Formation

The band formed in 1962 in Leeds by Robin Colvill (born 8 August 1944 in Leeds). Colvill was a jukebox mender who was asked to fix a broken Jukebox at a coffee bar. As he was fixing the machine, he saw Maurice Lee (born 12 May 1946 in Leeds) who was playing the guitar on the other side of the bar, keeping the customers entertained whilst there was no music. Colvill approached Lee and asked him to join his group; when Lee asked who else was in the band Colvill replied “So far, just you”.^[3] Lee accepted with the exception that his friend Graham Walker (born 17 May 1945 in Leeds - died 2 June 2013 in Leeds) could join as well; after Colvill asked Lee what instruments Walker could play, Lee said that he would teach him bass guitar.^[3][4] The group practised at Stainbeck Youth Club, Meanwood. They played at the "Battle of the Bands" (organised by a Leeds-based newspaper) at the Queens Hall, Leeds (an all nighter) on the same night on 28 June 1963 that the Beatles played this venue as second on the bill to Acker Bilk and his Jazzmen. In 1967, they added Carl Sutcliffe (born 1944 in Leeds) to the lineup and his brother Albert (born 22 December 1940 in Leeds) was later added in as well due to him owning a microphone, as he was an “Opera trained” singer.^[5] Also in 1967, was the addition of Phillip Hall, who left the group later on in the year.

Success

They turned professional following success on the television talent show Opportunity Knocks. In the late 1960s and early 1970s the band released several records, none of which made the UK charts, however their fortunes improved when they were commissioned to star in a BBC children's television series, The Coal Hole Club, in 1974. Continuing to perform to packed venues around the UK, BBC radio producer Mike Craig spotted them at the Batley Variety Club and went on to produce several series of "The Grumbleweeds Radio Show" for Radio 2 throughout the 1980s. The group once had a fan club that included American singer Roy Orbison.^[6]

Brothers Albert and Carl Sutcliffe left the group in 1987. Blackpool comedian Tony Jo (1951 - 23 January 2022) was briefly a member in 1997.^[7] Maurice Lee left the group in 1998 and the remaining members continued to perform as a duo, up until Graham Walker's death in 2013. After Walker’s death, Colvill had plans on ending the group once and for all, but after working on a stage production called “39 Steps” with actor James Brandon, Robin’s manager suggested that instead of finding a new replacement for Walker, Colvill should instead assume Walker’s comic role and add Brandon into the lineup as Straight man.

With the addition of stand-up comedian James Brandon, The Grumbleweeds redeveloped the act, with Robin Colvill assuming the role of the rough-and-ready sidekick to Brandon's smooth straight man. In 2017 the group embarked on another UK tour, supported by vocalist Lisa Jane Kelsey.^[8] The following year, comedian Mike Lancaster joined the tour, which ran for a further 12 months throughout the UK.

Tony Jo died from an eighteen-month battle with cancer on 23 January 2022, aged 70.^[9][7]