British variety act.
Founded by Art Reed in 1935 as with Freddie Holmes (1914-2000), Harry Hawes and Jack Hazleton, this close-harmony Mills Brothers-style quartet turned professional as . When their association with Philco Radio ceased in 1937 they became the Radio Revellers, only to disband at the outbreak of World War II during which Mr Hazleton died in action as a bomber pilot. Once the war was over the quartet was revived with Messrs Reed and Holmes joined by Alwyn Fernhead and Stan Emeney (b.1911). They charted in the U.K. in 1954 with "West of Zanzibar" by Anthony Steel & the Radio Revellers, which hit #11. Deciding to quit while at the top the group split up after appearing in "These Foolish Kings" with at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London - 18 December, 1956.
Members included: Freddie Holmes, Alwyn (Al) Fernhead, Stan Emeney, and Arthur (Art) Reed (sometimes spelt "Read").
Bang member Freddie Holmes wrote a biography of the group 'Four Men, One Song: Story of the Close-harmony Quartet "Radio Revellers"', released in 1991.
Aliases
- The Four Crotchets
- The Philco Four