Where are they now...

One of the best rock n' roll groups around then was The Satellites, in their heyday.

The group chose that name because of the publicity generated by the Sputnik space programme - all the rage at the time.

This Downton based outfit packed out the village halls in the area during the sixties and amazingly, they still continue to do so to this day.

One of the features that set The Satellites' apart from their contemporaries was the inclusion of Colin Mitchener on saxophone, one of the first local rock n' roll bands to feature the instrument.

Colin said: "It was a different scene in those days. I feel sorry for some of the youngsters playing now because there's not the venues for them. In the sixties you had every other village hall running dances."

The Satellites' have had many changes since those heady days of the early 1960's so where are they now?

Bill Gerkin - the original Satellites singer later became a prison officer Colin Mitchener - continues to play saxophone in The Satellites. He has recently re-formed his other band from the sixties - Just Us.

Tad Holmes - guitarist and now the owner of Carters Jewellers in Queen St. Salisbury Jimmy Trigwell - guitarist now working at Larkhill Camp. Martin Holloway - the original bass player. He now works in the field of international promotions.

Adrian Lucas was the bass player during the 1960's and current bass guitarist is Dave Mace, a departmental manager at UK Provident in Salisbury Original guitarist Rick Pickett, as well as becoming a very respected musician, went on to open a music shop in the city - Mitchell Music.

Mike Ireland - continues to play guitar in The Satellites, and has released a solo album.

Brian Moon is the current Satellites vocalist and recently released his first solo album.

Guitarist Derek Hill is self-employed. Dave Dymott - the original Satellites drummer retired from the music scene 12 years ago.