All Night Workers

Formed in Twickenham, Middlesex in mid-1966, The All Night Workers were a dynamic soul/blues outfit that gigged incessantly across London and the Home Counties before disbanding in 1972.

The group had its roots in two early-mid 1960s West London bands – Mike Dee and The Jaywalkers and Mike Dee and The Prophets, both led by singer Mike Dee (real name Mick Wheeler).

This first version of The All Night Workers would feature many talented musicians from the West London area, including bass player Brian Hosking, bass player/lead guitarist Doug Ayris and drummer John Sergeant, before splitting in early October 1967.

In early 1968, Doug Ayris came back to The All Night Workers and brought Mick Wheeler with him as a second lead singer. The new look All Night Workers cut two demos – "Rock Is Here To Stay" and "I Can’t Help It", which were both penned by manager Ted Hare, before first Wheeler and then Pitwell departed. By January 1969, the band had a new front man – Clive "Clyde" Barrow.

The revised line up moved up a gear, playing more soul/funk material and recorded a further demo, a cover of Clarence Carter’s "Tell Daddy" before further changes saw sax player John Conway join during 1970. Not long afterwards, however, the band finally splintered.

Move forward 40 years and former members Clyde Barrow, Doug Ayris, Brian Hosking and John Sergeant have added another fascinating chapter to the history by putting together a new incarnation of The All Night Workers.

The 2012 version also features Brian Hosking’s brother, sax player Mel Wayne, who had played with Mick Wheeler in Mike Dee and The Prophets during 1964-1965. After Wheeler left, this band linked up with singer Simon Scott and became The All-Nite Workers before subsequently working as a backing group for first Jimmy Cliff and then Gary Hamilton.

Mel Wayne then briefly played with singer Carl Douglas before joining Calum Bryce, which included guitarist Dave Mumford, who’d worked with Wayne in his pre-Mike Dee and The Prophets band, Colin Shane and The Shannons. Mumford and second sax player Pete Bower completed the initial 2012 version, which debuted at the famous Bull’s Head in Barnes in May.