigs as many of them were not born when the music was first played. The live gigs are visually exciting and I like to think we have a good standard of music and do the songs justice. Logistically it can be a nightmare taking a 13-piece on tour. But we love doing what we do and we have had a good solid line up for a while." He joked: "Sometimes it is a bit like Trig's sweeping brush in Only Fools and Horses with 20 handles and 50 brush heads with various members dipping in and out but it is still the same band!"

He said he was looking forward to a return to Louth Town Hall to perform some classic music from Sam and Dave, Booker T and the MGs and Otis Redding as well as some Northern Soul music and anthems of The Temptations and The Supremes and Billy Ocean.

Former frontman, Dave Ranshaw recalled how he joined the band in 1967 and performing at The Jazz Club on Victoria Street with its bouncing floor. "The Rumble Band's endurance is because it was recognised and held in high esteem. There have always been outstanding, first class musicians and made a great show and had that communication with the audience," said Dave.

He recalled how he and bandmates Keith Line and Rod Letter got a band together and produced the memorable Live Aid set within six weeks.

"I was so nervous. I had to have everything written down," told Dave. He added: "To a lot of people it might have only been Cleethorpes but for local people it was amazing with some great local bands."

"Mustang Sally," "Midnight Hour" and "634789" became legendary on the Grimsby music scene and at other venues. The Rumble Band played most of the hotels on Park Lane in London, as well as Thursday nights at The Winter Gardens and at The Beachcomber. He paid tribute to promoter Jeff Cutler who brought great soul performers Jimmy Ruffin and Edwin Starr and Ben E. King to Grimsby. As well as Louth Town Hall's high stage, Dave said The Scunthorpe Baths Hall was another regular venue for memorable nights with the Rumble Band.

Louth & District Lions club began in 1969 and currently has 33 members. They have bought eight defibrillators for the Louth area and a horse simulator for Riding for the Disabled at Kenwick. The Lions have also bought wheelchairs of disabled people and special swings. They have supported a number of Ukrainian refugee families living in the Louth area.

Lion, Liz Shaw said: "We provide our time too, clearing, weeding and planting bulbs where needed. We run casino nights for people like ourselves trying to raise money and each year have a roulette wheel and 'FunnyMoney' night when we all dress up in long dresses and tuxedos, it's really good fun. We also have a Beer Festival in the summer."

She added: "We have put The Rumble Band on twice before. This time is special, due to their 40 ^th birthday."

Tickets are available here.