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Biography
Jeff Bannister began his career as a professional musician in the mid-sixties as lead vocalist/keyboard player with The John Barry Seven. Major tours followed in UK & Europe, backing Brenda Lee, Billy Fury and Marty Wilde. The nucleus of this band later became The Alan Bown Set and Jeff was a significant member throughout its duration, appearing on all the major TV shows at the time; Ready Steady Go, Top of the Pops etc and co-writing many of the songs on the band's five albums. The line-up also featured lead vocalist Jess Roden until he was later replaced by Robert Palmer. Sax player John Anthony Helliwell subsequently joined Supertramp.
Over the years Jeff has also recorded and/or toured as a member of numerous bands including The O Band, The Jack Green Band (tour of USA), Gerry Rafferty, Charlie Dore and Rick Lee of Ten Years After. As a session musician he played keyboards on albums by Bronco, Starry Eyed and Laughing, Magna Carta, Raff Ravenscroft and a single for Joan Jett. In the 1990's and in early 2000 as a member of the house band Rockin' Horse, Jeff completed four extensive UK tours with The Solid Gold Rock 'n' Roll Show, which starred Marty Wilde, Joe Brown, Eden Kane, John Leyton, Freddy Cannon, Craig Douglas and The Vernons.
Jeff joined The Swinging Blue Jeans early in 2010 and has toured extensively in the UK, Europe and Scandinavia. See History.