Ealing Roots Run Deep for The Hackenbackers
Band marks 50 years with a fundraising gig for Prostate Cancer UK
The Hackenbackers. Picture: Facebook
October 30, 2025
An Ealing-based band with half a century of shared history is preparing to take the stage for a charity night in support of Prostate Cancer UK.
The Hackenbackers, whose members first played together as schoolmates in Greenford in 1975, will headline “Charity Night Live!” at The Gunnersbury Pub, Chiswick High Road on Saturday 22 November.
The band—Grahame Ridley (vocals and guitar), Steve Macallister (lead guitar), Woody Wood (bass), and Graham Brown (drums)—originally formed under the name “Axe” while attending school in the borough. Though they pursued varied musical projects over the years, the group reunited two years ago to form The Hackenbackers, rekindling their long-standing friendship and creative collaboration.
Bandmembers performing while they were at school in the borough
Frontman Grahame Ridley reflected on the milestone, “It’s amazing that it’s been 50 years since we first picked up our instruments together. We’ve stayed mates all this time, and this felt like the perfect reason to celebrate this—to play the music we have written, and to help raise funds and awareness for a really important cause.”
The event will also feature performances by fellow local bands NDX and The Volted Hearts. Entry is free, and all proceeds from band contributions, raffles, and collections will go directly to Prostate Cancer UK.
Their current single “Hey Hey! / Come On World” is available on major streaming platforms.
More information and donation links are available at www.thehackenbackers.co.uk/charity.
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