The Rockin’ Vickers were a vibrant English rock and roll band from Blackpool, active from 1963 to 1968. Known for their high-energy live performances and unique stage presence, they are perhaps most famous for launching the career of Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, later of Motörhead fame, who was then known as Ian Willis. The band went through a few name changes before settling on “The Rockin’ Vickers” to increase their chances of securing gigs and a record contract. Originally called Rev Black and the Rockin’ Vicars, they shortened the name to the Rockin’ Vicars before finally adopting the “Rockin’ Vickers” moniker. Formed in 1963, the band began by covering popular R&B and beat music, like many of the beat groups of the time. Their performances were marked by a combination of tight musicianship and theatrical flair, often dressing in outlandish costumes, including vicars’ robes and Sami-inspired outfits. This bold, larger-than-life stage persona helped them stand out from their peers and drew significant attention, especially in their hometown of Blackpool. Although they were primarily a local act, they toured extensively across the UK and continental Europe, earning a reputation for their electric live shows.
One of the band’s most notable accomplishments was being one of the earliest British rock bands to perform in a communist state, playing in Yugoslavia during the summer of 1965. They were also quite popular in Finland, where they recorded a single, a rock version of “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart”. The Rockin’ Vickers released four singles throughout their career, with their final single being a cover of The Kinks’ “Dandy,” produced by the renowned Shel Talmy. Despite their growing popularity, internal changes and the shifting music scene led to the band splitting up in 1968. During their time together, Lemmy Kilmister played guitar in the band, as he would in his subsequent group, Sam Gopal. It wasn’t until he joined Hawkwind in 1971 that Lemmy switched to bass guitar, marking the beginning of his legendary career in heavy metal.
In 1967, former Rockin’ Vickers member Dave Rossall, an expatriate Blackpool musician, formed his own version of the band in Australia, called Rev Black and the Rockin’ Vicars. This Australian incarnation of the group released four singles, toured extensively around Australia, and even made it to the Brisbane Top 40. While the Rockin’ Vickers may not have achieved widespread fame during their active years, their contribution to the British rock scene and their influence on the genre, particularly through Lemmy’s early career, has cemented their place in rock history.
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If you’re wondering if there’s a connection between the Vickers’ lead singer Harry Feeney and the Toyota dealership in Blackpool, there is. It’s the same Harry Feeney. It turns out he’s been quite the entrepreneur. The photo above shows Harry Feeney Toyota as it is today.
