The Interns (band)

The Interns were a Welsh pop group, who performed under that name between 1964 and 1967. They issued four singles in the UK.

Originally a duo consisting of Rikki Alan (real name Alan Smith, guitar/bass/ vocals), and his brother Gerry Alan (real name Gerald Smith, piano/guitar/vocals), playing local dances and working men's clubs in the area surrounding their home town of Newport, South Wales.

With the addition of Mark Goodwin (drums) they became the Rikki Allen Trio, playing ballroom dates throughout Wales, as well as occasional concert appearances on package shows topped by artists such as Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, and Johnny Kidd.

In 1961, the band turned fully professional, and headed for London. They made their European mainland debut in Germany, May 1963, at the Star Club in Hamburg. Here they shared billings with Ray Charles, The Searchers and (Gerry Allen’s hero) Jerry Lee Lewis. Returning to London, Gerry played piano on singer Paul Raven's (later Gary Glitter) Parlophone disc, "Walk On, Boy". in August 1963, the Rikki Allen Trio band released "The First One" on the Decca label. Also in 1963, the band supported the Rolling Stones on their November–December UK tour, and Vince Hill at the California Ballroom in Dunstable.

In 1964, under the guidance of musical instrument entrepreneur Ivor Arbiter, they morphed into The Interns, picking up another guitarist, Mike Parker (from Walthamstow), which gave the impetus for a name change. The group was managed by the Tito Burns Agency who also managed, Dusty Springfield and The Searchers, amongst others, and recorded for Philips Records. As a result, the band often appeared on the same bill as these artists. For example, on Sunday 23 August 1964, The Interns appeared on the third and last of three Sunday concerts organised by the promoter, Arthur Howes. Dusty Springfield topped the bill, which also featured Eden Kayne as well as The High Numbers, who would soon become The Who.

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