Bryn Haworth - Early Years

Early Years

Bryn Haworth was born in 1948 in Blackburn, Lancashire, UK and was brought up in the nearby town of Darwen. His father was a maths teacher and he attended the secondary school where his father taught, Darwen Technical College His main musical influence, however, was his mother, who would often buy the latest 78 releases by such artists as Elvis Presley, Jackie Wilson and Little Richard as well as classical records At the age of 11 Haworth obtained his first guitar and attended lessons in classical guitar for a year. Contemporary musical influences included guitar-based groups such as The Ventures and The Shadows. While still at school, during the era of the Merseybeat groups such as The Beatles, Haworth started playing guitar himself in various local groups, including The Mustangs, The Railroaders and The Mike Taylor Combo.

His first job on leaving school was at the local paper mill, but his band-playing activities led to his dismissal. Haworth later recalled "I couldn’t get up in the morning as I’d been out late the previous night playing in a band, so something had to give."

At 17 Haworth left Lancashire for London, with only a suitcase and a guitar and ended up sleeping rough at Victoria Bus Station. He eventually met up with members of the band Wynder K. Frog and was able to sleep on the floor of the house which the band shared.