Whizzkid first began life in 1980 when vocalist Colin Robinson put together the cream of Wigan’s music scene.Various original projects followed with a single registering in the indie charts, a UK tour supporting Marillion and the formation of a quality covers band, Whizzkid was born.
Hard work and attention to detail, as well as an appearance on TV’s Opportunity Knocks, made them firm favourites over the next 10 years, both on the domestic club scene and regular tours throughout HM forces bases in Europe.This first phase ended in 1991 when members of the band emigrated to Australia, Denmark and Bolton-on-Dearne!
Meanwhile, drummer Paul Andre, guitarist Neil Duty and bass player Pete Harriman had been playing together in various bands on the Yorkshire club circuit and were looking to replace their departing vocalist in Buster.Having already experienced Colin and Whizzkid showing all of the attributes of a band they aspired to be, the Yorkshire lads were amazed to find the "Lancashire Lungmeister" living in their backyard.Once contact was made it was inevitable Colin chose these as the best of the bands clamouring for his services, and Whizzkid was born again.
This line-up continued until June 2002 with occasional contributions from keyboardist Steve Glover (ex-Dragonfly, Statetrooper).Neil decided his time was up and his replacement was local guitarist John Oxley (ex-Alcatraz, Africa, Jagged Edge, Suite Revenge, Impossible Dream).Again with Steve popping in for an occasional gig the line-up stayed together until 2005. John’s replacement was the excellent Mark White (ex-Pure Fantasy, The Word, Sam Sorono, Tina Turner tribute). With Steve having decided to re-join Statetrooper for the European festival circuit (although staying in touch with the band),Whizzkid continued as a four piece maintaining their legendary high standard. Steve returned in 2007 and stayed for a further three years until leaving for a final time in September 2010. After another six month stint as a four piece; keyboard duties were taken up by former Harry Coffey Band maestro, Brendan Greaves, from Castleford. Brendan's start date was delayed by a series of operations following a bad skiing accident, but he has now been gigging with the band since March 2011. By this time, there was a further input of new blood with Mark's departure and the arrival of our very own "Whizzkid Ginner Junior", Liam Stevenson; fresh from his experiments with Dream Theater-esque original band, Retention Method. This completes the current line-up of the band.
