Noel Pembertn Billing rang this morning – he has found the acetate of the Teenagers single “Teenagers In Love” c/w “20 Flight Rock”

Noel (the guy who replaced Derek, and co-wrote half of the original material for the Bolton Iron Maiden) has just discovered, among his dirty undies, a copy of the Teenagers single “Teenagers In Love”.

Always loking to raise money for the two charities! If anyone would like a CD copy, give us a couple of quid (via the ‘Contact’ link above) and I’ll send you one.

For those who do not know, Teenagers was a Derek idea – “…lets create from Iron Maiden, a 50’s pastesh band and see what happens!” Strangely, Derek left soon afterwards and the regular Teenagers bassist was Noel (Pemberton-Billing) who was the bassist on the single -  I know a lot of you out there like all this detail!!!

This idea followed hot on the heels of the one gig folk band “Horsemuckballs” – another Derek idea “….lets create a folk band out of Iron Maiden…and do all sorts of quirky folk tunes – like the Fairports!”

To be fair to Derek….he must have had his finger on the pulse of what was going down musically at the time…because there was a massive Folk revival, and 50’s music really came back to the fore with bands like Showaddywaddy, Jets, Darts, Crazy Cavan, Shakin Stevens etc….

We employed a singer – Paul Guffogg (now Paul Neon) who blew us away at the audition – EXACTLY like Elvis in looks and voice – great hair – great look – but ….didn’t say very much – an introvert off and an extrovert on stage. We also employed a pianist – Alan Wickham – another quiet gentle soul

We had a great time touring the band, which at one point out gunned Iron Maiden for popularity, but with two totally different audiences. Neither audience know the ohter “alter ego” band existed.

The band adopted Rock N’ Roll names too – which were etched on the back of the drapes….

Ian Boluton Smith was “Rockin Roy Ripchord”

Noel P Billing was “Steve Bond”

Alan Wickam was “Al ‘Fingers’ Diamond”

Paul TJ O’Neill was “Mick Fast”

Paul Guffogg became “Paul Gee”

The roadies for the band were Paul Hampson and Dave Knight

Iron Maiden, having toured, rocked and rolled all over the world for 33 years have been awarded the BRIT for best live band.

The Bolton Iron Maiden (nearly 40 years since their first gig) would like to congratulate the guys on their well deserved Award. Up the Irons from the “any old Irons”!