The Aqua Connection: Origin Stories of The Aqua Lads and Twilights

E. Mark Windle    10 March 2026.

Many folks from the soul music community will have known the late Mark Bicknell, whether directly through his friendship, his DJing, radio hosting or record dealing. Doubtless they will also be aware of his music industry networking and passion for reissuing rare soul recordings on his Big Man Records imprint.

A few years ago, while Mark was working on some Carolina recordings he had secured under licence, he approached me to write the sleeve notes. Needless to say, I was honoured and obliged. Within the first few months two fine 45s were released that showcased 1960s recordings by The Embers, originally appearing on EEE and JCP. Riding on the popularity of those, Big Man Records set to work on a third. This was to include a pairing of the rare soul collector’s favourite “I Remember” by Anthony and the Aqua Lads, and The Twilights’ up-tempo dancer “You’re the One”. The record was chalked up for release but sadly, with Mark’s sudden illness and eventual passing, it never materialised. In the spirit of Mark’s efforts to preserve soul music history and with the permission of his partner Karen Bentham, the following article reproduces my notes for what would have been BMR 1019.

ANTHONY & THE AQUA LADS

The origin story of The Aqua Lads begins on a US Air Force base in Libya during the early 1960s. As part of The Renegades, Carolinians Roy Edwards and Tony Maner (also Manor) were able to hone their musical talents, playing mainly doo-wop and rock and roll to soldiers on base and in downtown Tripoli.

The pair eventually returned to the Carolinas from military service, but Tony was determined to continue his passion for performing. Sharing their love for the emerging soul music phenomenon, he and Roy reconnected. Recruitment for additional band members commenced through local newspaper advertising and word of mouth. The newly assembled band hooked up with Hit Attractions, one of the largest booking agencies in the southeast. Promoted as Anthony & the Aqua Lads, bookings came thick and fast for appearances at Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, and at college venues throughout the South.

While the boys were performing on the east coast, they caught the attention of a New York record producer. The infectious up-tempo “I Remember”, written and arranged by Roy, was recorded during a 1966 session at Robbins Recording Studio in Greensboro, North Carolina. The release on Gold Bee label early the following year received a little radio play, though without any major marketing or distribution it failed to break into the national charts.

Image: EM Windle

 The ultimate drive as far as The Aqua Lads were concerned was for live performance, and other than some quiet releases on the Aqua label that’s where they directed their energy. The ensuing years featured various changes in personnel (including Earl Dawkins taking Tony’s place upfront when he left for other ventures). There was a good run as a revue that included The Chantells, a female double-act spotted by the group on the way back from a North Carolina gig. Before the decade was out, The Aqua Lads would share the stage with James Brown, Wilson Pickett, The Drifters, The Tams, Jackie Wilson and various Motown acts.

It would be more than a decade later—the early 1980s—before the blue-eyed soul of “I Remember” was rediscovered by the UK soul scene. A copy had passed hands from renowned record dealer John Anderson to collector / DJ Mark “Butch” Dobson, who then traded that copy with Stafford Top of the World DJ Keb Darge. The rest is “60’s newies” history. Butch would later include the record in his own sets at Tony’s New Empress Ballrooms, the 100 Club and other venues. He was also fortunate enough to turn up the holy grail: the original Robbins Recording Studio acetate carrying the slogan We Record Anything Worth Keeping!

THE TWILIGHTS

The Twilights are connected to The Aqua Lads story by the fact that both groups were managed by Ralph Farmer from Kannapolis, an individual who was keen on promoting upcoming regional bands. Confusingly, at least two groups in North Carolina went by the name of The Twilights; the one of interest here hailed from Salisbury.

The group was comprised of friends from a number of schools in the same neighbourhood. Lead singer and horn player Gary Lowder had originally been in a Baptist choir and was a student at South Rowen School. Other members included Olin Jones, Gerald Smith and Randy Bost (on horns), Duane Smith (bass guitar), Ricky Christy (drums), Jimmy Lackey (keyboards) and Larry Pinkston (guitar).

The up-tempo “You’re the One” was written by Gary, recorded at Arthur Smith Studios in Charlotte, and released on Aqua during the spring of 1971. In an effort to push the record and to get greater general exposure for Gary as a singer, Farmer accompanied him to Memphis to shop around local studios and labels. Legendary producer and songwriter Chips Moman was also impressed enough to offer them a song to record though nothing more came of it.

Image permission: Karen Bentham

Around the same time as the Aqua release, The Twilights had a busy schedule covering venue in Washington DC and Florida. Rudy Guarino, manager of Boston’s Sugar Shack invited the group to a week-long residency at his new club at the Marco Polo hotel in Miami Beach. Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Riders were huge headliners at the time. Gary admitted they were awestruck by Cochrane and his band, while learning a lot about stage performance and musicianship from them.

Inspired, on The Twilights’ return to North Carolina the horns were cranked up, the name changed to Hot Smokin’ Brass—and the next few years were spent on the road as Jackie Wilson’s backing band until Wilson’s career was tragically cut short in 1975. After a long period outside the region, Gary eventually returned to the southeast, where in recent years he has recorded and performed as Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot.

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(The Stroke Association is a UK charity that provided a range of support during Mark Bicknell’s illness. If you’d like to find out more about the important work they do to prevent stroke, support those affected by it and to fund research, visit the Stroke Association website)