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Rick Westwood
Rick Westwood
Rick Westwood
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Key Information

Richard Westwood (born 7 May 1943), also known as Rick West or Ricky West,[1] is a British retired musician, known for being a member of the Tremeloes from 1962 to 2012.

Early life

[edit]

Richard Westwood was born in Dagenham, East London on 7 May 1943. Westwood first learned how to play guitar at age nine, and got his first electric guitar at age 12 after seeing guitarist Bert Weedon play live.[2][1]

He was in "Joe and the Teens"[3] and "Tony Rivers & the Castaways" before he joined the Tremeloes.[1]

Career

[edit]

Westwood joined Brian Poole and the Tremeloes (originally spelt correctly as “Tremoloes”) in 1962. On 31 December 1962, Decca Records chose the Tremeloes over the Beatles' audition, due to the Dagenham band living closer in comparison to the Liverpool band.[4] They first entered the charts with a cover of Twist and Shout in 1963, the song went to number four in the UK.[5]

The Tremeloes in 1968, left to right: Dave Munden, Rick Westwood, Len Hawkes, Alan Blakley

They initially found success in the British Invasion era with lead singer Brian Poole, scoring a UK chart-topper in 1963 with "Do You Love Me", the song went to number one in three different countries (UK, Ireland, New Zealand[5][6]). The band mostly covered rock and roll songs of the 1950s, and appeared on shows such as Ready Steady Go!, Top of the Pops, and the NME poll winners concerts in 1964. After Poole's departure in 1966, the band achieved further success as a four-piece with 13 top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart between 1967 and 1971 including "Here Comes My Baby", "Even the Bad Times Are Good", "(Call Me) Number One", "Me and My Life" and their most successful single, "Silence Is Golden" (1967).[7] Westwood played bass guitar on "Sweet Illusion", a 1973 a minor hit penned and recorded by Junior Campbell of Marmalade. The song spent nine weeks on the Official Singles Chart and peaked at fifteen.

Westwood was applauded for his falsetto vocals on the Tremeloes' hit song "Silence Is Golden", however in the mid-1970s, Westwood started having troubles hearing, and briefly left the band to recover, replaced by Bob Benham during this time. Once he came back, he was unable to sing properly, including being completely unable to sing falsetto.[8]

During 1977–1979, he played piano for the Nashville Teens, leaving to rejoin the Tremeloes as they reformed.[9]

Westwood served as Tremeloes guitarist until 2012, when he announced his retirement after 54 years.[2] His last concert was in Guildford on 1 November. The performance was a part of the “Sensational 60s Experience” tour. An exact reason for Westwood's retirement isn't clear, but his long history of hearing problems is suspected to be the reason.[8] Westwood returned to the band with Hawkes for a small tour in 2019.

Jimmy Page of the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin once noted Westwood as “one of the world’s best guitarists.”[2]

Allegations

[edit]

In December 2015, it was reported that Westwood and Tremeloes member Chip Hawkes would stand trial for the April 1968 assault of a then-fifteen-year-old girl[10] at a hotel in Chester.[11] In December 2015, while leaving Chester Crown Court, both he and Hawkes were assaulted by an intoxicated photographer, who had to be restrained by their barrister.[12]

In July 2016, it was reported that both parties had been acquitted after their accuser failed to enter evidence.[13]

Discography

[edit]

(See The Tremeloes discography)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rick Westwood

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Richard Westwood (born 7 May 1943), professionally known as Rick Westwood or Rick West, is a retired English and best recognized for his long-standing role as lead and vocalist with the 1960s band , which he joined in 1962 and remained with until his retirement in 2012. Born in , , Westwood began playing guitar at the age of nine and acquired his first shortly thereafter, sparking a lifelong passion for the instrument. Before joining , he performed as a with the Essex-based group and the Castaways from around 1960 to 1962, contributing to their harmony-driven pop and R&B sound during the early British beat scene. Westwood's arrival in marked a pivotal shift for the band, which had originally formed in 1958 and gained initial fame with lead singer ; after Poole's departure in 1966, Westwood helped steer the group toward international success with his distinctive guitar work, including pioneering the fuzz guitar effect on tracks like "Let Your Hair Hang Down" and "Suddenly Winter." Under his tenure, achieved multiple UK chart-topping and top-10 hits, including the 1963 cover of the 1967 singles "Here Comes My Baby" and "Silence Is Golden" (which reached number one), and later releases like "Even the Bad Times Are Good" (1967) and "Me and My Life" (1970). His contributions extended to songwriting, backing vocals, and occasional bass playing, solidifying the band's polished pop style that blended beat, harmony, and through the 1970s. Beyond music, Westwood faced legal scrutiny in 2015 when he and former bandmate Len "Chip" Hawkes were charged with historical allegations from 1968; both were acquitted in after the prosecution failed to present evidence. Following his 2012 departure from —after over five decades with the group—Westwood retired from performing, though the band continues with a new lineup as of 2024.

Early life

Birth and family background

Richard Westwood was born on 7 May 1943 in , (then part of ). Limited specific details are available about his immediate family. He grew up in post-war , a predominantly industrial area centered around the Ford motor plant. The community in and faced economic hardships from and reconstruction, as well as the broader challenges of in . Westwood's early childhood experiences included local schooling in this environment, before his interests shifted toward in .

Musical beginnings

Westwood began playing guitar at the age of nine. Largely self-taught, he practiced extensively and began performing locally, developing a versatile style. These experiences in fostered his musical experimentation.

Musical career

Pre-Tremeloes groups

Westwood's earliest professional musical engagements took place in the local music scene of , , during the late , where he developed his skills as a through semi-professional bands. In 1959, he joined Joe and the Teens as the , performing on a Hofner Club 40 alongside bandmates Mervyn Greenaway on Fender Musicman, vocalist Joe Wheal, drummer John Haylock, and Mick Clarke on Guyatone guitar—the latter of whom later co-founded . This group provided Westwood with initial stage experience in the emerging style, focusing on local performances that helped him refine his techniques. Following his time with Joe and the Teens, Westwood transitioned to (originally formed as The Cutaways in in 1960), where he served as lead guitarist under the stage name Ricky West. The band, which backed singer (real name Tony Thompson) after his joining in late 1961, specialized in harmony pop and beat sounds influenced by the , performing numerous local gigs in the area, including at venues like Elizabeth Hall in . Westwood's contributions included guitar work on their semi-professional circuit, which built his reputation and honed his abilities in ensemble playing and live delivery during this formative period. These pre-Tremeloes groups marked a crucial transition for Westwood around 1957–1958, as he shifted from self-taught guitar practice in his teenage years to organized performances, gaining practical experience in and early beat ensembles amid the rising popularity of artists like . By the early 1960s, his involvement in these Dagenham-based outfits had solidified his role as a proficient lead guitarist, preparing him for more prominent opportunities.

Tenure with

Rick Westwood joined in as lead guitarist and backing vocalist, becoming a core member of the band originally formed in 1958 in , . His involvement began in the early , contributing to the group's transition from local beat combo to national stardom. Under the billing & The Tremeloes, the band secured a contract after winning a talent contest in , leading to their breakthrough hit "," a cover of ' R&B track that topped the UK Singles Chart for six weeks in 1963. Westwood's guitar work and high harmonies played a key role in the band's sound during their beat era, with the group evolving toward pop and psychedelic influences by the mid-1960s. Following Brian Poole's departure in 1966 due to creative differences, rebranded as a featuring Westwood on , on rhythm guitar and keyboards, Len "Chip" Hawkes on bass, and Dave Munden on drums; this lineup replaced Poole with Hawkes, who had previously been in . The shift marked a move to Records and a more polished pop style, yielding consecutive hits like "Here Comes My Baby" (No. 4, 1967) and "Even the Bad Times Are Good" (No. 4, 1967). Their signature 1967 single "Silence Is Golden," a Four Seasons cover, reached No. 1 in the UK for three weeks and featured Westwood's prominent co-lead vocals alongside Hawkes, adding emotional depth to the track's harmonies. Westwood's innovative guitar tones, including fuzz effects achieved via a Gibson fuzz pedal, distinguished songs like "Let Your Hair Hang Down" (1967 B-side), blending psychedelic experimentation with pop accessibility. The band co-wrote material during this period, with Westwood contributing to tracks such as "" (1964), an original B-side that showcased their songwriting growth. Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, toured extensively across the , , and the , sharing bills with acts like Roy Orbison, , and , which solidified their international appeal despite limited American chart success. Their 1970 single "Me and My Life" (No. 4 ) exemplified this era's reflective pop sound, though the band increasingly leaned into circuits. In the mid-1970s, Westwood experienced that impaired his range, prompting a shift to guitar-focused roles and reducing his vocal contributions.

Later activities and retirement

Following his departure from The Tremeloes in the mid-1970s, Westwood joined as pianist from 1977 to 1979, where he contributed to the band's reunion tours and associated recordings before leaving to rejoin his former group. In 1979, Westwood rejoined the reformed as lead guitarist and vocalist, continuing to perform with the band on tours and live shows across the and for over three decades. He remained a core member until announcing his retirement at the end of 2012, marking the conclusion of a 54-year career in music that began in 1958. Westwood's retirement was influenced by his advancing age and ongoing health challenges, including hearing difficulties stemming from prolonged exposure during his earlier performing years in the 1970s. His final concert with took place in on 1 November 2012. In 2019, Westwood briefly returned to for select performances with a reformed lineup of , including a limited tour alongside Chip Hawkes. Since then, he has made only occasional appearances and provided interviews reflecting on his career, with no full-time commitments as of 2025.

Personal life

Family

Richard Westwood has been married to his wife, Lynn Westwood, whose maiden name is not publicly documented. Details regarding the date and circumstances of their marriage remain sparse, reflecting the couple's preference for privacy away from the public eye. The Westwoods reside in , , in , a location they chose following the peak of Westwood's musical career. There are no confirmed reports of children in their family, and they have consistently kept personal matters private. Lynn Westwood provided visible support to her husband during challenging periods, including accompanying him outside court after his 2016 on historical charges. Westwood's extensive tenure with , spanning over four decades until his retirement in 2012, likely placed demands on family time, yet the couple maintained a stable home life in their later years.

Health issues

Westwood experienced , which was attributed to years of exposure to high-volume performances during his time with . This condition particularly affected his ability to deliver high-range vocals, including falsetto harmonies that were a signature of the band's sound. No other significant health issues have been publicly disclosed for Westwood as of 2025. Following his retirement from the band in 2012, Westwood has managed his well-being through routine care typical for age-related conditions, though specific details are not publicly available. The hearing challenges contributed to his decision to step away from performing.

Indecent assault allegations

In 2015, Richard Westwood, a former member of the band , was charged with indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl in April 1968. The alleged incident occurred in a hotel room in following a performance by the band during their active touring period in the late 1960s. Westwood, who had served as the band's lead guitarist since 1962, faced the charge alongside his former bandmate Leonard "Chip" Hawkes, the , who joined in 1966. Both men, then aged 72 and 70 respectively, were accused of the single count of on the underage girl. These charges emerged as part of a broader scrutiny of historical sexual abuse allegations within the British music industry, prompted by high-profile investigations akin to , which examined past misconduct in circles.

Trial and acquittal

In November 2015, Richard Westwood and Leonard "Chip" Hawkes, former members of , were charged with indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl following a gig in in April 1968. They first appeared at on 2 December 2015, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial date was subsequently set for 6 February 2017 at Reading Crown Court. On 22 July 2016, prior to the full trial, the case collapsed at Reading Crown Court when prosecutor Owen Edwards informed the court that the Crown Prosecution Service was offering no evidence against the defendants. Judge John Reddihough directed the jury to return not guilty verdicts, formally acquitting Westwood and Hawkes of the charges. The decision stemmed from insufficient evidence to proceed, exacerbated by the nearly 50-year delay since the alleged incident, which left no viable corroboration or supporting proof. Following the , Westwood described the preceding two and a half years as "horrendous," stating that the "spurious allegations" had tarnished his 50-year career and caused significant personal trauma, while criticizing the investigation as a "" for its lack of balance. Hawkes echoed the relief, calling it of the "worst" period of his life and a lifting of a "black cloud," and thanked supporters for standing by them during the ordeal. The pair were fully cleared, with no further legal action pursued.

Discography

Releases with The Tremeloes

During his time as lead guitarist with starting in 1962, Rick Westwood contributed to the band's extensive discography, which included over 20 singles and approximately 10 albums spanning the era through the late 1960s. These releases showcased his prominent guitar riffs and occasional vocal harmonies, helping drive the group's commercial success with 21 UK Top 40 singles and two number-one hits. Key singles from Westwood's early tenure include "Do You Love Me" (1963), a cover that topped the UK Singles Chart and featured his foundational lines alongside the band's energetic rhythm section, and "" (1963), which peaked at number four. Later, as the band transitioned post-Brian in 1966, Westwood's vocals and guitar work shone on "Silence Is Golden" (1967), another number-one hit adapted from The Four Seasons, with his soaring leads enhancing the track's dramatic build. "Even the Bad Times Are Good" (1967) followed at number four, bolstered by Westwood's rhythmic guitar on the "Jenny's Alright." By 1970, "Me and My Life" reached number four, where Westwood's added texture to the introspective pop arrangement. Throughout these singles, Westwood's instrumentals on B-sides, such as "Why Can't You Love Me" and "Let Your Hair Hang Down," provided raw, fuzz-toned edges that complemented the hits. On the album front, Westwood participated in early efforts like Brian Poole & (1963), a Decca collection of twist-era covers emphasizing his budding guitar style, and Here Come (1966), which introduced more original material and charted at number 15 in the UK. Face to Face with (1967) captured the band's live energy with Westwood's dynamic solos, while Suddenly You Love Me (1968) marked a psychedelic pivot, incorporating his experimental guitar effects on tracks like the title song, which peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart. Later compilations, such as Live at the (various releases), preserved Westwood's live guitar performances from BBC sessions during this period.

Songwriting credits

Rick Westwood's songwriting contributions were primarily collaborative efforts during his time with , where he co-authored several tracks that showcased the band's evolving sound from beat pop to psychedelic influences in the mid-to-late . One of his earliest credits came in 1964, when Westwood co-wrote the B-side alongside bandmates , Alan Howard, , and Dave Munden for the single "Twelve Steps to Love" by Brian Poole & The Tremeloes. This original composition reflected the group's early harmonic style and was later covered by other artists, including Los Beta Quartet. In 1967, Westwood collaborated again with Blakley and on "Let Your Hair Hang Down," the B-side to the band's international hit "Silence Is Golden." The track incorporated mod and psychedelic elements, featuring a driving rhythm and vocals, aligning with the era's trends. In 1969, Westwood co-wrote "Instant Whip" with drummer Dave Munden, serving as the B-side to "(Call Me) Number One." This bluesy, riff-driven number highlighted the band's heavier rock explorations and appeared on subsequent compilations. Westwood's credited works totaled a handful of B-sides and album tracks, with no significant solo compositions following his tenure with ; his later creative output was limited partly by .

References

  1. https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/shopping/last-chance-to-see-original-tremeloes-guitarist-2363890
  2. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34796549
  3. https://garagehangover.com/tony-rivers-the-castaways-gigs-1963-1968/
  4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2007/11/30/music_tremeloes_feature.shtml
  5. https://www.secondhandsongs.com/artist/176244/all
  6. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-36865947
  7. https://tremeloes.co.uk/about/
  8. http://www.45-rpm.org.uk/dirt/tremeloes.htm
  9. https://secondhandsongs.com/artist/176244/all
  10. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/mar/21/dagenham-barking-ford-industrial-history
  11. https://www.eastlondonhistory.co.uk/east-end-1950s/comment-page-1/
  12. http://policypress.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1332/policypress/9781847426512.001.0001/upso-9781847426512-chapter-2
  13. https://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/hofner/users/rickwest.html
  14. http://www.classicbands.com/TremeloesInterview.html
  15. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/brian-poole-and-the-tremeloes-do-you-love-me/
  16. https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/tremeloes-psychedelic/
  17. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12852/tremeloes/
  18. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/tremeloes-silence-is-golden/
  19. https://secondhandsongs.com/work/241904
  20. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/tremeloes-me-and-my-life/
  21. https://elevatedobservations.proboards.com/thread/218/hollies-tremeloes?page=3
  22. http://www.nashville-teens.com/Main07.htm
  23. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34796549
  24. https://entertainmentsouthwales.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/2015-06-drummer-still-on-beat-with-tremeloes-html/
  25. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3702991/The-Tremeloes-members-acquitted-indecently-assaulting-15-year-old-girl-gig-50-years-ago.html
  26. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3343162/Two-members-Tremeloes-accused-sexually-assaulting-teenage-fan.html
  27. https://news.sky.com/story/two-tremeloes-members-deny-sex-assault-charge-10337399
  28. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/05/the-tremeloes-hawkes-westwood-deny-indecent-assault-on-girl-15
  29. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/22/tremeloes-stars-acquitted-of-indecently-assaulting-15-year-old-f/
  30. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34996423
  31. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-35971612
  32. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/22/members-of-1960s-band-the-tremeloes-acquitted-of-assaulting-teenager
  33. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1490409/tremeloes-stars-cleared-of-historic-sex-assault-on-15-year-old-girl-after-three-years-of-hell/
  34. https://www.musicvf.com/The+Tremeloes.songs
  35. https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2020/09/the-tremeloes-the-complete-cbs-recordings-1966-1972-2020.html
  36. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1183515-Rick-Westwood
  37. https://www.discogs.com/release/584730-Brian-Poole-And-The-Tremeloes-Twelve-Steps-To-Love
  38. https://www.discogs.com/release/2135636-The-Tremeloes-Silence-Is-Golden
  39. https://www.discogs.com/release/5856097-The-Tremeloes-Call-Me-Number-One-Instant-Whip
  40. https://www.discogs.com/release/4091454-Tremeloes-What-A-State-Im-In
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