About the group
The King Bees were a band originally formed in the latter half of 1964 by four airmen and one soldier. It was based at Headquarters Middle East Command (HQMEC) RAF Steamer Point, Aden (now in the Republic of Yemen) and the line-up for the band was fixed (see list at right) for most of 1965.
The group was managed by Sgt Bob Parmenter (RAF PTI) – a labour of love and payment in kind (Tiger Tops!).
Bob was instrumental in arranging a very successful “Festival of Pops” which was held at Steamer Point and featured The King Bees and the other main bands in Aden, in the summer of 1965. The event was attended by hundreds of people……were you there that night?
The band played all over the Aden area at various times, including: Gold Mohur, The Camel Club, The Mermaid Club and Lido at Steamer Point, the Naval Club at the Harbour and some Khormaksar venues – and just about all points in between that were suitable for partying and dancing!
Another group performing then was the Belvederes. They were a good Shadows tribute band: Vox, Fender Strat., CopyCat Echo, Hank B foxtrot and horn rims - the lot! Other bands playing the Aden circuit were: The Royells; Group Four; The Tearaways, The Dudes and The Chosen Few. There were certainly others ... but I cannot remember their names.
Were you a member of one of the bands listed above, or a band we’ve forgotten? Let us know through the ‘Contact’ area.
Andre Francis (Back, right)
Rhythm guitar, vocals
Johnny Fry (Below)
Drums
Dave Gratton (Front, right)
Vocals
Steve Hutchinson (Front, left)
Bass guitar, vocals
Ron Lamberton (Back, left)
Lead guitar, vocals
Bob Parmenter (Front, middle)
Manager
This film behind the title below is ‘Routine Adventure in Aden (1965) - Royal Air Force Nostalgia’. It was posted to YouTube by ‘Italianoboy UK’ in March 2013
Influences
At the time The King Bees were forming, many bands in Aden played what was primarily an instrumental repertoire.
When the group took to the road seriously, the Aden music scene had changed to reflect what was popular in the UK at the time – bands like the Stones, Beatles and Hollies.
But we also played material by the artists who had influenced these groups – Chuck Berry; Arthur Alexander; Buddy Holly; Roy Orbison; The Everly Brothers; Jimmy Reed.
Ron Lamberton (Left)
Andre Francis (Right)
Photographs
Performances
Recording session
The Mermaid Club at RAF Steamer Point
The ‘Get With It’(GWI) Club at RAF Steamer Point
The Mermaid Club Reading Room at RAF Steamer Point. Unfortunately, the recordings made here have been lost.
Steve and Andre
