Early Vox Continentals - bands, late 1962 to early 1964
Detail from an advert placed in the music press by JMI, 16th March, 1963.
Below, an overview of bands pictured with Vox Continentals, late 1962 to early 1964, picking up from the main introductory page. The general index page for Continentals can be found here.
For the most part the Continentals are of the early square lid ("square top") variety. Some of the changes introduced by JMI in the period in view are charted here.
The Tornados
The band had at least two Continentals, one supplied in late 1962, a second in mid 1963.
The Tornados - a screengrab from the film "Just For Fun", late 1962.
La Verne's first Continental, no serial number plate on its back panel, nor any domical feet.
A still from the promotional Scopitone film for "Robot" by the Tornados, early 1963, their first Continental in view with its legs attached back to front.
"Robot" was released by Decca in April '63. Note that there is no serial number plate on the organ's back panel.
Below, Roger La Verne's second Vox Continental, second half of 1963, screengrab from a segment of the lost film "Farewell Performance" (released in December 1963, no complete copy now surviving). His first Continental had no serial number plate on its back panel.
The Tornados on stage, Continental with a serial number plate on its back panel. The T60 bass is an early one with perspex logo.
Sounds Incorporated
Seen with three different Continentals in 1963 and early 1964: (1) an early one; (2) one from mid 1963; and (3) late 1963/1964.
(1) Seen in 1964. Jack socket and Bulgin mains socket fixed directly to the back panel.
(2) Autumn 1963. Note that the power socket and jack socket in the picture above are on the underside of the organ. At least one early Continental survives with this configuration. Normally the two sockets would be where the serial number plate is.
(3) Seen in early 1964. Bulgin and jack sockets inset on an aluminium panel. The serial number plate is directly below them on the underside.
Adam Faith (and the The Roulettes)
Specifically mentioned in Jennings promotional literature, but no photo has come to light so far.
The Red Price Combo
As above, mentioned in Jennings literature, but no photo so far.
The Overlanders
Only a Bulgin mains socket on the back panel. As in the case of The Tornados' first Continental, no domical feet.
An early Continental with lid catches at front rather than on the sides of the organs. Al Saxon is at the keyboard.
Emile Ford and the Checkmates
A detail from a shot of Emile Ford and the Checkmates on stage in Ireland, 1963. Ford and the band were named as users of the Vox Continental by JMI in March.
The organ is typical for early 1963 - tall inner lid, catches for the outer lid on the front rather than the sides; speaker and mains sockets mounted directly on the back panel. The Tornados and The Overlanders are also seen with organs of this type. See this page. Ford's, however, has domical feet on its back panel.
Sons of the Piltdown Men
Picture printed in September 1963. The aluminium holders for the music stand are visible on the lid. Does the organ body have a third hinge for the outer lid above the point where the leg braces meet?
The volume pedal is one of the chrome Fender pedals that Jennings rebadged as "VOX" - in all likelihood without permission. A surviving example can be seen on this page.
The Saints
A Wrexham band, pictured in (later) 1963 with an early Continental with music stand. There appears to be a third hinge on the main body above the fixing point for the stand braces.
The Saxons
Publicity photo of Roger Mabey of "The Saxons", 1963. Image from David St John's website.
Paul and Paula
A Continental used by their backing band on tour in the USA late 1963 - see this page.
Sally and The Alleycats
A still from a clip of "Sally and The Alleycats" miming to their new single, probably September 1964. A nice square top Continental with music stand. Sally and some of her Alleycats had broken away from the Ivy Benson All Girl Band.
The Dave Clark Five
Pictures and info can be found on this page. Organ first seen in November 1963.
Sherburn Panthers
Published on the 23rd January, 1964, a shot of a local Scarborough band with a "square top" Vox Continental - i.e. early type, with perspex music stand - in very light grey or perhaps even coloured vinyl.
The blurb states that the boys had done their shopping in Leeds - doubtless at R.S. Kitchen, an important Vox dealer in the first years of the 1960s. The (full) price of the Continental is proudly given - 260 guineas.
NEW
The John Barry Seven
Below a picture published in November 1964, the band with a Continental from later 1963, square lid, a music stand perhaps flat on its top. On the back panel, a "VOX" logo in cursive (as below); and an inset aluminium panel for the mains and speaker sockets.
Published November 1964. The T60 bass cabinet, with a Super Twin amplifier section on top, is probably slightly earlier than the organ. Its perspex logo can just be made out.
Earl Preston
Earl Preston behind a square-top Vox Continental (from late 1963) at the Cavern Club in November 1964. The "VOX" logo - a stencilled panel (?) - is of the first type tried by JMI. The very earliest Continentals had no logo of any sort on their back panels.
The poster behind Preston advertises a forthcoming appearance by The Hollies on 24th November '64.
Vox Continental serial number TC-1089, ready for sale a month or two after August 1963, the earliest instance of a similar logo on a surviving organ.
The Denvers (Stockport)
Vox Continental with a square lid. On the back panel at left, a black panel with "VOX" as in the pictures above; at right the jack socket and the Bulgin mains socket.
Unknown band (Midlands)
Later 1963, square lid, logo on the back panel, "VOX" alone in cursive. Also in picture, an early T60 speaker cabinet.
Migil Five
Gil Lucas of The Migil Five with a late "square lid" Continental - roller switches on the front apron, grey vinyl, silver string inset in the cabinet at front, white piping on the lid, no provision for a music stand. Still from "Swinging UK", filmed in mid 1964.
Gil Lucas of The Migil Five, mid 1964. Pic. from Getty Images.
The rear of the organ, logo of the new type "VOX Continental".
1964
Dezo Hoffman (photographer)
Had an early Continental in his studio for photo sessions - possibly an empty case (no electronics). Most of the amplifiers he used for promotional pictures were simply boxes, speakers and chassis removed. Patrick Dane, The Gamblers, The Mike Cotton Band, The Castaways, and others, are seen with Dezo's Continental.
The Animals
Alan Price has so far only been spotted with a sloping top Continental - i.e. from 1964.
Note the four fixing screws for the aluminium plate supporting the jack and Bulgin sockets. These were used only rarely by Jennings.