Vince Eager

Some Details...

Vince Eager is a legend in British Rock 'n' Roll, and to his many fans worldwide he is part and parcel of the great 50's and 60's Rock 'n' Roll era that started it all, even before the brilliant 'Beatles'. Starring in the original British TV legendry shows 'O' Boy', 6'5 Special, Drumbeat etc;

(for you Americans reading this, these were the shows that compared very favourably with 'The American Bandstand' etc) and touring with both British and American stars like Eddy Cochran, Cliff Richard, Gene Vincent, Marty Wild, Billy Fury, The Platters (see The Platters ) a recording career. Even along the way starring in one of the most successful music shows to tour the world 'Elvis The Musical' for five years.

ROKOLA
Vince Eager is much sought after as a great Entertainer both in the UK and Europe. Vince appears either with his great band 'Rockola' in his show 'JUKEBOX HEROES', or as the classy entertainer on cruises and theatre/pantomime. Vince is also earning a reputation as one of the most successful After Dinner Speakers around telling many a tale about the days of 'Rock 'n' Roll'.

Born Roy Taylor, St Johns Parish Church Grantham was the venue of Vince’s early successes. As a junior chorister his unique powerful vocal style was recognised and harnessed by his choir mistress. Anthem solos, Christmas carol sing-a-longs and invitations from other parishes and Westminster Abbey introduced Vince to travel.

To most boy sopranos the “breaking voice” was the beginning of the end, not Vince, he grabbed the opportunity by forming a harmonica trio with his two pals, Brain Locking and Roy Clarke. When his voice returned in a lower register, Vince and his pals were augmenting their harmonica act with Lonnie Donegan Skiffle songs. It was this decision that saw the Harmonica Vagabonds, as they were then known, becoming the Vagabonds Skiffle Group. Winning many talent competitions plus runner up in the televised World Skiffle Championships proved the springboard to national and international prominence.

DECCA CONTRACT
It was during a six months house band residency at the famous 2 I’s Coffee Bar in London that pop guru Larry Parnes booked the Vagabonds to appear on a Sunday concert starring Marty Wilde at the Coventry Gaumont. Following the show it was only a matter of hours before Roy Taylor became Vince Eager and a member of the famous “Parnes Stable” of popsters.

A Decca recording contract, a six months' residency at Churchill’s Night Club in New Bond Street London and numerous appearances on the legendary TV shows 6’5 Special, Oh Boy and Drumbeat, established Vince as a household name.

Being recognised as one of popular music’s most dynamic stage performers opened the door to many of the world’s premier theatres and cabaret rooms. It was also Vince’s stage skills and powerful voice that landed him the role of the mature Elvis in London’s West End production of ELVIS the Musical, which he toured the world with for 5 years taking in Australia, Canada, South Africa and Europe for which he received critical acclaim from the world’s press as well as cultivating a new legion of admirers.

Oh Boy
Marty - Vince - Cliff - Harry Robinson (Lord Rockingham's 11) Cherry Wainer and The Vernon Girls on 'Oh Boy' TV show.

Following on from his success with Elvis, Vince moved to Florida where he was based for 14 years as he enjoyed further success as a Cruise Director onboard luxury cruise liners throughout the world.

Upon his return to the UK Vince formed the band Rockola. With Vince’s sons and daughter- in -law, forming the nucleus of Rockola, Vince is once again in demand for festivals and theatre appearances. He is also fast gaining a reputation as an after dinner speaker, and as a guest on radio chat shows where his easygoing style coupled with a wealth of rock n’ roll anecdotes is proving popular with listeners and presenters alike.