ROGER Davis was born in 1942 and lived in New Cross Street and attended Marshfield Junior and Highfield Tong schools.

In 1957 he signed on in the Junior RAF until 1961. In 1962 he joined Bradford group Alan Knight and the Chessmen as their lead guitarist - in 1963 they appeared at the famous 2i's Coffee Club In Soho, which played a formative role in the skiffle and rock 'n' roll movement in the 1950s and 60s, with rising stars including Cliff Richard performing there.

From 1965 Roger continued with the band under the new name Chad Wayne and the Chessmen, and was part of the group that went to Germany.

In the1970s Roger's career continued with a few 'normal' jobs in music, his most successful outfit being Simplicity, the first group to be signed for Yorkshire's Television's own record label,York Records. For this label they recorded the theme tune for Hughie Green's Sky's the Limit TV show.

From the 1980s onwards Roger became more involved in agency and management, working with the Bradford club owner Dave Simpson, then later with this own company, which specialised in comedy and the after dinner speaking market. Roger was the agent of one of Britain's most loved comedians, Johnnie Casson, who was also one of the great local rock 'n' roll drummers of the 1960s and 70s.

During his semi-retirement, Roger was still busy as ever, songwriting and sometimes playing with fellow musicians on the Oaks Skiffle Group, which he was part of in the late 1950s.

It was only recently that Roger, who lived in Halifax with his wife Micky, passed away, aged 80. It is a sad loss to his many friends and admirers. We offer Micky and family our sincere condolences.

* Derek AJ Lister was DJ Dal Stevens at Bradford's Gaumont and Majestic dance halls from 1960-65. His books Bradford’s Rock ‘n Roll and When Bradford Rocked profile groups and individual artists who were active on the city's music scene. Derek meticulously researched acts such as Mel Clarke, Mike Sagar, Sammy King, Ray Kennan, Garth Cawood and Kenny Fowler for his books, giving details of their lives, musical careers and achievements.

As revealed in two recent features by former T&A journalist Mike Priestley, that research has now been made available for a new generation in the 21st century - in a website painstakingly put together by Derek and his friend and collaborator Reuben Davison.

* Visit www.whenbradfordrocked.co.uk