Robert Todd is a drummer from Nottingham who played in groups throughout the sixties and seventies and into the 21st century including The Mysteries, Carl Pagan and the Heathens, Our Young, Two’s Company, Whichwhat, Barabus, Highly Strung, Sound Advice, Terrapin, Brendon Chase, T P Stubbs and the Bar Room Band and Flashback.

I spoke to Bob to find out more about his career in music. 2023.

Photo’s courtesy of Bob Todd.

EARLY DAYS

Born in Leicester, 1946, Robert Todd moved to and grew up in Arnold, a market town now in the conurbation of greater Nottingham and went to school there. All his mum’s family were from Anstey, just north of Leicester. Bob’s attraction to the drums was twofold.

“I had been a drummer in the Boy Scouts for 4 years and my Dad had been a drummer as well. My Dad never spoke much about his music career (or World War 2 other than he was stationed in Gibraltar) but I did once have a photo of him on his drum kit, which is now lost. I think he was possibly freelance playing in various dance bands. He could also play Clarinet”.

“My senior school was Robert Mellors, Bonington Drive, Arnold and I left in July 1961. I started work 3 weeks after at Stafford & Co Ltd, Netherfield where I did a 6 year apprenticeship (including 5 years at Nottingham Technical College for a City & Guilds) as a Lithographic Printer”.

Mel Munks (Guitarist with The Artful Dodgers, John Smith Affair and early Whichwhat), who I got to know later, was an apprentice Letterpress printer at Derry’s, Canal Street (I knew this because we both attended Nottingham Tech College around the same time, except I was a Lithographic printer so in a different class).

“My musical influences were The Shadows, The Roulettes, The Hollies, Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders and after Rubber Soul – The Beatles. Drumming influences were Bob Henrit (Roulettes), Brian Bennett (Shadows), Bobby Elliott (Hollies), Rick Rothwell (Mindbenders) and later it was John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) and John Halsey (Patto and later The Rutles)”.

“I saw “The Beatmen” once at Arnold Drill Hall, maybe 1962-63″.

The Beatmen were one of the pioneering groups of Nottingham beat music getting a record deal with PYE Records, touring Germany and setting a standard others would follow. Read about them here.

THE MYSTERIES

Bob’s first group was The Mysteries who were formed in 1964. The first line up was:

Wayne Ford: Lead Guitar
Bob Todd: Drums
Mick Hanson: Bass guitar
Mick Foukes: Vocals
John Spray: Rhythm Guitar

“I purchased a brand new Premier kit (the colour was aquamarine sparkle) from Jack Brentnalls (a big store that was just round the corner from the Theatre Royal), I think it was £137 guineas.

We had an insurance man who called at my parents house every week and he set up a meeting for me with Wayne Ford and that’s how we both got started. Wayne went to Robert Mellors school as well but 2 years after me. Wayne and Alan Gascoigne were school pals and although Alan was with us at the start he left before we got on the road as The Mysteries. It took us about 6 months to put a band together that eventually became The Mysteries – there were a lot of people who thought they could play or sing!! I don’t have a gig list but I remember playing Beeston Youth Club, The Queens Head, Kimberley, The Good Shepherd Church Hall, Daybrook and a pub in Chaddesden, The Penquin.
Our songs were mainly Chuck Berry stuff and R & B standards e.g. Walking the Dog etc. When Wayne told me he was going to leave the Mysteries I decided he was such a good guitarist I would stick with him and the rest is history as they say”.

Gigs seen and described by “Paradiddle“.
The Mysteries – Scout and Guide HQ – 12th December 1964 – Good
The Mysteries – Scout and Guide HQ – 3rd April 1965 – Fair

“I first met Ric Lee (later of The Jaybirds and Ten Years After) when he was in The Mansfields. The Mysteries were support to them at Heanor Town Hall and we played there twice. The second time was support to The Artful Dodgers – later to become Whichwhat)”.  

THE TROLLS

Sometime in the beginning of 1965 Bob and Wayne Ford left the Mysteries. They did team up with another bass player and a singer but only did a couple of gigs before disbanding. 

“As I went on double-day shifts Wayne joined Carl and The Starlighters. They were led by Derek Smith (as Carl). Back then it turned out that as an apprentice I shouldn’t have been put on shifts so I returned to normal day working. I was asked to help out in a band called The Trolls. They preferred me as a drummer so I joined them until the chance came to form Carl Pagan etc.  My best guess for the Trolls would be April to July 1965 (with the one-off Maid Marian gig in the middle)”. 

THE MAID MARION GIG

A gig at the Maid Marion pub in Arnold was the birth of Bob’s next adventure would start.

“Derek lived in Bobbers Mill near to where the Wheatsheaf pub was. Wayne, Ray Wood and me all lived in Arnold and oddly enough fairly close together”.
“The Maid Marian gig, this took place on Whitsun Monday 1965 – what happened was I had to work shifts for a few months and Wayne joined Carl and the Starlighters (by the way, I was never in this band). The band had a massive fall out but had this gig on the Monday. So Wayne decided to do it and asked me to play drums, Alan Gascoigne to play rhythm and Ray Wood to play bass. We practiced all day Whit Sunday and did the gig the following day. I did all the singing with some backing from the others, mainly Wayne”.

“I did backing vocals right from the start, even in The Mysteries. Eventually I did the start singing the odd song starting in Our Young (Our Young were formed in March 1966) as did Wayne Ford. With regard to the Maid Marian gig it was a case ‘needs must’!”.

“From this gig came Carl Pagan and The Heathens (later to be signed up by Phil Smith and renamed Our Young). It was the same Carl from The Starlighters (real name Derek Smith, he had also been the singer in The Chunks)”.

Mick Hanson was in fact Mick Anson. His elder brother Robert Anson was better known as Phil Kinorra, Julien Covey and Philamore Lincoln playing and recording jazz, soul and pop psych. Read more about him here.

Mick Hanson and John Spray stayed with The Mysteries who enlisted Bobby Charles on drums and eventually Clive “Sutch” Lynch on vocals and carried on, eventually changing their name to Mystery Blues in 1966 and then Mothers Worry in 1967. Read the Bobby Charles story here.

Alan Gascoigne would end up playing with seventies band Desperate Dann after stints with the Colin Staples Blues Band, Life Without Mother and Screaming Lord Sutch before moving to the Netherlands in the eighties.

CARL PAGAN AND THE HEATHENS

Formed in July 1965, Bob Todd was now in Carl Pagan and the Heathens. Singer Derek Smith was from Bobbers Mill and had been in local beat group “The Chunks”. He then became Carl and the Starlighters with Wayne Ford joining him in early 1965. After the Mysteries Whitsun gig, Bob Todd and Ray Wood joined prompting a name change. The line up was:

Derek Smith: Vocals (formerly of the Chunks and Carl and the Starlighters)
Wayne Ford: Guitar (formerly of the Mysteries and Carl and the Starlighters)
Bob Todd: Drums (formerly of the Mysteries)
Ray Wood: Bass guitar

“The photo was taken at the front of the old Arnold Council Offices, Arnot Hill House, Arnold Park Sunday 29 August 1965. The picture came from a business card and was taken after a religious service gig we played”.

“The Arnold Park gig – We had this manager, Keith Birkett but I can’t recall how he/it came to be. We never signed a contract with him. He used to promote dances to raise funds for the Young Liberals and I think he sold insurance. So he got us a practice room in Daybrook Square (long gone and demolished) and it was him who got the Arnold Park gig. He also told us we must learn 3 songs. The only ones I can remember are Happiness by Ken Dodd and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (by The Shirelles). When we finished the main part of the gig we asked and were allowed, to do 3 songs of our own”.

The group played around the Notts, Derby and Linc’s area. A list of gigs was made by Bob Todd.

AUGUST 1965
Thursday 26 Practice at Daybrook Toch-H
Friday 27 Practice at Calverton
Sunday 29 Arnold Park – Pop Service

SEPTEMBER 1965
Friday 3 Town Hall, Uttoxeter
Saturday 4 Elite Ballroom, Shirebrook
Wednesday 8 Working Mens Club, Arnold
Saturday 11 Carlton Valley Road Dance
Friday 17 Druid Arms, Loughborough
Saturday 18 Carlton Valley Road Dance
Friday 24 Ex-Servicemens Club, Kegworth
Saturday 25 County Hotel, South Shields
Sunday 26 Robin Hood Club, St Anns Well Road
Wednesday 29 Grey Goose, Gedling

OCTOBER 1965
Friday 1 Radcliffe British Legion Dance
Saturday 2 Long Eaton Peoples Hall Dance
Monday 4 Miners Welfare, Calverton
Saturday 9 Calverton School (Mockingbirds) Dance
Wednesday 13 Miners Welfare, South Normanton
Thursday 14 New Cross Inn, Sutton-in-Ashfield
Saturday 16 Liberal Club, Crowle
Sunday 17 Working Mens Club, Syston
Monday 18 Miners Welfare, Ripley
Friday 22 Monsalhead Hotel, Derbyshire
Saturday 23 Tollerton Youth Club
Sunday 24 Bowling Green Hotel, Lincoln
Saturday 30 British Legion, Carlton

NOVEMBER 1965
Tuesday 2 Andrews Social Club, Bulwell
Wednesday 2 Nottingham Ice Stadium
Saturday 6 Town Hall, Newark
Sunday 7 Miners Welfare, Gedling
Monday 8 Hendon Rise Social Club
Friday 12 Hendon Rise Social Club
Saturday 13 White Hart, Glasshouse Street
Sunday 14 Cherry Tree, Calverton
Monday 15 Hendon Rise Social Club
Saturday 20 Long Eaton Peoples Hall Dance

Friday 26 Bowling Green Hotel, Lincoln
Saturday 27 Carpenters Arms, Fenton
Monday 29 Youth Centre, Beeston

DECEMBER 1965
Saturday 4 Fosse Way Hotel, Lincoln
Friday 10 White Hart, Glasshouse Street

Saturday 11 Bowling Green Hotel, Lincoln
Monday 13 Miners Welfare, Ripley
Thursday 16 Tally Ho, Sneinton Dale
Friday 17 Carlton School Dance
Saturday 18 Scout Hall Dance, Nottingham (Ludwig Snare)
Friday 24 Blue Anchor Inn, Ingoldmells
Monday 27 Plough Inn, Wilsford, Grantham
Tuesday 28 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Friday 31 Andrews Social Club, Bulwell

JANUARY 1966
Monday 3 Miners Welfare, Ripley
Tuesday 4 Boot and Shoe Club, Leicester
Wednesday 5 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Saturday 8 Whimwood Hotel, Doncaster
Sunday 9 Bowling Green Hotel, Lincoln
Monday 10 Golden Diamond, Sutton-in-Ashfield
Friday 14 Lake Rondavous, Sleaford
Saturday 15 Bowling Green Hotel, Lincoln
Friday 21 Hicking and Pentecost Social Club, Nott’m
Saturday 22 Village Hall Dance, Welton

Friday 28 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Saturday 29 Fosse Way Hotel, Lincoln
Monday 31 Practice, Calverton (Keith Birkett finishes)

“I’ll start by clarifying who Keith Birkett was.  I’ve visited this with the band a few years ago and none of us can remember how he came to be our manager with Carl Pagan etc.  What I do know is he was in the insurance business and very involved with the ‘Young Liberals’. I was talking to a friend some months ago and related my involvement with Keith and straight away he told me how he had worked for him in the insurance business. My best guess is he collected insurance money from my parents home for a policy of some sort. To be fair he did get us started with gigs and more importantly got us accepted into Banner Productions/Phil Smith. On the Monday night in question we were practicing in a outbuilding he had got for us in Calverton (we did use this place on a regular basis). We rehearsed and perfected 5 new songs in one night so we were feeling rather pleased with ourselves. This was quite an achievement. When Keith Birkett turned up he sat and asked to hear the 5 songs.

We duly performed all the songs and afterwards he stood and said, very sarcastically, “very good but you can’t play those in the clubs (Working Men’s Clubs)”. Immediately Derek said ” well who wants to play in the clubs anyway, we want to play the dance hall”. With that Keith hit the roof!! He said/shouted “I knew you’d say that. That’s it, I’ve done with you lot” upon which he stormed off and left. All was quiet for the rest of the week so we made an appointment the following Saturday to see Phil Smith and he said that as far as he was concerned nothing had changed e.g. all the gigs stood as booked. The next week Keith said he wanted to meet up with the 3 musicians which we did at my parents. He apologised to us for what had happened and blamed it all on Derek. He said he would take us back, without Derek, get us a new singer and we could rehearse a comedy act for the clubs! Needless to say we completely rejected his offer there and then. He left and I have never seen or heard from him again“.

FEBRUARY 1966
Wednesday 2 Co-op Social Club, Rotherham
Sunday 6 The Palais, Ilkeston
Friday 11 Sutton Baths, Sutton-in-Ashfield (Merseys)
Saturday 12 Palais, Nottingham (Audition)
Saturday 12 Digby Avenue College, Nottingham
Thursday 17 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Friday 18 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Saturday 19 76 Club, Burton On Trent
Sunday 20 Bowling Green Hotel, Newark
Friday 25 Co-op Social Club, Rotherham
Saturday 26 University, Nottingham (Moody Blues)

“We were supporting The Moody Blues at Nottingham University Portland Building, Sat 26 February 1966. When we finished our set we had to take our equipment off the stage so we left it all at the side of the stage. My top tom-tom was stolen by some students and never recovered. I had already purchased a Ludwig snare drum so ordered the other 3 Ludwig drums to replace the Premier drums left”.

Sunday 27 The Village, Cleethorpes

MARCH 1966
Saturday 5 Rainbow Rooms, Nottingham
Sunday 6 Miners Welfare, Gedling
Thursday 10 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Friday 11 New Parks Social Club, Leicester
Saturday 12 Lifeboat Hotel, Cleethorpes
Friday 18 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford

Saturday 19 Bowling Green Hotel, Newark
Sunday 20 The Palais, Ilkeston
Monday 21 Agricultural College, Sutton Bonington
Friday 25 Ship and Rainbow Hotel, Wolverhampton
Saturday 26 Parosha Hall, Mansfield (New Ludwig Kit)
Monday 28 Miners Welfare, Ripley

APRIL 1966
Friday 1 West End Club, Coalville
Saturday 2 Gala Ballroom, Norwich (New Van)
Sunday 3 Dog & Partridge, Thorpe Dovedale
Thursday 7 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Saturday 9 La Discotheque, Grimsby
Sunday 10 Lambourne Hotel, Stoke on Trent
Monday 11 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Thursday 14 Ilkeston Palais
Thursday 21 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Friday 22 Tech College, Nottingham

In April 1966, Phil Smith, Nottingham’s premier agent and promoter signed Carl Pagan and the Heathens onto his “Banner Productions” books. In April, still billed as “The Heathens” they support the Moody Blues and the Swinging Blue Jeans although in the same newspaper there is an ad promoting “Our Young”.

“I don’t know why we were billed as just “The Heathens” without Carl Pagan on 22 April 1966. We played with The Moody Blues on 3 separate gigs and The Swinging Blues Jeans twice. I have both bands autographs framed on my study wall. In the 60s and 70s it was not unusual to be supporting someone famous especially at the Colleges and Universities”.

Saturday 23 Co-op Social Club, Rotherham
Monday 25 Miners Welfare, Ripley
Thursday 28 The Palais, Nottingham
Friday 29 Mansfield, Palais
Saturday 30 Nottingham University

MAY 1966
Monday 2 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Thursday 5 Bowling Green Hotel, Newark
Friday 6 Youth Centre, Cotgrave

The Youth Centre at Cotgrave was the last gig as Carl Pagan and the Heathens.

Three of the gigs listed above were seen by and described as “Great” by “Paradiddle“. That’s praise indeed because even The Jaybirds only faired as “Good“.

Carl Pagan and the Heathens – Scout and Guide HQ – 7th November 1965 – Great
Carl Pagan and the Heathens – .Scout and Guide HQ – 18th December 1965 – Great
Carl Pagan and the Heathens – Gedling Miners Welfare – 6th March 1966 – Great

Bob continues:

“Some years ago I emailed the other members of the band asking them to recall the songs we used to play. Here are the songs we all came up with”:

Bad Time and Stubborn Kinda Fellow – The Roulettes
Hang On Sloopy – The Mc Coys
I Think Of You, I Stand Accused, See Me Back, Last Night, I Love You Yes I Do – The Merseybeats
Stay – The Hollies
So Much In Love – The Mighty Avengers
Kelly – Del Shannon
Sorrow – The Merseys
Long Time Comin’, The Game Of Love, Um Um Um Um Um, Too Many Tears – Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders
No One Can Make My Sunshine Smile – Everly Brothers
Stand By Me – Ben E King
Another Saturday Night – Sam Cooke
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow – The Shirelles
Hi Ho Silver Lining – Jeff Beck
Mellow Yellow – Donavon
Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, My Girl – The Temptations
Gloria, Baby Please Don’t Go – Them
In The Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
The Incrowd – Dobie Gray
California Dreamin’ – Mamas and Papas

“There must have been quite a few more. We didn’t learn a complete new set of songs for the change of name so many songs were carried over into Our Young”.

OUR YOUNG

By 1966 there were less and less bands billed with a front man so a new name was devised and Nottingham promoter Phil Smith, who had signed them up to his “Banner” agency, advertised the name in the Evening Post for a month before a launch night. New promotional photos were taken on the premises of “Banner” at 13 Manvers Street in Nottingham.

“Phil Smith had a friend named Barry King and it was him who put the dances on at the Rainbow Rooms under the promotional name of Daykene Street Boys Football Club.  About 3-4 weeks before our first gig at the Rainbow Rooms as Our Young, Barry went around the town sticking posters on boarded up premises etc.  These posters were approx’ 15 x 20 inches (portrait) and in each corner was a members of the band in B & W.  Centred top to bottom and left to right were large orange letters “Our Young”.

“At that time numerous bands had the singers name followed the ‘The’ band name e.g. Cliff and the Shadows, Adam Faith and the Roulettes etc etc.  It was when Phil Smith who owned Banner Productions signed us up in March 1966 that he had the fore-sight to give his bands ‘modern’ names, hence we became Our Young with a big launch Saturday 7 May 1966 at the Rainbow Rooms, Broad Street (now The Broadway cinema)”.

The line up of the group was still the same as the old Carl Pagan and the Heathens line up:

Derek Smith: Vocals
Wayne Ford: Guitar
Bob Todd: Drums
Ray Wood: Bass guitar

List of dates:

MAY 1966
Saturday 7 Rainbow Rooms, Nottingham
Sunday 8 Judien Club, Leeds
Monday 9 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Friday 13 Bowling Green, Newark
Saturday 14 Ilkeston Palais
Monday 16 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Friday 20 Eight Bells, Mansfield
Saturday 21 St Johns College, York
Sunday 22 Ruston Club, Lincoln
Monday 23 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Thursday 26 Ilkeston Palais
Friday 27 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 28 Co-op Hall, Lincoln

JUNE 1966
Friday 3 The Village, Cleethorpes
Saturday 4 Rainbow Rooms, Nottingham
Monday 6 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Tuesday 7 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Thursday 9 Cocked Hat, Aspley
Friday 10 Bowling Green Hotel, Newark
Saturday 11 Summerhouse Inn, Kings Winsford
Sunday 12 Judean Club, Leeds
Monday 13 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Friday 17 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 18 Co-op Hall, Hucknall
Sunday 19 The Palais, Ilkeston
Monday 20 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Thursday 23 Granville Club, Long Eaton
Friday 24 Youth Centre, Cotgrave
Saturday 25 Drill Hall, Beeston

Sunday 26 Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
Monday 27 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Wednesday 29 Gliderdrome, Boston

At the Boston Gliderdrome with fellow Nottingham group The Children was Ray Philips, which was the stage name of Clive Gamble from Nottingham who had a mobile Discotheque called “Sounds on Location“.

“Clive videoed (I think I might mean the old cine film) Our Young on stage at Lincoln Co-op.  We are also really sure that Clive went out with his disco under the name of “Sounds on Location”.

JULY 1966
Friday 1st, 59 Club, Beeston
Saturday 2 University, Nottingham
Sunday 3 The Palais, Mansfield
Monday 4 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Thursday 7 Palais de Dance, Nottingham
Friday 8th, 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 9 Masonic Institute, Stoke on Trent
Monday 11 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Thursday 14 Cocked Hat, Aspley
Friday 15 Bowling Green Hotel, Newark
Saturday 16 Youth Centre, Cotgrave
Monday 18 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Friday 22 Lake Rendezvous Club, Sleaford
Saturday 23 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Sunday 24 The Palais, Ilkeston
Monday 25 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Thursday 28 Bowling Green Hotel, Newark
Friday 29 Eight Bells Hotel, Mansfield
Saturday 30 Blue Ball, Risley
Sunday 31 Clayton Lodge Hotel, Newcastle under Lyme

AUGUST 1966
Monday 1 Working Mens Club, Kettering
Thursday 4 Cocked Hat, Aspley
Friday 5 Waggon and Horses, Stoke on Trent
Saturday 6 Rainbow Rooms, Nottingham
7 to 13 Boat Holiday, Norfolk Broads
Monday 15 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Friday 19 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Saturday 20 Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge
Sunday 21 Creole Club, Wilmslow, Manchester
Monday 22 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Friday 26 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 27 Waggon and Horses, Wall Heath, Birmingham
Monday 29 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Wednesday 31 Audition for EMI, Dancing Slipper

“The audition was for a record producer from Pye Records. Phil Smith set it up at the Dancing Slipper. I remember he wanted bands who were writing original material and to be honest we didn’t have anything. That producer had asked Phil Smith for Six Across but Phil put us in there instead (reason unknown). We (Our Young) did play with Six Across and they were a really good band”.

“Ray Wood wanted to upgrade his equipment so he purchased a Marshall amp and asked Leo Lyons (Jaybirds) if he could measure and copy his 2 x 18” speaker cabinets. To do this Ray arranged with Alvin to meet at his parents house (in Wollaton) where the van was kept. We travelled on the bus one Sunday afternoon and as we entered the street you couldn’t mistake where Alvin lived as their Commer van was painted bright red and cream with the name on various panels all over. Alvin made us very welcome and we got to work unloading the van, measuring the cabinets and re-loading the van. Alvin asked us in for a cup of tea and before too long out came the ever famous red Gibson 335. We were treated to our own private demonstration by the guitar maestro himself. I remember Alvin saying to Ray “you don’t always need a bass player” as he proceeded to play lead and bass guitar together on Chet Atkins ‘Lullaby of Birdland’ – sheer magic! He was such a nice man and so easy to get on with”.

SEPTEMBER 1966
Saturday 3 Rainbow Rooms, Nottingham
Sunday 4 The Palais, Ilkeston
Monday 5 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton In Ashfield
Thursday 8 Working Mens Club, Langley Mill
Friday 9 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Saturday 10 Cricket Ground, Repton
Monday 12 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton In Ashfield
Thursday 15 Cocked Hat, Aspley
Friday 16 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford

Saturday 17 Brimmington Youth Centre, Stockport
Monday 19 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton In Ashfield
Friday 23 Training College, Loughborough
Saturday 24 Ericssons Ballroom, Beeston

Sunday 25 Vickers Social Club, York
Wednesday 28 Cornhill Club, Carlton

“One Saturday night in 1966 we (Our Young) were playing at the Rainbow Rooms, Broad Street when who should come in to see us but The Jaybirds. Wayne had purchased the very first Gibson non-reverse Firebird 5 guitar (in the UK) and Alvin just stood there transfixed in the middle of the dance floor watching Wayne playing. As soon as we came off stage the whole band came round to talk to us and Alvin was asking all about this most unusual guitar. I hadn’t seen Ric Lee for quite a while so I was chatting to him”.

OCTOBER 1966
Saturday 1 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Sunday 2 The Locarno, Burnley
Tuesday 4 Portland Building, University, Nottingham
Wednesday 5 British Gypsum Club, East Leake
Thursday 6 Bowling Green Hotel, Newark
Friday 7 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 8 Ritz Ballroom, Rhyl
Sunday 9 The Palais, Mansfield
Monday 10 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford

Thursday 13 Working Mens Club, Langley Mill
Friday 14 West End Club, Coalville
Saturday 15 University , Leeds
Sunday 16 Golden Disc, Keighley
Monday 17 Miners Welfare, Cotgrave
Thursday 20 Palais de Dance, Nottingham

Our Young playing at the Palais in Nottingham. At the back of the stage you can see the instruments of the house band of the time led by Eddie Gray.

Friday 21 Padstow School, Bestwood
Saturday 22 Gliderdrome, Boston

“The Boston Gliderdrome gig with The Merseys didn’t have Alvin Cash appearing. It was in fact Lee Dorsey and he had Gates of Eden as his backing band. I remember Lee Dorsey saying to us that he was amazed he was allowed to use and share the same changing room as us!”

Sunday 23 Golden Disc, Keighley
Tuesday 25 Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham

Friday 28 University , Birmingham
Saturday 29 Marlborough Hall, Halifax

NOVEMBER 1966
Thursday 3 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Friday 4 Youth Centre, Cotgrave
Saturday 5 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Sunday 6 Golden Disc, Ilkeston
Monday 7 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Friday 11 West End Club, Coalville
Saturday 12 Judien Club, Leeds
Monday 14 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Friday 18 Air Squadron Buildings, Beeston
Saturday 19 Blue Ball, Risley
Sunday 20 Rainbow Rooms, Nottingham

Friday 25 Village Hall, East Leake

Our Young played many times at the “Dancing Slipper” in West Bridgford. The old West Bridgford ballroom was renamed in the late 1950’s and jazz promoter and character Bill Kinnell took his jazz club there. He also started beat nights in 1964 and it was very much on the rock and pop circuit for four or five years during the mid sixties mod period.
At one gig further afield, maybe in Lincs, they were meant to be supported by Nottingham group “The Bluespots” who turned up late. Our Young started playing at 7pm, the slot The Bluespots should have been playing and were somewhat annoyed by the situation.

DECEMBER 1966
Friday 2 76 Club, Burton on Trent

Saturday 3 Rainbow Rooms, Nottingham
Monday 5 Miners Welfare, Cotgrave
Friday 9 Pavilion Hotel, Long Eaton
Saturday 10 Spinning Disc, Leeds
Sunday 11 Golden Disc, Keighley
Friday 16 St John’s Social Club, Bilborough
Saturday 17 Witch Doctor, Life Boat Hotel, Cleethorpes
Sunday 18 Golden Disc, Ilkeston
Tuesday 20 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford

Wednesday 21 University, Nottingham
Thursday 22 Cornhill Club, Nottingham
Friday 23 Russell Hall Youth Club, Dudley
Saturday 24 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Sunday 25 Golden Disc, Keighley
Monday 26 Golden Disc, Keighley (All Nighter)
Monday 26 The Palais, Mansfield
Thursday 29 Oval Inn, Sutton in Ashfield
Friday 30 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Saturday 31 Regal Ballroom, Ripley

1967

“The majority of gigs were in say a 30 to 50 mile radius of Nottingham but we would get odd ones every now and then, I remember going to South Shields, Port Madoc, Burnley, Stockport, York, Leeds, Keighley, Alsager, Sandbach, Rhyl, Chapel St Leonards, Cleethorpes. There were no motorways either so roads like the 2 lane, dual carriageway A1 was as good as it gets!  Rays dad was our driver and he owned the van (a Ford Thames) and we paid the full running costs. When he couldn’t take us one of Rays older Brothers would do it. None of us took any drugs nor were we ever offered any thank goodness.  I don’t think it was as common back then as people make out”.

“The better known bands we played with were The Merseys (formerly The Merseybeats), The Moody Blues, Mike Berry (we played his backing music for the night as well), The Downliners Sect, The Fenmen (we became good friends with these), Wayne Fontana (and The Opposition), O’Haras Playboys, The Gamblers (Billy Furys backing band), The Ivy League, The Mockingbirds (Graham Gouldman pre 10cc), Zoot Money and The Big Roll Band, The Nashville Teens, The Pretty Things, Keith Powell and Billie Davis, The Rickenbackers, The Searchers, Pinkertons Assorted Colours, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, Kenny Lynch (we backed him for a couple of spots as well) and Unit 4 + 2”. 
“O’Haras Playboys”, Our Young were support to them at one of the colleges in York. They were a very professional act and played really long sets”.

JANUARY 1967
Thursday 5 Working Mens Club, Langley Mill
Friday 6 Bluecoats School, Nottingham
Friday 13 Miners Welfare, East Kirkby
Saturday 14 University, Nottingham
Sunday 15 Golden Disc, Ilkeston
Wednesday 18 Y M C A, Nottingham
Friday 20 Farnborough Road School, Clifton
Saturday 21 The Palais, Mansfield
Monday 23 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Friday 27 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 28 Creole Club, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Sunday 29 Golden Disc, Ilkeston
Monday 30 Deno’s Club, Derby

FEBRUARY 1967
Saturday 4 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Sunday 5 Golden Disc, Keighley
Friday 10 Air Squadron Buildings, Beeston
Friday 17 Elizabethan Rooms, Co-op, Nottingham
Saturday 18 British Legion, Portmadoc
Monday 20 Deno’s Club, Derby
Thursday 23 Oval Inn, Sutton in Ashfield
Friday 24 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 25 Tech College, Leeds
Monday 27 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Tuesday 28 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield

MARCH 1967
Friday 3 Air Squadron Buildings, Beeston
Saturday 4 The Baths, Sutton in Ashfield
Friday 10 Eastwood School, Eastwood
Friday 10 Tech College, Nottingham
Saturday 11 Ericssons Ballroom, Beeston
Friday 17 University, Nottingham
Saturday 18 Crown Inn, Birmingham
Monday 20 Deno’s Club, Derby
Tuesday 21 College, Sutton Bonington
Thursday 23 Palais de Dance, Nottingham
Saturday 25 R A F Scampton, Nr Lincoln
Sunday 26 Golden Disc, Keighley
Monday 27 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Thursday 30 Working Mens Club, Langley Mill
Friday 31 The Baths, Sutton in Ashfield

APRIL 1967
Saturday 1 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Friday 7 Miners Welfare, East Kirkby
Saturday 8 Excel Bowl, Bradford
Monday 10 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Thursday 13 Park Pavilion, West BrIdgford
Friday 14 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 15 Sherwood Hotel, Derby
Sunday 16 Judien Club, Leeds
Friday 21 Pearsons House, Nottingham
Saturday 22 R F C, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Thursday 27 Cornhill Club, Carlton
Friday 28 Eaton Hall, Retford
Saturday 29 University, Nottingham
Sunday 30 Golden Disc, Keighley

MAY 1967
Friday 5 Hoar Cross Hall, Burton on Trent
Friday 12 Jolly Sailor, Tamworth
Saturday 13 Civic Hall, Nantwich
Sunday 14 Sherwood Hotel, Derby
Monday 15 Wharmcliffe Hotel, Sheffield
Friday 19 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford

Saturday 20 Co-op Hall, Lincoln

JUNE 1967
Saturday 10 Pavilion Ballroom, Buxton
Sunday 11 Judien Club, Leeds
Thursday 15 County Arms, Blaby

Friday 16 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Saturday 17 The Bandstand, Trent Embankment, Nott’m
Sunday 18 Stork Club, Derby
Wednesday 21 Cornhill Club, Carlton
Friday 23 Pearson’s House, Nottingham
Saturday 24 Ericsson’s Sports Field, Beeston
Saturday 24 University, Nottingham
Sunday 25 Cat Balou Club, Grantham
Monday 26 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Friday 30 76 Club, Burton on Trent

JULY 1967
Saturday 1 Cavendish Hall, University, Nottingham
Sunday 2 Carnaby Club, Coventry
Tuesday 4 Air Squadron Buildings, Beeston
Friday 7 Sandbach Schools, Cheshire
Saturday 8 Co-op Hall, Lincoln
Sunday 9 Memorial Park, Heanor
Thursday 13 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Friday 14 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford

Saturday 15 Tech College, Alsager
Thursday 20 Working Men’s Club, Langley Mill
Friday 21 Bowling Green Hotel, Newark

“I didn’t pass my driving test until August 1967 so there was only one of us who could drive and his transport was an Austin A35 van (with seats and windows in the back – same as the one in Wallace and Grommet). I should explain that Our Young had two pals, Keith and Graham who went on almost every gig. It was always useful to have two more sets of hands helping out with the gear.
It was Graham who had passed his test. I remember one time we were going to Boston Gliderdrome but he had a problem with the A35. He worked in a garage up Sneinton Dale and his boss let him borrow the garage Land Rover. This thing used as a much oil as petrol and it cost us a small fortune to get to Boston and back. Needless to say we never borrowed it again!! I don’t remember much about The Spencer Davis Group on stage but as we were queueing the band passed through the foyer. I managed to get Spencer Davis and Pete York (the drummer) autographs but the 2 Winwoods carried on walking”.

AUGUST 1967
Sunday 13 Sherwood Hotel, Derby
Sunday 20 Civic Hall, Nantwich
Wednesday 23 Cornhill Club, Carlton
Thursday 24 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Friday 25 Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield
Saturday 26 Town Hall, Uttoxeter

SEPTEMBER 1967
Friday 1 Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham

THE LAST GIG AS OUR YOUNG

In July of 1967, vocalist Derek Smith got married and this would eventually lead to him leaving the group and moving on with his family life. On Friday September 1st 1967 Our Young played their last gig under that name. It was support to The Ivy League who were three vocalists. Since March 1966 until the spring of 1967 Nottingham’s hottest group The Jaybirds had been their backing group. First as a trio and then a quartet when roadie Chick Churchill joined them on keyboards in the summer of 1966. When the work with the Ivy League fizzled out they chanced on a meeting with Chris Wright at the Ellis-Wright Agency and secured some work in London’s Marquee club leading to a name change in the summer of 1967 (via a couple of gigs as “Bluesyard”) to Ten Years After and their career was propelled forward yet again. However, they did manage to fit in one or two gigs with the Ivy League when they could and possibly the last one was with “Our Young”. Prior to a gig at “Clouds” club in Derby on Saturday 2nd September, Alvin Lee and the boys jumped at the chance of playing on home turf before they took off for international stardom. Bob Todd knew drummer Ric Lee from his days in beat group “The Mansfields” before he took over the vacant drum role in The Jaybirds when Dave Quickmire left.

“In all the time with Wayne, Ray and Derek we got along great. We were good pals all the way through and needless to say very sad when Derek decided to leave”.

“The Jaybirds – what a trio they were.  Wayne and me went to see them numerous times, mainly at The Elizabethan Rooms (top of the old Co-op, Parliament Street.  We got to know them quite well, SUPERB!”.   

After Derek Smith left we had two vocalists up front and Phil Smith came up with name “Two’s Company”.

DRUMS

I asked Bob about the drums he used in the sixties:

“After my 12 x 8 tom tom was stolen I went to Cranes music store, they were situated at the top of Derby Road on the right just before Canning Circus. I ordered a 22″ bass drum, 13 x 9 tom tom and a 16 x 16 floor tom tom, all in Sky Blue Pearl.  (I’d already purchased a 14 x 6.5 Ludwig chrome snare drum.  That was from Clements also on Derby Road but at the bottom just before the turning for the Albert Hall).  They arrived 26 March 1966 and I think the cost was approx’ £230. In the  interim they let me borrow (F O C) a small ‘Carlton’ tom tom and a snare drum stand to mount it on. It was a funny grey/green pearl colour so looked really odd and out of place!  In terms of Ludwig v Premier there is no doubt that Ludwig drums are much louder and better sound quality.  When it comes build quality Premier win hands down.  Before my ‘first retirement’ the chrome work on my 16 x16 tom tom was starting to peel off”.

Also, a run down of equipment

On equipment – the only venue where we used the house PA System was Boston Gliderdrome e.g. Wayne and Ray still used their guitar amps.

Our Young’s equipment was:

Carlsbro P A System, probably 50 or 60 watts

Wayne had a black Vox AC 30 with 4 x 12 inch speakers, 2 of which were in a separate Selmer cabinet (I think it was called a ‘piggy back system’ because the amp was sat on top and not built-in like a combo system). He started out with a 1961 Fender Stratocaster but later purchased (the first in the country) a Gibson non-reverse Firebird 5.

Ray had a 50 watt Marshall amp with 2 x 18 inch Goodman speakers, in separate cabinets and a 1961 Fender Jazz Bass.

My kit was a Ludwig Super Classic in Sky Blue Pearl with Super Zyn and Avedis Zildjain cymbals.

All 4 microphones were Shure Unidyne 3, 545’s.

You can see most of this on those Dancing Slipper photos. Those 3 guitars mentioned are now very expensive collector’s items (now in the thousands!).

TWO’S COMPANY

September 1967 – early 1968.

There was another group working as “Two’s Company” at the same time who were maybe from the Newark area.

“The last gig we did as “Our Young” was Friday 1 September 1967 at the Sherwood Rooms. The following day we were at a Rugby Club in Derby as “Two’s Company”. We had been rehearsing with the two new singers (Eddie Young and Nick Busuttil) for a few weeks prior to this”.

The line up of Two’s Company was:

Wayne Ford: Guitar
Bob Todd: Drums
Ray Wood: Bass guitar
Eddie Young: Vocals
Nick Busuttil: Vocals

List of gigs:

SEPTEMBER 1967
Saturday 2 Rugby Football Club, Derby
Saturday 9 Tech College, Alsager
Thursday 21 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Saturday 23 St Johns Youth Club, Keighley

OCTOBER 1967
Friday 6 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Wednesday 11 Sherwood Hotel, Derby
Saturday 14 Portland Building, University, Nottingham
Saturday 21 Ericsson’s Ballroom, Beeston
Monday 23 Regal Ballroom, Ripley
Friday 27 Papplewick Lido, Nottingham

Saturday 28 Co-op Hall, Lincoln

NOVEMBER 1967
Friday 3 George Hotel, Nottingham
Saturday 4 University, Nottingham
Sunday 5 Palais, Mansfield
Wednesday 8 Festival Inn, Trowell
Friday 10 Town Hall, Heanor
Sunday 19 Agricultural College, Sutton Bonington
Wednesday 22 Sherwood Hotel, Derby
Thursday 23 Working Mens Club, Langley Mill
Thursday 30 Regal Ballroom, Ripley

Wayne Ford left Two’s Company in early December 1967, eventually joining the newly formed Whichwhat in the autumn of 1968. His replacement was Brian Condon who joined on December 6th 1967.

The line up was now:

Brian Condon: Guitar
Bob Todd: Drums
Ray Wood: Bass guitar
Eddie Young: Vocals
Nick Busuttil: Vocals

DECEMBER 1967
Friday 1 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford
Saturday 2 Town Hall, Uttoxeter
Friday 8 Tech College, Nottingham
Saturday 9 Air Squadron Building, Beeston
Wednesday 13 Aiton Pavilion, Derby
Friday 15 Assembly Rooms, Lincoln
Saturday 16 Digby College, Nottingham
Monday 18 Carlton Hotel, Nottingham
Thursday 21 Penny Farthing Club, Leicester
Friday 22 76 Club, Burton on Trent
Saturday 23 Co op Hall, Lincoln

JANUARY 1968
Wednesday 3 Sherwood Hotel, Derby

Thursday 4 Victory Club, Eastwood
Friday 12 Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford

Saturday 13 Tech College, Alsager
Tuesday 16 Club Pacific, Somercotes
Saturday 27 Working Mens Club, Aylestone, Leicester
Sunday 28 Working Mens Club, Aylestone, Leicester

FEBRUARY 1968
Saturday 3 Working Mens Club, Rubery, Birmingham

“Phil Smith was always really good to us, always dressed immaculate and easy to get along with. He was dead-ringer for Lonnie Donegan as well. Jumping forward a little, at the end of 1969 I left Whichwhat and sold my Ludwig drum kit and all the gear I had (I used the money as a deposit to purchase a brand new 3 bedroom bungalow when I got married in May 1970).  I thought I’d had my ‘time as a musician’ but by 1973 I purchased another new Ludwig kit and I was off again. I only mention this because the second band I was playing with in this new era (Highly Strung) was playing at The Shoulder of Mutton, South Normanton (no date) and who should be the landlord but Phil Smith.  He remembered me straight away and proceeded to give the other members of the band a master class of the does and don’ts! The last time I heard mention of him was that he was working for Mansfield Brewery”.

“When we auditioned Eddie and Nick it was obvious that Eddie was by far the better singer but he wouldn’t join unless we took Nick as well.  I seem to recall that we carried on mainly with the same set list as Our Young.  I do remember we added California Dreamin’ (Mamas and Papas) and Massachusetts (The Bee Gees).  Sadly there were never any photos taken of Two’s Company.  I still can’t recall why we broke the band up but worth a mention is that during December 1967 Wayne Ford left and was replaced by Brian Condon.  I think Brian told me recently he joined us 6 December 1967”. 

“Within a couple of weeks of the break up Phil Smith ask us if we would back Heinz and he brought along Keith Bird so we had 2 lead guitarists and Keith did backing vocals as well.  I think the first gig was in Leicester.  Phil had arranged for us to rehearse at The County Tavern, High Pavement.  It was in an old skittle alley right at back of the pub.  We put the act together within a few hours and met later at the gig.  We continued to use that pub for some time after (the good old days! you could park on the street in those days)”.

HEINZ AND (OUR YOUNG) (1968)

Two’s Company split up and Bob immediately became part of the backing band for Heinz, the Joe Meek nurtured pop singer of the early sixties who had once been in The Tornados of “Telstar” fame.

Line up:

Bob Todd: Drums
Ray Wood: Bass
Brian Condon: Guitar
Keith Bird: Guitar

“Ray and me had a 6 month spell backing Heinz (February to June 1968) when he was touring round this area.  He normally called his backing band the ‘Wild Boys’ but we thought by then it was a bit corny so we reverted back to Our Young!! Once again when he was not on stage I did all the lead singing and by then I was really confident doing it. Wayne was playing with the John Smith Affair at this time so our lead guitarist was Brian Condon. When Phil Smith teamed us up with Heinz he brought along Keith Bird (ex Hells Bells) who was also a lead guitarist. I lost touch with Keith after the Heinz gigs finished”.

Looking back Bob remembers:

“My in laws (sadly no longer with us) went to either Carlton British Legion (mostly) or the Colwick B R S A Club (on the site where Costa is on Netherfield Retail Park), which is a good job, because that’s where I met Lynne (Bob’s wife) when I was backing Heinz. Most of that ‘W M Club’ age group are gone and to be honest it was never ‘my scene’ either.
My era was the Boat Clubs, The Dungeon, Beachcomber, Palais and Sherwood Rooms. I did go to De Montfort Hall a couple of times, once to see Cliff and The Shadows (about 1964 ish) and in 1966, The Beach Boys. There were a couple of Saturdays in 1967 when we went to Boston Gliderdrome on speck, the first time we saw Amen Corner and the second time it was The Spencer Davis Group – they always had a big name act on there on Saturdays. Happy Days!!

THOUGHTS AND WORDS (1968)

For a short time, before Bob would re-join his friend Wayne Ford with the newly formed Whichwhat, he spent time in a new studio in Nottingham. It was called Codolar and was run by Clive Gamble and ex Beatmen rhythm guitarist and song writer Bill Mosely.

“I remember Bill Moseley at the studio but I don’t think he did the (later) Whichwhat recordings. We were trying to get a band together after we had finished with Heinz, I think we called it “Thoughts and Words”. We used to be able to practice in the studio when it was not in use and one time Bill was in the recording booth. We were rehearsing S F Sorrow (The Pretty Things) and Top Hat, (a B-side by The Montanas). Bill must have liked what he heard and recorded them so it could be those tapes still exist? The studio was quite small and getting the gear up and down the narrow stairs was a nightmare”.

“Clive Gamble – was he a DJ at one time e.g. 1966/67? We used to appear with a DJ during that time and I remember he had a dark green Jaguar car which would have been not only expensive to buy but also to run. We also used to appear with “Don’s Gear”, his full name was Don Truscott”.

WHICHWHAT (1969)

Whichwhat were the rump of the John Smith Affair who played from the beginning of 1967 to October 1968 when they changed their name to Whichwhat. They were eventually signed to Beacon Records releasing an an album and a succession of singles. With a varying line up their history will be told on the Whichwhat page but here is Bob’s take on it.

The first members of Whichwhat were ex John Smith Affair members Terry Penn (Bass), Walt Savage (Keyboards) and Mick Brown (Sax and Flute), Mel Munks (Guitar) and John Bednall (Drums) and they were joined by Eddie Young (Vocals) who had been with “Two’s Company”. A new name for the group was made and Whichwhat, on the books at the Banner agency, carried on with the same bookings made as the John Smith Affair.

Around January or February 1969 Wayne Ford (Guitar) replaced Mel Munks who left because of the travelling. A little later in June of ’69 Bob Todd replaced drummer John Bednall, who left. Wayne Ford had suggested Bob Todd for the drum spot after their years together in the Heathens and Our Young.

Whichwhat- Line up *3 – June 1969 – October 1969

Terry Penn: Bass guitar
Bob Todd: Drums
Eddie Young (real name Theodore Demetriou): Vocals
Mick Brown: Sax and Flute
Wayne Ford: Guitar
Walter Savage: Keyboards

SUMMER / AUTUMN 1969

AUTUMN 1969

Apart from plenty of gigs the only recording Bob was on was “It’s All Over Again” which was on their forth single release coming out on December 5th 1969. Recording had taken place a few months earlier in Codolar studios.

The promo info from Beacon records was always slightly incorrect. The group line up doesn’t mention Bob Todd and neither does it mention Wayne Ford on guitar or Walt Savage on keys.

“The only recording I am on is “It’s All Over Again”, that was the B side of “I Wanna Be Free”. It was recorded in a studio on Middle Pavement just round the corner from the Cross Keys pub. The actual studio was in the basement”.

The studio was “Codolar” which was run by Clive Gamble. There is some background to this studio here.

“Whichwhat were prone to line up changes and I was one of those after a few months. They wanted John Bednell to come back into the band (to be fair he was a better drummer than me) but Wayne told me in advance what was going to happen, testimony to what a true friend he was”. “I do recall playing the Penny Farthing Club at the bottom of Wollaton Street before I left them“.

“We used to take it in turns to drive the van so after Wayne gave me the tip-off I arranged to have the van ASAP and when I got home I unloaded my drums. The next day I phoned the band and told them I had quit and to come and collect the van. It turned out that John Bednell was not going to return so they had to ask me to come back into the band. I returned on the basis that once they found a replacement drummer I would leave for good. (By now I was engaged to Lynne and planning to get married the following May, 1970). The replacement drummer was John Barlow. (incidentally, the very first printer I went on machine with when I started my apprenticeship at Staffords in 1961 was John Barlow’s Dad, Maurice!) I have no idea when John Barlow left (or maybe he got the sack as well!!). Although I joined Whichwhat I was never the biggest fan of soul and Tamla Motown music. As for Whichwhat as a band I’d never played with anyone before – or after- that had members always arguing and falling out. If they hadn’t have tried to sack me I don’t know how much longer I would have remained in the band anyway. I’m fairly sure the next drummer after John Barlow was Steve Harris”.

“I got to know Steve when he was playing with Wayne in the early 1970s. He was a brilliant drummer (I was in my first retirement by then so didn’t have any drums) and a lovely gentleman, a pure joy to watch. He had a plain bright yellow Ludwig kit with big size drums and I’ve never seen another kit like it, ever. Steve would often beckon me over to have a play on his drum kit. Wayne and me had a lot of laughs with Steve. Sadly Steve died a few years ago”.

At the very end of the sixties Bob packed his drum kit away, got married to Lynne in May 1970 and retired from music. It would be a few years before Bob would get back into playing the drums again and that would be the start of his second musical career.

1970 – 73

“In the early 70s we were living in Brinsley and would sometimes shop in Mansfield. One time in 1973 we came across the Carlsbro shop (I think it was somewhere near the tall railway archs). In the window was a Ludwig Super Classic kit with ‘all chrome wraps’. I went in to enquire about it and was met by Keith Woodcock (I knew Keith as he had replaced Ric Lee in The Mansfields). I think Keith quoted a price of around £400. He also said if I was interested he would include a free set of Hayman cymbals. I decided to purchase them shortly after. I was working double day shifts (06.00 to 14.00 and 14.00 to 22.00) so was able to practice in a spare bedroom either in the morning or afternoon without disturbing the neighbours. I was playing to music through headphones from my record player, mainly to the Beatles white album”.

“I answered an advert in the Nottingham Evening Post and joined 3 musicians who were writing their own material. The band had no name as it was a long way from being able to perform gigs. The driving force behind this venture was Chris Allard (Lead Guitarist). Shortly after I joined the bass player left for family reasons so the other guitarist switched to bass and we advertised for another (6 string) guitarist. During these auditions one guitarist stood out, so I exchanged phone numbers with him. Some weeks later he called me and asked if I would like to audition with his band “Barabas”. They were based around the Stapleford area. They liked my playing better than their existing drummer so was asked to join. The line up was:

BARABUS

Kip Cross (Vocals),
Andy Hodgson (Lead Guitar),
Jake Shaw (Bass Guitar)
Bob Todd (Drums)
(all 3 musicians did backing vocals).

Here’s the gig list for Barabas/Highly Strung. List of dates:

1974

August
24, Fosseway Hotel, Lincoln
31, Concorde Club, Ilkeston (See photo below)

September
6, Market Club, Huthwaite
7, Club Ba Ba, Barnsley
8, Cleopatra’s, Derby
14, Open Hearth Hotel, Corby
20, Peacock Inn, Redmile
21, Peacock Inn, Redmile
22, Peacock Inn, Redmile
28, Fosseway Hotel, Lincoln

October
4, Concorde Club, Ilkeston
5, Bentley WEC, Doncaster
6, Miners Welfare, Bestwwod
12, Miners Welfare, Holmewood
19, Catholic Club, Carlton
25, Granville Club, Long Eaton
26, Lake Rendezvous Club, Sleaford

November
2, Y M Social Club, Dunkirk
9, Rugby Football Club, Bedworth
16, Granville Club, Long Eaton
23, Concorde Club, Ilkeston
30, East Herringthorpe S & SC, Rotherham

December
6, Miners Welfare, Sutton in Ashfield
7, Polish Club, Derby
14, Fosseway Hotel, Lincoln
16, Shipley Boat Inn, Eastwood
21, Catholic Club, Carlton
22, Concorde Club, Ilkeston
24, Peacock Inn, Redmile
26, Miners Welfare, Clipstone
27, Rangers Supporters Club, Corby
31, RAF Newton

1975

January
4, Central Club, Stainforth
5, Ruston Club, Lincoln
11, Community Centre, Carlton
17, Grey Goose, Gedling
18, East Herringthorpe S & SC, Rotherham
19, Miners Welfare, Clipstone
25, Memorial Club, Church Gresley
31, Miners Welfare, Gedling

February
1, Westville Club, Hucknall
8, Football & Rugby Club, Bedworth
14, Variety Club, Radford
15, Concorde Club, Ilkeston
22, Stapenhill S Club, Burton on Trent
23, Miners Welfare, Bestwood

At the end of February 1974 Barabus changed their name to Highly Strung.

HIGHLY STRUNG

March
1, RAF Swinderby
2, Non Political Club, Sheffield
8, Raleigh Ballroom, Lenton, Nottingham
9, With & West Melton Club, Rotherham
13, Miners Welfare, Forest Town, Mansfield
14, Grey Topper, Jacksdale
15, Springwater S C, Calverton
16, Democratic Club, Stainforth
22, Lime Tree Park WMC, Coventry
23, Gresley Court Hotel, Church Gresley
27, New Carousel Ballroom, Worksop
28, New Carousel Ballroom, Worksop
29, New Carousel Ballroom, Worksop

April
3, Ex Servicemens Club, Shuttlewood
5, Railway Hotel, Woodhall Spa
6, Fosseway Hotel, Lincoln
12, Springwater S C, Calverton
13, Spa Club, Askern, Doncaster
19, Clarkson S & SC, Nuneaton
24, Brimmington Tavern, Chesterfield
25, Festival Inn Trowell

26, Benvenute Hotel, Chapel St Leonards
27, Westville Club, Hucknall

May
3, RAF Scampton, Lincoln
9, Cock Hotel, Ripley
10, Howitt’s SC, Basford, Nottingham
11, Syston WMC, Leicester
13, Baileys Nightclub, Derby
17, FC Sports Club, Grantham
18, Variety Club, Radford

23, Hurst Farm SC, Matlock
24, Storthfield Country Club, Sth Normanton
25, Fosseway Hotel, Lincoln
26, Walsgrave WMC, Coventry
31, Saxon Arms, Derby

“On the advise of our agent, Archie Braddocks at D G Enterprises we changed the name to “Highly Strung”. This was to make us more saleable in the venues we were playing (mainly clubs). The music we played was ‘too heavy’ for these venues and this led to tensions within the band. With certain members of the band unwilling to change, the inevitable split came at the end of May 1975. This suited me fine, as we had sold our home in Brinsley. In early June 1975 we moved to Arnold”.

“There is a rather sad ending to Highly Strung. Two weeks after the break-up, Jake the bass player rang me to ask if I was willing to do another ‘one-off’ final gig. Someone who had seen us at The Saxon Arms asked if we would reform and do a gig for them”.

“We had all agreed to do it but sadly Andy Hodgson was killed in a motor bike accident before the date”.

Set List for Barabas/Highly Strung

Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – Bachmann Turner Overdrive
Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Cherry Red – The Groundhogs
Funk #49 – The James Gang
Walk Away – The James Gang
Livin’ Lovin’ Maid (She’s Just A Woman) – Led Zeppelin
Alright Now – Free
Wishing Well – Free
Lady Eleanor – Lindisfarne
Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’ – Crazy Elephant (Jake sang lead vocals)
Way Back To The Bone – Trapeze
Loser – Trapeze
Radancer – The Marmalade
Rocking All Over The World – Status Quo
Whatever You Want – Status Quo

“We did some songs off a couple of my albums. One was a Raymond Froggatt LP – “Rogues and Thieves” and the other was a Blue LP – “Blue” (this wasn’t the boy band but a trio formed by Hugh Nicholson in the early 70s. He was formerly the main songwriter in The Marmalade when Junior Campbell left). He wrote Cousin Norman and Radancer. We also did a song by Barclay James Harvest but I cannot remember the title”.

SOUND ADVICE

“Following our move to Arnold I spent the best part of the next year setting up our new home. In early 1976 I received a call from Chris Allard asking me to re-join his band, now named “Sound Advice”.

Chris Allard had been in the Nottingham blues rock group “Hades” in the late sixties formed from the ashes of “Diverse Union”. Hades finally finished 1971.

“They had a full programme and were performing live gigs. My first gig was at the Pavilion Ballroom, Matlock on Saturday 3 April 1976. Here is the gig list for Sound Advice”.

Lineup:

Ron Barrie: Lead vocals
Chris Allard: Lead guitar and backing vocals
Pete Horsnell: Bass guitar and backing vocals
Ian Wright: Rhythm guitar and backing vocals
Bob Todd: Drums and backing vocals 

1976

April
3, Pavilion Ballroom, Matlock Bath
17, Storthfield Country Club, Sth Normanton
24, Harding Arms, Melbourne

May
1, Shelthorpe WMC, Loughborough
12, Parkside Club, Nottingham
14, Cock Inn, Ripley
15, Campsall WMC, Doncaster
22, Grey Topper, Jacksdale
29, Spinney Hill WMC, Leicester
31, Progressive WMC, Thurmaston

June
4, Storthfield Country Club, Sth Normanton

See Also “Terrapin” as an overlap occurred due to being in both bands until 31 December 1976

19, New Boutham Club, Lincoln
26, Wombwell WMC, Rotherham

July
12, Miners Welfare, Gedling
13, Saxon Arms, Derby
17, Saxon Arms, Derby
24, Croft WMC, Leicester
31, Hawthorn Club, Cantley, Doncaster

August
14, Grassmoor WMC, Chesterfield
21, Elmton Road SC, Worksop

September
4, Clay Lane SC, Doncaster
11, Comrades Club, Bentley, Doncaster
18, White Cranes Club, RAF Cranwell
20, Miners Welfare, Gedling

October
2, Basford WMC, Newcastle under Lyme
16, Sheffield Lane WMC, Sheffield
18, Festival Inn, Trowell
30, Shoulder of Mutton, South Normanton

November
27, Cotgrave Miners Welfare
29, Gedling Miners Welfare

December
4, Southey S Club, Sheffield
17, Hanger Motors, Leicester
18, T A Centre, Bulwell
24, Elmton Road S Club, Cresswell
27, Gedling Miners Welfare
31, Fire Station, Beeston

“During my time with Highly Strung, I had received a call from Terry Penn. We were due to appear at the Brimmington Tavern, Chesterfield (24 April 1975). Terry had left some clothes behind and asked me if I would bring them back. When he collected them we had a chat about our bands, music etc. I didn’t think any more about that conversation until early June 1976 when I got a call from Terry asking if I could help out playing drums for “Terrapin”. The trio line up was Richard Guildford (Lead Guitar and vocals), Terry Penn (Bass Guitar and vocals) plus myself (drums and backing vocals only). I was always quite at home ‘busking’ and did it numerous times throughout the years. There was an overlap with Sound advice but none of the gigs clashed although there was one in Lincoln but fortunately the Terrapin gig was a late night gig in a disco club (see 19 June 1976). I did enjoy playing more with Terrapin than Sound Advice, so when the chance to permanently join Terrapin arose, I handed my notice in to Sound Advice. My final gig was on New Years Eve at Beeston Fire Station”.

A few songs that Sound Advice would play during their set:

Band On The Run – Wings
Why Did You Do It – Stretch
Proud Mary – Credence Clear Water Revival
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight – Richard and Linda Thompson
Show Me The Way – Peter Frampton (me on lead vocals)
All Around My Hat – Steeleye Span
Long Train Running – The Doobie Brothers
China Grove – The Doobie Brothers

TERRAPIN

Line up:

Terry Penn: Bass guitar, Vocals
Mel Munks: Guitar, Vocals
Richard Guildford: Guitar, Vocals
Bob Todd: Drums, Vocals

“Most of January 1977 was spent rehearsing and then we were out on the road with plenty of bookings. Back in July 1976, the 29th, at the Constitutional Club, Hucknall, Terry introduced me to Mel Munks who was to join the band on a permanent basis. I recognized Mel from Nottingham Technical College (now Trent University) as we were both there in the mid 60s at the Printing Department. We were not on the same course as Mel was a Letterpress Apprentice and I was a Lithographic Apprentice. Mel was (and still is) an exceptionally good guitarist to the point that some people came to see the band just because Mel was playing in it. We had the luxury of having two lead guitarists. Terry Penn would devise segways and he would work it all out to perfection making us a really good act. We had a really good selection of songs too. Terry would spend ages writing a set list out and we always started with the same 3 song segway but around about song number 5 he would be changing the list he’d spent ages on! It became a standing joke with the band. Mel would play a selection of Shadows instrumentals, Dance On, F B I and Apache. Sometimes, without warning in Apache he would play the middle 8 completely wrong (like Les Dawson used to do). The vast majority of the audience never knew what was happening but we, the other members of the band, would be in fits of laughter, he’d get us every time. Richard was also a good guitarist and singer. He was a huge Beach Boys fan so among his songs he sang Surfin’ USA and Fun Fun Fun. Terry did all the announcing and it’s fair to say ran the band. One thing he always insisted on wherever possible was that, the drummer would be in the line up and ‘not’ at the back as in most bands”.

Here’s the gig list for Terrapin. During 1976 Bob Todd was also playing with Sound Advice as mentioned earlier.

1976

June
18, Pavilion Ballroom, Matlock
19, New Penny Disco, Lincoln
20, United Services Club, Gainsborough
30, Railway Inn, Kirkby in Ashfield

July
29, Constitutional Club, Hucknall

October
9, Forest Folk, Blidworth

November
19, Westville S Club, Hucknall
20, New Boultham Club, Lincoln
21, Labour Club, Arnold

1977

February
5, Spinney Hill WMC, Leicester
6, Eton Park S Club, Burton on Trent
11, Sutton Colliery MW, Sutton in Ashfield
12, Rossington Labour Club, Doncaster
13, Thistle Club, East Leake
19, Calverton M W, Calverton
20, The Moon, Spondon
25, Hilcote Country Club, Hilcote
26, Manor Club, West Bridgford
27, Langwith M W, Langwith

March
11, Gedling Miners Welfare, Nottingham
12, West End Club, Braunstone, Leicester
13, West End Club, Noon & Night
19, New Boultham Club, Lincoln
20, James Maud S Club, Mansfield
23, Durham Ox, (A46), Leicester
26, RAF Waddington, Lincoln
18, Grassmoor WMC, Chesterfield

April
1, Festival Inn, Trowell
2, Ansley S C, Nuneaton
9, Inkersall Green S C, Staveley
10, Earlstree S Club, Corby
11, Ukranian Centre, Nottingham
16, Blidworth M W, Mansfield
17, East Herringthorpe S & SC, Rotherham
22, Fosseway Hotel, Lincoln
23, Pavilion Ballroom, Matlock
27, Almton Road S Club, Cresswell

May
1, Woodhouse Central club, Sheffield
2, Constitutional Club, Daybrook
6, Miners Welfare, Annesley
7, Italian Club, Nottingham
8, South Wigston WMClub, Leicester
14, Stardust Centre, Corby
20, Kings Field, Wirksworth
21, Hady M W, Chesterfield
22, Woodhouse West End Club, Sheffield
28, Cobridge Club, Hanley, Stoke on Trent

June
4, Askern M W, Doncaster
5, APCM Club, Hope, Derbyshire
6, Shelthorpe S C, Loughborough
7, Wadsley Bridge S C, Sheffield
11, Nott’m C C SC, Sandfield House, Nott’m
12, Smithywood Road WMC, Sheffield
17, Colliery Welfare, Sutton in Ashfield
18, North Hykeham Social Club, Lincoln
25, Clay lane Social Club, Doncaster
26, Basford Social Club, Basford

July
1, RAF Cranwell, Near Sleaford
2, Sinfin Social Club, Derby
3, Mier S & Social Club, Stoke on Trent
9, Clifton Miners Welfare, Nottingham
10, Westville Social Club, Hucknall
15, Variety Club, Radford, Nottingham
16, Spinney Hill W M Club, Leicester
23, New Parks Social Club, Leicester
24, New Parks Social Club, Leicester
30, Arnold W M Club, Nottingham
31, New Boutham Club, Lincoln

August
6, Grey Topper, Jacksdale
7, Midhill W M Club, Sheffield

September
7, Westville Social Club, Hucknall
9, Gedling Miners Welfare, Nottingham
10, Darnell Liberal Club, Sheffield
11, Variety Club, Radford, Nottingham
17, Scraptoft Valley W M Club, Leicester
21, R A F Scampton, Lincoln
24, L O A B Club, Leicester

“After Terry passed away his wife Maureen gave Mel some ‘stuff’ she found. Amongst it was this photo. L to R = Richard Guildford, Mel Munks, Terry Penn and me. I’ve gone through the Terrapin dates but unable to pinpoint the venue. I’ve still got my ‘all chrome’ kit so it’s before that Gregory Hotel gig (25/11/1977) as by then I had swapped the all chromes and replaced them with Sky Blue Pearl drums.
That incidentally came about because the all chrome kit would mark easily, thus spoiling the appearance. I was in Carlsbro one time with Terry and noticed they had 3 Ludwig Sky Blue Pearl drums up on a rack. I asked Keith Woodcock how much he’d charge me to swap them for mine and he said “he’d work out a price”. Each time I went in he said he would ‘have a look at it’! Eventually I said “by time the time you get round to it they’ll be gone”! He replied (to my surprise) “Well look – 3 drums are 3 drums, if you want ’em, then bring yours in and swap ’em”. I went straight back home to Arnold and returned within the hour – job done!”

October
1, Sandfield House, Nottingham
7, Fosseway Hotel, A46, Lincoln
8, Liberal Club, Arnold, Nottingham
9, Calverton W M Club, Nottingham
13, Basford Hall M W, Nottingham
14, Variety Club, Radford, Nottingham
15, After 8 Club, Grantham
16, Springwater Social Club, Calverton
21, The Moon , Spondon
22, Elmton Road Social Club, Cresswell
29, New Houghton W M Club, Mansfield
30, Mansfield Council Social Club

November
3, Harvey’s Night Club, Mansfield
4, Festival Inn, Trowell
5, Kingsbury W M Club, Tamworth
6, Westville Social Club, Hucknall
11, Albany Social Club, Stapleford
12, Cats Craddle, Retford
13, Springwater Social Club, Calverton
19, Hill Top Social Club, Dronfield
20, Variety Club, Radford, Nottingham
25, Gregory Hotel, Lenton, Nottingham
26, British Legion, Carlton, Nottingham

December
2, Gedling Miners Welfare, Nottingham
3, Blidworth Miners Welfare, Notts
9, Clifton Miners Welfare, Nottingham
10, Westville Social Club, Hucknall
16, Variety Club, Radford, Nottingham
17, New Boutham Club, Lincoln
22, Basford Hall M W, Nottingham
24, Variety Club, Radford, Nottingham
30, Sutton Colliery M W, Sutton in Ashfield
31, Calverton W M Club, Nottingham

1978

January
6, Gregory Hotel, Lenton, Nottingham
14, Skellow Grange W M Club, Doncaster
21, Silverdale S Club, Dinnington

Song list for Terrapin –

(Lead Vocals = Terry, Mel*, Richard#, Bob##. All 4 sang backing vocals)

Music Of The World #, Top Of The World## and Dear Hearts And Gentle People** (we started every club gig with this segway)
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond *
I Get A Kick Out Of You – Gary Shearston version **
All Shook Up – Elvis Presley*
Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran*
It Doesn’t Matter Anymore – Buddy Holly*
Lonesome Me – Don Gibson*
Hello Mary Lou – Ricky Nelson*
You’re Sixteen – Johnny Burnette*
Surfin’ USA – Beach Boys#
Fun Fun Fun – Beach Boys#
Lyin’ Eyes – The Eagles*
Crying Time – Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen*
Around and Around – Chuck Berry*
Move It – Cliff Richard*
Yakety Yak – Sha Na Na version, Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley, Tell Laura I Love Her – Ricky Valance
Suspicious Minds, In The Ghetto – Elvis Presley*
Home Lovin’ Man – Andy Williams##
Happy Together, Eleanor – The Turtles*
So You Want To Be A Rock ‘n’ Roll Star – The Byrds#
That’ll Be The Day – Buddy Holly*
Shakin’ All Over – Johnny Kidd and The Pirates*
Is This The Way To Amarillo – Tony Christie
Arms Of Mary – Sutherland Brothers and Quiver##
Lets Twist Again – Chubby Checker**
It Never Rains In California – Albert Hammond#
Hi Ho Silver Lining – Jeff Beck##
Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry*
Instrumental (all by The Shadows) – Apache, F B I, Dance On.

“The beginning of the end of Terrapin happened 26 November 1977 at the British Legion Club, Carlton. Unbeknown to the rest of the band, Terry was having a problem with the MC/Concert Secretary (believed to be about volume. That said, nobody in the audience had complained). Without warning mid-way through the second spot Terry unplugged his bass and walked off to the dressing room. We didn’t return to the stage to finish the gig. The whole episode caused a lot of arguments in the club as to who was right and who was wrong. Terry and Richard had been together a number of years and had run Terrapin as a business, even being registered for VAT. After the incident on 26 November the relationship went downhill and Richard decided to leave the band”.

BRENDON CHASE

Terry Penn: Bass guitar, backing vocals. 
Mel Munks: Lead guitar, backing vocals. 
Bob Todd: Drums, backing vocals. 

“After Richard had performed his final gig, we, the remaining three members decided to dissolve the band (from a business point of view only as Richard would need his dhare of the van etc).  So, Terry, Mel and me decided to continue as a trio.  When a band has a good lead guitarist it’s easy to manage without a rhythm player, it was the same with Our Young and Wayne Ford”. 

“We also had a name change and became “Brendon Chase”.  The name arose when Terry was telling one of our agents what was happening.  When asked what the new name of the band was, he thought of a book he had recently read and replied “Brendon Chase”!  The line-up now being Terry Penn, bass guitar, Mel Munks, lead guitar and myself, all of us did lead and backing vocals.  Later, Terry purchased a Fender Rhodes piano and this gave us some other songs where this was a feature. We were able to do almost all the same songs as Terrapin.  By 3 February 1978 we were back on the road only now with the van sold, we started using our own transport.  I was easily able to fit my entire Ludwig kit, clothing etc in my VW Golf”.    

Gig list for Brendon Chase.

Start of Brendon Chase (Trio)

1978

February
3, Gregory Hotel, Lenton, Nottingham
18, Westville Social Club, Hucknall
25, Gregory Hotel, Lenton, Nottingham

March
3, Gregory Hotel, Radford
12, Cotgrave Miners Welfare (noon only)
12, Gregory Hotel, Radford
18, James Maud S Club, Mansfield
25, Pirelli Sports & S Club, Burton on Trent
26, Manor Club, West Bridgford
27, East Kirkby M Welfare, Kirkby in Ashfield
31, Gregory Hotel, Radford

April
1, Variety Club, Radford
2, Council Social Club, Mansfield
7, Miners Welfare, Hucknall
8, Great Gonerby S Club, Nr Grantham
9, Westville S Club, Hucknall
13, Gregory Hotel, Radford
14, Calverton Miners Welfare
15, New Houghton W M Club, Nr Mansfield
22, Cottam Power Station Social Club
23, Gregory Hotel, Radford
29, Sherwood Social Club

May
5, Gregory Hotel, Radford
6, Constitutional Club, Daybrook
7, Labour Club, Arnold
11, W M Club, Calverton
13, Commrades Club, Cresswell
20, W M Club, Retford
21, Gregory Hotel, Radford
24, Cavendish Hotel, Carlton
26, New Cross Inn, Sutton in Ashfield
27, Sutton Town Social Club

June
2, Nottingham Knight
3, Variety Club, Radford
4, Westville Social Club, Hucknall
9, The Moon, Spondon
10, Victory Club, Eastwood
11, G P O Club, Canning Circus, Nottingham
16, Village Social Club, Walesby, Nr Ollerton
17, Great Gonerby S Club, Nr Grantham
18, Albany Club, Stapleford
21, Maple Leaf, Newark
22, Maple Leaf, Newark
23, Gregory Hotel, Radford
24, Thurnscoe Memorial Club, Doncaster
25, Measham W M Club
26, Gardeners Hotel, St Anns, Nottingham
29, Gardeners Hotel, St Anns, Nottingham

July
1, Westville Social Club, Hucknall
2, Miners Welfare, Clifton
6, Turners Banquet Room, Mapperley
8, T U L Club, Leicester
9, Miners Welfare, Tibshelf
12, Basford S Club, Nottingham
14, Miners Welfare, Hucknall
15, BRSA Club, Retford
16, Monks Road S Club, Lincoln
21, Raleigh Social Club, Nottingham
22, Ex Servicemens Club, Kegworth
23, Cosby W M Club, Leicester
28, Gregory Hotel, Radford
29, Eton Park S Club, Burton on Trent

August
4, Westville S Club, Hucknall
5, Nott’m City S Club, Sandfield Houe
6, Hill Top S Club, Langold
9, Cavendish Hotel, Carlton

September
2, Inkersall Green, Chesterfield
3, Victory Club, Beeston
8, Gregory Hotel, Radford
9, Oadby United W M Club, Leicester
16, Constitutional Club, Hucknall
17, Cotgrave M W, Nottingham
22, Miners Welfare, Hucknall
23, Gregory Hotel, Radford
24, Bestwood M W, Nottingham
25, Gardeners Hotel, St Anns, Nottingham
27, Gardeners Hotel, St Anns, Nottingham
28, Gardeners Hotel, St Anns, Nottingham
29, Cavendish Hotel, Carlton

October
1, Variety Club, Radford
7, Transport Club (Buses), Leicester
14, Vic Hallam S Club, Langley Mill
15, Gregory Hotel, Radford
19, Miners Welfare, Bestwood
20, The Moon, Spondon
21, Sherwood S Club, Nottingham
22, Gregory Hotel, Radford
25, Cavendish Hotel, Carlton
26, Gregory Hotel, Radford
28, Meridian S Club, Ilkeston

November
3, Gregory Hotel, Radford
4, Kirk Hallam S Club, Nr Ilkeston
5, Oval Inn, Sutton in Ashfield
11, Storthfield Country Club
12, Miners Welfare, Bestwood
17, Gregory Hotel, Radford
18, Variety Club, Radford
19, New Parks S Club, Leicester
25, Thistle Club, British Gypsum, East Leake

December
2, Vale Social Club, Colwick
3, Hills Town M W, Bolsover
8, Variety Club, Radford
9, Equalised Club, Stapleford
10, Westville S Club, Hucknall
14, The Moon, Spondon
16, Monks Road S Club, Lincoln
17, Gregory Hotel, Radford
20, Cavendish Hotel, Carlton
23, Bowling Green, Newark
24, Miners Welfare, Hucknall
26, Gregory Hotel, Radford
29, Gregory Hotel, Radford
30, Newbold W M Club, Chesterfield
31, Nott’m City S Club, Sandfield Houe

1979

January
3, Cavendish Hotel, Carlton
5, Westville S Club, Hucknall
6, Arkwright M W, Chesterfiled
7, Gregory Hotel, Radford
12, Oval Inn, Sutton in Ashfield
13, Attercliffe Radical Club, Sheffield
14, New Houghton W M Club, Mansfield
19, Pavilion Hotel, Long Eaton
20, Howitts S Club, Basford, Nottingham
21, Staveley M W, Chesterfield
26, Gregory Hotel, Radford
27, Langwith M W, Nr Mansfield
28, Miners Welfare, Clifton

February
2, Gregory Hotel, Radford
3, Commrades Club, Cresswell
4, BRSA Club, Bulwell
9, Miners Welfare, Hucknall
10, Victory Club, Eastwood
11, Garendon S Club, Loughborough
14, Gedling M W, Nottingham
17, Constitutional Club, Hucknall
18, Variety Club, Radford
24, Crown Club, Ilkeston
25, Gregory Hotel, Radford

March
2, Anglers Arm, Spondon
3, Campshill W M Club, Doncaster
7, Basford S Club, Notiingham
9, Oval Inn, Sutton in Ashfield
10, Thistle Club, East Leake
11, Miners Welfare, Bestwood
16, Albany Club, Stapleford
18, Gregory Hotel, Radford
24, Cottam Power Station S Club
27, Cavendish Hotel, Carlton
31, Equalised Club, Stapleford

April
1, Hillstown M W, Bolsover
3, Cavendish Hotel, Carlton
6, Gregory Hotel, Radford
7, Constitutional Club, Hucknall
8, Ex Servicemens Club, Mansfield
12, Miners Welfare, Bestwood
14, Intake S Club, Sheffield
15, Variety Club, Radford
16, Entertainment Centre, Clifton
18, Victory Club, Eastwood
20, Nags Head, Mansfield
21, Middlecroft S C, Staveley

May
3, Liberal Club, Arnold
5, Boughton S Club, Ollerton
6, Foundry W M Club, Sheffield
7, Hillstown M W, Bolsover
12, Sutton Town S Club, Sutton in Ashfield
13, Westville S Club, Hucknall
19, Newhall S Club, Swadlingcote
20, Gregory Hotel, Radford
26, Anglers Arms, Spondon

June
1, Raleigh S Club, Radford
2, The Moon, Spondon
9, Nags Head, Spondon
10, Gregory Hotel, Radford

“We were getting so many gigs I asked at work if I could return to day working (08.00 to 17.00) and eventually my request was granted. Most of the work was fairly local as well so travelling was not an issue. We enjoyed a really good spell of gigs but after a while were really getting tired of the same venues, same songs etc which I think led to our demise. We were great friends and there was never any falling out and we remained good friends for many, many years to follow. For me personally life had really changed with the birth of our first child plus I had a big promotion at work. In early June 1981 our second child was born and so our family was complete. On 10 June 1981 Brendon Chase performed its final gig at the Gregory Hotel”.

Song list for Brendon Chase.

(Lead Vocals = Terry, Mel*, Bob#. All 3 sang backing vocals)

Music Of The World #, Top Of The World# and Dear Hearts And Gentle People** (as before, we started every club gig with this segway)
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond *
I Get A Kick Out Of You – Gary Shearston version **
All Shook Up – Elvis Presley*
Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran*
It Doesn’t Matter Anymore – Buddy Holly*
Lonesome Me – Don Gibson*
Hello Mary Lou – Ricky Nelson*
You’re Sixteen – Johnny Burnette*
Crying Time – Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen*
Around and Around – Chuck Berry*
Move It – Cliff Richard*
Yakety Yak – Sha Na Na version, Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley, Tell Laura I Love Her – Ricky Valance
Suspicious Minds, In The Ghetto – Elvis Presley*
Home Lovin’ Man – Andy Williams#
Happy Together, Eleanor – The Turtles*
That’ll Be The Day – Buddy Holly*
Shakin’ All Over – Johnny Kidd and The Pirates*
Is This The Way To Amarillo – Tony Christie
Arms Of Mary – Sutherland Brothers and Quiver#
Lets Twist Again – Chubby Checker**
Hi Ho Silver Lining – Jeff Beck#
Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry*
Runaway – Del Shannon#
Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison**
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton*
Don’t Ever Change – The Crickets**
Hallelujah Freedom – Junior Campbell*
Drift Away – Dobie Gray*
Halfway To Paradise – Billy Fury*
Like I’ve Never Been Gone – Billy Fury*
Instrumental (all by The Shadows) – Apache, F B I, Dance On.

SHY TALK

“On Boxing Day 1981, in the morning, I got a telephone call from Mel Munks asking me if I could play drums that evening in a trio at The Windsor Castle, Carlton Hill (this was the original long narrow pub at the bottom of Carlton Hill and NOT the replacement built later and since demolished). We managed to get a baby sitter so Lynne was able to come as well. It turned out to be a very enjoyable night with the line-up being Mel Munks (lead guitar and vocals) Pete Brown (bass guitar and vocals) and myself with some backing vocals. We had a great response from the audience and I doubt anyone knew we had just got together that evening. Within a few days Mel asked me if I would like to join him and Pete Brown and make the trio a permanent band. We put a programme together using the upstairs spare room in the Gregory Hotel, Lenton Boulevard to rehearse. Pete Brown had a band name he had been wanting to use for a long time, so we used that, “Shy Talk”.

SHY TALK

“On 6 March 1982 we performed our first gig at the Victory Club, Eastwood. We had a great time listening to the MCs announcing our name at the various gigs. The vast majority not realising until they’d said it out loud. Most of them did see the funny side of it. Only one M/C sticks in my memory and it went something like this, “good evening, I’m gonna have to be careful how I introduce tonight’s act. Please put your hands together for Shy……….Talk ”.

“We all used our own transport as before and at some point both me and Mel had the same estate cars (VW Passat). This gave us the opportunity to ‘double-up’ and share the expenses. Packing of the gear was identical in both cars”.

Here’ the gig list for Shy Talk.

1982

March
6, Victory Club, Eastwood
7, Gregory Hotel, Radford
13, Mansfield Woodhouse S Club
20, Erewash Club, Pinxton
24, Ex Servicemens Club, Mansfield Woodh’se
27, British Legion, Gotham
28, W M Club, Melton Mowbray

April
3, Miners Welfare, Langwith
10, Hillstown M W, Bolsover
11, Miners Welfare, East Kirkby (in Ashfield)
17, BRSA Club, Retford
18, British Legion, Clifton
24, 66 Club, Cotmanhay
25, Gregory Hotel, Radford

May
2, Gardeners Hotel, St Anns, Nottingham
8, Gregory Hotel, Radford
9, Jubilee Club, Nottingham Forest F Club
28, Gardeners Hotel, St Anns, Nottingham
29, Thoresby M W, Edwinstowe

June
5, George Street W M Club, Hucknall
6, Ex Servicemens Club, Warsop
26, Wragby Road W M Club, Lincoln

July
3, British Legion, Maltby
9, Gregory Hotel, Radford
17, Gregory Hotel, Radford
24, Thistle Club, East Leake
25, Basford Hall M W, Nottingham

August
7, Constitutional Club, Daybrook
8, Miners Welfare, Cotgrave
14, British Legion, South Kirkby
21, Gregory Hotel, Radford
22, Jubilee Club, Nottingham Forest F Club
28, Hartley S Club, Sheffield
29, Barleycorn, Dinnington
30, Scawthorpe S Club, Doncaster

September
4, Victory Club, Beeston
11, Miners Welfare, Clipstone
19, Albion Road WMC, Rotherham
20, Comrades Club, Dinnington
25, Gregory Hotel, Radford

October
2, Mansfield Woodhouse S Club
16, Miners Welfare, Hucknall
23, Gregory Hotel, Radford
29, Silver Band Club, Long Eaton

November
13, Miners Welfare, Langwith
21, Gregory Hotel, Radford
26, Miners Wekfare, Worksop
28, Miners Welfare, Cotgrave

December
4, Crown Club, Ilkeston
5, Salter Gate S Club, Chesterfield F’ball Club
11, Stanton Club, Ilkeston
19, Miners Welfare, Rainworth
24, Dukeries S Club, Clipstone
26, Gregory Hotel, Radford
27, Miners Welfare, Newstead
31, Cottam Power Station S Club

1983

January
1, Memorial Club, Warsop
8, George Street W M Club, Hucknall
22, British Legion, Goole
29, Central Club, Stainforth

February
5, 102 Club, Derby

“Whereas with Terrapin to Brendon Chase we had virtually the same set list the transition to Shy Talk was different and we had to learn quite a few new songs. It meant that both Mel and myself did most of the lead vocals. It was the case that Pete Brown was an excellent harmoniser”.

“As with Brendon Chase, the same happened with Shy Talk, in that it became same venues, same songs etc etc. After the New Years Eve gig (1982) we all agreed to call it a day. We fulfilled the gigs that were in the diary and once again it was an amicable split. There were no photos (including hand-outs) ever taken of Shy Talk”.

Here’s the song list for Shy Talk.
(Lead Vocals = Mel, Pete*, Bob#. All 3 sang backing vocals)

Music Of The World #, Top Of The World# and Dear Hearts And Gentle People* (as before, we started every club gig with this segway)
I Get A Kick Out Of You – Gary Shearston version *
Hello Mary Lou – Ricky Nelson*
Crying Time – Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen#
Move It – Cliff Richard*
Shakin’ All Over – Johnny Kidd and The Pirates#
Is This The Way To Amarillo – Tony Christie*
Arms Of Mary – Sutherland Brothers and Quiver#
Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry*
Runaway – Del Shannon#
Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison*
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton*
Don’t Ever Change – The Crickets*
When I’m 64 – The Beatles#
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes – Bobby Vee#
Take Good Care Of My Baby – Bobby Vee#
Something’s Been Making Me Blue – Smokie#
Living Next Door To Alice – Smokie#
Okie From Muskogee – Merle Haggard**
Truck Drivin’ Man – Buck Owens**
Please Don’t Tease – Cliff Richard#
Stood Up (Broken Hearted) – Ricky Nelson#
Sunsets On The Sage – Commander Cody#
What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For – Emile Ford
Instrumental (all by The Shadows) – Apache, F B I, Dance On.

1983

T P STUBBS and THE BAR ROOM BAND

“Since February 1982 my drum kit had remained in the bottom of the wardrobe, which is until I got a call from Terry Penn.  He asked me if I would like to join a Country and Western band he was putting together.  The line up was to be Terry Penn (Rhythm Guitar and Lead Vocals), Mel Munks (Lead Guitar and some Lead Vocals), Dave Richards (Bass Guitar), Wally Savage (Keyboards) and myself.  Dave, Wally and myself all sang backing vocals as well.  Terry and Mel had already been performing as a duo (Stubbs and Carter) and decided to expand into a full Country and Western band.  The first practice was at a church hall in Langley Mill and the first song was ‘Truck Drivin’ Man’.  The sound, tightness etc was instantly there and you could tell that this band was going to be something special.  Some of the first gigs we did were the remainder of what had been booked for the Terry and Mel duo.  You can imagine some of the clubs were expecting a duo only to find they had a 5 piece band for the same fee!!  There was always a bit more travelling but I was still using my own transport so this kept the costs down.  Everywhere we played the audience response was terrific especially when it was a bespoke Country and Western gig, which was often the case.  Some venues would have one night set aside just for Country and Western.  During the night there would usually be a “quick draw” competition involving replica guns.  By the time they had finished the place would be full of gun smoke (cordite) and the hope was it would clear before we were back on stage.  The audience (both men and women would be dressed in cowboy gear and sometimes have cowboy names like Doc Holliday, Sam Bass etc).  Some even (illegally) distilled their own ‘moonshine’.  I remember trying a sip once, It was like the strongest vodka I had ever tasted!! “

“After a several weeks the talk in the band was all about turning professional.  At about the same time one member (who will remain nameless) turned up with a large van he had purchased.  We had all been okay using our own transport and to then turn up with a van without any discussions with any other band members and then expecting everyone to pay towards it, seemed utterly ridiculous.  I knew at this point it was NOT going to be for me.  Firstly, buying and running a van would just soak up a lot of the earnings (I was still perfectly happy using my own transport) and secondly, I had a very well paid job in the printing industry with good prospects of promotion into management.  When the subject of turning professional would crop up I pointed out that Terry had health problem (a bad back).  From behind the drums I would often observe him standing on one leg to alleviate the problem.  My question to the others would always be “what are you going to do if Terry is unable to perform because of his back”?  “We won’t have any income because nobody else knows all his songs”.  Even though I pointed this out a few times to the other members of the band, it fell on deaf ears”. 

“My journey to and from work involved me passing Terry’s house on Porchester Road.  On one occasion Terry was outside with his Ford Escort van, so I stopped to tell him I wanted to leave the band.  I said that I would stay as a long as it took to find a new drummer.  A replacement was found in a short time and I played my last gig at Leicester Country Music Club, Braunstone, Leicester.  It was hard leaving such a good band but I had a wife and two lovely young daughters to care for.  It was as we say, a “no-brainer”.

“There are two particular gigs that stood out during my time with the band.  The first was Saturday 3 September at Hilcote Country Club where we had been booked as a replacement for “The Raymond Froggatt Band” (I had seen this band many times and knew just how good they were so I regarded this as quite an accolade).  It didn’t seem like much of a Country and Western venue either.  When we went on the whole audience stood round in a huge horseshoe shape.  To my amazement they gave us a huge clap after every number, even asking for an encore at the end of the night”.

“The second was Gladstone Liberal Club, Manning Street, Nottingham.  From the moment we arrived we sensed that something wasn’t quite right.  It turned out that someone had told the club they had seen us at Gedling Miners Welfare the week before and that we were rubbish.  We set up as normal but when some of our ‘cowboy audience/followers’ arrived they had their guns confiscated for the night.  We went on as per the times requested and went down an absolute storm.  By the end of the evening they wouldn’t let us off the stage.  Eventually the MC told the audience we had to stop”.

“Here’s the gig list for T P Stubbs and The Bar Room Band”.

June
Practice at Langley Mill

July
5, W M Club, Warsop
8, 360 Club, Bulwell
9, Nott’m City S Club, Sandfield House
16, Gregory Hotel, Radford
23, Meadow Club, Notts County F’ball Club
31, Queenswalk S Club, The Meadows

August
4, British Legion, South Kirkby
6, Labour Club, Arnold
13, Hillstown M W, Bolsover
17, Star and Garter, Bleasby
19, 360 Club, Bulwell
20, Radical Club, Barnsley
21, Ex Servicemens Club, Warsop
30, Bar ‘O’ Federation Club
31, Sutton Town S Club, Sutton in Ashfield

September
2, Gedling M W, Nottingham
3, Hilcote Country Club, Hilcote
4, Brant Road S Club, Lincoln
10, Gladstone Liberal Club, Nottingham
11, Miners Welfare, Hucknall
12, Labour Club, Rossington
17, Middle Club, Whitwell
24, Bar ‘O’ Federation Club
29, Forest Folk, Blidworth

October
1, Welbeck M W, Meden Vale
8, Sheffield Lane W M Club, Sheffield
15, Colliery Welfare, Sutton in Ashfield
27, Castleward W M Club, Lincoln
29, Raleigh S Club, Radford

November
4, Peacock Inn, Redmile
23, Country Music Club, Leicester

“Although I had left T P Stubbs band I got a call from another C & W trio called “Dollar”. Wally Savage had given them my number and they asked me if I could help out for one night at the Gladstone Liberal Club, Manning Street, Nottingham, on Saturday 10 December 1983. Some of their songs I knew but there were other that I had never played before. The worst part was they played their stuff much faster than T P Stubbs”.

Here is the song list for T P Stubbs and The Bar Room Band

Truck Drivin’ Man – Buck Owens
Blanket On The Ground – Billie Jo Spears
Sheffield Steel – Terry Penn
Bad Moon Rising – Credence Clear Water Revival
I Wish I Was In Dixie – Elvis version
Hello Mary Lou – Ricky Nelson
Sing Me Back Home
Goodnight Irene – Boxcar Willie version
Put Another Log On The Fire – Waylon Jennings
Falling For You – ?
Crying My Heart Out Over You – Ricky Scaggs
Tequila Sheila – Bobby Bare
Looking For Love – Johnny Lee
Crying Time – Commander Cody etc
Falling For You – unknown?
Some Broken Hearts – Don Williams
Gypsy Woman – Don Williams
Me and Bobby McGee – Kris Kristofferson

NOVMEBER 1983 to OCTOBER 1989

“During the above time my drum kit remained in its cases”. 

“My wife Lynne had always wanted us to build our own home.  When she met an ex neighbour from her childhood who had done it we had all the advice we needed to embark on our own project.  We sold our existing bungalow, took out a large mortgage on a Wimpey semi-detached house and purchased a piece of land (the hardest part and it should be noted that you cannot get a mortgage for land purchase!!).  We purchased some land in Mapperley in January 1985.  The plot had been used for ‘light industrial’ so we had to clear the site of all outbuildings.  Whilst doing the clearance we designed our new bungalow and obtained planning permission.  The whole process took the best part of 12 months.  From starting the foundations in March 1986, to moving in, took 6 months.  So by September we had sold the semi in Arnold and moved to Mapperley”.

“I had become a manager at the end of 1985 and since November 1983 hadn’t played the drums at all”. 

1989

T P STUBBS and THE BAR ROOM BAND
(Second version)

“On Saturday 21 October 1989 Terry Penn rang me (late morning) and asked me if I would rejoin T P Stubbs and The Bar Room Band on a permanent basis – and – by the way we have a gig tonight in London!!  Whilst I previously stated I was okay busking, this gig was on a whole new level.  None of the songs where the same as I had previously played.  A number of the songs were written by Terry Penn.  The line up was also reduced, it now being Terry Penn (bass guitar and lead vocals), Mel Munks (lead guitar and some lead vocals), David Langdon (pedal steel guitar and backing vocals) plus myself (adding backing vocals after a few gigs).  My only form of rehearsal was some songs on a cassette tape played in Mel’s car, as we were travelling down to the gig”.

“Virtually all our gigs were bespoke Country and Western, even where it shows what looks like a normal club it was usually a special night where the audience would come dressed up, cowboy hats, boots and some carrying replica guns in holsters.  The guns would at some stage be used in a quick draw competition as previously stated”.

“On 20 May 1990 Terry and Mel had a fall out after the St Helens gig.  It seemed nothing too serious but Mel wanted to leave the band, mainly because of all the travelling.  We did struggle to find a lead guitarist who could play Country and Western style.  Eventually Paddy Flynn joined but he did find it hard to get the change of style required.  It wasn’t the same without Mel and I too was getting fed up with the travelling (part ‘n’ parcel of playing in a country band).  I told Terry I wanted to leave and as ever would stay until he found a replacement.  My last gig was in Middlesborough on 16 September 1990.  Once again the Ludwig drum kit was back in its cases”.

Here’ the gig list for T P Stubbs and The Bar Room Band – 2 Version!

October
21, Postal Club, London
28, Comrades Club, Harworth

November
4, Evesham Country Music Club
11, Rothley Centre, Rothley
19, Royal Hunt, Top Valley, Nottingham
20, Nashville, St Albans
25, Rank Xerox S Club, Mitcheldean
26, Farmers Tavern, Brean Sands
29, Labour Club, Sutton in Ashfield

December
16, Hady M W, Chesterfield
23, Glamis Hall, Wellingborogh

1990

Section below is also first part of 1990s section

January
13, W M Club, Old Goole

April
1, W M Club, East Ardsley
12, Dormans Club, Middlesborough
13, W M Club, Billingham
14, Lanchester
15, Iona S Club, Hartlepool
16, Shiny Row S Club, Sunderland
29, Royal Hunt, Top Valley, Nottingham

May
4, Mountbatten School, Hemel Hempstead
20, Boundary S Club, St Helens
27, Country Club, North Repps, Norfolk

June
2, G P T Social Club, Beeston
8, Broken Barrel Club, Rothley
19, M W, Mastin Moor
20, Butterwood S Club, Bradford
23, Outlaws Club, Preston
29, Park Yacht Club, Nottingham
30, Belle Vue, Cinderford

July
1, Bowden Hall, Gloucester
7, Robins, Cheltenham
14, High Lane, Manchester
21, Americana, Newark
28, Riverside, Southport

August
10, Forest Town S Club, Mansfield
17, Bidds C M Club, Stoke on Trent
18, Embassy Theatre, Skegness
22, Mill House S Club, Dagenham
27, Country Club, North Repps, Norfolk

September
7, Perrys, Kirton Lindsay
8, Armadillo, Cattle Market, Norwich
15, Iona Club, Hartlepool
16, ROAB Club, Middlesbrough

Song List for T P Stubbs (2nd version)

Honey (Open That Door) – Ricky Scaggs
Highway 40 Blues – Ricky Scaggs
Tequila Sheila – Bobby Bare
Streets Of Bakersfield – Dwight Yokeham
I Can See Clearly Now – Pedal Steel Guitar solo (Dave Langdon)
Crying My Heart Out Over You – Ricky Scaggs
Falling For You – ?
Sing Me Back Home – Merle Haggard
Floyd County – Dwight Yokeham
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Six Days On The Road c/w Johnny B Goode – Dave Dudley / Chuck Berry

TERRY PENN SONGS
Ghost Train
Drivers Seat
Honky Tonk Blues
Ramblin’ Again
Sheffield Steel (Jesse and the Gambler)
Gimme Some More of That Rock ‘n’ Roll
Hey Mr D J
Bring On The Whisky

1990 – 2002

Shy Talk / Last Chance

I had been promoted at work a few times and was now the Production Manager. Printing had always been my number one career so, playing the drums took a back seat for the period above.

In 1999 during a conversation with a work colleague we reminisced about the bands that appeared in Nottingham in the 60’s and we both mentioned “The Dowliners Sect” and the time when “Jimi Hendrix Experience” played Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, announcing it as the British National Anthem at The Sherwood Rooms. It must have struck a chord (pardon the pun!) with him as shortly after he asked me if I would accompany a guitarist at a private function at Coldsprings Farm, Buxton. He was a member of a car club that builds scratch cars and race them round a field. The cars are basically no more than a steel tubular frame with an engine and a seat. After the days racing they have a barbeque and drinks (each supplies their own). He decided that a live band might be a good idea. I wasn’t too keen on just guitar and drums so I asked Mel Munks if he would play bass guitar. Mel’s son Graham was a good guitarist as well but unable to join us on this occasion. We did the gig for free but they did supply us with food and drinks plus they had a ‘whip-round’ for us as well. This turned into a bit of a pattern although fortunately for us the vast majority of the other gigs were local and for people that at least one or two members of the band knew. The line-up sometimes varied but always consisted of Mel Munks (Lead or Bass Guitar and Vocals), Terry Hallam (Rhythm Guitar and Vocals), myself (Drums and Vocals), Graham Munks (Lead Guitar and Vocals), Dave Richards (Bass or Rhythm Guitar and Vocals) and Jean Richards (Vocals). We didn’t have a name for the band at first so reverted back to “Shy Talk”. Latterly we used the name “Last Chance” (2008).

Some of the songs played were:

Shakin’ All Over – Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
I’ll Never Get Over You – ditto
Catch Us If You Can – Dave Clark Five
Don’t Turn Around – Merseybeats
End Of The Line – Travellin’ Wilburys
Simply The Best – Tina Turner
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Don’t Ever Change- Crickets
Take It Easy – Eagles
Lyin’ Eyes – Eagles
Just Want To Dance The Night Away – Mavericks

Here are the gigs for Shy Talk (version 2) / Last Chance and what the gig was for.

1999
12 June – Coldsprings Farm, Buxton. (Private BBQ)
21 August – Coldsprings Farm, Buxton (Private BBQ)

2000
22 January – Paviers Rugby Club (Burns Night)
4 February – Meadow Club, Nottingham (21st Birthday Party)
4 March – Mapperley Golf Club (25th Wedding Anniversary)
15 July – Blotts, Holme Pierrepont (Wedding Reception)
13 October – Vale Social Club, Colwick (Birthday Party)

2001
9 February – Vale Social Club, Colwick (Private Party)
3 March – Carlton Catholic Club, Carlton Hill (25th Wedding Anniversary)
31 March – Radford Road Police Station (Retirement)
8 September – Arnold Fire Station (Fund Raising Event)
20 October – Astra Hotel, Carrington (70th Birthday Party)

2002
9 March – Vale Social Club, Colwick (60th Birthday Party)
11 May – Turners Banqueting Suite, Mapperley (Birthday and Retirement Party)
22 June – Heanor Conservative Club (Fund Raising Event)
16 August – Oxclose Lane Police Station (Retirement Party)
6 September – Millenium Suite, Richard Herrod Centre (Retirement Party)
7 September – Arnold Fire Station (Fund Raising Event)
19 October – Robert Mellors School, Arnold (School Reunion)

2003
11 January – Whittington, Chesterfield (Family Get Together)

2004
10 July – Church Hall, Colwick (50th Birthday Party)

2008
12 April – Church Hall, Town Centre, Chesterfield (Private Party)
14 June – Miners Welfare, Langley Mill (Alzheimer Charity Event)
19 July – Golf Club, Hucknall (70th Birthday Party)
5 September – Langley Mill (40th Birthday Party)
8 November – Miners Welfare, Langley Mill (Surprise 60th Birthday Party)

2002

FLASHBACK

“On 6th August 2002 I received a call from Richard Guildford (Terrapin 1976 – 78). He said his drummer was on holiday and would I be able to stand-in for him. He dropped off the set list for me the same day and said I would be able to have a practice with the band on Thursday (8th). All along I thought it was strange that the band had accepted a gig knowing the drummer was on holiday. Normally a band will agree on a 1 or 2 week break and then each member can book the same dates”.

“The practice was held at the Football Social Club in Southwell. The rehearsal went really well and the songs mainly 60s and 70s were right up my street. When I was doing these “stand in” gigs I would write my own notes on how the songs started and finished. If there were any unusual quirks in the song, they would be noted as well. The gig on the Saturday was at Monks Road Social Club, Lincoln which also went really well. Just before we were all about bid farewell and head home I was offered the drumming job permanently. I stated that it was not my nature to see someone sacked because they were on holiday. I was then informed the drummer had already left the band! So I joined the band there and then!! The line up was Richard Guildford (lead guitar and some lead vocals), Tony Smith (rhythm guitar and most lead vocals), Phil Fairbrother (bass guitar and backing vocals) and myself (drums and backing vocals). We had a good mix of gigs the vast majority of which were Private Functions (birthday parties, wedding receptions etc), Masonic Ladies Evenings etc. We all got along together and were good friends. In May 2004 Richard announced he wanted to leave the band and he did his last gig July 2004. Over the next few years we had various replacement Lead Guitarists but things settled down in 2006 with the line up when both my old friends Brian Condon and Mel Munks were fully capable of performing with us”.

Here’s the gig list for Flashback.

2002

August
10, Monks Road Social Club, Lincoln

Oct
5, West End Club, Braunstone, Leicester

Nov
2, Village Hall, Penkridge, Staffs
9, Belton Woods Golf Club, Grantham
23, Melton Mowbray Golf Club

Dec
1, Showcase audition, Rushden
31, Potton & District Club, Sandy

2003

Jan
4, Regency Rooms, Ilkeston

Feb
15, Lingdale Golf Club, Rothley

Mar
8, River Cruise Boat, Nottingham

Apr
25, Town Hall, Grimsby
26, Club, Pinxton

Jun
7, Legionnaires Club, Sleaford
14, Caravan Club, Tattershall
17, Orchard House, Ruddington

Jul
18, Bramley Apple, Southwell
20, Mosborough Hall Hotel, Sheffield

August
16, Donington Manor Hotel, Ctl D’ton
29, Racecourse, Southwell

Oct
4, Gateway Hotel, Nottingham
11, Masonic Hall, Nottingham
25, W M Club, Melton Mowbray

Nov
1, Perkins Sports & Soc, Peterborough
21, Rufford Golf Club, Nr Ollerton
29, Ollerton M W

Dec
18, Ship Hotel, Skegness
20, Sherwood Forest Golf Club, Mansfield
28, Sutton Town Sports Ground, H’wte
31, Newark Golf Club

2004

Jan
31, Victoria Club, Aylesbury

Feb
27, The Fox, Kirton

Apr
10, Liberal Club, Scunthorpe
17, Doncaster Race Course
23, Stanton on the Wolds Golf Club

May
1, Brant Road Social Club, Lincoln
8, Blues Club, Gainsborough
21, Racecourse, Southwell
29, Sterling Caravan Owners Club, Thoresby Hall

June
11, Normanton Hotel, Rutland Water

July
15, Clumber Park Hotel, A614
Legionairres Club, Sleaford

August
7, Social Club, Sutton on Sea

Oct
9, Football Club, Southwell

Nov
6, Lucarlys Club, Grimsby
19, Miners Welfare, Ollerton
27, Constitutional Club, Scunthorpe

Dec
11, T A Centre, Chesterfield
15, Newhall Social Club, Swadlincote
18, Brant Road Social Club, Lincoln
31, Coxmoor Golf Club, Kirkby in Ashfield

2005

May
20, West End Club, Braunstone, Leicester
28, Private Wedding, Gainsborough

Jun
10, O O P S, Greetham Golf Club
22, Showcase audition, Wakefield

July
2, Lucarlys Club, Grimsby
30, Brant Road Social Club, Lincoln

August
6, Manor Hotel, Castle Donnington

Sept
10, Farm Road Social Club, Barnsley

Oct
15, Legionairres Club, Sleaford
29, Working Mens Club, Crigglestone

Nov
5, Brant Road Social Club, Lincoln

Dec
31, Stanton on the Wolds Golf Club

2006

Mar
18, East Midlands Conference Centre

Apr
14, Bramley Apple, Southwell

Jun
24, Constitutional Club, Scunthorpe

Jul
29, Legionairres Club, Sleaford

August
5, Brant Road Social Club, Lincoln

Nov
24, Longcliffe Golf Club, Loughborough

Dec
2, Masonic Hall, Rugby
16, Lingdale Golf Club, Rothley
31, Center Parks, Edwinstowe

2007

Apr
28, Westminster Club, Doncaster

Jun
2, Firth Park WMC, Sheffield

Jul
21, RAF Retirement Party, Swayfield

2008

Feb
23, Saracens Head, Southwell

Jul
5, Lions Dance, Southwell

Sept
20, Carr Lane Social Club, Grimsby
27, Brant Road Social Club, Lincoln

Nov
1, Lakeside Restaurant, Redhill

Dec
13, Admiral Rodney, Southwell

2009

August
1, Seacroft Golf Club, Skegness
15, Admiral Rodney, Southwell
22, Leisure Centre, Southwell

Dec
31, Grove Squash Club, Grantham

2010

Apr
17, Equalised Club, Stapleford

May
8, British Legion, Allenton, Derby

August
29, The 5 Bells, Claypole, Newark

2011

Jul
24, Newark Castle open air gig

Oct
1, Golf Club, Penkridge

“Probably like most acts our work severely dried up when the smoking ban was introduced. Don’t get me wrong here because as a non-smoker it was really good not going home smelling of tobacco smoke. It used to get into all your clothes, including the ones in the dressing room. Even my black fibre drum cases would smell of it. The other problem we had was that our wages were not being increased. I remember calculating one gig we did in Skegness. I left home at 16.30 and didn’t get home until 02.30 the next morning (10 hours). We did 2 x one hour spots and after agents fees and petrol were deducted,, I received approx’ £30. So when I hear people say “I love to hear a live band” my reply is “yes but nobody wants to pay for it”!”

“Eventually the work dried up for Flashback and none of us could be bothered to chase the agents for work that wasn’t worth doing. Technically we never actually split up and still meet up (wives included) for a meal every now and then. During my time with Flashback I did perform with other bands but fortunately none of the gigs clashed”.

Here’s the song list for Flashback.

Pretty Flamingo – Manfred Mann*
Proud Mary – Credence Clearwater Revival*
Here Comes My Baby – Tremeloes
Atlantis – Shadows
She’s Not There – Zombies
You’re No Good – Swinging Blue Jeans
Mr Tambourine Man – Byrds*
Stuck In The Middle – Stealers Wheel*
How Long – Ace*
Waterloo Sunset – Kinks*
Keep On Running – Spencer Davis Group*
When You Walk In The Room – Searchers*
Yes I Will – Hollies*
Bus Stop – Hollies*
Listen To The Music – Doobie Brothers
Long Train Runnin’ – Doobie Brothers
Nowhere Man – Beatles*
Norwegian Wood – Beatles*
Can’t Buy Me Love – Beatles*
I Saw Her Standing There – Beatles*
Something – Beatles*
Daydream Believer – Monkees*
Sorrow – Merseys*
Take It Easy – Eagles*
Out Of Time – Chris Farlowe*
You Really Got Me – Kinks*
Move It – Cliff Richard*
Alright Now – Free*
Nights In White Satin – Moody Blues*
Shakin’ All Over – Johnny Kidd*
End Of The Line – Travelling Wilburys
Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett*
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton*
My Girl – Temptations*
The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt – Shadows
Apache – Shadows
Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry*
Route 66 – Rolling Stones version*
It’s All Over Now – Rolling Stones*
Twistin’ the Night Away – Sam Cooke*
The Letter – Box Tops*
Happy Together/Eleanor – Turtles*

The songs we played varied across the years. It all depended who was the lead guitarist at the time and who was singing the vocals. Most of the lead vocals were sung by Tony Smith (those marked *) who also went out (professionally) as a solo artist.

DRUMS

We decided to down-size as both our daughters had left home. This would have been about half way through my time with Flashback (approx’ 2005).

SIMMONS

Towards the end of 2006 I purchased a Simmons Electronic Kit (the slim Hexagonal drums from the 80s and responsible for the duff duffs in the Eastenders theme tune). I couldn’t get on with them as you still needed a lot of your analogue kit. I never got around to taking them on a gig and so put them back on Ebay.

ROLAND

My bass player friend Dave Richards introduced me to someone who had a full Roland set up. I was invited to a demo and a try, which was very impressive. In May 2007 I purchased a new Roland TDK-12 kit. I chose to keep my Ludwig Speed King Bass Drum Pedal along with my Ludwig Hi-hat. I kept the Ludwig Sky Blue Pearl kit for another year (in case I changed my mind) but eventually sold it on Ebay a few months later. It was sad to see my Ludwigs go as I had them for 30 years and in recent times had upgraded the cymbals to Paiste Signature along with a second 13 x 9 tom tom (see photo). The problem was we just didn’t have the room to store it in our smaller bungalow.

The Roland kit tends to be set up through the winter months and can be played through my Roland keyboard 60watt combo (I purchased this for use on gigs) or headphones.

MICROPHONES

I had always used a Shure Unidyne 545 on a boom stand. On small stages it was not always easy to find room for the boom stand. So in 2004 I purchased a Shure SM10 headset microphone that could be fitted to headphones. This also gave me some hearing protection as well.

CARBON FIBRE DRUM EXPERIMENT

We used to go and see “Talon” a superb Eagles tribute act. I read in their newsletter about a trial carbon fibre drum and they invited anyone interested to speak to the drummer about it. After their concert in Worksop I went backstage to ask the drummer about the drum. Luckily the man in charge of the manufacture was there. If I was willing to go to the factory in Ilkeston I could collect a trial snare drum on the understanding I gave them a written report on my findings.

It was a 14 x 5 snare drum (a fairly standard size) but it was extremely light. At first I couldn’t get any volume out of it, trying different heads, top and bottom. In my spare ‘stuff’ I had a fairly well-worn Ludwig batter head (the top head on a snare drum) so I put that on as a last attempt to get some volume. The difference was outstanding and it sounded just like any other snare drum. After a few weeks I returned the drum with my report (swapping the heads back!!). I expressed an interest if they decided to produce a full kit but sadly I never heard anymore regarding the project. It would have been nice to have a greatly reduced weight kit.

2010

LIMELITE

In December 2010 my guitarist friend (of 43 years) Brian Condon asked me if I would play drums in a ‘one-off charity show’ with a Shadows tribute band named “Limelite”.

In a short space of time their lead guitarist and drummer had both passed away after suffering from cancer. The drummer was David Lockwood and the guitarist was Alan Richardson (both formerly played with Roger and the Rattlesnakes). Brian and Alan were close friends and had played together in previous bands.

The line-up for this one off gig was to be Brian Condon (lead guitar on those marked *), Phil Richardson (Alan’s son, also on lead guitar on those marked **), Rod Beavis (bass guitar and original member of Limelite), Bob Todd (drums, M/C and vocals on Sea of Heartbreak) and Janet Beavis (Rod’s wife and keyboards on certain tracks). Jan has another claim to fame – she appeared on TV and won The Weakest Link. We had 5 full afternoons of practice prior to the gig which was to be held at the Dales Church Hall, Parkside Road, Bakersfield on Saturday 7 May 2011.

Also appearing and opening the concert were “Interlude” whose members also included Jan and Rod Beavis. Admission fees were £5 Adults and £2 Children with the money raised being split between two charities – “The Rainbows Children Hospice” and “Nottingham City Hospitals Cancer Unit”. The concert was a sell-out and £850 was raised on the night plus Jan’s employer (Reckitts) added a further £300 (total £1150).

Here’s the set list (all by “The Shadows” except Sea of Heartbreak a Don Gibson song).

The Stranger *
Foot Tapper **
Atlantis **
Wonderful Land *
Theme For Young Lovers *
Apache *
Kon Tiki **
The Breeze and I *
Geronimo **
The Miracle **
Nivram (Duet)
Sleepwalk *
Dance On **
The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt *

The final song of the concert was Sea of Heartbreak that included Interlude and Limelite together.

2011

MEMORY LANE

“I knew the agent John Jalland as he supplied Flashback with some work and I once had to take some photos to his house for publicity purposes. I was also aware he was a performing solo artist. In 2011 when Flashback work was tailing off, he rang and asked me to audition for his trio, Memory Lane. I went for a run through at the Masonic Hall in Newark and joined the band. The songs were a mixture of 50s, 60s and 70s. The problem was, John started all the songs strumming chords so you never knew what song was coming next! Announcements and proper intros were none existent. John would start playing some chords so you would have to guess what song it was and join in once you knew. Sometimes you’d have to wait for the lyrics to start before you realized which song he was singing. He couldn’t play lead guitar parts so there were no clues there either. I got on really well with John and Roger (the bass guitarist) and we had some laughs at the gigs we did. Out of the blue and just before the North Scarle gig (near Newark), John sacked Roger for what to me seemed no apparent reason. I had a common interest with Roger in that we were both railway enthusiasts. This put a real downer on the band so after the gig at Sutton Bridge I handed my notice in. John did ask me to return to help out with a couple of gigs. One was at Canwick Park Golf Club, Lincoln. The other and the one that, to date turned out to be my final gig, was at Newark Masonic Hall. This also saw the return of Roger on bass guitar”.

“I realized early on with Memory Lane that what John had done was stop putting bands out as an agent (Flashback included) and then formed his own band to do the work himself. He was still going out as a solo artist, sometimes as a duo with a bass player and then if the job paid well, a trio with bass and drums”.

“The (original) line up was John Jalland (guitar and lead vocals), Roger Asher (bass guitar and backing vocals) and myself (drums and backing vocals). Here’s the gig list for Memory Lane”.

2011

Feb
11, Belverdere Masonic Suite, Nottingham
12, West Bridgford Masonic Hall

March
5, Torksey Golf Club
12, Sleaford Golf Club

April
23, Novotel, Long Eaton

June
3, White Hart, North Scarle
10, Country Club, Boston
11, Hatton Country Park
18, Constitutional Club, Sutton Bridge

October
22, Canwick Park Golf Club

(2015)

April
25, Masonic Lodge, Newark

2012

THE DAVE JORDAN BAND

In 2012 Brian Condon rang me to see if I would play in a band he had joined. He had regularly met up with some other musicians for some time prior to this. The opportunity had arisen to play a beer festival. A short while after, the first run through was held. It took place one evening in a woodworking factory. The problem was they were still doing some wood turning so there was dust everywhere!! As a member of CAMRA, I have been to a lot of beer festivals and I pointed out that the majority of the songs were not really suitable for a beer festival. After a discussion it was decided to practice at a couple of the other band members homes for the foreseeable future. I pointed out that it would be easy for me to add the drums at a later date. Rehearsals continued (sorting out chords, harmonies etc) but in the event the beer festival gig never happened. Instead, one of the guitarist’s relatives was getting married so we now had that gig to do. Rehearsals continued to have enough songs to do 2 or 3 spots.

The problem with the band was that only Brian Condon and me had the experience of performing in a band at live gigs. Some of the other band members were musicians used to ‘reading the dots’ so Brian had to teach them their parts e.g. how they would be played in a group/band. When we eventually reached something that sounded half decent we decided that it was time to add the drums. One of the guitarists knew the landlord at the Tally Ho, Oakdale Road so we were able to use the side room to practice. On Saturday 6 July 2013 we got to perform the wedding gig at Woodborough Hall and it went down really well. We now had to return the favour to the Tally Ho landlord for use of the room. We did 2 charity gigs with the proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer charity. By now both Brian and myself had reached the end with our patience so we announced were unwilling to do any more gigs.

2016

FUN CHORUS CHOIR

In 2016 a friend who knew of my musical history, kept asking me to join him at a Monday evening choir held at the Methodist Church Hall next to Parks Medical Centre, Carlton. Eventually I decided to give it a go and ended up staying until lockdown came in 2020.
The choir was known as the “Fun Chorus” and the membership was approx’ 25 at the time. As the choir grew the venue became too small, so it moved up to the Sacred Hearts Church, Carlton Hill. Every now and then we would do a gig (all for charity) and here is a list of the venues.

2016
13 August – Sconse and DevonPark, Newark
3 December – All Hallows Church, Gedling
10 December – Christmas Market, Market Square, Newark
16 December – Milton Court, Arnold

2017
12 August – Sconse and DevonPark, Newark
21 September – Notts Cricket Ground, Trent Bridge
14 October – Beer Festival, Nottingham Castle
22 November – “Bargain Hunt”, Nottingham Council House
2 December – Village Hall, Ravenshead
9 December – Christmas Market, Market Square, Nottingham
10 December – Christmas Market, Market Square, Newark

2018
16 June – West Park, Long Eaton
30 June – Village Hall, Ravenshead
14 July – Beer Festival, Newstead
1 September – Village Hall, Ravenshead
17 October – Beer Festival, Nottingham Arena
25 November – Christmas Market, Market Place, Newark
15 December – Christmas Market, Market Square, Nottingham

2019
14 June – Arnot Hill Park, Arnnold
22 June – West Park, Long Eaton
22 December – Ice Centre, Nottingham Arena

The choir would go down really well wherever we performed. Some gigs I remember well like the time we appeared on TV in the Bargain Hunt Christmas Special programme. The later ones in Newark Market Place were on a big stage with amplification and lighting so we were heard loud and clear.

One special mention must be for a man (his pals were with him) at the Beer Festival, Nottingham Castle. I could see him really getting into the music so Anna (our choir leader) beckoned him to come up on the stage and join in. He came and stood with me so I could share my song book for the lyrics and he had the time of his life. He stayed on stage until we had finished out spot and at the end he shook my hand and was thanking everyone for letting him join in. Whether it be a choir, or a band, you only need one person like that once in a while to convince you that it’s all worth while.

In September 2019 I had a really bad spell of Sciatica. I had many painful sleepless nights but with 3 times a day floor exercises and prescription only strong pain killers I was better about 7 to 8 weeks later. When I returned to the choir I found it hard to stand singing for one and a half hours (completely better now I hasten to add). The other problem I had was more and more modern songs I’d never heard of were coming into the list. After the lockdown I decided not to return.

There’s one person amongst all these stories that has to have a very special mention. It is of course my wife of 53 year, Lynne. She would come to the gigs whenever possible and has supported everything I’ve done in the various bands over the years. Whenever I wasn’t sure if the band I was in was any good or not really for me, I could count on her honest opinion and sound advice (pardon the name drop!). If the chance to join a band in the future arose I know she would not mind if I was off on the road again.

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Autographs

Over the years Bob managed to collect a few notable autographs of some of the stars of yesteryear.

ERIC CLAPTON

I definitely got this at The Beachcomber in the Lace Market. There are 2 dates on the reverse but I’m unable to say which one is ‘the one’.

THE MOODY BLUES

The date on these is exact, Saturday 26 February 1966 at the Portland Building, Nottingham University.

THE MERSEYS

The date on this is also exact, Friday 11 February 1966 at Sutton Baths, Sutton in Ashfield. The Merseys backing band on this gig was ‘The Fruit Eating Bears’.

THE SEARCHERS

I’ve tried with the other members of Our Young to put a date and venue to these but without success. All I can say with certainty is that it was between January and August 1967. The drummer’s autograph is missing.

THE SWINGING BLUE JEANS

The date of these is also exact, Friday 28 October 1966 at Birmingham University. Note that among these is the signature of Terry Sylvester, who later left the band to join The Hollies, replacing Graham Nash.

THE MARMALADE

These autographs are on the reverse of a photo. The date and venue were written on at the time.

LEE DORSEY

This was obtained at Boston Gliderdrome on Saturday 22 October 1966. His backing band was The Gates of Eden and the top of the bill was The Merseys.

ARGENT

I don’t have the exact date for these. I got them at the PortlandBuilding, Nottingham University in the early 1970’s. I wasn’t playing at the time but had gone along with Wayne Ford when he was playing with ‘Rockets’.

SPENCER DAVIS & PETE YORK

I don’t have an exact date for this other than approx’ summer 1967. The venue was Boston Gliderdrome (sadly I missed the 2 Winwood brothers, Steve and Muff, who passed straight through the foyer).

MIKE BERRY

The exact date for this one is Sunday 5 June 1966 at The Golden Diamond Club, Sutton in Ashfield when Our Young filled in as his backing band at the last minute.

ALAN PRICE

I don’t have the exact date for this. I got it at the PortlandBuilding, Nottingham University in the early 1970’s. I wasn’t playing at the time but had gone along with Wayne Ford when he was playing with ‘Rockets’.