The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 17th May 1957:
‘Further news of ‘The Blue Jeans’ Skiffle group – the boys, under leader George Plummer, of Shepherd’s Bush, who have been providing musical entertainment at the Classic cinema during the past fortnight:
They now possess a silver cup. They won it on Tuesday evening at an all-London Skiffle competition, arranged by Mr Harry Walton, at Kensington Town Hall.
The boys, wearing red shirts and blue jeans, arrived at the Town Hall only five minutes before they were due on stage. They had dashed by taxi from the Classic after their nightly performance there.
They tied at the competition with another group but won after each had played another item. ‘The Blue Jeans’ played and sang, “House of the Rising Sun”, “Cotton Song” and “Fisherman’s Blues.”
George Plummer tells me they are entering the heats of two more competitions soon, and also – as a result of Tuesday’s win – have been offered a 12 weeks’ contract at a holiday camp. They have made no decision yet.’
In 1958 they contributed two songs to a compilation album titled, “Music for Hand Jiving” on London Records; “When I get to Glory” and “Lonesome Traveller”.
These two tracks also appeared in that year on another Skifflecompilation: “Rockin’ At The 2 I’s” on Decca.
The same songs were featured on a double CD I recently purchased: “Great British Skiffle” – Vol. 5”. Dave Travis wrote this about them in his sleeve notes:
‘The Blue Jeans’ Skiffle group were another of Decca’s efforts to replace Lonnie Donegan that didn’t work.
In fact, they only recorded two songs for the 10” LP of “Rockin’ at the 2 I’s”, which came out in 1958 when Skifflewas beginning to fade.
Both titles are included here, including the title ‘gaffe’ for “When I get to Glory”, which, in fact, is the Hank Williams standard, “Sing Sing Sing”.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley for sending me the newspaper article )