The news that both Ian Wheeler and Mac Duncan were to leave came as a shock to followers of the band. Although the days of the classic band were over, Ken was able to obtain the services of Graham Stewart and the young Sammy Rimington and continue to run a band of high quality.

The worst news, however, was that Ken was found to have developed stomach cancer and needed both surgery and radiotherapy. He was forced to stop playing for a while and although he started to play just as soon as he was able, deps were needed to help him over this most difficult period.

Some fine recordings came from the period on the Columbia label, including a cameo duet performance with Little Brother Montgomery.

Ray Foxley left the band towards the end of 1960 to return to Birmingham and in 1961 Colin Bowden moved on, to be replaced by Pete Ridge.

The days of the ‘Trad Boom’ were coming to an end and, although Ken had refused to be part of it, the effect on attendances was severe. Richard Simmons eventually joined the band on piano, but had to be dropped when Ken was no longer able to afford a seven-pieceband.

Studio 51 and the Ken Colyer Club were no longer financially viable and closed. Nevertheless, Ken was still able to run a good band which after several personnel changes became his last full time band, with Geoff Cole on trombone, Tony Pyke on clarinet, Johnny Bastable on banjo, Ken Ames on bass and Malc Murphy on drums.

The Thames Hotel near Hampton Court became a regular venue for the band and it was here that a series of recording sessions produced six LPs on the Joys label. They included one devoted entirely to ragtime numbers and two volumes of spirituals. They are still available more than 30 years later on compact discs.

The pressure of running a band and ensuring a reasonable wage for its members began to take its toll on Ken’s health and, in 1971, on medical advice Ken decided to retire from being a band leader and to become a solo artist.