We recently had an enquiry about the Ayrshire gigs of a band called the In-Betweens (or In Between / ‘Nbetweens). After a quick look through some old copies of the Kilmarnock Standard it was obvious the band played in Kilmarnock and Ayr almost every week during the first half of 1967. The band weren’t from Ayrshire or even Scotland, but Wolverhampton. A few years later they’d become glam-rock superstars Slade, one of the best-selling bands of the 1970s.
The In-Betweens played alongside some fantastic Scottish bands of the era including The Poets and The Beatstalkers, mainly at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock and Bobby Jones in Ayr. Other venues included The Roxy in Stewarton and The Beachcomber in Irvine. There are also ads for them playing for Kilmarnock Youth Club, in ‘The Hut’ in St Marnock’s Street Car Park!
The pictures below show the band in all their splendour in 1967 and 1968 (thanks Chris Selby for the images).
They were still billed as The In-Between for a Grand Hall gig in 1969, when they had already changed their name to Ambrose Slade and were only a couple of years away from megastardom.
If you have any memories of the band’s Ayrshire gigs, or any pictures, please get in touch!
Is there any info regarding the Grand Hall prior to 1918? I have two old family photos of my Grand Uncle John Caddis who was a wrestler and was often on the bill. Thing is I have been told it was not only men he wrestled but also a bear. There was at one time an article in the kilmarnock standard regarding John which I did see, yet I have been unable to find out much about him. Any info on where I might find more information would be helpful.
Hi Jim,
Sounds interesting! We’ll have a look to see what we have and I’ll email you.
Thanks,
Ross.
i think the band advertised as playing at the grand hall and bobby jones is ayrshire’s own in-between.they were the local band who played almost every week.included in the line up was ian downie who more recently was killie mascot nuts.
That’s really interesting! I’d love to know more about the band, and I’m sure people involved in the original enquiry would be too. Feel free to email me on . Thanks!
ronnie fergus was lead singer,ian downie on bass,the organist i only know as cody and the drummer as watson.sorry i don’t know their full names.
I saw Slade at the bobby jones and Kilmarnock grand hall they were one of the best live bands ever