WEMBLEY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVALS

FRONT COVER OF THE SOUVENIR PROGRAMME

WEMBLEY BILLING

The only one absentee was that of John Wesley Ryles I who was replaced at the last minute by British artist Willard Pearce.

COUNTRY FEVER opened the show as a 6-piece band with the recently departed Albert Lee returning to play alongside Jon Derek, Pete Oakman, Roger Dean, Jed Kelly and Jerry Hogan. They remained on stage to back CHARLIE WALKER and WILLARD PEARCE. Country Fever (minus Albert Lee but with Tom Parker on piano) later returned to back DURWARD ERWIN and DON GIBSON.

Journalist Bob Powell who covered the festival for the publication 'Country Music People' wrote; "Seen on stage during the holiday weekend at Wembley - Britain's first supergroup - Country Fever Extraordinary. Surely, Britain's million-dollar line-up!" 

1970 WEMBLEY FESTIVAL GROUP PHOTO

Jon Derek can be seen stood at the back next to Tompall Glaser...behind Don Gibson. Other artists pictured include; Roy Acuff, Skeeter Davis, Lynn Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Walker, David Houston and Roy Drusky. 

BIOG TAKEN FROM THE SOUVENIR PROGRAMME

TWO OUT OF THE FOUR ARTISTS COUNTRY FEVER BACKED

Don Gibson (Left) and Charlie Parker (Right)