Them

Van Morrison - vocals (born George Ivan Morrison (August 31st 1945, Belfast)

Billy Harrison - guitar (born October 14th 1942, Belfast)

Jackie McAuley - keyboards (born December 14th 1946, Coleraine)

Alan Henderson - bass guitar (born November 26th 1944, Belfast)

Pat McAuley - drums (born March 17th 1944)

Them had the potential to become one of the leading groups of their era. That they failed to do so can be put down to bad management and an unstable line-up.

Morrison began singing professionally in 1960 with a C&W band called Deanie Sands & The Javelins. The following year he joined a rock band, The Monarchs, with whom he remained until Them were formed in 1963.

In Belfast at that time there was only one dance hall where young R&B groups were featured, the Old Sailor's Maritime Hall, and Them was formed as a result of jam sessions there. From the start the line-up of the group was shakey, and when Them made their first trip to London in 1964, Jackie McAuley stayed in Belfast. They almost starved on this first trip, but the second, later in the year, was more successful. Their second single "Baby Please Don't Go" was used as a theme tune by the popular TV show Ready, Steady, Go!". The record eventually peaked at No. 10 in January '65. In April they had their biggest hit with "Here Comes The Night" which made No. 2.

After "Here Comes The Night", the band had no further hits, despite releasing five singles and two excellent albums. Morrison began writing songs but was not encouraged by other band members and he left the group in June '66. He was replaced by Keith McDowell.

Them then toured America unsuccessfully,. But by then there was little left to connect the group with the original. They disbanded at the end of 1967.