Ricky Lee & The Hucklebucks were always known as the group who supported The Beatles in Norwich but rarely received the credit they deserved for being a talented and hard-working band.
They were a class act and with Ricky singing his heart out they were loved across the Eastern Counties. They reformed for the Evening News Golden Years gigs at The Talk and the UEA and brought the house down.
Richard Howard was born in Norwich 80 years ago. His mum was Winifred (known as Pat) and his dad was Sidney.
He went to CNS – the same school as Tony Sheridan who shared a stage with The Beatles in Germany – and by the age of 15 music took over his life.
Young Richard sang in the cathedral choir and then turned to rock ‘n’ roll which was taking the country by storm.
Richard Howard became Ricky Lee and the bands he played in, apart from the Hucklebucks, included The Chequers, Ricky Lee & The Heartbeats, The Continentals, New Generation, Django’s Castle and Murphy.
And as for the bands and artists they supported, apart from The Beatles, when they headed our way! Talk about world superstars.
They included:
Gene Vincent
David Bowie,
Pink Floyd (described by Ricky as strange but nice)
Cream,
Small Faces,
Status Quo
Van Morrison,
Thin Lizzie,
Nashville Teens,
The Animals
Cilla Black.
The Hucklebucks played their first gig at The Cottage in Thorpe and received the princely sum of £2.
“They were mad days,” Ricky told me. We played with so many big names, What can I say about The Beatles, they were brilliant and really nice friendly blokes.”
They reformed in 1996 to play at the Evening News Golden Years charity gigs…they were brilliant and became regulars at the concerts which became annual events.
Ricky’s son, Jez said his father died on Sunday September 10 at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital due to multiple organ failure
His funeral service will take place on Thursday September 28 at 1pm at Greenacres Colney, Watton Road, Colney, Norwich NR4 7TY, and friends will be gathering at The Black Horse, Earlham Road, Norwich, from 2.30pm.
And his memory will live on. No flowers but Jez, and Ricky’s granddaughter Molly, would welcome donations to Norwich Arts Centre.
Music played such a huge part of his life and every penny you donate goes towards the future development of the venue and helps support new and emerging artists and musicians. That’s https://norwichartscentre.co.uk/
“Rick often said he feared no one would turn up to his funeral, so far more important than flowers, dress code, donations etc., is your presence and support. If you’re able to make both the funeral service and reception to celebrate his life it would be much appreciated,” said Jez.
Thanks for the memories Ricky Lee.
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