Dave Rhead is a familiar figure
in and around the Moorlands of Staffordshire. Whether as a member of the
numerous bands he’s been involved with; as the driving force the Cuckoo’s Nest
Folk Club or as one of the founders of Leek Arts Festival, Dave has made music
his life. Other bands and musical
work With a few friends in the early
1960s, he formed The Urchins, who hit the road looking of success after their
first gig at a parish supper. They played all over the country in workingmen’s
clubs. Also, they played at Leek Town Hall with Johnny Kidd and the Pirates,
Gene Vincent and The Hollies. It was Graham Nash who taught Dave how to play
they C chords properly. Following this, he discovered folk music for which he is
mostly associated. His first folk group was Parke who along with 2 albums were
regulars at The Mermaid, The Abbey Inn and Leek Rugby Folk Club. He then formed Cuckoo’s Nest as a ceilidh band which was also
the resident at The Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club who hosted many acts like Barbara
Dickson, Mike Harding and Jasper Carrot who would become big names. Wincle, The
Basement Band and The Travelling Wrinklies have all had the Dave Rhead
influence over the years. Musical influences The first rock ‘n’ roll record
he heard was "Singing The Blues" by Guy Mitchell on a 78 played by
his sister, Peggy. That inspired him to buy a cheap guitar and teach himself
with the help of the Bert Weedon book that everyone will remember. Following the pop career with The Urchins, he watched
Hullabaloo which was a half-hour ABC-TV folk and R&B showcase from the
Midlands that ran from 1963 to 1964. On this he saw Long John Baldry singing
the blues and Martin Carthy who performed traditional folk songs. Those who have attended the Cuckoos’ Nest Folk Club at either
The Peak Weavers Hotel, The Maude Institute, The Swan Inn and more recently at
The Foxlowe and Red Lion in Cheddleton will notice the depth of feeling for
roots, acoustic and folk music he has in his blood. This page expresses the
acknowledgement of Phil Edmeades who as Editor of Local Life in 2006, compiled
the information on this page.