Johnny Quale and The Reactions, and later just The Reaction, took many forms in the mid to late 60s. Mostly serving as a live cover band, The Reaction toured the Truro and Cornwall area, becoming one of the popular bands of the region. Singer Johnny Grose (a.k.a. Quale), guitarist Graham Hankins, bassist Jim Craven, and saxophone player John "Acker" Snell were joined by former Beat Unlimited band members Mike Dudley (guitar) and Roger Taylor (drums) in early 1965.

The line-up would change quickly, however. Later that year, The Reaction and Quale parted ways. Singer Roger Brokenshaw took Quale's place as lead singer, Ricky Penrose would replace bassist Jim Craven, and Mike Dudley would play organ instead of guitar. The following year Graham Hawkins was replaced by another guitarist, Geoff "Ben" Daniel.

Meanwhile, former singer Johnny Quale had met with Norrie Paramor, an EMI producer, who was interested in a demo. Johnny contacted The Reaction to serve as the backing band for the recording. Johnny Quale And The Reaction recorded four tracks during the session, "Buono Sera", "Just A Little Bit", "What's On Your Mind", and "I'll Go Crazy".

According to Mike Dudley, after the session had ended, the producer told The Reaction that for £20 he would make them a 45 record. Without Quale, The Reaction recorded two more tracks, "In The Midnight Hour" and "I Feel Good (I Got You)", both sung by drummer Roger Taylor.

A small handful of the Johnny Quale EPs were made and even fewer of The Reaction 45s. This would be their only studio recordings. A live concert recording from Truro City Hall was made by Neil Battersby on a four-track recorder in 1966. The crude recording has survived and has made its rounds in the Queen collector community.

By 1968, The Reaction had started to disband. Ricky Penrose had gotten married. Drummer Roger Taylor had left for London in the fall to begin studying dentistry. The following year, Roger Taylor joined forces with former 1984 band members Tim Staffell and Brian May to form Smile.

Johnny Quale and The Reactions EP Acetate Vinyl

Buona Serra 3:07
Written by Peter de Rose/Carl Sigman
Appears on: Johnny Quale and The Reaction EP acetate vinyl (1966)
Studio cover of the Louis Prima track Buona Serra. Recorded at Sound Studios in Wadebridge, North Cornwall.

Just A Little Bit 2:33
Written by Ralph Bass/Buster Brown/John Thornton/Fasts Washington
Appears on: Johnny Quale and The Reaction EP acetate vinyl (1966)
Studio cover of the The Undertakers track Just A Little Bit. Recorded at Sound Studios in Wadebridge, North Cornwall.

What's On Your Mind 2:08
Written by Shelby Smith
Appears on: Johnny Quale and The Reaction EP acetate vinyl (1966)
Studio cover of the Shelby Smith track What's On Your Mind. Recorded at Sound Studios in Wadebridge, North Cornwall.

I'll Go Crazy 2:48
Written by James Brown
Appears on: Johnny Quale and The Reaction EP acetate vinyl (1966)
Studio cover of the James Brown track I'll Go Crazy. Recorded at Sound Studios in Wadebridge, North Cornwall. Also of note, Roger Taylor sings backing vocals.

The Reaction Acetate Vinyl

In The Midnight Hour 3:41
Written by Cropper/Wilson Pickett
Appears on: The Reaction acetate vinyl (1966)
Studio cover of the Wilson Picket track In The Midnight Hour. Recorded at Sound Studios in Wadebridge, North Cornwall. The track begins with a raucous drum solo by Roger Taylor. Roger also sings lead vocals on the recording.

I Got You (I Feel Good) 2:46
Written by James Brown
Appears on: The Reaction acetate vinyl (1966)
Studio cover of the James Brown track I Got You (I Feel Good). Recorded at Sound Studios in Wadebridge, North Cornwall. Roger Taylor on drums and lead vocals.

The Reaction - Live at Truro City Hall, 1966

The Game Of Love 2:10
Written by Clint Ballard, Jr.
Appears on: 4-track audience tape recording
Recorded live by Neil Battersby at Truro City Hall in either July or October 1966. The Game Of Love was originally released in 1965 by Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders. The song was released in the US as simply "Game Of Love".

Hey Mama Keep Your Big Mouth Shut 8:01
Written by Ellis McDaniel (a.k.a.Bo Diddley)
Appears on: 4-track audience tape recording
Recorded live by Neil Battersby at Truro City Hall in either July or October 1966. Mama Keep Your Big Mouth Shut was originally written and recorded by Bo Diddley in 1964. The song became popular again in 1965 after being covered by The Pretty Things.

Whatcha Gonna Do About It 2:21
Written by Ian Samwell, Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane
Appears on: 4-track audience tape recording
Recorded live by Neil Battersby at Truro City Hall in either July or October 1966. Whatcha Gonna Do About It was the debut single by the Small Faces.

Slow Down 4:15
Written by Larry Williams
Appears on: 4-track audience tape recording
Recorded live by Neil Battersby at Truro City Hall in either July or October 1966. Slow Down a 24-bar blues song written and performed by Larry Williams. The track was later covered by The Beatles.

Respect 2:22
Written by Otis Redding
Appears on: 4-track audience tape recording
Recorded live by Neil Battersby at Truro City Hall in either July or October 1966. Respect was originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965, but went on to gain greater fame after being performed by Aretha Franklin.

I Got You (I Feel Good) 3:18
Written by James Brown
Appears on: 4-track audience tape recording
Recorded live by Neil Battersby at Truro City Hall in either July or October 1966. I Got You (I Feel Good) was released originally by James Brown in 1965, becoming his highest charting song and most popular song. The Reaction also recorded a studio version of the track in 1966 with Roger Taylor on lead vocals.

It's Gonna Work Out Fine 4:32
Written by Rose Marie McCoy and Sylvia McKinney
Appears on: 4-track audience tape recording
Recorded live by Neil Battersby at Truro City Hall in either July or October 1966. It's Gonna Work Out Fine was first released as a single by Ike and Tina Turner. The track was later covered by Manfred Mann and The Spencer Davis Group.

Land Of 1,000 Dances 7:09
Written by Chris Kenner
Appears on: 4-track audience tape recording
Recorded live by Neil Battersby at Truro City Hall in either July or October 1966. Land Of 1,000 Dances was originally written and recorded by Chris Kenner in 1962. The song went to greater success being covered by Wilson Pickett, reaching #1 on the R&B chart.