Mavericks (Gravesend)

Line-up included

• Mick Colley
• David Colley
• Stephen Colley
• Ray Stroud
• Bob Stammers (singer)
• Reg Haynes (singer)
• Owen Wheatley (bass guitar and singer)
• Duncan Spencer (bass guitar and singer)
• Steve Dalton (bass guitar)
• Eddie Justin (steel guitarist)
• Owen Wheatley (bass guitar and singer)

The Mavericks were a Kent band based in Gravesend. The band was formed in the early 70s when Mick asked his younger twin brothers, David and Stephen and friends Ray Stroud and Bob Stammers to join him in a country band. His ambition was to get the band to Wembley as a tribute to his late father who died at the age of 45 when Mick was 19 years old and David and Stephen only 5 years of age. His dad was very well known as a singer guitarist who played with the likes of Big Bill Campbell at the end of the war. During the war, Dad, Leslie Colley sang on the radio broadcast from Henleys Factory, on a programme called "Workers Playtime". Mick's older brother Brian Colley was also musically minded and he and Mick were on stage as children with Dad Leslie, forming a trio. Mick and Brian went on to form a very successful skiffle band "The Thames Valley Ramblers" who were runners up in the All England Skiffle Competition.

The Mavericks were very successful with a large following from all over the country. They were renowned for their comedy on stage, their harmonies and their song writing ability. Their songs are often requested to this day. One of Mick's songs is still played by Steve Williams of Rough Justice, namely "The Fisherman and the Bullfrog". Mick has a new version of this song now, aimed at children and has signed a contract for it in the USA along with other songs he has written.

Over the years the band changed members, namely Bob Stammers, (singer), Reg Haynes (singer), Duncan Spencer (bass guitar and singer), Steve Dalton (bass guitar). As the band progressed and settled they were joined by Eddie Justin (steel guitarist) and finally Owen Wheatley (bass guitar and singer) who were all on The Mavericks album, "Country Dream". Owen became a solid friend and member of the brothers as did Bob Stammers and Eddie Justin who have now both sadly passed away.

The Mavericks went on to be runners up in the Kent and England country Music festival at Wembley and they were regular visitors to Maida Vale Studios in London where they recorded songs for Radio Two Country Club with compare Mr Dave Allen. They later became the backing band for the late great Tex Withers and backed him on the Wembley Stage at the Country Music Festival.
So the dream was complete.

Mick is now a singer songwriter and composer with some success. He has just had an instrumental accepted to be recorded on CD and will be making a demo for TV, Radio, Films etc, along with other artists from all over the world. Mick is now living in Cornwall and enjoying retirement and his music. Since moving to Cornwall, Mick has played with some of the big local names.

So to all Mavericks fans, Mick and the boys would like to thank you all for the good times and your support.

Mick Colley