The big question everyone was asking is Where’s Andre! Good crowd again and excellent afternoon. Chat was about… Beatles first 10 albums coming out on Mono vinyl, Cliff Richard, pirate radio, local bands reforming, Factory rehearsals, beach concert, bare-faced blues festival, what direction we are taking SMART in, Osibisa, how to get more people involved and how to get them to go into the attic to find these photos that they keep promising. Very grateful to Phil Little for bringing along copies of his magazine Music Files from the 1990s. Some wonderful reviews and cuttings which will be scanned and posted in due course. Lol Cooksey has found some amazing photos of the band ‘The Mone’ and ‘Rock Museum’. Look out for these soon. Among the new people were Roy Brigden from Hastings Pier Charity looking for high resolution photos, posters etc from bands that have played the pier and these could be used when it reopens in 2015. Good to see Graham & Wendy Weaver talking about Hastings Rock Radio and another first timer was Eric Cawthraw who bought some rare albums to show us, including ‘Man’. Mick O’Dowd has updated his folder on the Pier gigs with lots of interesting photos and a number I have not seen before. A few cd’s were changing hands and a great time was had by all. This is only a small part of what was talked about. Anyone else that had interesting chats that I missed, please feel free to post details here.
Barry Taylor….This is what Barry Taylor, Phil John, Andy Gunton & Pete Prescott were talking about. Mott The Hoople, Steamhammer, Sergeant and the fesitval scene in Europe in late 60’s early 70’s. How Rod Stewart came to record Maggie May, the song that made him a megastar. Barry was involved in the circumstances surrounding that song.
The darker side of Led Zeppelin was touched on, specifically the management characters involved in the band and their road fever antics in America. Uriah Heep, Foreigner, King Crimson… who Barry recalls playing a support spot at the old Marquee right at the start of their career.
Andy Qunta… Would like to hear Barry’s story about Maggie May. Big fan of Steamhammer, and especially their 2nd guitarist & songwriter, Martin Quittenton, who I believe co-wrote that song.
Yvonne Cleland… Breaking news! Will Thomson has promised to come to the next SMART meeting as long as I remind him! Perhaps you could all help me with this? 🙂
Tony Qunta… Excellent news!
Alan Esdaile… Just been chatting to Kevin Hoad, so Daisy reunion?
Yvonne Cleland… I know that Moff is up for it! I mentioned it to Will last night. It would be a good addition to the Factory reunion!
Mick O’Dowd… Another great afternoon. Well done Alan,I don’t know how you keep it up. Sad not to see the omni-presence that is Andre and I wish him speedy recovery.
