Carl Barron and The Cheetahs

As well as getting their new singer, the Eko's decided that a new image for the group was required to make them stand out from all the other groups so they hit on the idea to have stage outfits made from a leopard-print material. This new appearance on stage certainly got them noticed and soon after, a name change was decided upon to go along with the new visual image. In this way they became 'Carl Barron and The Cheetahs'.

It wasn't long before Carl Barron and The Cheetahs were finding bookings all over Birmingham. Their popularity grew to a point that they were able to make an appearance on the popular BBC television show For Teenagers Only. The groups' big chance for fame came in June of 1963 when they were auditioned and signed by Cliff Richard and The Shadows producer Norrie Paramor to a Columbia Records recording contract.

The first Carl Barron and The Cheetahs record release was a single in January 1964 with the A-side comprising a heavily orchestrated Bob Baratt composition entitled Only The Beginning. Apparently, Carl Barron was the only group member appearing on this recording to supply his lead vocal. The Cheetahs did however get to play on the B-side titled Beg Borrow Or Steal (this single is sometimes mistakenly attributed to Carl Wayne of the Vikings).

Despite the recording contract, the Cheetahs front-man Carl Barron unexpectedly left the country to live in South Africa, soon after the release of the single. With their future now in doubt The Cheetahs were unceremoniously dropped from their EMI/Columbia contract but undaunted, the Cheetahs decided to carry on with Ray Bridger recruited as the group's new vocalist. The suitably abbreviated Cheetahs - still sporting their leopard print outfits then managed to attract the attention of the Phillips Records label who fortunately saw the potential of the group and signed them to a contract in 1964. Note: Carl Barron (Colin Smith) died in Johannesburg years later at the age of only 48.

The first record release from the new line-up of the Cheetahs was a Gene Pitney cover entitled Mecca that managed to gain a No. 36 chart placing in October of 1964. The next single release Soldier Boy, also managed a chart placing, but subsequent records including Whole Lotta Love (which was an original composition by the group), were to have little impact on the charts. Bookings over in Germany at the famous 'Star Club' and other venues were to keep the band busy for the next few years but the Cheetahs had retired their act along with the leopard-print suits for good before the end of the 1960's.