Jigsaw (band) - The Early Days

The Early Days

The original line-up consisted of Dave "Biffo" Beech (vocals and drums) (born David Beech, 25 September 1945, in Rugby, Warwickshire, died 7 June 2007); Clive Scott (keyboards and vocals) (born 24 February 1945, in Coventry, died 10 May 2009); Barrie Bernard (bass guitar) (born 27 November 1944, in Coventry); Tony Campbell (guitar) (born Anthony Campbell, 24 June 1944, in Rugby); Tony Britnell (saxophone) and Kevin "Beppy" Mahon (saxophone). Biffo left in the first year, and was replaced by Des Dyer (drums) (born Desmond Dyer, 22 May 1948, in Rugby, Warwickshire), who took over lead vocals.

Scott was previously in Scott and The Antarctics; Dyer had played in both The Surfcyders and Clockwork Shoppe; Campbell, Mahon and Beech had worked together previously in The Mighty Avengers; and Bernard had been a member of Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, whilst Britnel had worked with The Fortunes.

Campbell actually named the band after a Manchester nightclub called "The Jigsaw Club", but the way that he 'pieced together' the band from other members of existing groups also gave added credence to the name.

In 1970, the group were given the opportunity of turning fully professional by being the backing band for Arthur Conley, on his European tour. Most of the band took the plunge, but Kevin Mahon decided to keep his day job and left the band. In 1974, Tony Britnell became seriously ill and left the band. After his recuperation he became a member of The Sunsets, the backing band for Shakin' Stevens.