Terry Beal - "SHE'S A MOD"
It is with regret that I post sad news received from Bill Ford concerning Terry Beal who passed away in March 2011 from an undisclosed illness. Terry was lead singer with 1960s Brum group The Senators who are significant in rock music history as the first band to have a record released featuring 16 year old drummer John Bonham who later went on to world-wide fame with Led Zeppelin.
The Senator's recording of 'She's A Mod' came out in 1964, being released as a single in the U.K. It was also included on DIAL Record's 'BRUM BEAT' LP which along with The Senators, showcased various other West Midlands groups. Terry Beal wrote the song that was later covered by other bands including notably 'Ray Columbus and The Invaders' from New Zealand. She's A Mod topped the charts in both Australia and New Zealand thus making Ray Columbus and The Invaders big stars in that part of the world. Bill Ford who was bass guitarist with The Senators and a friend of Terry's shared some memories of him as follows:
Bill; "Terry was a great person to be in a band with. He was helpful to me in showing me chords to be used or sometimes complete bass parts as he was a multi-instrumentalist. His joining The Senators elevated us from just performing the top ten hits etc. to presenting our own compositions."
"As The Senators biography tells, we recorded 'She's A Mod' in 1964 when John Bonham, Terry's pal from 'The Blue Star Trio' and 'Terry Webb and The Spiders' had joined the band. I don't think people know how big and important 'She's A Mod' was to the southern hemisphere back in the 60's and still is now."
Ray Columbus (Lester Timmins) wrote a long tribute to Terry, part of which is shown here as follows:
Ray; "I only talked to him on the phone a couples of times. For years he was only the songwriter who wrote New Zealand's first international #1 record 'She's A Mod'. A lot of people thought I was the songwriter but I never said it myself. His Aussie publisher who also published The Beatles' catalogue 'down under', gave me an acetate of the song because I was getting famous for creating my own dance while singing onstage. The rest is history."
"Six tours of Australia and New Zealand with everyone almost... Roy Orbison, The Searchers, Del Shannon, The Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, Tom Jones, Peter And Gordon - and many more. And all because we made #1 with Terry's song. I will never forget you and what you did for me. Rest In Peace Terry Beale - songwriter, musician, singer and... Thank you. Ray Columbus OBE, CM."
Terry Beal was 67 when he passed away at his home in Solihull. Bill Ford will attend Terry's funeral to take place at his home town of Reddich. Thank you Bill for sending these tributes for Terry and his photo. I would also like to express my condolence for Terry's family and friends during this difficult time (JRW).