The Vipers Skiffle Group

about

The Vipers Skiffle Group – later known simply as The Vipers - were one of the leading British groups during the skiffle period of the mid to late 1950s, and were important in the careers of radio and TV presenter Wally Whyton, record producer George Martin, and several members of The Shadows. The group formed in the spring of 1956 in central London, originally as a trio of singer-guitarists comprising Wally Whyton, Johnny Martyn (b John Martyn Booker, 1934-2007), and Jean Van den Bosch. Later that summer they added a rhythm section, Tony Tolhurst (bass) and John Pilgrim (washboard), and took up residency at the renowned Soho music venue, the 2i's Coffee Bar. There, they sometimes jammed with singer Tommy Hicks, later known as Tommy Steele. In September 1956 they were offered an audition with George Martin at Parlophone Records, and won a recording contract. Their second single, Whyton’s original song "Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O", produced by George Martin, reached the British top ten in early 1957. The group came into direct competition with Lonnie Donegan on the rival Pye label, who imitated Whyton’s arrangements but had the bigger hits, both with "Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O" and with its follow-up "Cumberland Gap". However, the Vipers’ version of the latter song again made the British top ten, and was followed by their last chart hit, "Streamline Train". Significantly, Martin later commented that working with the Vipers gave him important experience in working with an untra

top songs

albums

The Very Best Of the Vipers Skiffle Group

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Greatest Hits Collection 50s

Maggie May

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Pure Rock 'N' Roll

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British Beat Before The Beatles 1955-1962

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Greatest Hits Of The 50's Box 1 CD 4

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Greatest Hits Collection of the 50's

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Skiffle - The Essential Collection (Digitally Remastered)

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The Beatles Jukebox

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Pure Rock & Roll

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Greatest Hits of the 50's (disc 4)

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Original Hits - Rock 'N' Roll

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