IN the early 1960s, British beat groups dominated the music scene. The chart successes of iconic bands such as The Beatles, The Searchers and The Bachelors had teenagers reaching for their own guitars to try and make it big, too.

This was particularly true in Lancashire, standing as it does between two of the landmark rock 'n' roll musical cities in the country – Liverpool and Manchester.

While the Cavern was a Mecca for teenagers, and hundreds of East Lancashire soul fans travelled religiously to Wigan Casino, The Imp at Nelson and the Astoria in Rawtenstall were also music hotspots.

A new book, the second in a series, now records this vibrant era and the hundreds of singers, groups and venues that was so much a part of it.

Lanky Beat II, has been researched by Bill Hart, who said: “Dismissed by our elders as a mere teenage fad, the tiny ripples of the mid 1950s, became the musical tsunami of the present day.”

The major role played by East Lancashire is also set in the work – as it is in Bill's first Lanky Beat book and his website of the same name.

The Hollies, from Nelson, who were previously known as The Dolphins and The Four Pennies, from Blackburn, may have hit the charts, but there were scores of others who helped shape the era.

Bands such as The Mustangs of Darwen – Sammy McNally, Jack Bentley, Russell Greenall, Stan Hickey and Dave Livesey – who opened for Gene Vincent at Darwen baths in 1963 and worked with The Beatles, at the Co-operative Hall a week or so later.

The lads helped them carry their equipment up the stairs and having a drink with them in the White Lion.

The group, from the local youth club, seen here with some of the girl members, also rued missing out on stardom after winning a competition on the north pier in Blackpool.

The first prize was a recording contract with Decca records and the second prize £500, but they changed prizes, so they could buy a new van.

The runners-up, the Lionel Morton Four, took the top prize and went on to make the hit single Juliet, as, yes, The Four Pennies. `` Blue Star Combo, comprising Peter Reid, John Hall, Paul Feeley, Barry Barnes and Big George Baron Terry Walsh were the resident band at The Ace of Spades in Whalley.

But you may also have seen them at The Top Hat Club in Blackburn, El Tropicano in Nelson and Darwen's Barracuda Club.

Who remembers The Broadway Four and Tony, featuring John Simpson, Dave Malone, John Campbell, Tony Prendergast and Barry Barnes?

It got its name from its first booking at the British Legion Club, in Broadway, Accrington and also starred at The Starlight Club in Brierfield and The Empire Cabaret Club at Rosegrove.

Peter 'Skip' Holroyd, joined Steve Owen, Joe Murphy and Brendan Cook in The Midnight Hour from Blackburn after playing bass in his dad's dance band at the age of 16.

The group were booked for four or five gigs every week,and paid around £15 a night – for all of them.

The Phabulous Phantoms were based in Rossendale and they played all over the county, often supporting major groups, including The Hollies, at The Imp.

Members were Barry Hyde, Phil Knight, rhythm guitarist Alan Birchall, lead guitarist and Alan St John, on bass.

Rainbow - Pete Greer, Pete Walton, John Thomson, Margaret Leach, Ray Leach and Nico Riccioppo - played at American military bases in Germany and the photograph above was taken in a club in Frankfurt.

In 1958 Frank Morgan, Dave Singleton, Terry Watkinson and Frank Griffiths, who took the stage name Hank Lonnegon, started The Sidekicks in Chorley and because everyone wanted to be a musician in those days, it soon grew to a group of six, with the addition of Phil Marrow and Frank Singleton.

Eventually they took on Dorothy Baines as a lead singer and her sister Kathy became manager.

The Swinging Hangmen of Haslingden started out as The Matadors in early 1964 made up of Mick Hogan, John Entwistle and Harry Eastham and they practised at The Unity Club, The Thorn pub and The Bull, but were often booted out – and paid up at gigs – for being too noisy.

Then there was The Trapp, from Accrington, comprising Steve Pickering, lead guitar; Tony Buckley on rhythm, Pete 'Pop' Floyd, on drums, Jeff Hammond, lead vocalist, and Peter 'Skip' Holroyd on bass.

The Vikings, from Accrington, were popular in the early 60s, playing Mercer Hall, Blackburn, every Saturday, Nelson Imp on several occasions, Taylor's of Burnley and Burnley Mecca.

Copies of Lanky Beat II (and Lanky Beat) are obtainable on-line only at http://www.blurb.co.uk/ .

The soft cover version is £35.59 and the hard back £46.59, plus P&P.