The Orchids - 1960s Coventry girl band

[dutchman]

[dutchman]

The Orchids' reunite and birthday celebrations at Coventry Music Museum



Coventry Stoke Park School girl trio of The Orchids finally got together, for the first time in over 50 years, this is the exclusive account of the event as told by Orchid Georgina (Oliver) Johnstone to Backbeat.

It’s been over fifty years since all three of the 60s girl group, The Orchids, have been together in the same place, at the same time.

The event came about after two of The Orchids, Valerie Jones and Pam (Jarman) Hepburn, met a couple of old school friends (dubbed ‘Honorary Orchids’) in London in June for lunch and a Neil Young concert.

They got along so well they arranged another get-together for November at Val’s beautiful house in Dartington, Devon.

Although they didn’t think it would happen the wish was for the third Orchid, Georgina (Oliver) Johnstone, who now lives in Canada, to join them. To everyone’s surprise and joy Georgina said “yes”, and so the reunion was set!

Georgina was the first to arrive, planning to stay for ten days or so.

Pam arrived a few days later as did Katherina Kohler, one of the Honorary Orchids. Diane James, the other Honorary Orchid was scheduled to come but due to a family emergency was unable to be there.

The four girls (ladies) hit it off immediately and throughout the four days that Pam and Kathy were there it was non-stop “Remember when…” and also a lot of laughter.

Memories shared ranged from school teachers, grammar school pranks, recording their songs and the famous people they met, to appearing on the 60s mod show, ‘Ready, Steady, Go!’, in dresses that they all hated.

Sometimes one of the crew would remember something that the others didn’t and it was interesting to see The Orchids’ story become more evident as each new fact was added.

Evenings were spent singing together and recreating their songs. They all admitted that their voices had, of course, become more mature, but they still created a great sound, bringing a new richness to the old songs.

Georgina, who still has all of the 45s that The Orchids made, had brought CDs containing all the songs for everyone.

One evening was spent singing along and dancing to the CD.

They all agreed that the songs were great to dance to, especially ‘Ooh-Chang-A-Lang’.

Georgina had also brought her scrapbook which she began when the girls won the talent contest at the Orchid Ballroom in Coventry which started it all.

This sparked more memories and laughter as each page revealed another aspect of The Orchids story.

The scrapbook contains early newspaper cuttings, fan letters, communications from Kassner Music, sheet music and many other items of memorabilia.

She is still adding items as every now and then something concerning The Orchids will ‘pop up’ in newspapers or when someone contacts them re: a new compilation CD, cell-phone videos taken of people dancing to ‘Ooh-Chang-A-Lang’ at a London club, or emails from collectors.

This last item is quite a surprising fact for the group to fathom.

The trio are still amazed that their records have become collectable, and that The Orchids have a faithful following among the 60s vinyl collectors’ fraternity.

Georgina had a printout of some recent ebay sales of Orchids’ records in her scrapbook and everyone was astounded at the amounts they fetched.

The group is flattered by and appreciative of the interest in their short but influential career.

All too soon the time came for Pam and Kathy to leave. Georgina left a few days later, returning to Canada.

There may be another reunion in the offing. You never know. Stay tuned!