John Maskell’s history of two groups – Group 004 + 1 and The Beat Syndicate

John Maskell got in touch to provide a more detailed account of his time with The Beat Syndicate who are listed on this site here and his first band Group 004 + 1 (originally called Johnny & The Bobcats). Here are John’s recollections: Photo was taken at a photographic studio after The Beat Syndicate won a beat competition at Coronation Gardens in Leyton, east London in June 1965. Diana Doors presented us with a recording test at Pye Studios The group Bobby & The Bobcats formed early in 1962. Bobby left the group that November and The Bobcats held an audition at a youth club in Edmonton, north London. Unbeknown to me, my good friend had put my name down to go up and sing, so when my name was called, I had no choice but to go up on stage, something I had not done, previously. To my surprise I was told to turn up for practice and the group then became Johnny & The Bobcats, based in Tottenham, north London. In January 1964, the group was renamed Group 004 + 1. John Maskell (lead vocals)…