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EDWARD JOHN CONCERN
Taurus Bulba: Third Avenue: Pokie: Humbug Grass Roots:
The Symptom Tomorrows People Schooner The Windy City Agreement The Shakers
Wigan
Edward John Concern at Wigan Casino: Circa 1969
Geoff Shepherd: Guitar. Alan Bamford: Sax. Dave Lawson: Drums.
George Monks: Vocal. Ian Hughes: Bass. Kevin Gough: Guitar.
Later: Tony Benfold: Bass:
"A few weeks before Tony Benfold joined the band a work collegue of his - Howard Walker came in to replace Kevin Gooch on lead guitar. However, Howard didn't last too long due to a differece of opinion with another band member. He later joined
Windy City Agreement before emigrating to South Africa, Vanderbilt Park."
Geoff Shepard: April 2012
Left: Drummer Dave Lawson.. and friends.
Tony Crane of the Merseybeats was the uncle of
Dave Lawson, former drummer in Edward John Concern.
Marilyn Taylor: September 2011
"EJC got together in my parents club - The Matador in Pemberton, Wigan which at that time was closed because of a fire. There was Geoff with his 15 watt amp, George with a Shure mic' and myself with an alto sax borrowed from my brother. I later changed to a tenor. I think Dave Lawson must have been there but I'm not sure.
These lads must have started about 1966 with Ian Hughes on bass, probably all still at school and working the clubs and youth clubs of Wigan district playing mostly Tamla Motown and soul music. St John's Church Club and Comet Youth Club and the school halls were all all regular venues. Ian, the bass player resigned and went on to become an entertainment agent. Tony Benfold joined later as Bass player.
Memories were of St John's and Comet Youth Clubs and inspiration of 'I'll Always Love You" and 'This Old Heart of Mine' as Edward John Concern knew how to do these and many others well. Tony was replaced by Dave Keegan and it was then they formed Tarus Bulba about 1968. George Monks of Edward John Concern also finished with the band.
Alan Bamford the saxophone player went to London to study art and is now a well established painter living between London and the Dordogne in France.
Tarus Bulba went on to play the heavier side and worked the student related venues but this didn’t last long.
Garry Hughes was approached by the group in 1969 to join them as bass player as Dave Keegan had decided to leave, Edward John Concern was revived with George back on lead vocal. The new group became:
George Monks Vocals
Dave Lawson Drums
Geoff Shepherd Guitar
Kevin Gough Guitar
Garry Hughes Bass
EJC played some great venues of the day. Monoco Ballroom, The Beachcomer, Wigan Casino and all the local clubs and pubs and carried on doing the very popular soul and Tamla music that the public wanted.
The group folded up in about 1973 just as things were changing around Wigan, The Casino was now starting the all-nighters with disco being the main theme. Most of the members Of EJC joined other acts. Humbug, Grass Roots, Hamilton Brown & The Great Expectations, Pokie and Third Avenue.
Many of the members of the groups later joined up again to form Ramsammy and along with many other groups and artists they performed at open air venues around Wigan raising money for the charity 'Rock for Kids' in the mid-eighties. George Monks was in a duo called The Prize Guys and latterly pursued a successful solo career until retiring just a few years ago."
Garry Hughes: June 2010
"I joined Edward John Concern just before we changed to Tarus Bulba. Jeff Shepherd, Kev Gough, Dave Lawson and me. Then George Monks returned until I left and Gary Hughes joined. You can't beat live music!"
Crocket: 2008 Wigan World:
Edward John Concern changed their name to Humbug. George Monks went to 'Prize Guys Duo'. Memphis Slim - A Joe Cocker look-alike - went to 'Reason Why' and then to Freddies 'Beano'. Always remember Freddie Philips doing Princess Anne impersonation at The Riverside - Wigan Rugby League Club | 
