The Inner Mind "the greatest White Reggae band on Earth" (as stated by Pama Records` London Apollo Club in Harlesden, London) were formed in 1966 as a Soul/Pop group, in Dewsbury / Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, and by l968/9 had changed it`s name from The Inner Circle to the now known THE INNER MIND.
The group members in the main period of their RockSteady/Reggae career were Ian Smith (vocals/keyboards), Dave Tattersall (bass/backing vocals), Finley Topham (guitar) and Jimmy Walsh (drums) - for a period the late John Dixon replaced Finley on guitar and backing vocals.
They worked up and down the country at most of the main Reggae venues including the famous Apollo Club, Mr. Bee`s and the Q Club in London, Santa Rosa at Birmingham, Club 67 over in Wolverhampton, Leeds International Club, Manchester`s Bobby`s Club, Shades Club at Sheffield, the Bamboo Club in Bristol, the New Theatre, Arawak Club, Shalimar Club & Fartown International in Huddersfield etc.
During this period, besides doing their own shows, the guys backed Laurel Aitken, Winston Groovy, Owen Gray & Alton Ellis, The band had record releases on Pama`s Bullet, NewBeat & Supreme labels, Hot Lead Records, Shades Records, Hillcrest Records besides their many uncredited backing recordings used by other artistes. Biggest records : "Doggy Bite Postman" (as SMITHY ALL STARS) on Hot Lead Records and "Pum Pum Girl" on NewBeat Records.
By 1975, the Reggae scene had somewhat declined & the group members fragmented into other acts, although Ian & Dave stayed together for several years in The Tender Touch.
In 2004, Jimmy suggested they re-form, so old members Dave, Ian & Jimmy recruited guitarist Simon LeGyt and added a trombone with Dave Summers, all from the Huddersfield area, and started performing again.
At the end of 2009, Ian Smith, the keyboard/vocalist, needed three hand operations & one for mouth/neck cancer, which meant the group was off the road for over a year and a half, but by mid 2011, they were back doing live performances again, as Ian had made a recovery...
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