JOE PEDEN - Lead Guitarist

Hi Im Joe, I am the lead guitarist in colin paul and the persuaders.
I have played with many great bands and musicians over the years and played some wonderful gigs. I have played in the USA and in Europe. I got the chance to play or work with some top players many you would call household names, i.e The Stranglers, Stephen Stills,
If I had to pick some big moments it would be meeting George Harrison and Jeff Beck in London.
as well as rock 'n' roll i enjoy all kinds of music, I think you can find something to enjoy in most styles of music you just gotta open your ears. I would like to get to a level of playing that I am happy with somewhere between Jeff Beck and Jimmie Vaughan .
A while back I was in New York city and got to play at Arlenes Grocery in the east village.I was there over the Easter period and got to meet lots of wonderful people, it was just like you have seen on T.V but better. I met Muzz Skillings from the band Living color and Steve Vai who just passed by my hotel.
I did some wonderful gigs over the last few years with the legendary P.J Proby, he has so many stories to tell about his past and the people he has worked with. At one point Jim Proby had Led Zepplin as his backing band so as you can imagine it got a bit wild . Also I have been playing with Wayne Fontana who is without a doubt the funniest person I have ever met, he makes playing a real joy. Anybody who has seen Wayne perform will tell you about how talented he is as a singer and a comic..
and i am now enjoying myself with the persuaders and recently been into the studio to record a new album. And a live show at the ritz in brighouse.

PETER THOMAS - Drums and Vocals

In 2001 I was asked to take part in a 6 week Nationwide tour as

Hi, I’m Peter and I’ve been playing the drums since I got my first drum kit at the age of 12. I joined Redgate Boys Silver Band where I learned how to read music and improve my technique. I travelled all over Europe with the band playing in Music Festivals and made many friends from different countries. From the age of 14 I was playing in the pubs and clubs of St Helens where I won numerous awards for my musicianship

In 2001 I was asked to take part in a 6 week Nationwide tour as a member of P J Proby’s band. On that tour I worked with The Searchers, Miss Billie Davis and Peter Sarstedt.

In 2004 I was again asked to tour with PJ Proby, this time we worked with The Troggs, The Ivy League and Hermans Hermits. On this tour I had the privilege of standing in at the last minute for Barry Whitwam, (the Hermits drummer) who took ill just before the show.

Over the years I have worked with many recording artistes and television celebrities but if I named them all there wouldn’t be enough room on the page!

Prior to joining Colin Paul and The Persuaders I was with a band called The Lurve Brothers for 8 years, we earned ourselves a very good reputation on the club circuit and won many awards including “Best Trio” 3 years on the run. We played a wide variety of music ranging from the 50s right up to the present day. The Lurve Brothers also worked as the backing band for Wayne Fontana and on occasion Jimmy James (as the Vagabonds).

As well as playing drums with Colin Paul and The Persuaders I am also Colin’s second voice, and I sing lead on a couple of tracks in the set. Away from the music I work full-time as a Psychiatric Nurse, which helps when working with these guys! I live in Rainhill (near St Helens) with my wife Emma and West Highland Terrier, Jake!

I currently play a 1972 Ludwig Super Classic drum kit.

The Lurve Brothers with Jimmy James

With Pj Proby 2006

Peter in Holland 1978 age 17

CHRIS EVANS - BASS GUITARIST

Hello im' chris

I play bass guitar and provide backing vocals for colin paul and the persuaders. i have taken over from martin, who is a fine bassist and a hard act to follow. a big thankyou to martin for all his support.

i started playing bass when i was 14 in salford, manchester with a band called 'the manchester federals'. we played all the usual pubs and clubs in the area.

my first guitar was a hofner bass costing £47.00 in 1961.

since then i have worked with lots of top musicians and bands, including.. sioux showgroup, after midnight, heartbeat. i also toured with rock 'n' roll band 'the 50's flyers' we had a couple of singles released that did very well in holland. i also toured the theatres with big jim white and presley in mind. depped with pete mc'lain and the clan, the emperors of rhythm, freddie and the dreamers, rockin 1%, stax of soul, vintage and a 12 month tour with top 60's band the casuals.

i am now having a great time with colin paul and the persuaders. these guys are great to work with, very professional and commited. i am currently using a 76 precision bass through a trace elliot stack.

i live in dukinfield with my wife christine [mrs E].

ROCKIN IN OLDHAM' MANCHESTER 1983

IN A RUBETTES TRIBUTE BAND' STOKE 1986

COUNTRY ROCK BAND - AEROPLANE 1989

PETER [ PED ] TAYLOR - KEYBOARDS

Hello, I’m Ped, (peter)
I started playing piano at the age of eight, on a piano bought for £10 off the next door neighbour. By the time I was 15, I was playing in clubs for private parties, joining my first band by the time I was 16, then playing 5 or 6 nights per week by the time I was 17 in hotels, night clubs and holiday parks, mostly around Cumbria & south west Scotland.
I took a break from working in bands when my children were young, but taught piano, organ and keyboard instead, then I re joined the band scene and have played in various bands in Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and Blackpool. The last band I was in before joining Colin Paul and the persuaders was a Newcastle based band called The Precious things, playing weddings, private parties etc.
Looking back on the world of playing in bands, and the people I have met, I have to say its been a real pleasure to have played with some great musicians, not famous ones, but people who have a great talent and love of music, and together we have enjoyed some great gigs (and some not so great gigs!) Doing all sorts of music from ballroom, pop and rock and blues.
Although I am the newest member to Colin Paul and the persuaders, from the gigs I have done so far with them, I am looking forward to working with the band as they’re a great bunch of guys, and fabulous musicians, i just wish I had met them all a lot sooner !!
On stage I am using three keyboards, - a Yamaha tyros, a Roland G7 and a Korg triton, The Roland has a great piano sound , whilst the Yamaha has nicer strings, and in my opinion, all three blend nicely together, I hope you like the sounds when you hear them for yourself...it would have been easier if I just played the mouth organ !
I live and work in Carlisle Cumbria, 9 miles from the Scottish border.

COLIN PAUL

Colin Paul was born in Brisbane, Australia on the 8^th june 1962 and discovered from an early age he had a talent of mimicking other people; his school teachers’ friends’ family and celebrities. on first hearing the voice of his idol Elvis Presley in 1970’ he knew he wanted to become a singer. Although quite shy, he was determined to overcome his shyness and get on that stage. 12 years later that dream finally became reality when Colin appeared in a local talent show and won. That gave him enough courage to seek local gigs, auditions etc and he soon became a regular performer in Manchester pubs and clubs, Colin later formed his own band in may 1988 and by November that year ‘raw deal’ was on the road. Four months later a local Manchester radio dj suggested he change the name to ‘The Stormbeats’ and from then on there was no looking back. After Seven successful years of gigs in the north west clubs’ Colin wanted more. On the 12^th august 1995 Colin Paul and the persuaders performed their first gig together. Very soon hitting the rock ‘n’ roll clubs all over the uk, Europe and leading to regular work in the US.

The rest is history.

I WANNA BE A ROCK 'N' ROLL STAR

LIVE IN NEWARK

MID 90'S PUBLICITY SHOT

Persuading you to rock