supplied by Mick Mepham
In picture carrying gear is Kev Sayers ‘Sage’, on the way to the Marquee.
photo by Chris Meachen
Folk on the way to The Marquee. With Clive Richardson, Steve ‘Bill’ Balkham , John Veness and others.
Mick Mepham……Ended up with the gear going on the coach ….
Phil Gill…..Always best to put the gear on the coach – the van’s the first place they’ll search.
Tim Bruce……I was on the coach. Going up a hill, and the visibility getting worse due to smoke across the road. It was the van creating said smoke! The coach overtook the verry sick van, Tel driving and the centre seat up so that Tel’s passenger, (cant remember who) was pouring oil into the engine…
Andy Qunta……Maybe not so funny at the time, but a great story now! Good times…! 😉 Has there ever been a band without a broken-down van story? Curse those rascally wheel-ed things!
Mick Mepham……The first time we played in Gravesend I think we had the same van. Going up Bluebell Hill, Maidstone, it started to smoke. Made it to the top, then the roundabout as it used to be. We went round the r/about which disappeared altogether and thought we should stopCars were hooting at each other etc. Dodgy!!!! Went and phoned the venue from a call box and told them we might be a tad late. Started then van again and it was perfectly ok!!!! On we went. V small stage there and a sort of lunchtime audition. Got to the end of a song, did the usual burn-up and fell of the stage flat on my face and guitar (a Fender Strat). Everyone there P****** themselves laughing including the band. Ice broken! Job done. The rest is history …… Red Lion at Northfleet, great gig and still there and going strong. Hurrahh!!!!
Phil Thornton…..Die Laughing+Van=Drama !
Jan Warren… Great pics guys!!!
Pete Brazier… I remember it as if it was yesterday, good pic of John and Bill and can just about see Clive at the back, but afraid my memory falters on the others lol. Sorry to everyone else
Willie Wicking… Remember going with John Veness on the back of my Honda 400 4 to set up Die Laughings gig at the Hexegon Reading great memories remember knocking Lols drum kit into the stage as he always tried to be Kieth Moon
Simon Sayers… The top picture is a long lost picture of my dad! (Carrying the box). He passed away 5 years ago, it’s great to see the photos ! Thank you!!