I was reminded of this story when a few of my friends were posting about this year’s Download Festival which took place over the weekend – coincidentally this year’s the line up featured Wayward Sons with Toby Jepson on vocals.

It was a bit of a scoop here from an obscure online post which suggested that one of Scarborough’s biggest bands might be getting back together.

However when I approached the singer he claimed it was just “Chinese whispers” and there was nothing in it.

We still published the story based on the original online statement and, fast forward four months and the rumours were confirmed as being true – Little Angels were back together, rehearsing and booked to appear at that year’s Download festival.

A colleague managed to get a press pass to review the gig, as I could not make it, and, as I recall, they were caught up in a massive traffic jam of fellow festival goers and unfortunately they did not make it in time to catch the reformed band on stage.

Ex-keyboard player talks of 2012 release and festival

HOPES are high among fans of one of Scarborough’s most successful rock bands that a reunion could be on the cards after rumours surfaced on the internet.

Little Angels were a hard rock band from the late 1980s who toured with some of the biggest names before their eventual split in July 1994.

Rumours of possible reunions have persisted since then but things looked more promising following the release of a statement by former member keyboard player Jim Dickinson.

He now teaches music at the School of Music and Performing Arts, at Bath Spa University, and the statement was published on the university’s website as part of his biography.

It read: “Regarding my commercial music, this year will see me recording new material with The Little Angels, with a scheduled release for 2012 alongside an appearance at a major UK Rock festival.”

When the Evening News approached former Little Angels vocalist Toby Jepson, who is currently touring in the US, he played down the rumours.

He said: “I don’t know where you got any of that information from at all. Chinese whispers I’m afraid.”

The band formed in Scarborough in 1984, when they were known as Mr Thrud, and the original line-up included Toby Jepson on vocals, bassist Mark Plunkett, Dave Hopper on drums, Bruce Dickinson on guitar and his brother Jimmy on keyboards.

The band changed their name to Little Angels around 1987 and Michael Lee was brought in to replace the drummer – the same year that they were one of the last bands to give a concert in Scarborough’s Royal Opera House before an audience of 900.

They eventually signed to Polydor Records in 1988 with a deal that was supposedly signed at London’s Marquee Club – a legendary venue on the rock circuit.

Mark Richardson replaced Lee behind the drums after he was sacked when it was discovered that he had secretly auditioned for The Cult.

While the band was together they toured with the likes of Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Guns n’ Roses and Saxon.

They had a No 1 album, called Jam, in 1992 and 10 top-40 singles between 1990 and 1994 – their high point in the charts was a No 12 spot with Womankind in January 1993.

After the announcement that the band would split they played a sold-out six-date farewell tour which culminated in an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall.

STORY extra

At the time the Little Angels said they were splitting so they could pursue their individual careers:

• Bassist Mark Plunkett went on to manage Ronan Keating;
• Vocalist Toby Jepson has sung on a number of solo projects and with a number of bands;
• Lead guitarist Bruce Dickinson was one of four directors at the acclaimed Brighton Institute of Modern Music;
• Drummer Mark Richardson has since played with bands including Skunk Anansie and Feeder;
• Drummer Michael Lee played with The Cult before later working with ex-Led Zeppelin stars Robert Plant and Jimmy Page;
• Original drummer Dave Hopper worked for the National Trust at Kew Gardens in London
• Keyboard player Jim Dickinson was a member of the Younger Younger 28s before teaching music students at the Westwood campus of Yorkshire Coast College – he has recently moved to Bath to teach at the university.

From Scarborough Evening News on Friday, September 30, 2011.

Festival date for reunited Angels

ONE of Scarborough’s most successful bands have reformed for one of the UK’s biggest festivals, it has been confirmed.

The news coincides with the 25th anniversary of the formation of Little Angels and fans are hoping that one of the warm up gigs will be arranged in their hometown ahead of the Download Festival in June.

Rumours circulated about a possible reunion and festival appearance as early as last September but were initially denied by vocalist Toby Jepson.

Speaking to the Evening News yesterday he said they had already met for one full rehearsal and added: “As most people know it’s been 17 or 18 years since the band were in the same room together. We are very happy that we are all back together and feeling good about it.

“Mark Richardson counted in the first track, She’s A Little Angel, and it was like we’d never been away.”

He said that band members were hoping to be able to play in Scarborough but nothing was yet confirmed. “We were all from Scarborough and there’s a hope that we can get something together that would please everybody,” he added.

As well as Toby Jepson on vocals the reformed line-up features Bruce John Dickinson on guitar, Mark Plunkett on bass, Jimmy Dickinson on keyboards and Mark ‘Rich’ Richardson on drums.

Steve Dickinson, the manager of Mojo’s Cafe in Victoria Road, said he had known the band for many years and was pleased to hear the latest news. He added: “I am over the moon to be honest. It’s fantastic. It’s something we’ve been waiting for, for quite a while.”

Andy Copping, Download’s promoter, said the band were one of his favourites back in the day and he had seen many of their shows. He said: “I’ve worked on trying to get them back together for a number of years now and I’ve finally managed to make it click this year, which is brilliant. Great band, great people and I know they will do a great show at Download.”

STORY extra

• The band formed in Scarborough in 1984 when they were known as Mr Thrud;
• The original line-up included Toby Jepson on vocals, bassist Mark Plunkett, Dave Hopper on drums, Bruce Dickinson on guitar and his brother Jimmy on keyboards;
• They changed their name to Little Angels around 1987 and Michael Lee was brought in to replace Dave Hopper on drums;
• Also that year they were one of the last bands to give a concert in Scarborough’s Royal Opera House before an audience of 900;
• The event brought a flood of complaints from neighbours about noise levels and during the concert 11 seats were broken by fans causing £300 damage;
• Theatre-owner Don Robinson immediately imposed a total ban on pop-group performances there;
• They eventually signed to Polydor Records in 1988 with a deal that was supposedly signed at London’s Marquee Club – a legendary venue on the rock circuit;
• Mark Richardson replaced Lee behind the drums after he was sacked, during the Young Gods tour, when the rest of the band found out that he had secretly auditioned for The Cult;
• While the band was together they toured with the likes of Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Guns n’ Roses and Saxon;
• They had a No 1 album, called Jam, in 1992 and 10 top-40 singles between 1990 and 1994;
• Their high point in the charts was a No 12 spot with Womankind in January 1993;
• After the announcement that the band would split they played a sold out six-date farewell tour which culminated in an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall.

From Scarborough Evening News on Friday, January 20, 2012.