The Oceans
L/R  Standing
Ivan Johnston,Bass Guitar & Vocals,Victor Mawhinney;Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
Albert Craig,Drums,Paula ( Elizabeth ) Jameson,Vocals,
Wee Harry Whitley,Lead Guitar(R.I.P.)
Robert “Crocket” Magee, Tenor Sax & Comedian
Kneeling L/R
Alan Aston,Trombone & Vocals,Leslie Brooks,Trumpet,Joe Reid,Vocals

Crocket Robert Magee wrote a article  “Oceans Apart” for Irish showbands.net
Well I was the manager of the “Oceans” and what he said is true
I went on to manage several bands in the 60`s The Scholars, The Dukes,
The Raydots & Flair all Belfast based, all featured Lead Vocalist
Tom E King three featured Wee Harry Whitley on lead guitar.
from 1962 until 1971. Then I went to England and started another band
Junior & the Jesters and played the Irish Circuit until 1978 when I retired from the scene.

THANKS TO YOUR WEB SITE I HAVE HAD AOTHER RE-UNION
THIS TIME WITH "CROCKET" BOBBY MAGEE OF THE OCEANS
AFTER 44 YEARS WE MET UP THE OTHER WEEK.
BOBBY NOW LIVES IN GERMANY AND STILL PLAYING NOW AND
AGAIN.AS I NOW LIVE IN ENGLAND HE AND HIS WIFE BRICGETTE
STOPPED OVER WITH US WHEN THEY WERE OVER VISITING IN THE U K.
NEEDLESS TO SAY WE TALKED FOR HOURS ABOUT THE SHOWBAND YEARS.
Many Thanks and Kindest Regards.
Alan Jones
From  Alan Jones collection

THANKS TO YOUR WEB SITE I HAVE HAD AOTHER RE-UNION
THIS TIME WITH "VICTOR MAWHINNEY" OF THE OCEANS SHOWBAND
AFTER 45 YEARS WE MET UP AS I WAS VISITING & WORKING IN N.IRELAND
HE IS STILL PLAYING DOING A ONE MAN SHOW  AND WE WATCHED HIM
PERFORM TO A VERY APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE I WOULD HAVE TO SAY HE
WAS EXCELLENT BOTH VOICE AND INSTRUMENT TECHNIQUE HE AND HIS
WIFE SADIE LIVE IN BANGOR AND NEEDLESS TO SAY WE TALKED FOR HOURS
ABOUT THE SHOWBAND YEARS.
Many Thanks and Kindest Regards.

Alan Jones
From  Alan Jones collection

alanjones2003@talktalk.net

The Oceans Showband
Hello Ian ,the photo of the Oceans on your hompage was taken after I’d left circa 1964/65.
Bottom From Left Peter Harris (Tenor Sax) Ivan Johnson (Bass Guitar)
Above Albert Craig (Drums) Paula (Lead Vocals) Leslie Brooks (Trumpet) Joe Reid (Lead Vocals)
Sammy McEwan (Lead Guitar) Jim Carson (Guitar)
Top Left Alan Aston (Trombone)
 

Liz Jamison the female vocalist went to the same school as me
and as she sung in the school choir I asked her to join us in 1963.
‘Liz’  stage name was Paula ( she used to sing the duet ‘’Hey,Hey Paul ‘’
that’s how she got her stage name).
Liz & I used to go to the same school as ‘George Best’
and Liz went steady with him for a short while,of course years before he became well known.
Alan

Picture from John Bairds collection
 bairdart@iol.ie

This is the  photo previous to the one you show on your home page,-
far right is Victor Mawhinney  (rhythm guitar) who also played with the first formation of the Oceans.
The  original Oceans were formed about 1962/63 I played sax with them from 1962 to 1964 or 65.
(sorry the old grey cells) .

 As you can see on the photo I sent you the other day Victor(rythm guitat) was the last
of the original band still playing with them and as you can see on the
latest photo which you already have on the site,all the original members have gone.
The band was changed drastically when we went to England  wee Harry was replaced by Sammy
(lead guitar,and who incidently still owes me 10 quid for his echo chamber bought in England)
Alan the trombone player(not on any of the photos)both these had decent jobs
and I think the rest of us did'nt care if we lost our jobs

    If you go to Francis Kennedys site you’ll find more info on the Oceans  on a piece I wrote
Titled  “Oceans apart”

All the best       Robert  Crocket’ Magee

magee@gmx.de

 OCEANS APART
by Robert "Crocket" Magee
Article
 

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