Rockhouse

First formed in the mid 70s. Went their different ways in the 80s. Did a few Gigs in the 90s Reformed in 2006. In the mid 70s Bob was the DJ at a Rock ‘n’ Roll club in Braintree called The 2Js club. The club had a group every Friday night. One of the regulars at the club was Dick Keeble. Bob was chatting to him one Friday and he told him that he played lead guitar and that he had a semi acoustic bass guitar for sale. He asked Bob to ask over the mike to see if anyone was interested. Bob told him, if it was worth the money, He would buy it himself, which he did. After a week or two Dick asked how he was getting on. Bob told him that it was going Ok so he suggested they get together for a jam session at his girlfriends house. Also at this first session was Dick’s friend Ben Matz who played Rhythm guitar. Things went well so they decided to look for a drummer and a singer. They were joined by Dick’s brother Terry on vocals and a drummer called Kevin Nolan who lived near to Bob. Rockhouse did there first booking at the 2Js. The band were booked at other venues and clubs for some time but things were not working out too well for Terry, who's wife had just had a baby. Terry and the band parted company. As luck would have it Bob and Dick knew Kenny Moorse who also went to the 2Js and was a good vocalist. They were also soon on to thier second drummer called Keith, but were still striving for that driving Rock n Roll and Rockabilly sound. Bob contacted his old mate from the Black Raven days Driftin’ Den Board who was doing some Rock n Roll Disco work in the Southend area and Bob knew he was a more than a competent Rockin' Drummer. Den joined The Band and Rockhouse hit the road again. This line was kept until Kenny decided he did not want to be the front man any more. There was no bad feeling just a change of heart. After a few shaky weeks when the band missed Kenny a lot, they found he was so hard to replace that they didn't even try. The remaining four had always taken a share in the singing so they decided to carry on as a four piece. By this time Ben was playing a lot more sax which helped bring in a lot more songs to the play list. Rockhouse longest period together was as a four piece. they played well in to the 80s untill for various reasons they decided to call it a day.Two more people From this time that we should mention were the unseen members of the group, our roadies. Dicks brother in law Steve who was with us from start to finish and Ian Rolfe (HAWK), who was with Rockhouse from about after the first year. Both of them, just for the love of the music. In 2006 Hawk sugested the band should have a jam session together. Den said he wasn't really interested in playing any more. So Ben, Dick and Bob, the original founder members of the band in the 70s had to look for a drummer.Dave Gibson played drums for a short while,but has now moved on. In November 2007 Rockhouse were joined by Drummer, Kevin Stagg. Kev has fitted in with the rest of the band as if he has always been there. Rockhouse are playing once again for the love of the music and because they enjoy it. They won't be out two or three times a week like they were in the 70's and 80's They will probably play once every month or two because they enjoy it. So catch them when you can!!!