a Lifetime in Rock and Roll
James Byatt lead Vocals and Guitar
Early influences
They say the age when we are most influenced by popular music is between 13 & 16yrs old. If that were true, then James has no place fronting a Rock & Roll Band.
Thankfully, while Wham!, Bros & Tiffany were topping the charts, and the School Disco echoed to the sounds of Belinda Carlisle, Kylie & Jason, James was sat on the floor, headphones on, flicking through old 45’s…
Some early influences adorning the
walls and record collection…
The sounds of the 50’s & 60’s were like a beacon in the dark for
James with Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Little Richard & The
Everleys soon becoming daily companions. A chance trip to the Royal Albert Hall introduced James to the genius of Eric Clapton and from there a deep love of the Blues developed as well as an appreciation of 60’s R&B.
A First Band
Having seen Chuck Berry & The Rolling Stones play live, James picked up a guitar at the age of 16. A move to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex led to jamming with mates at college and enjoying the local music scene. In the early 90’s he met up with local singer, songwriters Matt Price & Jim Hawkins and they formed a gigging trio, playing a mix of covers & original songs. James settled into a supporting role of rhythm guitarist where he felt most comfortable.
Early 90’s Trio: Down & Out
A Move To Bristol
The late Nineties and early Noughties were lean years and guitars spent more time gathering dust than being played. Having started a family and moved to Bristol, fate stepped in and James turned his talents to organising a string of Battle of the Bands style gigs for corporate employees. For four successive years, James hosted Charity gigs at some of Bristol’s best music venues such as the Fleece & The Thekla. Raising tens of thousands of pounds for local causes.
It also gave James an opportunity to front some of
the bands for the first time and reignited his love
for live performance. James also began performing
every Sunday with a local Christian band, supported
a number of young musicians and managing the Church Youth Group.
James at the Fleece 2009
Thekla 2005
The formation of the Frogs
Work and Family again became a priority in James’ life and the music was put on hold once more.
10 years on and a chance online meeting with Drummer, Wayne Martin, led them to form ‘The Frogs’ and 40 years after getting his first Elvis Album for Christmas, James is fronting one of the liveliest up and coming Rock & Roll Bands in the South West.
What does James enjoy most about playing with The Frogs?
“Well, in addition to getting out the house once a week for a social and some ‘me’ time, playing with this bunch of chaps is a real pleasure. We all get on really well and share a strong love of Rock & Roll and just great live music. Most of all the songs are fun. That’s what we really bring to our live performance. A sense of careless abandon from a bygone age when all you wanted to do was get up and dance!”