Remember the band chosen over The Beatles in 1962? Interview with The Tremeloes’ Len “Chip” Hawkes

The English beat group The Tremeloes is primarily remembered for playing a great part in the 1960s British Invasion alongside The Beatles, The Animals, The Zombies, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Merseybeats and the like.

Founded in Dagenham, near London, in 1958, the band is still alive and kicking to this very day; the current formation includes original member Rick Westwood who acts as a guitarist and vocalist, alongside bassist and singer Len 'Chip' Hawkes who joined in 1966.

They are particularly famous for their smashing 1967 number one hit Silence is Golden and the fortunate covers of Yellow River by Jeff Christie, Twist and Shout by The Isley Brothers and later The Beatles, Candy Man by Roy Orbison and Someone Someone by The Crickets - but there is also something else about them, something that will forever make them stand out from the others.

On New Year's Day 1962, The Tremeloes joined, together with another band, an audition that took place at Decca Records in London, as the prestigious record label was in search of a British beat group. The Tremeloes, which at the time were led by singer Brian Poole, were chosen, and the?other band was turned away. The other band were The Beatles.

The rest is history, a history The Tremeloes were also a significant part of all through the 1960s with over 100 million records sold worldwide, as you will learn today from this interview with Len 'Chip' Hawkes.