MISSING . . .

Melody makers: Merseybeat outfit The Rhythmics not long after the band began in 1963

THE DAILY MAIL offers the opportunity to re-establish contact with long-lost relatives and friends. Each week, MONICA PORTER features the story of someone trying to find a missing loved one and a tale of people reunited. Produced in conjunction with the voluntary tracing service Searching For A Memory, run by Gill Whitley.

WHERE are they now? David Thomas, 76, of Wigan is looking for a couple of members of the Merseybeat group he was in during the 1960s. ‘The Rhythmics was a group local to the Wirral but played in Liverpool as well, including one appearance at the Cavern. On my photo we are Paul Mercer, far left, rhythm guitarist; at the front is Keith Huxley (now sadly deceased), lead guitarist; I’m behind Keith, and was the bass guitarist; far right is Robin Jackson, drummer and vocalist. ‘I joined the group when it was formed; I was 17, and left the following year. We came fourth in a knockout beat competition in Wallasey, when we were on the same bill as Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders. ‘I didn’t meet any of The Beatles, but I was in the Cavern the day it was announced that Ringo had got the job as drummer; he was standing by me under one of the arches. My memory of playing there was that Paul McCartney had left his new Vox T-60 bass amplifier on the stage and I was told I could use it.’