IT ALL BEGAN IN THE SPRING OF '91 ...

Mark Steadman and Charles "chuck" Heber-Hall met whilst performing at a local pub jam session. They played well together and discovered they had a mutual love of 50s and 60s rock 'n'roll. They began to look for other individuals who also shared this love and the band was born.

In the early days, Rock Island Rebels consisted of ; Mark Steadman, Charlie Heber-Hall, Dave Beale and Gibson Keddie. Dave had played with Chuck previously on a profesional level, and it was his technique on the drums that reflected the bands ideals. He had a great bass voice that enhanced the bands vocal harmonies, particulary the doo-wop tracks they became famous for. Gibson, however, was a gifted electric bass guitarist who also had a talent for lead guitar. He could adapt his talent to the needs of the band, and together with his vocal abilities, completed the new bands line up.

Photo by rainbow graphics

In 1996, the band lost Gibson, who left to pursue his career as editor of "Bassist" magazine in the west country, and as a result the band were found looking for a new member.

This they found, in the form of Marc Noel-Johnson, a gifted bass guitarist with great vocal harmonies. Chuck and Mark had both played with Marc previously, and it was his notoriety on the professional circuit as a talented musician and successful buisnessman, that sealed this union.

Then in 1997 the band suffered another loss, Dave left to continue his education in Derbyshire, studying at the university there. Due to the logistics of this move, the band was on the lookout for a replacement drummer and approached Nigal Driver.

Nigal was known to the band, having helped out over the last 2 years covering gigs that Dave was not able to attend. The band had been impressed with his talent and ability to adapt to the rock and roll music style. His rhythm and enthusiasm, together with his strong voice, made him the perfect choice to replace Dave.

And so it continued, for two and a half years the band clicked and rocked the house down. Their music and performances were gaining them regular gigs and a number of hardened fans. Everywhere they played they gave 100%, and this commitment and ability to reflect the sound of the 50s and 60s increased their popularity further.

However, Marc was to leave the band. He decided he wanted a change in his music career and to focus on his now numerous music shops around the country. So once again the band had to look for a suitable replacement.

Enter Dale Brooks, a bass player from Norfolk, who's ambition was to play in a rock and roll band. The band quickly realized that he was the right man for the job, his strong bass voice together with his other musical talents making him ideal to complete the current line up.

March 2004 Nigal decided that he could no-longer carry on with the band due to work commitment's , so we made a decision to ask Rod Norman to join us. Rod was a dep drummer,who had the talent and ability to drop into any band and perform better than any dep drummer the band had ever seen . His vocal harmonising capabilities were fantastic,there was no doubt that Rod was our man and remain's in the current line-up.

Although some of the bands line up has changed through the fifteen years of performing, two members have been there from the begining. Chuck, a gifted lead guitarist and music technician, brought his wealth of experience and profesional knowledge to the band. It is Chuck who ensures that the "sound" is right so that the bands die hard fans and new audiences continue to  appreciate the bands live performances. He is the bands "Mr. Fussy" and everything has to be just so - a trait fuelled, no doubt, by the extensive technical support he has provided to Hank Marvin over the last twelve years.

And Mark, the talented rhythm guitarist and vocalist, has rocked the band and their music since the beginning. It is his ability to stretch his voice and adapt to any given song, that has helped shape the bands reputation. He is an excellent performer and always looks to give his audience a memorable time. It is his strong and seductive voice, together with his great personality that has ensured that the band has continued to grow and develop over the years.

ROCK ISLAND REBELS - the current line up;

Mark Steadman - lead vocals, vocal harmonies and rhythm guitar.

Chuck Heber-Hall - lead guitar and vocal harmonies.

Dale Brooks - Bass guitar and vocal harmonies.

Rod Norman - Drums and vocal harmonies.