Band: The Rakes (of Gravesend)

Subject: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 05:00 AM

Just flicking through Mudcat on a wet morning- I can find no trace of the above band, who were, for me, the major traditional English band of the revival's early days.

Quite apart from their days with Bob Davenport, they were a tremendous and influential band in their own right. Yes I know their material was mainly Irish, but what a rhythm they had for dancing! Totally unlike the staid EFDSS bands of the time.

I'm using the past tense but believe they are still operating?
It's just amazing there's absolutely nothing on Mudcat about them, or have I missed something?

Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 05:31 AM

Yes, they're still going. Reg Hall, Paul Gross and Michael Plunkett.
Derek

Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,Kent boy
Date: 10 Aug 15 - 05:03 AM

Is that the Rakes of Bob Davenport and the Rakes?- what has Gravesend got to do with them?

Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 10 Aug 15 - 06:36 AM

They were originally called The Rakes of Gravesend which is where they came from at the time, I believe. As a variation on the name of the tune, The Rakes of Mallow. Not really been called by the longer name for many, many years...
Derek

Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 10 Aug 15 - 10:20 AM

Not really been called by the longer name for many, many years...
At least 50 years I think.

Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 10 Aug 15 - 10:40 AM

Tina and I danced to them years before we were married.
We booked them for our Silver Wedding Ceilidh 24 years ago.
Next August is our Golden Wedding......

Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Aug 15 - 02:25 PM

The band celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2006

Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Aug 15 - 02:35 PM

"Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: Vic Smith - PM
Date: 10 Aug 15 - 10:40 AM

Tina and I danced to them years before we were married.
We booked them for our Silver Wedding Ceilidh 24 years ago.
Next August is our Golden Wedding...." CONGRATULATIONS

Subject: RE: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 24 - 03:04 PM

Paul Gross, my uncle, passed away earlier this year agex 86. Michael Plunkett has also died.

Subject: RE: Band: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Mar 24 - 05:19 PM

was there another member originally who played drums?

Subject: RE: Band: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 13 Mar 24 - 06:03 PM

Ron Somers played drums with them occasionally.
Derek

Subject: RE: Band: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: G-Force
Date: 14 Mar 24 - 04:20 AM

Pretty sure Lucy Farr was on fiddle when we danced to them in about 1974/5.

Subject: RE: Band: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 17 Mar 24 - 05:47 PM

For my money, the Rakes were the best & most rhythmic of all the English bands I've ever heard, even if a lot of their material was Irish! They also had a priceless ability to adapt their music to what was going on around them, a rare quality nowadays- a truly 'folk' band, in its real sense.

Subject: RE: Band: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,Trevor Sheridan
Date: 18 Mar 24 - 05:30 AM

Great band. They played for my 40th birthday in Bramford Village Hall with the local copper joining in on piano. Lovely evening over 40 years ago. Sad to learn of Paul and Michael’s deaths….two nice blokes

Subject: RE: Band: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 21 Mar 24 - 11:54 AM

The Rakes of Gravesend, tracks on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTRkr6ImezFVAwj6tec5jIcSxeizzFP-I

Subject: RE: Band: The Rakes (of Gravesend)
From: GUEST,Bryony Harris
Date: 23 Apr 24 - 06:38 AM

Very sad to hear that Paul Gross and Michael Plunkett have died. I worked with Michael in the early 70s and his enthusiasm inspired in me a lifetime of playing and enjoying traditional music. The Rakes were such a great band to dance to, and yes, Lucy Farr often played with them. Their annual New years eve ceilidh at Binstead in Hampshire was a particular highlight.