b, voc, 1963-1966 GB
Musician of Rock
A.k.a. John Frederick Gandy
The Fairies were a British rhythm and blues band led by drummer John 'Twink' Alder, who recorded three singles between 1964 and 1965.The group began in Colchester, Essex, in 1963 as 'Dane Stephens and the Deep Beats'. After a year, the band evolved into 'The Fairies' - Dane Stephens (born Douglas Robert Ord, vocals/blues harp), John 'Akky' Acutt (lead guitar, ex-The Strangers), Mick 'Wimps' Weaver (rhythm guitar/fiddle - not the same-named organ player also known as Wynder K Frog), John Frederick 'Freddy' Gandy (bass) and John 'Twink' Alder (drums, ex-The Strangers). The Fairies were sometimes sent gifts and Alder, having long curly hair, regularly received bottles of Twink brand home perm lotion. It was at this time that he adopted 'Twink' as his stage name.