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The Action  

Pop Group / 1963-67 / Line Up: Reggie King - vocals / Peter Watson/Martin Stone - lead guitar / Alan King - rhythm guitar / Mike Evans - bass guitar / Roger Powell - drums 

The Action hailed from Kentish Town in London. Formed in 1963, they were originally known as The Boys, and were a back-up band for Sandra Barry. They released one single with Barry and one as The Boys - both unsuccessful - before changing their name in 1965. At that time Reggie King was the lead guitarist. Following the change of the groups' name came a change in personnel when Watson joined as lead guitarist, allowing King to concentrate on his vocal duties. (Watson was replaced by Martin Stone in 1966). The group had a strong following of mods but despite having their records produced by George Martin, they never reached the charts. They were the most soul-oriented of the mod groups, favouring guitar-oriented covers of Motown tunes and standard R&B dance numbers of the day such as "Land Of 1,000 Dances". Under Martin's guidance, emphasis was placed on Reggie King's blue-eyed soul voice and the group's harmonies. Their later original material shows an increased sophistication in both songwriting and production. The Action's sound was something akin to a more soul-oriented version of the Small Faces. In 1967 they changed their name to Azoth before evolving into Mighty Baby and eventually disbanding altogether in the early 1970s.