JAMIE, JON and JERRY

Under the guidance of new manager Don Arden, who was keen to turn the band into another 'Bachelors', he felt several changes needed to be made, including their current name 'The Flintlocks', which in his opinion, did not appeal. Several names came to mind, but after careful thought, he realised it lay within their first names - Jamie Gunn, Jon Derek and Gerry Hogan (changing the letter G to a J).

Jon Derek purchased his iconic 'Gibson J200' guitar in the early part of 1967.

In addition to its huge size and massive tone, the J-200 is distinguished by its array of high-end cosmetic details including pineapple-style inlays and a moustache bridge. Jerry wrote in the band's fan club magazine, "Jon has bought himself a Gibson J-200 Jumbo. It is really a beautiful guitar but one wouldn't expect firewood for £315!"  In today's money, that would equate to roughly £5000. 

Manager Don Arden secured a new deal for the band with Decca Records and their first single was released March 4, 1967 (I'd Be) A Legend In My Time, produced by Tony Clarke (The Moody Blues' producer). 

The band's second and, most successful single was released July 28, 1967 - You've Still Got A Place In My Heart produced by Dick Rowe (the man who turned down The Beatles but made up for it by signing The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones). Don Arden spent roughly £1,000 on promoting the record and in an interview Jon said, "This is the best we have done and it is commercially good. We spent three hours on a Sunday morning in a studio with a 30-piece orchestra to get this sound." The single made No.5 on the Record Mirror Country Singles Chart wedged between 'Just Between You And Me' by Charley Pride (No.4) and 'Tonight Carmen, by Marty Robbins (No.6). 

Friends, Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock (Chas and Dave), who would often turn up at Jamie, Jon and Jerry's London gigs, introduced Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds' guitarist, Albert Lee to them. Albert was really keen to play country music, so they let him sit in with them on some London gigs. Chas Hodges mentioned this in his memoirs published in 2013 'Chas & Dave - All About Us'. He wrote; "We introduced Albert to a good Country & Western band we knew who played on the Hammersmith circuit (the Red Cow, the Clarendon and the Red Lion). They were called Jamie, Jon and Jerry. 'Come down and see 'em, Albert.' Albert did and became a regular sitter-inner with the band." Dave Peacock was quoted to have said years later when reminiscing about those days; "Albert was very shy - we kept telling him to turn his guitar up because he'd never play loud enough!" Chas Hodges left a tribute to Jon Derek in 2011 referring to him as 'A great country singer'.

Jamie, Jon and Jerry supported pop star, Lulu on a show called 'Base Fair Summer of 1967' - staged by RAF Upper Heyford. Jon was quoted to have said after the show, “We were asked, which one of you was it that got Lulu drunk? They were trying to sober her up at the time, before she went on! Honestly, which member of our team would do that? Seriously though, she did a great show and we all really enjoyed working with her.”

Jamie, Jon and Jerry secured a regular spot on a brand new weekly BBC Radio show called, Country Meets Folk presented by Wally Whyton. Recorded before a live audience at the 'Playhouse Theatre' in Charing Cross, London - the show went out on the 'Light Programme' which would later become BBC Radio 2. Appearing in their own right - they would also be tasked with backing other artists such as Clodagh Rodgers (below).

The remaining members of the band - Jon, Jerry and drummer, Jed Kelly evolved into The Jon Derek Group with the addition of Albert Lee on lead guitar and Dave Sholl on bass. This was a skeleton band primarily put together so as to honour any outstanding bookings and, to act as 'backing band' to Irish singer, Clodagh Rodgers (spelt Cloda Rodgers prior to 1969) on all her forthcoming TV and Radio appearances.