the original personnel were john meeks ( born 24 march 1937 , stalybridge , cheshire ) ( guitar , vocals ) ; john 's sister lynda jane meeks ( 3 august 1947 , stalybridge -- 22 january 2013 ) ( vocals ) ; brothers george radcliffe ( 9 august 1937 , ashton-under-lyne , lancashire -- 2002 ) ( bass , vocals ) and colin radcliffe ( born 19 january 1934 , ashton-under-lyne ) ( guitar , vocals ) ; and eddie crotty ( 24 february 1942 , stalybridge -- 11 april 2009 ) ( guitar , vocals ) .