Golden memories of the Fifties came flooding back for Ken Golder when he relived his time as drummer in the John Barry Seven jazz band for a new book.

John Barry Seven drummer Ken Golder helped fill in some of the gaps for John Barry's autobiography

Fifties flashback: The John Barry Seven pictured in the late 1950s with Ken Golder, at the drums, and, from left, Mike Cox, Derek Myers, Fred Kirk, John Barry, Ken Richards and Keith Kelly

Ken, who lives in St Joseph's Close, Newby, Scarborough, was called up by author Geoff Leonard, of Bristol company Play It Again, who was researching the biography John Barry: A Life In Music.

York-born millionaire composer Barry wrote countless film scores, many, such as Out Of Africa, Oscar winners, and now he divides his time between Knightsbridge in London and Oyster Bay, Long Island, his American home since the 1970s.

His later career was documented in full, but details were sparse on Barry's early years in showbiz as the front man of the John Barry Seven.

Ken, now 67, was drummer in the band from its conception in late 1956 until the original members split in late 1959, and he was asked to fill in the gaps of the early years.

He said: "I spent an hour on the phone to Geoff, telling him about the early days and how we got together. We had all just come out of the army after doing National Service, and I was playing drums with the Blue Mariners at the Spa in Scarborough."

Pals Ken Richards and Freddie Kirk played the guitar and bass guitar respectively.

"John Barry used to come to the dances with his girlfriend and he used to chat to us during the intervals. One day he asked us if we would like to start a band," said Mr Golder.

So the two Kens and Freddie joined John Barry, along with saxophonists Derek Myers and Mike Cox, from Leeds, and Keith Kelly, from York, to form the John Barry Seven.

The band toured Britain, Sweden and Denmark supporting and accompanying the likes of Tommy Steele and American star Paul Anka. They appeared on television shows and became regulars on the Oh Boy show, Six-Five Special and Music Box.

Ken said: "It was always the enjoyment for me, nobody ever made much money out of it. They were good days and we felt as if we were pioneers because the whole popular music scene was new."

The split came when some of the band decided that accompanying other acts for more time than playing their own sets was not what they wanted. John Barry found new members for his Seven and Ken went off to drum in pastures new.

Ken said: "I went to play with Les Thorpe's band in Aberdeen. Then I came back to Scarborough as drummer with the Geoff Laycock Orchestra at the Candlelight Club. "I haven't seen John Barry for about 25 years. He came to visit us once at the Candlelight Club, but I haven't seen him since."

Ken went on to start his own band, the Ken Golder Trio, and now, in his retirement, is drummer for Scarborough town council's concert band.

He said: "I really enjoy my retirement and I know one day I will have to hang up my drumsticks. But I feel healthy and why not carry on as long as I can?"

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