Can't remember whether I've already posted this, but here goes:
CASEY, HOWIE. A Liverpool musician who had learned to play sax while in the army. He formed Derry & the Seniors in November 1959. The line-up comprised Howie (saxophone), Derry Wilkie (vocals), Jeff Wallington (drums), Billy Hughes (rhythm/vocals). Brian Griffiths (lead) and Phil Whitehead (bass).
They appeared regularly around Merseyside at venues such as Blair Hall, Wilson Hall and the Jacaranda. Because of the Jacaranda connection, clubowner Allan Williams booked them for the Liverpool Stadium Show with Gene Vincent on Tuesday 3 May 1960.
Williams had staged the event with London impresario Larry Parnes and the bill featured a number of Liverpool groups. Parnes was impressed and asked Williams to arrange an audition as he was seeking bands to back his various artists, such as Billy Fury, Johnny Gentle and Duffy Power.
The Silver Beetles were also present at the audition, which took place on Tuesday 10 May at the Wyvern Social Club in Seel Street. When Casey was later asked what he thought of them, he said: