Band History.....some of it quite ancient :-p

Kevin Longman (Current vocalist) met John Foord in '92 thru an abortive attempt to get a band going. Later that year he asked Kevin to join a new band on vocals rather than playing bass as they already had a bass player. This became the first line up of the band with John Foorde - Drums, Colin Chettleburgh - Guitar & vocals, Bob Fleetcroft - Bass & vocals, and Kevin Longman - Vocals. Names have always been a problem for this band ... they started out as Caretaker 'cos that's what John was doing at the time. About 18 months later it was changed to Rock Doctors (there is no "the" in the name) because they were sick of the old name, The Spin Doctors were fairly hot then, and Bob was actually a doctor. (NB. People still ask me on average once per gig "Why are you called the Rock Doctors?" and I have to trot that same story out. Even though I wasnt even in the band then...doh! ~ Stag)

Soon the Docs realized they needed another guitar in the band and asked Tony Driezek on guitar, keyboards & vocals to join. Tony has a huge pedigree of top flight local bands. This brought a new feel and sound to the band and they changed from mainly blues/rock to mainstream stadium rock and started to take on far more complex numbers that became their trademark.

In '97, Colin decided it was time to quit due to his other commitments and they asked Simon "Rat" Taylor to join. Again, the Docs feel and sound changed with Simon's heavier style pushing them more into heavy rock and boosting their popularity.

In late '98 Bob and Tony felt it was time to go, as they were unable to devote the time and energy they felt they needed to, but stayed on until replacements were found. This posed a real dilemma ... good bass players were hard to find but keyboard players of Tony's quality were like rocking horse poo!!!

Si, John and Kevin scoured the area with no luck until one incredibly drunken Sunday afternoon they went to the Wrestlers Inn to see if there was any talent on view. There at the jam was a 20 year old bass player they had heard of, but not seen, from Stone Free, called Steve Jones. As soon as they heard him play Simon and Kevin knew he was the one for them and he agreed to join. This still left the Docs short of a keyboards player! After watching Stone Free, they decided that Ritchie was probably the most talented guitarist in the area and that although it meant a huge change to their repertoire, the second guitar was the way to go.

Ritchie's guitar idol is Ritchie Blackmore and this has brought more Deep Purple numbers into the set, which to their surprise has proved incredibly popular and has helped to separate them from other bands playing the more obvious tunes.

Sadly, in early 2000, John decided it was time to hang up his sticks after 8 years with the band, saying that he was looking forward to hearing what they actually sounded like!!! John is still closely associated with the Docs, coming to gigs, and playing the occasional number with them. But mainly, he just drinks with them now.

John's replacement was the technically brilliant Steve Pownall whose vast experience and talent sharpened up their sound. Steve had cut his teeth playing material by bands like Rush and could handle anything that was thrown at him. Unfortunately Steve's stint was cut short by a reoccurring back problem at the end of 2000, during which Shaun "PSL" Allem helped out by filling in for a couple of gigs. When it became clear that Steve would not be able to continue Shaun was the obvious choice.

As you are all now are aware Mr Pownall and Mr Todd have left for reasons already mentioned in despatches....so its time to meet the new guys! Below are a few links to the band members in a bit more detail....