The special guest at our November meeting was Dale Aston. Influenced by early rock and roll, Dale taught himself to play the guitar. He and a friend, Wendell Colbert, who also played guitar formed a band in 1963. They took the name Torquays after a town in England and a song by The Ventures of that name. The initial band had several members, but eventually dwindled down to five, Dale on guitar and lead vocals, Wendell on bass, Barry Bicknell on trumpet, Eugene Hayes on drums and Steve Salord on sax. The Torquays made two records. The first, “While I’m Away” written by Aston backed by a great Doo Wop sounding “Pineapple Moon.” These were recorded in Muscle Shoals at Fame Studios. Both sides got significant air play in the Birmingham area. The second record, “You’re The One Who Loves Me” (also written by Aston) was recorded in Memphis. The Torquays often backed artists like Travis Wammack, Chuck Berry, Billy Joe Royal and Bobby Goldsboro. They played steadily all throughout the southeast, but disbanded in 1968. Dale went on to play a short stint with the Distortions, another popular Birmingham band.
