After winning three times on Opportunity Knocks, the hugely popular talent show from the 1960’s, The Casuals left the UK for Italy where they established themselves and became a leading attraction.

Alan Taylor, Johnny Tebb, Howard Newcombe, and Robert O’Brien were the original members and they were based in Milan for several years until the success of the single Jesamine brought them back to England.

Written by Marty Wilde and Ronnie Scott under the pseudonyms of Frere Manston and Jack Gellar, Jesamine was originally recorded by the Bystanders. However it was The Casuals version of the song that won through, securing The Casuals a safe spot in the annals of British Pop History. The song ultimately reached number two in the UK, staying an incredible 18 weeks on the charts where it was held off the top spot by Mary Hopkins -Those were the days.

Jesamine also reached the number one slot in thirteen countries around the world.