The Foresters released six singles between1965 and 1967, the first three on Polydor and the remaining three on Columbia. ('Forresters' was the name appearing on the fourth single, but this was most likely a typesetting error.) Very little information had come to light regarding the band until February 2006, when we heard from their rhythm guitarist, Rusty Douch. Rusty reveals that he formed the band, originally a skiffle group, with his drummer brother Bob. the band had an unusual way of picking a moniker. "Would you believe when we started in skiffle music we were looking for a name on the quick and in our parents' house in Upton Park, East London, our father had made a room into a proper bar called the Nip Inn. On the wall was an advert for a beer called Forest Ale, so my brother and I decided that the name of the band would be The Foresters."

The Foresters all came from the East End of London, mostly the Canning Town area. The band line-up was Barrie Holland (vocals, now deceased), Peter Braithwaite (lead guitar and vocals), Ron Skillett (bass and vocals), Rusty Douch (rhythm and vocals), Bob Douch (drums). Barrie wrote all six of the band's A-sides.

"A particularly memorable gig with The Foresters would have to be when the Beatles first came to the East End and us and them sitting on the stage at the East Ham Granada with our feet over the orchestra pit talking to John, Paul, George and Ringo", says Rusty. "Ringo said that he would like to do a country song and I suggested he listened to Buck Owens who was the 'in' country singer at that time." (Ringo obviously took Rusty's advice, as he covered Buck Owen's Act Naturally for the Help album.) Rusty continues, "There was also the time that we backed Roy Orbison when he came over to the UK for a Fan Club get together in the West End of London. My brother Bob has a photo of that occasion. We also appeared at the Marquee Club on the Saturday Show compered by Brian Matthew, alongside Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mitch & Tich.

My brother Bob is still drumming in a duo in a working man's-type club in Basildon, but I have lost touch with the other band members."

Because he was having problems with his scanner, Rusty very kindly entrusted us with precious band photos of the Foresters. Since the Sixties he has carved a name for himself in country music both in the UK and abroad. Read about Rusty's musical career, with many fascinating photos, on his website.