Hugh & Cry (The Orkids)
WOLVERHAMPTON
Updated July, 2026
Hugh Clark lead vocal
Mick Harris bass guitar, vocals
Keith Oliver guitar, vocals
Jack Turner drums
Hugh Clark and Jack Turner have special memories of the 1960s Wolverhampton music scene as former members of local group "Hugh & Cry" who performed throughout the area while witnessing the many changes in popular music during that incredible decade. I'm happy to present their own story here exclusive to the BrumBeat website as follows;
"Hugh & Cry" were a Wolverhampton based four-piece band originally formed circa 1962/3 by Hugh Clark (vocals) and Keith Oliver (guitar), playing rhythm and blues covers. Initially known as "The Orkids" they were based in a youth club and rehearsed in a pub.
This was early 1964 and we were well into rhythm and blues, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker etc. For transportation to gigs we relied on friends and family but often we went by trolley bus, carrying our prized Vox AC30 guitar amplifier on the footplate.
After a short period playing mainly church youth clubs around Wolverhampton, the group acquired a following and Jack Turner (drums) replaced Clive Steele and Mick Harris replaced Phil ?? on bass guitar. Arthur Moss (rhythm guitar) left the band.
Our new drummer Jack Turner had been a member of bands from the Dudley/Tipton area with the unforgettable names of "The Embers" and "Rhythm Unlimited". Being only 14 when he started to gig in Social Clubs, Pubs and Youth Clubs, both Jack and the Embers bass guitarist Phil Terranna (then only 13) benefitted from the experience of the older players in the band.
Jack says that he was so nervous at his first ever gig, he remembers the guitarist (24 year old Dave Whittingham) gave him a pint of beer to drink. Nerves over, a great set was played and enjoyed by the crowd in the upstairs room of a pub in Wednesbury. After a couple of years together the band split and so Jack joined Hugh & Cry while Phil Terrana went on to form the popular local group Lady Jayne and The Royalty along with his sister Anna Terrana.
"Hugh & Cry" gigged regularly and were eventually spotted and picked up by the Astra Agency in Wolverhampton (Pete Fielding, Len Rowe) and the Nita Andersen Agency in Sedgely. The group's professional sound and stage presence earned them many gigs with well known bands of the time including some chart-topping groups who were touring throughout the Midlands.
These included headliners Hedgehoppers Anonymous, Paul and Barry Ryan, and John Mayall amongst others. Contemporary "pro" local bands included the 'N Betweens (who became SLADE), The Californians, The Way of Life (featuring John Bonham), and The Band of Joy (featuring Robert Plant). Venues played were all over the West Midlands, East Midlands and Birmingham.
In March 1966, Hugh & Cry supported Paul and Barry Ryan at the Old Hill Plaza which was part of the locally famous "Regan Circuit". The band had played there before and it had a revolving stage. That was great for the audience but Hugh recalls that when the stage started turning he had to rapidly connect the PA speakers and power supplies before launching into the opening number having magically appeared on stage.
Willenhall Baths was another frightening venue for the vocalist. Whilst the dance floor consisted of boards laid over the pool, the stage was a good 4-5 feet above it with a pronounced slope from the rear to the front. Jack had decided to use a double bass drum set up with two pedals. Before too long, Jack's enthusiastic drumming - assisted by gravity - sent the whole kit to moving forward to the point where it was in danger of pushing Hugh over the stage edge!
Hugh remembers that when the group played gigs some distance from Wolverhampton, there were times the audience (usually the girls) became a little too enthusiastic. That's when the band members discovered an alternative use for microphone stands as personal protection when making a hasty escape from the venue.
In 1967 Hugh was approached by former members of The Band of Joy, including Pete Robbins, Mick Reeves and John Kelsey to form "Dantes Inferno" featuring a great Hammond Organ soul sound that was so popular at the time. However, getting the heavy Hammond and associated Leslie speaker cabinet into some venues, like the Queen Mary Ballroom at the top of Castle Hill in Dudley was exhausting! It had its own van but in winter everyone had to push it up hills.
Needing to make a living, Hugh left the UK in 1968 for Ontario, Canada where his interest in music continued while working at a bank, writing some concert reviews for the Ryerson University Press in Toronto. He made the acquaintance of Ronnie Hawkins and Robbie Robertson of Bob Dylan's famous group "The Band" and spent some interesting times with them at the legendary "Hawks Nest" on Yonge Street in Toronto. After returning to the UK in late 1970's, Hugh eventually returned to music in the 1990's with a largely studio-based band after his family had grown up.
In mid 1969 Jack, recently promoted at his work place and about to get married, stashed his kit away and didn't play again until his 10 year old son Ben asked if he could learn to play - and it all started again. Jack now lives in Edinburgh, recently recorded and released with "Blackstar Falling" and is now writing with new band mates Terry, and Mark, collectively known as "Dead Fox Junction". (Watch this space for a release on all the usual formats and shows in the Midlands soon).
Jack and Hugh are now trying to locate Mick Harris for a jam and possible shows in the offing. Sadly Keith Oliver passed away whilst living in France a few years ago. He will be missed by all who knew him. So if you are you out there Mick - drop us a message via john@brumbeat.net
Text and band photos supplied by Hugh Clark and Jack Turner.
If you would like to contribute to this page, please e-mail john@brumbeat.net
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