First concert at Northampton Cricket Club

Named after the UK’s emergency telephone number , 999 were founded in London by two brothers: singer and guitarist Nick Cash, and Guy Days. Cash was a member of the pub rock band Kilburn and the High Roads , and Days a session guitarist who played on some of the band’s demo tapes. In late 1976 they placed an advertisement in Melody Maker for band members, and ended up turning down Chrissie Hynde ( The Pretenders ), Jon Moss ( Culture Club ) and Tony James ( Generation X ). They recruited Jon Watson on bass and Pablo LaBritain on drums , LaBritain having briefly played with the Clash . The band that eventually became known as 999 performed their first concert at the Northampton Cricket Club in January 1977. After experimenting with several different band names, they became 999 in May 1977.