The Rattlesnakes (1950s band)
British band, active from 1955 to 1958 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Rattlesnakes were a British skiffle/rock and roll group, formed by Barry Gibb in Manchester in 1955,[3][4] which eventually evolved into the Bee Gees in 1958. They were one of the many skiffle bands that were formed in the United Kingdom in the 1950s since the revival of the American skiffle in the UK that was originally started in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.[5]
The Rattlesnakes | |
|---|---|
 The Rattlesnakes in Manchester, early 1958, from left to right: Paul Frost, Kenny Horrocks, Maurice, Barry and Robin Gibb. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Wee Johnny Hayes and the Blue Cats[1] |
| Origin | Manchester, Lancashire, England |
| Genres | Skiffle, rock and roll, doo-wop, roots rock |
| Years active | 1955[2]–58 |
| Past members | Barry Gibb Robin Gibb Maurice Gibb Paul Frost Kenny Horrocks |
Barry started a skiffle group which his younger brothers Robin and Maurice Gibb also joined as vocalists, after they returned to their parents' hometown in Manchester, England, in 1955. Their friends/neighbours, Paul Frost (drums) and Kenny Horrocks (tea-chest bass) later joined. Their debut performance in public happened in December 1957 in Gaumont Cinema, performing the Everly Brothers' "Wake Up Little Susie".[6] Some of their influences at that time were Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Tommy Steele, Buddy Holly and Paul Anka.
On 12 January 2003, Maurice died unexpectedly at the age of 53 of a cardiac arrest, while waiting to undergo surgery for a twisted intestine.[7] On 20 May 2012, Robin died at the age of 62 from liver and kidney failure, following a battle with cancer.[8][9] On 17 November 2012, Frost died in England of cancer at the age of 64.[10]