Last updated 11:20, Thursday, 30 October 2008

THE 1960s were the first era of Britpop, the decade that gave the world some of the top rock‘n’roll bands from the UK.THE Stylistics, one of the best-selling soul groups ever, play The Sands Centre on Sunday. In 1971 the group collaborated with producer Thom Bell, creator of the ‘Philly Sound’, to release their debut self-titled album and went on to produce 12 consecutive top ten hits between 1971 and 1974, culminating with their Grammy-Nominated hit, You Make Me Feel Brand New.

The Stylistics: One of the best-selling soul groups of all time

And three of the enduringly popular groups from that era will be appearing at The Sands Centre next month.

The Sensational Sixties Experience takes place at the venue in Carlisle on Sunday, November 9 and three home-grown bands from those years, The Tremeloes, The Marmalade and The Dreamers, are all appearing on stage.

The Tremeloes are famous for beating the Beatles to a record deal with the Decca label in the early Sixties. Both bands had auditions with the record company in the same week in 1962. But studio bosses turned down the Beatles and signed the Tremeloes instead.

And it is the Tremeloes who are still touring and performing today – half a century after they first came together. Admittedly the line-up has changed since they formed in Essex in 1958. The only band member who has been with them throughout is drummer and vocalist Dave Munden.

Dave, now 64, agreed that Sixties music has never lost its popularity the way music from other eras has. And he explained its longevity. “I think it’s the nature of the songs,” he said. “They have good verses and good choruses that are easy to sing along to. That’s why they’ve lasted.”

The Tremeloes still tour throughout Britain and Europe and Dave said: “We still get quite a few younger people in the audiences because they’ve been introduced to the Sixties stuff by their mums and dads.”

He added: “We are a good-time band. We like to have a bit of fun on stage and transmit that fun and enjoyment to the audience.”

The Tremeloes started out in 1958 with Brian Poole as front man, and went by the name “Brian Poole and the Tremeloes” – following the formula for band names in those days, such as Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Cliff Richard and the Shadows, or John Lennon and the Silver Beetles, an early incarnation of the Beatles.

Brian Poole left in 1967, when Dave took over main singing duties.

“We had a certain amount of success with Brian, and then he left and we had a lot more success after that,” Dave recalls.

The band had a number four single with Twist and Shout – before the Beatles did – but are probably best remembered for numbers such as Silence is Golden, Do You Love Me and Helule Helule.

These will all feature at the concert alongside Scottish band The Marmalade who will be playing their best-known songs such as Lovin’ Things and their cover of Ob La Di Ob La Da.

The Dreamers – originally Freddie and the Dreamers – will also be playing famous tracks such as If You Make a Fool of Somebody and You Were Made for Me.

Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £17.50 or £19.

Tickets £22.50/£20.50. Available online on www.thesandscentre.co.uk or by calling 01228 625222.