Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers

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Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers were a 1960s British rhythm and blues, soul and beat group best known for two top‑10 UK hits: “One Way Love” (No. 9, 1964) and “Got to Get You into My Life” (No. 6, 1966).

The band’s lineup included Cliff Bennett (vocals; born Clifford Bennett, 4 June 1940, Slough), Chas Hodges (keyboards and bass), Mick Burt (drums), Nicky Hopkins (piano) and Moss Groves (tenor sax). Bennett formed the group in 1957. They cut several singles with producer Joe Meek, released by Parlophone. Bennett also did Parlophone covers of “You've Really Got a Hold on Me” and “Got My Mojo Working.”

Brian Epstein became their manager in September 1964. Their seventh release, “One Way Love” (written by Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy under pseudonyms Bert Russell and Norman Meade) backed with “Slow Down,” reached No. 9 in the UK. Their next single, “I'll Take You Home” (written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil) backed with “Do You Love Him,” peaked at No. 42, and “Three Rooms with Running Water” did not chart.

In early 1966, the Rebel Rousers were the opening act for the Beatles on their final European tour. Bennett heard Paul McCartney’s “Got to Get You into My Life,” which the Beatle wrote and recorded for the Revolver sessions (it was not released as a single for McCartney at that time). Bennett recorded his own version with the B‑side “Baby Each Day,” and McCartney produced the session. Bennett’s version reached No. 6 on the UK charts, his biggest hit.

Bennett returned to McCartney‑Lennon material in 1968 with “Back in the USSR” as Cliff Bennett and his Band. The single did not chart. Also in 1968, Bennett left the Rebel Rousers; Harvey Hinsley joined, and the band lineup grew to include Hodges, Burt, John Golden, Moss Groves and Roy Young. They gigged in the UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, Beirut and the Bahamas and released the single “Should I,” which did not chart. By August 1969 Roy Young left to form his own band.

Hodges, Hinsley, Burt and Dave Peacock formed Black Claw and played clubs until Hodges joined Heads, Hands & Feet in early 1970. Hinsley joined Hot Chocolate later that year. Bennett then joined Toe Fat, while Hodges and Burt, with Peacock, formed Chas & Dave. After Toe Fat split up, Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake joined Uriah Heep; Bennett was asked to join them but declined. Bennett released a solo album, Rebellion, in 1971 but did not regain his earlier success. Between 1975 and 1976 he fronted Shanghai, which released two albums; other members included Mick Green, Chuck Bedford, Pete Kircher, Mike Le Main, Brian Alterman and Pat King.

In the late 1970s Bennett retired from music to go into shipping, but he returned in the 2000s, releasing Loud And Clear in 2002 and Nearly Retired in 2009. In 1988, English guitarist Mark Lundquist reformed the Rebel Rousers, leading and managing the group until 1996, and later touring with artists such as Mike d’Abo, Chris Farlowe, Zoot Money, Maggie Bell, Screaming Lord Sutch, the Manfreds, Steve Ellis and New Amen Corner.