David Cecil Gregory was born on the 06th of November 1934 to the parents of Harry Gregory and Gertrude Nelly Gregory in his hometown of Rainham in Essex.David also had four sisters named Joyce, Carol, June and Margaret; he also had three brothers named Cyril Billy and Peter.Dave was brought up on Country music so at the young age of 14 he took part in the family band ‘Harry and his Westerners’ with his dad Harry and his two brothers Cyril and Billy and his sister Joyce.After several years Dave took part in numerous bands, then in the 60's he formed the Legendary music group ‘The Powder River Pioneers’ which saw members come and go from the band but one of the most recent line up's was with Dave as lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Jimmy Edwards as lead and harmony vocals with rhythm and lead guitar, Clive Grant as harmony vocals with bass acoustic and lead guitar solo’s and finally Pete Stevens with drums and percussion.This group had been on the circuit for a long time now and Dave’s own association with the country scene goes back to the late 1940’s, when Dave’s own father had his own country band. (Mentioned above)They toured Kent and many places in Essex making them self’s well known in these regions, they did a concert in the Falkland islands where there was several other bands playing there to like Chas and Dave and The Rubettes. Dave and his band did a few covering song’s including a few Kenny Rodgers songs.Dave’s musical influences were Johnny Cash, George Jone’s and Kenny Rodgers.In the 1980’s Dave Gregory got married to Sandy.Sandy already had four children of her own but Dave took them on as if they were his own children and in 1987 Sandy fell pregnant and she gave birth to a baby boy they decided to call the baby Marc Danny Gregory he was born on the 08th of September 1987, this time was a very special time for Dave and his wife (Sandy)Dave was loved and well known by many people across Essex and Kent,And made a lot of good friends along the way.Dave was a very family orientated man who always done the best he could to help all the family, he always gave his children the chances and helped them to start out in lifeAnd always helped his children to achieve and reach their potential.He was always there in times of trouble and whenever anyone needed advice, Dave wouldn’t hesitate at giving the best advice he could.As Dave got older he was not in good health, so stepped back from being in a band but did on occasion get what he called a ‘scratch band’ together for a one off gig.Also he would sing with many bands that he went to see for an evening’s entertainment, he could not resist but to get up and sing.In later years Dave was approached to hold a country night in a local pub where he became very well known also, he always gave new talent a chance some even did their first ever gig there.As people started to become regulars on Tuesday nights and old faces from the past started to return to the country scene Dave decided he would reform his popular band for one night only.The Powder River Pioneers.He was glad after the night that he had made that decision as the night went off a blast and the pub was full of new and old faces and after 20 years of not playing together they sounded like they’d never split.A year later Dave decided on another reunion of his band but this time he invited other singers to join him and the band for some songs, again the night was a big hit with regulars and old faces.A few months later Dave was taken ill in hospital with his breathing due to a lung disease he had for many years called enthazima,Unfortunately this took its toll on Dave over the last year of his life and ending in blood clots on the lungs.Sadly Dave passed away on the 25th February 2006Dave will always be remembered as one of the finest singers in Essex,He was a legend in his own right..Rest In Peace Dave
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