18 Sep 1976 – Series Five (2)

Somerset Country & Western trio Country West. Image © The Stage Media Company Limited

The second show in the series saw seven new acts looking to impress the judging panel of George Elrick, Tony Hatch, Martin Jackson and David Bell, the Head of Entertainment and Drama for STV.

Derek Hobson introduced another seven new acts who were;

  • Lee Wilson (vocalist / comedian) from Chichester
  • Mosaic (five-piece group) from Somerset
  • Jack Mozelle (trumpeter) from London
  • Guido (mind reader) from Jersey
  • Country West (vocal / instrumental trio) from Somerset
  • Satin Dolls (vocal duo) from Middlesborough
  • Batt Brothers (vocal duo) from Aberdeen
Winner by a single point was comedy vocalist Lee Wilson.
Image: The Stage Media Company Limited

The winner of the show, by a single point, was vocalist and comedian Lee Wilson. Lee had already worked with another New Faces judge and Pontin’s Entertainment Executive, Bridie Reid, before he appeared on the show completing a successful season at the holiday camp.

Lee had also just released his first E.P. Lee Wilson Sings which three songs, My Prayer, the 1952 Bill Trader written, A Fool Such As I as well as a cover of the Glen Campbell hit Witchata Lineman.

The Satin Dolls would later provide support for New Faces success Lenny Henry.
Image: © The Stage Media Company Limited

Vocal duo The Satin Dolls, who billed themselves as Britain’s most versatile vocal harmony duo, received Tony Hatch’s top mark of the show.
All four judges were very complimentary about the act, here are a few of their comments about the duo;
Tony Hatch, ‘A good commercial sound.’
Martin Jackson, ‘They’ve got tremendous potential.’
George Elrick, ‘They should have lots of success.’
David Bell, ‘Any more choreography and they’d be out of the studio.’

A few months after their appearance on the show The Satin Dolls were supporting New Faces judge Faith Brown and series three success Lenny Henry at the newly opened Deerstalker cabaret venue in Birkenhead.

Trumpeter Jack Mozelle had just released his first record on the EMI label. Image: © The Stage Media Company Limited

Trumpet virtuoso Jack Mozelle was a unique speciality act for the show. He began as an Army bandsman, with the cornet as his speciality, then he became a professional trumpet player with the Moss Empires orchestras in Nottingham and Manchester. He also appeared with Ken Dodd in his Robinson Crusoe pantomime and had played shows internationally, including a two week booking in Sliema, Malta in 1974.

In 1971 Jack started writing songs and had already composed over thirty by the time he appeared on New Faces. As a qualified silver medallist of the Dancing Teachers’ Association he incorporated a tap dancing routine in his cabaret act. Shortly before his appearance he recorded two of his own compositions as his first record, The Lonely Trumpet (b/w The Happy Trumpet), on the EMI record label.

The Batt Brothers, Steve and Jeff, hailed from London but were based in Aberdeen. Image © The Stage Media Company Limited

The Batt Brothers, Steve (24) and Jeff (25), were a young vocal harmony duo who preferred the ballad-type number and they sang their interpretation of the Stylistics hit You Make Me Feel Brand New.

Before their appearance they had been notching up considerable successes in clubs around the North-East of England as well as in Scotland where they were based having relocated from London.

The duo first worked together in May 1975 at a Pontins Holiday Camp, which they followed up with a three-month season in Las Palmas. When they appeared for the first time in North-East Scotland, their potential was recognised by Billy Shaw, resident MD of the Aberdeen Arms Hotel, Tarves, who signed them up for personal management through his own Zam (Entertainments and Leisure) Ltd company.

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