The Grumbleweeds

The Grumbleweeds are an award winning British comedy band, performing music and comedy. They were mostly popular on radio and television in the 1980s, including The Grumbleweeds Radio Show which ran from 1979 to 1988 on BBC Radio 2.

The band formed in 1962 in Leeds and practised at Stainbeck Youth Club, Meanwood under the name Tony Dale (or Dean) and the Wanderers. They played under this name at the "Battle of the Bands" (organised by a Leeds-based newspaper) at the Queens Hall, Leeds (an all nighter) on the same night on 28 June 1963 that the Beatles played this venue as second on the bill to Acker Bilk and his Jazzmen. They turned professional following success on the television talent show Opportunity Knocks.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s the band released several records, none of which made the UK charts, however their fortunes improved when they were commissioned to star in a BBC children's television series, The Coal Hole Club, in 1974. Continuing to perform to packed venues around the UK, BBC radio producer Mike Craig spotted them at the Batley Variety Club and went on to produce several series of "The Grumbleweeds Radio Show" for Radio 2 throughout the 1980s.

Brothers Albert and Carl Sutcliffe left the group in 1987. Maurice Lee left the group in 1998 and the remaining duo continued to perform up until Graham Walker's death.

With the addition of comedian James Brandon, Robin Colvill redeveloped the act and continues to perform to this day. The introduction of James Brandon into the act required some changes, as the character Graham Walker played - the misplaced bumbling but lovable side kick to Robin Colvill's frustrated straight man persona - would not fit the traditional Grumbleweed style, necessitating Colvill's successful tweaking of the act with him assuming the role of the rough and ready sidekick to Brandon straight man approach - trying hard to perform in a polished way, with Colvill's character constantly wrecking his attempts. The main consequence of these changes is that some of Colvill's impressions from the previous double act have had to be removed, as they no longer fit his character - while other ridiculous activities have been neatly slotted in. The Cher sequence where he impersonates the singer with high heels, fishnet stockings and huge wig have been retained, and this section is always very popular with audiences. In the 2017 version, the duo are supported by Lisa Jane Kelsey, vocalist - who also has some of her duos with Brandon wrecked by Colvill's bumbling character, and Bobby Knut, currently in popular comedy drama Benidorm (TV series)

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