The Ways And Means

English band from Kent. They started out in 1963 as The Others. The group then consisted of two former members of a local band, The Swinging Secrets who were rhythm guitarist Roy Delo and drummer Dave Legge. The other members were lead guitarist Terry Silk and bass player Tony Allison. At that time they were one of the few bands playing surf music which included songs by The Beach Boys. Playing the South Coast clubs and halls, they managed to build up a good sized following. The group's lead guitarist Terry Silk was replaced by Bruce Finns. In 1965 they won a competition and the prize was a recording contract with EMI. The result was a release on EMI subsidiary Columbia with "Little Deuce Coupe" b/w "Little Old Lady From Pasadena". Tony Allison sang lead. By that time they had changed their name to The Ways and Means. The single didn't go anywhere and Bruce Finns left the group. He was replaced by guitarist Les Stankovich (Leslie Stankovich) who the band had approached. He was in a local group called The Countdowns. Later they were playing in Germany and following that they were introduced to Ron Fairway who originally discovered The Foundations but had the mishap of being pushed out in a power struggle leaving his partner Barry Class as manager of The Foundations. Fairway became their personal manager and got them signed to Pye Records. They recorded "Sea Of Faces" bw "Make the Radio a Little Louder" which was released in 1966. It's been said that Ron Fairway was the producer. While the record didn't chart, it was no. 41 on the Radio Caroline charts for the week beginning January 21, 1967. It charted on other stations as well. According to Roy Delo, they turned down "Baby, Now That I've Found You" as they felt it wasn't for them. So for The Foundations with Clem Curtis on lead, the song went to #1. Delo said they were kicking themselves for not taking the offer. Their last single released was "Breaking Up a Dream" / "She" in 1968 which was produced by Barry Class. Looking back, some of the members credit Ron Fairway doing more for them than Barry Class did even though his efforts weren't fruitful. Fairway knew more about the music business than Class and had the contacts. Class was a business man who had the money. MEMBERS * Tony Allison ........... bass * Roy Delo ............... rhythm guitar * Bruce Finns ........... lead guitar (replaced by Les Stankovich circa 1966) * Dave Legge ........... drums * Terry Silk ............... lead guitar (replaced by Bruce Finns circa 1965) * Leslie Stankovich .. lead guitar MANAGEMENT * Ron Fairway .......... manaager