this was [http://beta.musicbrainz.org/artist/8279e65a-bcdb-4796-82dd-ddfe577ccc04|Emile Ford] (aka Emile Sweetnam) and his backing band The Checkmates, which was originally comprised of his half-brothers Dave Sweetnam (sax) and George Sweetnam (bass, vocals), and Barry Reeves (drums). [http://beta.musicbrainz.org/artist/3c068062-aa3c-4857-80f8-d781e031255d|Michael Snow] (aka Mike Liston, aka Mike Snow) had left [http://beta.musicbrainz.org/artist/958606c3-158f-4334-bd4c-6394c887c112|West Five] sometime in 1966 and joined the group, and in spring 1967, Diane Ferraz became its latest member, and the group soon became known as [http://beta.musicbrainz.org/artist/49db523c-32a5-4a0c-ac40-d5b362076d66|The Ferris Wheel], the "Ferris" in its name derived from Diane's last name. in later years, further lineup changes took place.