Professor Wurzel's WURZELMANIA!

Adge Cutler & The Wurzels - A Wurzel'n Timeline

It began with Adge Cutler. But who were his Wurzels along the way?

Adge Cutler (above left) - a prolific song writer and performer who first sang in public as a young boy, sang his self-penned ditties across the country as a solo performer in the late 1950s and early 60s and recorded his first record in Denmark Street, Bristol, in 1958 with Acker Bilk and friends. The Wurzels in the 21st century (above right) - are a devoted and talented group playing regularly across the country to packed audiences and rapturous applause! - and who are dedicated to perpetuating Adge's legacy.

The original line-up for Adge Cutler & The Wurzels first gig - at the Pensford Barbecue on the afternoon of June 24th 1966

Adge Cutler

Vocals

Reg Quantrill

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Reg Chant

Vocals and Accordion

Brian Walker

Vocals, Tuba

The line-up for the group's EMI recording-contract audition in the summer of 1966 and also for the recording of their first album 'Adge Cutler & The Wurzels' in November 1966 at the Royal Oak, Nailsea, now augmented by John Macey playing bass.

Adge Cutler

vocals

Reg Quantrill

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Reg Chant

Vocals and Accordion

Brian Walker

Vocals, Tuba

John Macey

Vocals and Bass

In early March 1967 Brian Walker left the band leaving a four-man line-up for the recording of their second LP 'Adge Cutler's Family Album', again at the Royal Oak in Nailsea.

Adge Cutler

vocals

Reg Quantrill

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Reg Chant

Vocals and Accordion

John Macey

Vocals and Bass

Between June and August 1967 both Reg Chant and John Macey left the band to resume their 'day jobs' and Adge persuaded Pete Shutler (of The Yettis) and Ken Scott to stand in at gigs playing accordion when either was available!

Adge Cutler

Vocals

Reg Quantrill

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Pete Shuttler

Vocals and Accordion

Ken Scott

Vocals and Accordion

On October 29th 1967 the line-up was supplemented by local jazzman Henry Davis for a gig at Bournmouth, followed by a few more in the following week.

Adge Cutler

Vocals

Reg Quantrill

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Pete Shuttler

Vocals and Accordion

Ken Scott

Vocals and Accordion

Henry Davis

Vocals, tuba and Bass

Henry had to move on following job offer in early November 1967 and suggested to Adge that he take on Melt Kingson on tuba and bass. At the same time Adge managed to find a permanent replacement accordion player, Tommy Banner, from Scotland.

Adge Cutler

Vocals

Reg Quantrill

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion, Piano

Melt Kingston

Vocals, Tuba and Bass

This line-up remained unchanged until March 1968 when Henry Davis returned, having done a 'job swap' with Melt, and played his first gig alongside Adge, Reg Quantrill and Tommy Banner on March 3rd at the Cadbury Club, Yatton.

Adge Cutler

Vocals

Reg Quantrill

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Henry Davis

Vocals, tuba and Bass

In January 1969 Henry Davis left the group to pursue a musical career elsewhere and was quickly replaced by Londoner Tony Baylis

Adge Cutler

Vocals

Reg Quantrill

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Tony Baylis

Vocals, Tuba and Base

This line-up remained unchanged for several years until in 1972 Pete Budd was bought in as a temporary replacement for Reg Quantrill for a couple of gigs. This became a permanent arrangement in early 1974.

Adge Cutler

vocals

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Tony Baylis

Vocals, Tuba and Bass

With the tragic death of Adge Cutler in May 1974 the remaining Wurzels decided to carry on alone. For the first year they were billed as 'Adge Cutler's Wurzels' but then became just 'The Wurzels'. 1976 onwards saw Pete Budd, Tommy Banner and Tony Baylis achieving chart topping hits and with fans worldwide - something Adge could only have dreamed of!

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Tony Baylis

Vocals, Tuba and Base

Since the early days Adge had always used the house band to augment his group, particularly the drummer. But in 1981 they decided to have their own permanent drummer and chose John Morgan: John had been supporting them for a few years with his own 'John Morgan Band' so it was a natural choice.

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Tony Baylis

Vocals, Tuba and Base

John Morgan

Vocals and Drums

In January 1984 Tony Baylis decided to call time on his life as a Wurzel to pursue other interests and was replaced by Jai Howe.

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Jai Howe

Vocals and Bass

John Morgan

Vocals and Drums

Very soon after Jai joined the band its numbers were augmented by the addition of a keyboard player - Terry Pasco.

After only a couple of years both Jai and Terry decided to move and. They were quickly replaced by Mike Gwilliam.

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Mike Gwilliam

Vocals and Bass

John Morgan

Vocals and Drums

Between 1988 and 1991 Mike Gwilliam left to pursue other musical interests and was replaced by Dave Wintour.

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Dave Wintour

Vocals and Bass

John Morgan

Vocals and Drums

The band's line-up then remained stable for many years until at the turn of 2002 to 2003 Dave Wintour moved on to pastures new and for the first time a 'retired' Wurzel was bought back in - Jai Howe.

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Jai Howe

Vocals and Bass

John Morgan

Vocals and Drums

In 2005 Tommy Banner, the longest serving member of the band, had to take a break after surgery for prostate cancer. His place was taken by the band's production and sound engineer Louie 'Gribble' Nicastro. On Tommy's recovery Louie stayed on!

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Jai Howe

Vocals and Bass

John Morgan

Vocals and Drums

Louie Nicastro

Backing Vocals and Keyboard

In February 2008 Jai Howe sadly passed away after a long illness; during his illness Sedge Moor had stepped in to cover him. On Jai's death Sedge was the natural and logical replacement on a permanent basis.

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Sedge Moore

Vocals and Bass

John Morgan

Vocals and Drums

By 2017 Louie Nicastro was having to spend time on other musical projects and he stepped back from live gigs with The Wurzels, being replaced by Dan 'Dribble' Lashbrook - Dan played his first gig on 22nd July 2017 at Compton Martin, although Louie still returned on occasions!

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Vocals and Bass

Vocals and Drums

Backing Vocals and Keyboard

Nearly 55 years after Adge Cutler opened the Pensford barbecue with his new backing group of three Wurzels his legacy made wurzel'n history in 2017 when a line-up of SIX Wurzels appeared together on stage at Twickenham - although no photo evidence can be found only eye witness accounts!

Pete Budd John Morgan Tommy Banner Dan Lashbrook Sedge Moore Louie Nicastro

Following the sad death of John Morgan in 2021 Lee Delamere stepped in as the replacement for John........... and Louie and Dan share keyboards depending on availability!

Pete Budd

Vocals, Banjo and Guitar

Tommy Banner

Vocals, Accordion and Piano

Sedge Moore

Vocals and Bass

Lee Delamere

Drums

Dan Lashbrook

Backing Vocals and Keyboard

Louie Nicastro

Backing Vocals and Keyboard

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