Archive - Thursday, 20 December 2001


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Band's singer dies

A PENARTH rock'n'roll band vocalist, whose colleagues went on to form Shakin' Stevens' band The Sunsets, has died at the age of 58.

Leighton Gunter, who leaves four children, was well-known in the 1960s as the lead vocalist with The Backbeats.

Born in Cadoxton, Barry, twice-married Mr Gunter moved to Penarth in the early 1960s after auditioning for the town's first rock'n'roll group.

After their debut at Victoria Youth Club, a regular Saturday night hop followed at the YMCA at Windsor Arcade.

Drummer Rockin' Louie then introduced Mr Gunter and fellow members Cid Petherick, Dave 'Batman' Goddard and Les Allen to Paul Barrett, who became their manager.

With Mr Barrett in tow, the 16-year-olds opened their own venue at the Sea Cadets hall on Stanwell Crescent, going on to win teenage shows at Cardiff's Gaumount and Sophia Gardens Pavilion.

Dave Goddard remembered: "Leighton would win over the girls while performing slow ballads such as One Night and Sea of Love. His Latin good looks and smooth vocal style made him a popular frontman."

Soon after, Jimmy Connell joined as backing singer and took front of stage when the Twist dance hit the scene.

After eight years on the road, touring all over the country, the original line-up began to break up.

In 1968 Mr Gunter quit after suffering injuries in a car crash, and under the guidance of Mr Barrett, some of the others found work in The Sunsets.

Mr Goddard said: "Many Penarthians will have memories of bopping to the hop to Leighton and The Backbeats. Somewhere out there is their first record Rock'n'Roll City, a tribute to the youth of Penarth. With Leighton's death, a little bit of Penarth history is added to. The road goes on forever and the music never ends."

Mr Gunter's funeral took place on December 12.