SOLID ROCK BAND

SOLID ROCK BAND

The Solid Rock Band was formed in 1964 soon after the Joystrings (the Army’s first pop group) had a hit song with ‘It’s an open secret’.

Based at the Salvation Army corps, Gloucester in the UK, they were formally known as ‘The 125s’ (the SA corps number for Gloucester), then ‘Inspiration’ but within a few years became a household name (in the Salvation Army at least) and as SRB became popular around the UK for their lively (and fun) gospel rock concerts.

Band members were Roger Severn (percussion/vocals), Colin Fletcher (rhythm guitar/vocals), Cliff Matthews (keyboards/vocals), Spud Ellsmore (lead guitar/trumpet/ vocals), Jidd Brand (bass guitar/vocals).

During their twenty years the band gave many hundreds of concerts all over the UK including schools, concert halls, prisons, leisure centres, hospitals and major youth events. Even Norwich City football ground, the London Barbican Centre and the Royal Albert Hall in London have not escaped SRB’s attention.

The album ‘Footprints on the Water’ was recorded by SRB at Chapel Lane Studios in Herefordshire, UK during the summer of 1979.

Although officially disbanding in 1984 after 20 years of gospel music making, the band reformed on three occasions for a reunion concert, the latter of which was to a packed audience in 2019 at their home corps in Gloucester to celebrate 40 years since the launch of their Footprints album.

The band members have remained close friends down through the years and regularly meet in the UK, and with the aid of hair restorer, hearing aids and Zimmer frame, they reminisce about the ‘good old days’.

For more SRB information, pictures, press cuttings & sound tracks - visit: www.solidrockband.org.uk

We hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane and get blessed in the process.