Day: 27 October 2022

supplied by Nigel Wade Art

Nigel Wade Art… Hi all, I’m trying to unearth any memories or info on Fruupp who played on Hastings Pier in 1972 and 1975. They supported Genesis in ‘72 I believe, I went to the December 5th ‘75 gig which they headlined. It wasn’t a big crowd but they rocked it. It was the opening night of their Modern Masquerades tour. I can’t remember if there was a support band. Reason for this question is that I’m involved in the very active Fruupp Facebook Group (worth joining if you like the band) and there’s a plan to get a book and Live CD together all about Fruupp, so any info gratefully received. Thanks.

Adam Seigel… I was a fan for a bit. Saw them in Southend (my home town) in 75 I think. I still have the single Prince of Heaven’s Eyes which was their bid to break through Good band but not first division. Be interesting to know if they went on to other things, the keyboards seemed really talented and guitarist was good too – Vincent McUsker or something like that? Sounds like a good piece of archiving.

Nigel Wade Art… Keyboardist for the 4th and final album Modern Masquerades was John Mason, a brilliant jazz/ rock keyboard player who sadly died a few years ago. Original members Vincent McCusker (guitar), Peter Farrelly (vocals/ bass), Martin Foye (drums) and Stephen Houston (keyboards) are all going strong. Fruupp split in the Summer of ‘76 just when punk was starting, none of the band have done much in music since.

Adam Seigel… Stephen Houston…that’s the chap…he was good!

Alan King… the guy in the white suit is actually called Johnny Mason, he’s an old friend of mine from Dulwich back in the day, last I heard he’d had a stroke about 10 years ago – oops edit just saw the post that John had died he was an odd one – played a few gigs with him over the years – he got lost in drink and drugs near the end, his parents both died and left him a bit of money which was probably enough to tip him over the edge

Nigel Wade… Alan you’re absolutely right. Sadly he died a few years ago, following the stroke. I loved his playing b that album – he was very accomplished. One of the other guys said that for the photo shoot, “we all arrived looking like the three musketeers while John turned up dressed like Liberace!”

Alan King… John Mason did record an E.P. with a band of local south London roadies called The Back Room Boys in the mid 80’s – The Ballad of Vic Samson / Mine’s A Light and Bitter – he did the odd mafia run cruise ship tour off Miami to Jamaica and back around that time

Rory Hagan… Where did you see John Mason had died? I went to school with him. Thanks. Stephen Houston is your best point of contact for info. He’s a clergyman in the south of England

Nigel Wade Art… Hi Rory, on the Fruupp Facebook there has been a fair bit of information on John Mason and the main Admin, Brian, is in contact with John’s sister. It would be great if you’d like to join the Fruupp Facebook group with all your music background and the fact that you went to school with John. The band members including Stephen Houston are helping us with our Fruupp Live LP and Fruupp book.

Tracy Birrell… I remember seeing them on Hastings Pier.

Iain Cobby… Greetings. I had the poster of Genesis / Fruupp on Hastings Pier in 1972 which I sold some years ago for a really good price when times were hard. Alan e has  a photo. I do remember the gig but was having a disagreement with my girlfriend/to be wife outside on the deck of the pier and missed the set, almost missing the Genesis opening ……. some years later in Birmingham I was in an indie record store and picked up Future Legends and Seven Secretes on  BPRC cd . I would urge any prog aficionados to listen to these treasures ……. wow

David Johnston… Played drums with John on opportunity knocks 1971 with a band called Heritage

Nigel Wade Art… We’ve produced a live album of the gig from the night after the Hastings Pier gig in 1975. It was recorded on 6/12/75 at Friars in Aylesbury. Go to www.fruuppstore.com to read about it.