Cherry Beat - Characters

Cherry Beat was an English Pop rock band that released music in their original incarnation between 1971 and 1982. They formed in Oxford in early 1971, and were rooted in 1950s rock and roll. Their first album was released in 1971, and was quite successful. Their second album released in 1972 was less successful, mainly due to the band's mixing 1950s rock and roll with more modern music resulting in a more diverse album.

The band were close to splitting after their second album failed to gain the same level of success that their first album had. But their producer and music supervisor at the time, Chudley Maron encouraged the band to stay together and settle on some more original styled rock and roll in order to get back to the top. The band's third album released in 1973 was an instant success. They continued to release music until 1982 when the band split.

The musical quartet consisted of Englishmen Peter McDonald (bass guitar, vocals), Samuel "Sam" Whitby (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Torquil Dohrn (lead guitar, vocals), and American Devon O'Connell (drums, vocals).

Peter McDonald
Peter McDonald (born 24th August 1950, Oxford, United Kingdom) is an English musician, best known as the bass guitarist in the 1970s rock and roll band Cherry Beat. He plays a Höfner 500/1 violin bass guitar, like Paul McCartney of The Beatles. He also very much resembles Paul McCartney (and David Catlin-Birch who previously played höfner bass for the Bootleg Beatles) in his facial structure and appearance. His main idol is American recording artist, songwriter and musician Little Richard.

Sam Whitby
Samuel "Sam" Whitby (born 24th November 1951, York, United Kingdom) is an English musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist in the 1970s rock and roll band Cherry Beat. He is notable for being the only member of the group to have Japanese heritage instead of European, but his official nationality is British. His main idol is American guitarist, singer and songwriter Chuck Berry. It is unclear whether any offences committed by Chuck Berry had any negative effects on the influence he had on Sam.

Torquil Dohrn
Torquil Dohrn (born 23rd October 1952, Cornwall, United Kingdom) is an English musician, best known as the lead guitarist in the 1970s rock and roll band Cherry Beat. The band spend the majority of their recording sessions in the Dohrn studio, which belonged to Torquil's grandfather. Torquil came from a wealthy family of musicians. He has French ancestry and can play many instruments including brass and woodwind instruments. His main idol is American muscian, and singer songwriter Buddy Holly.

Devon O'Connell
Devon O'Connell (born 16th June 1952, New York, United States) is an American drummer, best known as the drummer in the 1970s rock and roll band Cherry Beat. He is notable for being the only American member of the group.

Chudley Maron
Chudley Maron (born 14th July 1947, Liverpool, United Kingdom) is an English producer, musician, songwriter and music supervisor. He is best known as the original producer and music supervisor of the 1970s rock and roll band Cherry Beat.

Recording Sessions

 * Part One - The Band's Formation (1971)