LIFE ON THE ROAD IN 1970… A pop group’s alphabet

A is for AGENT, your key to success.
He’ll stand in your dressing room and watch you undress.
He’ll ride on your back until, hearts content,
He’ll send you the bill for his ten per cent.

B is for BEER, aka Watney’s Red,
Double Diamond works wonders and Whitbread Big Head.
Younger’s Tartan, Scottish magic? But wait, what is this?
Served up in the Cavern they all taste like cat’s p*ss!

C is the CONCERT SEC at the door of his club,
Waiting for you to roll out of the pub.
To set up and play for the delight of his chums,
Three twenty minutes between bingo, organ and drums.

D is for DIGS, and so off to bed,
Fifteen shillings and sixpence the landlady said.
Breakfast’s at seven. In between, time is yours.
So you lie wide awake as the bass player snores.

E is for EGO, shot down in flames.
Your band’s been paid off. Too noisy it’s claimed!
The punters don’t like it too loud, and what’s more,
You’ve pee’d in the sink so you’re out of the door.

F is the FOOD you eat on the road,
Pasties and burgers, invariably cold.
Along the motorways of England you eat sausage and mash,
And sit there in silence as you share out the cash.

G is for GROUPIES, a mythical breed,
Who follow the big names wherever they lead.
But there’s none waiting for you as you crawl back in your van.
So it’s back home to your girlfriends as quick as you can!

Continued next week…

Love this entry
But who is Diesel Dick???
Looking forward to the next set of Alphabet!

Paul

Hi Mr Drummer Boy, I haven't seen or spoke to you in God knows how many years but having just purchased 10 tickets for me & my mates for the reunion gig, that will all change on the 23rd. It will be fantastic to see all the old faces again. I only got to see Iron Maiden play at Moss Bank Park because I was only in my early teens at that time. I still remember the concert on the park well, being the bass player's brother I had VIP status & was sat in a good position side stage. I can still picture Sag leaping around with his shorts and wellies on, his mom looking on from the audience, head bowed in shame! I also had my first drink of alcohol at the concert, Tommy Walsh had a big, square, plastic container full of Perno & orange, which he kept giving me a swig of.
I do remember attending a gig at the Victory on Chorley Old Rd, don't know which band was playing, one of Dylan's I think. I was there as Derek's assistant as he was perfoming his magic act as part of the show. One of the tricks he did was his 'head cremation illusion' which basically involved appearing to set someone's head on fire. My part in the trick was to dispose of the burning torch he had used to light the 'head cremation' equipment. When he passed the torch to me the only way I could put the bloody thing out was by dunking it in his pint of ale, leaving a mini oil slick on the top. In true Derek fashion he grunted a few choice words & supped the pint down in one - oil slick an' all! Can anybody remember the band who played & who had their head cremated?
Looking forward to seeing you on the night!
Geoff

The Victory gig was the regular Cloggies Folk Club (which I ran)...the meanest folk club in the entire world...Hells Angels collecting the money with rifles...didn't half *naughtyword* the visiting 'folkies' up )

I do remember attending a gig at the Victory on Chorley Old Rd, don't know which band was playing, one of Dylan's I think. I was there as Derek's assistant as he was perfoming his magic act as part of the show. One of the tricks he did was his 'head cremation illusion' which basically involved appearing to set someone's head on fire. My part in the trick was to dispose of the burning torch he had used to light the 'head cremation' equipment. When he passed the torch to me the only way I could put the bloody thing out was by dunking it in his pint of ale, leaving a mini oil slick on the top. In true Derek fashion he grunted a few choice words & supped the pint down in one - oil slick an' all! Can anybody remember the band who played & who had their head cremated?
Looking forward to seeing you on the night!
Geoff[/quote]


PS The band was Mandella at the time (forerunner of the cakes) Anna Ford, the newsreader, would have been in the audience, as it sounds like one of our Xmas parties.
PPS didn't Derek cremate his own head once?

Dear Geoff - Yes it certainly has been years since we met, and Sue and I are really looking forward to seeing you all on the 23rd and the BIMMIE!!

Please keep in touch - and send me your e-mail via the contac page on teh website.

Kind regards
Paul & Sue