Sadly Chrys passed away on the 9th August 2018 after a short illness.
Chry was the elder statesman of the Falcons being the only remaining member of the original 1958-1965 band called:-
KIM TAYLOR, KRIS BRENNER and THE FALCONS
Chrys has always been a bit of a guitar “Luthier”, having made his 1st attempt at guitar making in 1956 it was a very large 4 stringed ukulele, made in woodwork lessons at SEFTON PARK SCHOOL, Bristol, this was when skiffle was all the rage. His 2nd attempt was a guitar looking more like those played by Eddie Cochran, Karl Perkins and Elvis in 1957, again made at school. Chrys still makes and refurbishes guitars to this day, and has 3 projects on the go at the moment, a “Les Paul” copy, a “Gordon Smith” rebuild and a new build which is a “Telecaster” with a Birds Eye Maple body.
Chrys had guitar lessons in 1957 from a school gardener who played in a Bristol dance band and he loaned Chrys a “Framus Black Rose” to practice on at home as the gardener had just bought himself a Gibson EH175 with a pickup to use with a Gibson guitar amplifier. Chrys is not a natural musician and has to practice nearly every day, playing along to CD’s, to keep his fingers reasonably supple.
“The Falcons” were formed in 1958 when Chrys and Bryan (rhythm guitarist and drummer of “The Victors”) joined Chris Wright (lead guitar), Bill Morgan (bass guitar), and Anne Taylor (singer) of “The Mystaires”. “The Victors” had broken up after front man Bob, girl singer Carole, lead guitarist Max and bass guitarists John had left for various reasons. Auditions were held at “Withywood Youth Club”,to find a replacement front man and 6 guys turned up, including 3 brothers, Roger, and twins Ian and Dave Keenan. We chose Dave as he had the best voice.
From 1958 “The Falcons” were very successful, practicing twice a week and playing at least two and sometimes more, gigs a week, all over the South West including, South Wales, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset.
In 1965 Chris Wright was approach via the Musicians Union (the band were all members) to turn professional and join the “Johnny Francis Band” who were resident at the Bristol “Top Rank Ballroom”.
“The Falcons” auditioned several lead guitarists, but were unable to find anyone who’s playing style fitted in with the band’s sound and playing style and also who could sing harmonies. Because of this they disbanded!!
In 1982 there was a need to raise money for a scanner for the new Bristol Children’s Hospital, so several Bristol bands from the 60’s reformed to do a charity gig at “Reeves” nightclub in Brislington. “The Falcons” reformed with Kit Matthews on bass and Nick Nicholson, from “Chet and The Triumphs” (who was an old friend of some of the band members) on drums.
“The Falcons” continued for another 6 years with Dave Keenan singing and playing lead guitar along with Anne Taylor singing. Dave had married Anne after the band broke up in 1965.
Unfortunately, in 2009 Chris Wright died suddenly, he had had an extremely successful career as a band leader in many nightclub venues in the South of the country and he then got a residency on the “QE2” for several years.
Most of the original “Falcons” went to Chris’s funeral in Shropshire and at the “wake” afterwards, Chrys made the suggestion that it would be great to reform the band in Chris’s memory as they were sat around a table talking to Chris’s son, who was also musician, Chrys also suggested that Gill, Chris’s sister should join the band as she was already singing in “Avon Harmony” a barbershop choir. Gill jumped at the chance, as she had always been a “Falcons groupie” in the 60’s going to gigs with the band and she had actually married Dave Hibbs, one of the bands “roadies”.
“The Falcons” are so lucky to have such a talented lead singer as Gill, as she helps refine all the vocal harmonies that Kit, Jim and Shane sing to be as near perfection as possible.
The Falcons 