The story of Chesterfield’s music scene is brilliantly described in the book “Sounds in the shadow of the crooked spire” by David McPhie and Ian Lee

The North Derbyshire market town of Chesterfield, famous for the crooked spire, is just short of 25 miles from both Nottingham and Derby but only 11 miles from Sheffield and like every other town and hamlet in the land during the post war period a new “music” scene emerged in the late 50’s and early 60’s providing a breeding ground for local talent, visiting stars and a new way of life.

The story of Chesterfield’s music scene is brilliantly described in the book “Sounds in the shadow of the crooked spire” by David McPhie and Ian Lee which I can recommend to anyone with an interest in the Chesterfield or 60’s music scene in general. Well trodden stories of young teens practising in church halls dreaming of pop stardom, some falling short, some reaching the top, the local gig scene, sweaty pubs and clubs and local bands The Blackberries and Shape of the Rain. Some Nottingham artists get a mention too. The Jaybirds, Blues and Roots, Dave Turner, Ten Years After and Woody Kern.

I may illuminate some of those stories at a later date.