FENDING off crazed groupies clambering through their hotel window may have been everyday for Ringo and Paul but nights were a tad tamer on the other side of the wall for The Beatles’ support act The Barron Knights.

“We were not sexy like them,” recalls band veteran Pete Langford, a deep belly laugh bubbling up. “When they came on stage everyone screamed. It was surreal.

“They didn’t faint when they saw The Barron Knights though. Whatever anyone tells you it wasn’t ‘sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll’, we didn’t see any drugs on tour. There was the odd moment when girls found out what hotel we were staying in and they would come into their rooms. But we didn’t have any girls running into rooms for an autograph.

“Paul was the friendly one who came in the dressing room to see how we were, John had this wit and sarcasm – that was his way. George was the quiet one and Ringo was full of fun. We were so lucky. The tour propelled us a rung up the ladder.”

Virtual unknowns, the obscure Leighton Buzzard musicians played the club and pub circuit. Pete, who was still underage, had to promise not to touch a drop of alcohol before being allowed in some of the venues.

Eventually they were spotted by Brian Epstein in Liverpool and invited to support The Beatles on tour in 1963. The following year, their first hit, Call up the Groups, a parody which would redefine their sound and status in the industry as a tongue-in-cheek satirical ensemble reached number three in the charts, hot on the heels of A Hard Day’s Night.

“I wrote it on the kitchen table in 20 minutes,” adds Pete. “I played it to the boys and we went and recorded it. We had to get copyright permission from the publishers to release the record. The Beatles’ publisher refused but we had just finished touring with them. We asked John and Paul to ring him and they told him to let us change the lyrics to their song.”

The lampoon only meant as a one-off but producers were hooked and commissioned a string of parodic ditties. The Barron Knights had discovered their niche.

“There was never an actual plan to write parodies. We released a couple of straight songs but because of the image we had created as a fun group EMI said, ‘You’ve got to do another parody’.”

By 1965, they were sharing equal billing on a second high-profile tour with The Rolling Stones no less.

While The Beatles went their separate after just a decade, The Barron Knights’ longevity has defied the odds. A few changes in the line-up aside, the band has clocked in 54 years in the business.

As well as countless tours at home, the musicians have brought their timeless parodies and beloved covers to Australia and South Africa.

They also count Elton John among their loyal fans. A young session pianist with EMI, still going by his Christian name, ‘Reg’ took his first steps with the band at Abbey Road. The Beatles were working in Studio 2 next door.

“We were the first people to hear Hey Jude,” enthuses the 72-year-old.

While he swears the manic touring days are firmly behind him, his trimmed down schedule points to the contrary.

“I just want to do 35 concerts a year instead of 135. People do say it’s a lot. Maybe, but if you work it out it’s still 330 days off a year.”

The Barron Knights will appear at the Wyvern Theatre on October 4. To book call 01793 524 481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.

— MARION SAUVEBOIS