Danny King and The Dukes
BIRMINGHAM
Last updated July, 2001
Danny King lead singer (left 1960)Allan Hancox guitar
Brian Hancox guitar
Clint Warwick bass guitar
??? ??? drums
Gerry Day lead singer (joined 1960)
Danny King was well known around Birmingham in the early 1960s as an accomplished singer and his backing groups would include members that went on to success in groups like The Moody Blues and The Move. His real name was Arthur Benwell and he became interested in rock 'n' roll in the late 1950s to an extent that he started collecting imported American rock and blues records and eventually amassed one of the largest and much envied collections in Birmingham at that time. He formed his first band as Danny King and The Dukes which included guitarists Alan and Brian Hancox and Albert Eccles who would shortly change his name to Clint Warwick.
Danny King and The Dukes became much in demand for bookings and in 1958 they were contracted for a season at Butlins Holiday Centre at Ayr in Scotland with the arrangement working out so well that they were able to return there the following summer. By 1960 however, Danny King had split from The Dukes who replaced him with singer Gerry Day, and became the frontman for another Birmingham group (see Danny King and The Royals). After a few years, Clint Warwick would leave Gerry Day and The Dukes to become one of the founding members of The Moody Blues.