Flyright Records – Bexhill. 1970’s

Martin Waghorne… I’ve still got my copy up in the roof.

Dave Weeks… Terry Pack expert shop assistant.

Terry Pack… Thanks, Dave. Music has always been my specialist subject, after all!

Leigh Wieland-Boys… Still got my copy too

Chris Meachen… Got mine, & still play it now & again…

Terry Pack… I had several happy years working at Flyright during the 1970s. I used to visit the first shop in Wickham Avenue in 1973, and was soon asked to work there after school and on Saturday mornings. Although I was only 14, I was already knowledgeable about pop and rock, and was interested in blues and jazz. My friends started to buy their records there, and at the new shop in Sackville Road. I became friends with Simon and Mike, pictured above. They founded the magazine Blues Unlimited, and released rare blues and jazz recordings on the Flyright label. The connection with Stallion came about after Phil Thornton recommended me to Steve Demetria as replacement for Steve Kinch when he left to join Factory in 1975(6?). I was still at school, but went to audition at Steve’s rehearsal room above his family’s restaurant. I was offered the gig, but I felt much too young compared to Steve, Vic and Tich, and declined. Steve, though, took my number, and called to ask about releasing Skinny Kid on Flyright Records. A deal was done and the single was released (I have a white label copy somewhere). Steve chose not to pay Simon the balance he owed, and Simon took out a small claim to get it back. Despite this, Steve asked me once again to join Stallion when Roger left the band. Again, I declined, still feeling too young. I had a pang of regret when Stallion won the Melody Maker Rock Contest with Phil Gill on bass, and thought that I might have made the wrong decision (twice!), but had a good year with The Hollywood Killers before joking The Enid in October 76. That was when I left Flyright Records, which had become a much larger concern, employing Peter Stacey, Dave Carter and Pete Kent from the rival shop, Beaney’s. As we know, Steve D passed on a few years ago. Mike Leadbitter died in 1974, Simon Napier died in the early 1980s, Dave Carter died a couple of years ago, and I heard today that Pete Kent had passed on, too. I suppose that it was all a long time ago.

Phil Gill… Funnily enough Terry, at the same time Steve asked me to join Stallion, I was lined up to play guitar in The Hollywood Killers and was already learning their songs. Stallion appealed to me more. I’m glad I jumped in the direction I did.

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