Downliners Sect -

Downliners Sect were an English R&B/beat group from Twickenham that emerged from the London club circuit in 1963. Columbia issued twelve singles by the group between 1964 and 1966, including “Baby What’s Wrong,” “Little Egypt,” and “All Night Worker.” The Downliners released three albums: The Sect, The Country Sect, and The Rock Sect’s In.

Members: Don Craine (rhythm guitar, vocals, 1963-67, 1977-present), John Sutton (drums, 1963-66, 1968, 1977), Keith Grant (bass, vocals), Mel Lewis (lead guitar, 1963), Terry Gibson (guitar, 1963-66, 1977-?), Ray Sone (harmonica, 1964-65), Pip Harvey (harmonica, guitar, banjo, 1965-66), Bob Taylor (lead guitar, 1966-68), Kevin Flanagan (drums, 1967), Matthew Fisher (keyboards, 1967), Barry Cooper (keyboards, 1967), Nathaniel Duraine (1968), Paul Tiller (harmonica, 1977-2007), Paul Holm (drums, 1977-81), Rod de’Ath (drums, 1981-89)

Background

Downliners Sect formed in spring 1963 in Twickenham when singer-rhythm guitarist Don Craine rebuilt the recently dissolved Downliners with drummer Johnny Sutton, bassist-singer Keith Grant, and lead guitarist Mel Lewis.

Craine, born Michael O’Donnell in Chiswick, formed a skiffle group with drummer Bob Dilley at Gunnersbury Grammar School. Schoolmates expanded the group into The Downliners, which played the Ealing Blues Club and 2i’s Coffee Bar. The band turned professional in December 1962 for a US-base engagement in France and dissolved after returning to England.

Sutton joined the earlier Downliners after an impromptu fill-in at a Woolwich pub and left a two-year apprenticeship for the group. Grant, born Keith Evans, drummed in The Vigilantes, a rock-and-roll band that shared Station Hotel bills in Richmond with the Rolling Stones. He answered a Melody Maker advertisement from Craine and switched from drums to bass. Mel Lewis held the lead-guitar post for several months and then cleared for Terry Gibson, formerly of The Hoods. Craine and Grant shared lead vocals when the group continued without a dedicated singer.

O’Donnell adopted Don Craine for the rebuilt group. He drew the Downliners name from the Jerry Lee Lewis B-side “Down the Line” and added “Sect” to distinguish the new lineup. Joyce O’Donnell, Craine’s mother, managed the band and handled performance payments.

Downliners Sect debuted at the California Ballroom in Dunstable and played Eel Pie Island by Oct. 6, 1963. The group established regular dates at Studio 51 in Great Newport Street and cut a 1963 acetate with “Cadillac” and “Roll Over Beethoven.” Early in 1964, the band recorded four songs live at Studio 51 for the EP Nite in Gt. Newport Street and financed a 400-copy private pressing for sale at the club.

The musicians returned to Contrast Sound in spring 1964 for a second four-song EP. They received only the sleeves and lost access to the master tapes when the studio ceased operations. Craine added harmonica player Ray Sone that spring. Downliners Sect then secured a Columbia recording contract through Mike Collier and Cee Cee Productions. The group cut “Baby What’s Wrong” for its first Columbia single and entered album sessions with Collier and engineer John Wood for debut album The Sect.

Discography: