This is copied from an article about Mods in Leicester in the mid 1960s printed in the Leicester Mercury in 2010. It is the only thing that comes up if you Google some of the Coffee Bars and Clubs in Leicester around at that time. The internet Information Revolution seems to start in the 1990s and knowledge about earlier times appears to be getting lost, or just isn’t there!! The article actually presents a pretty accurate picture of some of the things that happened then and the places that people went to. It complements my post about My Life in Music. The Irish was one of the main fashion shops but it was actually in Silver Arcade which was off Silver Street. It subsequently moved to the corner of Silver Street and High Street and is still there now, I believe, but it’s not the fashionable place it once was. The article also talks about the Antelope pub. I must have missed this totally because, although I remember the pub, I never went into it. I thought it was an “old man’s pub”. The main pubs we went to were the Fish and Quart on Churchgate and the Churchill on Silver Street which is now The Lamplighters. The Churchill became the trendy place to be from 1968 onwards.
The interesting thing about the rivalry of the Mods and the Rockers was that it was invented by the media. If you look at the headlines they scream out about the Wild Ones! Actually, this is a reference to the Marlon Brando film “The Wild One” which was banned in Britain and not many people had seen it. Brando was the role model for the Rockers though, with his leather gear, macho swagger and surly attitude, to say nothing of the slurred drawl. “Hey, Johnny whadaya rebelling against?” “Whadaya got?” Elvis Presley copied him too in his earliest and greatest incarnation, circa 1956. Originally, however, there was no conflict. In fact, Mods became Rockers and vice versa. It all changed in the reporting of events at Brighton in 1964 and the rest is history! I do remember an occasion at Avenue Road Youth Club which was a Rocker stronghold. I’d been told to give a message by a group of Mods to Dave Buswell, leader of the local Rockers and as mean a looking guy as you could wish to meet. He was terrifying! The Mods were on Victoria Park ready for a battle. At that point all hell broke loose as they rushed out for the affray. Personally, I decided to go home and have a night in, watching telly! It was one battle I had no desire to fight and I didn’t even really know if I was a Mod or Rocker supporter then! I kind of liked them both!
I did eventually side with the Mods because, actually, the music was a lot better and the coffee bars and clubs were much more exciting! And although the girls weren’t any better looking, they were far less ferocious!
“Turn left at the Clock Tower, head towards High Street, pass Cheapside, veer off by the amusement arcade and you’re there – right in the heart of Leicester’s pill-popping, sharp-dressing, scooter-revving, hedonistic counterculture”, writes Mark Charlton.
Or at least you would be if this was still the swinging 60s. If London had Carnaby Street at the heart of its Mod scene, Leicester had Silver Street. With their tailor-made suits, parkas and scooters, the Mods had a huge impact on the streets of mid-60s Leicester. They’d ride into town on their Vespas and Lambrettas to hit the coffee bars and hear the latest jukebox sounds from bands such as The Who, The Kinks and The Small Faces.
Rows and rows of scooters would be parked up in city centre streets, particularly outside bars such as Cadena, in Belvoir Street, and Kenco Coffee House, in Granby Street. But Silver Street was the real magnet for the Mods. That’s where Irish Clothing store was. That’s where Il Rondo was. That’s where you went to be seen. That’s where their real-life version of Quadrophenia played out.
John Barratt, 60, who grew up in Humberstone, was one of Leicester’s original Mods.
“Silver Street was our Carnaby Street,” he remembers. “I don’t know why but it was just a big happening for us there. I guess it had a lot to do with Irish Clothing and the Il Rondo, and there was also a pub called the Antelope. I think it just drew us to the area as there were places we could meet.”
Leicester was buzzing with these hip, rebellious kids who wanted to make their mark on the world by dressing smartly and listening to the hottest new sounds. It was their way of getting noticed and making a point to their elders. John says: “In the 50s and early 60s, young people were almost penned in, everything was dictated to them. When Mod came along, it was our way of saying ‘we are human beings’. We were trying to put over our feelings that we weren’t going to put up with being told what to do.”
The Mod scene, with its slick fashion and fascination with black American soul music, had spread north from London, fed by newspapers reporting on violent clashes between Mods and Rockers in Brighton and Margate in 1964, and by broadcasts on Radio Caroline. Young people in Leicester were quick to pick up on the idea.
John says: “The first Mods were in Leicester by 1964. It was sweeping the country at that time. I was still at school and started getting into the music and the fashions. I knew I wanted to be a Mod. When I turned 16 I bought my scooter. At that time, I had a good job in engineering. I needed it. Being a Mod was expensive. You had to keep up with all the latest fashions, for a start. Then you had to run your scooter, keeping it taxed and on the road before buying all the accessories to make it look as good as possible. Then there was the music. You had to keep up with all the new music coming out, plus the wild life that went with it and on top of all that you had to try to keep a girl on your arm. I earned good money in engineering, but I didn’t save a penny.”
Another young Mod was Chris Busby, from the West End of Leicester. He recalls choosing to be a Mod when he was still at school.
“I was 14 in 1964 and we thought ‘should we be Mods or rockers?’. I looked at the rockers, they were greasers and horrible. I looked at the Mods, they were so clean looking and smart with their scooters. I wanted to be like that.”
Chris remembers Leicester was a great place to be at that time.
“There was so much going on,” he says. “The music was fantastic, there were some great places to go and lots of house parties.”
Chris was part of a Leicester Mod band called CERT X. Other notable Mod acts from the city’s scene were The Cissy and Legay.
John saw them perform at several gigs in the 60s. He says: “CERT X was a really good local band, really good. The highlight of the band’s career was supporting Cream at Nottingham University.
The music scene was vibrant at that time. Chris remembers: “A place called the Night Owl opened, in Newarke Street, in 1966, which put on all-nighters. I think (soul singer) Geno Washington recorded an album there. Bands like Amen Corner also appeared there. There were a lot of people taking drugs like blues and dexys, and I think that is why it got shut down quite quickly. The Green Bowler, in Churchgate, was popular too.”
Leicester in the mid 60s was already something of a cultural melting pot. Lots of young black kids were mixing with white lads at nightclubs and gigs.
Chris says: “It was a good time. We were friends with a lot of the black lads, there was never any trouble between us – we all respected one another. The only time we ever had aggro was with the rockers.”
The Mods’ cats-v-dogs relationship with the rockers is well documented. Seaside skirmishes at Brighton and Margate and made national news but there was plenty of trouble in Leicester, too.
John says: “The rockers used to hang out down at the Roman Cafe, in Humberstone Road. It was part of the life of a Mod to have problems with the rockers, or Hell’s Angels. They were so different from us. We would roll up at the Roman Cafe on our scooters just so we could have a scrap. They would come looking for us, too.”
Chris remembers one incident: “We were at the Casino Ballroom at the top of London Road. A popular boxer, Alex Barrow, was there, a black guy, with two of his friends. Two rockers walked in, and one of the lads with Alex said ‘you hit my mate’ and knocked one of them flying. Within 30 minutes, hundreds of rockers were flying down London Road on their motorbikes heading for the club.”
There was an unwritten hierarchy within the Mods. If you were particularly cool, you were a ‘face’. If you could not keep up with the pace of the scene, you were seen as a ‘ticket’.
Chris says: “The older lads, who were about two or three years older, were working and could afford better clothing. We looked up to them, they were the faces to us. There wasn’t a rank as such, but we were subconsciously aware the differences were there. We knew the older ones to nod at, there was never any problem between us.”
John says: “There was a lad called Tony Weston. He was king of the Mods to us. He was the organiser, our leader, always coming up with ideas and things todo. We all looked up to him because of the way he dressed and his scooter.” John had a Vespa 125cc GL scooter. “Registration 461 BBC,” he says.
“I’ll never forget it. It had all the gear – spotlamps, a big aerial at the back, a slimline windscreen and so many mirrors it was a wonder it moved, it was so weighed down. I had so many spotlamps that if I turned on the lights without the engine running it would flatten the battery.” But keeping your scooter up to scratch was a big part of it. It cost a bloody fortune. The main place for buying scooters at that time was a place called Readers,in Aylestone. We all went there. Scooters were appealing at the time because you could do hundreds of miles on a tank of petrol. A group of us went to Yarmouth. It took us the best part of six hours to get there. It was a steady run and we only used a tank-and-a-half of petrol there and back.”
Chris had a Lambretta li 150 with green and white stripped side panels and fur on the seats. “It cost me £30 in 1966 and wasn’t anything special compared to some of the scooters around but it was special to me,” he says. “It would be worth about £2,000 if I still had it.”
Chris also did his fair share of going to Mod events at coastal resorts, even taking a job in Skegness. But there was plenty going on in Leicester. Wednesday at Il Rondo, in Silver Street, was Mod night, on Sunday, Mod music was played at The Palais de Danse, in Humberstone Gate, and the Casino Ballroom, in London Road, held regular live events. Music was the lifeblood of the scene. All-night dances, or parties were often fuelled by the use of amphetamine-based drugs. Some were known as blues, or purple hearts.
John says: “People were taking them because, if you didn’t there was no way you would last the amount of time you were awake for.”
“The main thing was the music,” says Chris. “It was so new and fresh.”
John says: “There were certain songs that were important to us, for example the Sir Douglas Quintet’s She’s About a Mover and Louie Louie, by the Kingsmen.”
The fashion and hair styles still have a huge influence today. Chris has been a barber for 36 years and now has a shop, in Northampton Street. But when he needed a Mod cut back in the 60s, there was only one place to go.
“Everybody went to Ron’s, in Church Gate. It is still there. At the time, there was a look that was something close to how Paul Weller wears his hair now. Another was how Roger Daltry (singer in The Who) wore his, with a parting, although some people just wanted a close-cut, clean look. Mods felt the way they looked set them apart from the rest. Attention to detail was vital. Clothes would be made-to-measure and tight fitting. Shirts and suits would be sent to the tailor for more buttons to be added or taken away, depending on the mood. We’d have bigger vents put in or more buttons put on our shirts, just to make them different. We were always trying to stay one step ahead,” says Chris.
Having such smart clothes proved a problem motoring around town on a scooter. A US Army fishtail parka was ideal for keeping clean on the move.
John says: “I had a parka and a mohair suit – well, several. We were always buying clothes, trying to have something new and to stay ahead of everyone else.”
Chris says: “I never really got into the suit thing. Lots of people did though. On a Saturday, there was Jackson’s the Tailors, in Gallowtree Gate, and Burton’s, in Church Gate, which would have queues outside all day from the moment they opened, with people collecting clothes they had ordered, or being measured up for something. Jackson’s was seen as a cut above the others because the staff would offer advice to the customers. Personally, I preferred wearing Levi Jeans, desert boots and a Ben Sherman shirt rather than a suit. I wanted to feel comfortable. Also jumpers with targets on, or shirts similar to those Roger Daltry was wearing at the time. I bought an overcoat from Irish for £22. That was four weeks wages to me. I have still got it.”
By 1967, the Mod scene was changing. Some were moving away from the slick looks and sounds and moving into psychedelic music.
“They were what we called the ‘flower children’, says John. “They were getting in to what became the hippy thing. I guess bands like The Who and Small Faces had become more psychedelic, particularly the Small Faces with their album Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake. I moved on to other things but I have never stopped feeling that I am a Mod. Even now, I’m still a Mod. I love the Mods.”
Some stuck to their cause of being a Mod and others became interested in the skinhead scene, which was emerging in the late 60s.
Chris, a married dad of three, remembers: “I was working in Skegness in 1969 and I could still see running battles between Mods and rockers. I went on to become interested in other things, but years later I was thinking about the look and how much I enjoyed wearing the clothes, so I went back to it.
“So now I wear a Ben Sherman, Levi jeans and desert boots. I love it, and the music, of course.”
In 1979, The Who brought out the movie Quadrophenia. It told the story of the Mods, their clashes with rockers, the girls, the drugs, the parties. The film was to coincide with and widen the impact of a Mod revival, which had started in London a few months earlier.
Chris said it was very true to life.
“It’s pretty close,” he says. “Particularly a scene in Brighton as Jimmy (Phil Daniels) walks along the seafront with all the other Mods. Somebody asks him what the best thing about being a Mod is. He says something like ‘being here, amongst all this’. And it was spot on. That buzz, the buzz of being part of it at that time, that is exactly how being a Mod felt.”(Mark Charlton Leicester Mercury 2010)
Kenny Wilson's Blog 
This is a very interesting piece, but I’m surprised no-one mentions the Burlesque on Humberstone Rd and the Peephole on Wharf St.
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Yes Pete and the Night Owl
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Anyone see the gig at Corn Exchange with Spencer Davis & Stevie Winwood on keyboard. Blew me away
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Hi, can anyone tell me about a place called Al’s music cafe in the 1960s. My parents met there but I can’t seem to fins any photos or more information about it.
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Not sure but this may have been in Loseby Lane and used to be Riley’s. I remember it being owned by a guy called Al & having music on , it’s nearly 60 years ago so my memory is not what it was
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Quite right, Pete. Especially since the Burlesque was commemorated in a 70s hit by Family. I think it was quite a way out of town and people of my age and in the article were a bit young to get out there. I knew about it but never went. Likewise, I never went to the Chicane Club or the Latin Quarter. All the wrong side of town and not the places people I knew went to, although I know they were very popular! I didn’t even know about the Peephole unless it changed it’s name to Nautique in which case I went there and used to see and hear Family practice there! Our main stomping grounds were Green Bowler, Nite Owl and Casino!
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The Peep Hole had a very good DJ called Tony but we all called him Gobi I don’t know where that came from because the geezer was cool but a few years older than most of us.there was Phil and Big Dick from Oadby.The last time I saw Dick he came mincing down the road with hot pants on.Steph Rayner I think he ended up with an antique shop in London.These were all good mates with Rog Chapman and Charlie Whitney who never got a bit flash even though John Lennon said they were the best band in London they were called The Family. The Burlesque was the best All Nighter in England and I went to plenty all over the country. I could keep reminiscing for hours about one thing and another at least the bits I can remember.We were the luckiest kids on the planet because nowhere else abroad had our mods and the scooter boys who were different to us culture.If we could go back in time and take some of the kids back with us they’d never return.It was the best decade ever,it was quality.
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Thanks for the memories Noel. Yes, great times indeed! The Leicester scene was brilliant. Let’s have more stories!
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Great to see you on here Noel.Bet Mick Grady if he was still with us would have some stories to tell.
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Hi guys just thought I’d add a few bits as I was a ‘scooter boy’ parked opposite the Cadena and later La Bamba? down near Granby Halls just up from Readers Motors
Some mods had a foot in both scenes scooters and dress/dance anyone remember big Mitch (Mick Mitchell) Pete Clarke , Cloggy to name a few , , some scooter boys called them Toy Town Mods , face at the time was ‘Spud’
Saturday night at Granby dance studio upstairs on corner of High Street, 130 Club down Wharf Street, El Casa Bolero – Greasers/Rockers haunt. Burlesque of course, was this 147 before? James King & Farinas before they became Family, probably the best group to come out of Leicester , apologies to Kasabian fans!
Anyone recall the name of the mod coffee bar up near the back of the museum in New Walk?
Scooter rides to Blue Boar at Watford Gap – mods one side rockers the other?
I remember the Nautique & Nocturne with DJ Gobi a ‘face’ around town
Long John Baldry with Rod Stewart at Il Rondo and one lad getting hit on the head with his mic ( he was a hairdresser I recall)
Peter Smith’s Pit under the coffee bar, I saw Moody Blues there doing Go Now,
Drill Hall to see Hendrix and Geno, Drill Hall Grantham to see Otis , Lee Dorsey at the Palaise on Sunday, Chris Farlowe at either the Odeon or Trocadero I think
On the train once with Big Sue (another ‘face’ going to Skeg . Dungeon in Nottingham and getting my parka nicked riding home in the snow in a shirt! University gigs, Loughborough gigs at Uni and Town Hall
Kenco on a lazy Sunday afternoon,, scooter ride with 2 others to Bournemouth and seeing the Kinks, Riding down Carnaby Street on my scooter and buying trousers at Lord John the early morning down The Lane for a new leather., then home to the Palaise to show it off!
Just some thoughts from over 50 years ago so forgive any wrong names and spelling
I still ride a loaded Vespa a bit rage but not my beloved silver GS
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Mitch was a great friend. When Donovan played the DeMontford Hall we turned up on our scooters and Mitch had this Donovan cap on. The girls went crazy.
Great fun.
Mitch was riding home from the town one night on his GS and he had terrible accident opposite the Leicester prison on Welford Road.
Mitch was buried in a closed casket. I think of him still.
Tony Weston
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I remember you Noel as a known face, weren’t you mates with Spud (Aitken?), bumped into you at Il Rondo and Palais I think.
Dick (Oadby) made me a jacket if it’s the same guy, . You’re right about Tony Gobi & not sure how he got the name.
I rode scooter as posted with Mitch and a few others
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Chris what was the name of the guitar shop down Belgrave or Melton Road just past Spence Street (swimming baths)
I bought my Precision Bass and amp there on tick of course, but can’t remember the name, had to pay the HP from my paper rounds
Different world then
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Moored and Stanworths. You could hardly get in Saturday afternoons.
TonyW
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Moore and Stanworth, I bought my pre CBS blonde tele from there in early ‘65 £123 on the never never
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Hey thanks guys
of course I remember it when someone tells me, i reckon it was the only place to get the instrument you wanted back then, may have been a place up London Road though.
Yeah Saturday’s were packed and the people behind the counter knew what they were talking about. My Fender Bass was about that too both probably worth 10 times that now.
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yeah, Sound Pad on London Rd was somewhat later unless you meant Chamberlains?
And yes be worth something now 🙂
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Chamberlains Chris , sold pianos too?, I don’t recall Soundpad sounds a bit more modern 😂
Thanks again you guys great memories of a special time short but sweet and live with me still.
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When did Gobi become Tony Esquire, weird question about a weird guy
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IMG_0774.jpg
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Clipped from a random Family blog
Most of you will know this but I didn’t know his surname!
“The last-named “Burlesque” is, of course, the subject of Family’s current single and it was back in 1965 that their manager Tony Gourvish used to work the clubs as Tony Esquire (known less reverently to the locals as “Gobi Gourvish” due to his gift of the gab) and sat on the seat of his Lambretta with all the aplomb of a man who had a mink collar to his anorak.”
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Just picked up on this great blog from 60’s Leicester. So many memories and posted some of them
Alive and kicking in North Wales
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Thanks Tony, Mitch was a great guy and lived life to the full,went to Il Rondo with him in his trademark target Who top, girls always went crazy at him! Went 2 up on his Scooter to Skeg once and he left me there, typical Mitch, though got me lift back with one of the Blaby scooters, short life well lived.
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That was Mitch. There one minute…gone the next.
I remember him being totally pissed, he been nicked by the police and taken to Charles Street. They found this old beyond one of his pockets. It had been there months.
So funny.
Loved the guy and I always wanted a full length green leather coat.
Russ, stay safe. We must have rubbed shoulders a lot.
Tony
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Forgot his long green leather what a style!
We must have crossed paths Tony you were a face as I recall, I was very into the mod scene 1964-67, (probably pre Green bowler days ) then moved for various reasons to Butlins Clacton with another scooter guy Vaughan
I had been in a band formed at school Size 5, but I left school at 16 & the other band members stayed on , I bought my GS on my 16th birthday, a local guy Colin Topliss taught me to ride, he went out with my sister and worked in a fashion shop down Belgrave road,
I took my bass guitar to Butlins and joined a band there but a big fire burnt the lot!
I remember Broodly Hoo when Phil Wright started , Stu Milton was on bass and the drummer before Rob Townsend was Guy Morton a school friend of mine and a close friend of Stu’s
Also seem to remember a band Beatniks,
Saw Legay a fair bit , could have been massive given the breaks.
Great times and memories flooding back
Keep safe and well
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I went to school with Rob. Ellis Avenue. He always said I was his protege.
Last time I met him was at Family farewell gig at the Rainbow. Tony Ashton on piano.
What bloody great days to grow up in.
When I saw Quadrophenia Sting reminded me of Mitch. The Ace Face in a full length leather jacket.
Stay safe.
Tony.
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Yes he was the Ace Face and I felt the same when watching it, there’s was a lad from Nottingham that looked just the same too but name’s gone (I’m thinking another Davy but unsure). He rode out in Skegness when I was over there , with about 50 scooters
Was there ever a club in Leicester called Oodly-Boodly or am I imaging it all.?
Tom and Plumb were mates with the guy I went Clacton with Vaughan Patrick from Wigston way
If you guys are retired I must have done something wrong as I am still full on in this f**kin lockdown
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Hahaha doing what?
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I have IT businesses so very busy with a lot of remote working, planned to step back a bit when I was 65 but that was 2013 & no sign of it happening yet.
Be ok when I can get the scooter out and gigs kick off again, but for now it’s full on
Wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger – great song
Keep safe you lot
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👍🥳
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just remembered I got my parka, later nicked outside Dungeon Notts, from Wakefields in the old market place, got a replacement there too.
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I had a fully loaded lambretta GT 200 and frequented the Green Bowler, Nocturn and the Nautique. We went to Skegness. We were at the Bowler when the rockers came over and pushed all the scooters over that were parked outside.
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Hi Greg, thanks for the comment. I’d forgotten all about the Nocturne! Can’t even remember where it was but I know I went too! I’m not sure, but I may have mixed up the Nautique and the Nocturne. Can you remind me where they were? Cheers.
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Actually, I think the Nocturne may have been at the end of King Street just down from the Chameleon. I think the same owner turned it into Mr. Brown’s Sandwich Bar which I believe it still is now.
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Hi Greg,i was there too.didnt have my scooter outside though.
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I was in the Green Bowler when the Rockers pushed mine and other scooters over.The Cafe owner Vince stood by the door to stop us getting out till they had gone.A few of us went round to their cafe (Roman?) and the pillion passengers threw bottles at them and this ended in a bit of chasing round the Town.
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Hi Ian.
It was Pete the name of the owner and his partner or wife Jane
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Hi Greg,You must have been around at the same time as me….I had a Lambretta 150S at the time and I came up from Reading which was drawn on the back of my Parka along with a picture of a Lambretta.(This too was fully loaded)I do remember a few people i.e Jim.Melly (both from New Parks) and Kathy from Birstall…Ian
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Hi. I now own the Cobra Venom “007” Scoot pictured, and am trying to find the person who had it built at Classic scooters in Nottingham (no longer trading) Where was this pic taken ?? Previous owner ? any info/ help much appreciated.
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Hi Pete, that’s really interesting. I took the picture at a mod exhibition at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery in August 2013. There is a link here: http://www.northampton.gov.uk/news/article/1638/scooter-enthusiasts-zoom-to-mods-exhibition.
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Thanks for that, forgot to say great article !!!
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The Nautic and the Nocturn were the same place; just inside Wharf St next to the Three Cranes.
After it closed they opened up again as the Long Ship, opposite the Odeon Cinema in Rutland Street
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Thanks for the clarification. It all makes sense now. I remember both places well!
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Hi Bobby ,didnt realise that.went to the nautique in 66 and used to go to the Long ship,so at least i know it was after 66 now,thanks
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I got the fur nicked off my scooter when parked outside the Nautique,bastards
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I was in the same class at beaumont leys with Dave Buswell, scary lol.
Spent most of my time int the Roman on woodgate, even scary Bus well wasn’t welcome there. We’d taunt the the bowler crowd for fun, usually two of us would walk in when it was crowded, buy a coffee and leave, could have dropped a pin.
Saw love affair at il rondo, actually playing their instruments, saw Geno there.
Best leicester group were Mozzletoff Wednesday night at the casino.
Great times.
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I am Tim Coupe the first owner of the cobra venom ,you will see my name in the front mud guard paint work.Very nice to see the scoot looking really good ,is it still in the same condition.
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Hi Tim great to see your comment, I now own the scoot. I bought it off e-bay from the guy you sold it to & had it shipped to Greece where I live and work now. I tried to trace you without any luck when I first bought it back in 2014 to find history & engine speck. The scoot is still pristeen with less than 100km on the clock. Would be great to get in touch to learn more about the scoot. Regards Pete
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Hi Tim still trying to get in touch.
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We were the first mods (faces )in Leicester 1963 / 1964
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Hello Steph,good to see you on here.
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Chris nice job. Remember The Churchill on Silver Street. We used to meet up before shooting off to a party.
Tony Weston Hal C Blake
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Hi Tony,hope your well.yes I remember it well.are you in the states now,?
Tosser,sorry Tony Dev told me you were there?
Tony did we meet up at Northampton market around 92/3,Jim wasn’t there that day I believe,sure we did but you know how the pills fkd some of our memory cells lol.
Great memories of you and Hal C.do you still have the Tele?
Best
Chris
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Hi Steph
I remember you well. Had some good conversations with you at the Fuddyduddy circa 1968! I remember you being a pretty good guitarist as well. Jelly used to talk about you a lot when we met up at the Roma cafe shortly before he passed away. How are things?
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Not true steph. I was there Mike Ash.
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Hi Chris, he must have been an age
I remember Geoff vaguely what school did he go to? & I do remember you in the Kenco from your picture.
No not me playing a gig, just catching a mod band like old times, my wife is a big Jam fan -a good bit younger than me- but she treated me to The Who at Wembley in 2019, not the Il Rondo though!
Still got a piano and guitar but fingers not so good (other than for mouse use), so just play for me and the wife, for fun and memories, I guess I’m a lucky guy though still living the dream
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Hi guys,
Yes I remember Rum… and the time Mitch tried it on outsideCowlings.
Crazy.
First time I saw The Who was at the hinkley ball room the Saturday after the Friday they played their first gig in Ready, Steady, Go. Where Pete smashed his guitar up…
At Hinkley he was bouncing a Telecaster on the stage, inches from my nose. Moon was kicking is drums over at the end.
Incredible. Shame I missed Chris smashing up the tv at the Casino. I was at the bar.
Saw some great bands at Hinkley. The Artwoods one of them with Ronnie Wood playing his striped Tele and his brother Arthur singing.
Memories you could never see today.
Stay safe.
Tony
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Hey Russ
Who did you play with back in the day?
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Russ
I think Geoff was a grammar school lad maybe Aldermanewtons,his family had the Lapworths removals. Do you remember Mick Grady and Sunny Hill? And the pretty Swedish? girl who served at Kenco and The Nortique ,her name was Enya.
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Thanks Chris
Thought it might be him, I was at City Boys Humberstone Gate & came across him as a schoolboy, we sailed Norfolk Broads with OldMan Newton’s kids in the summer, yes removals firm ! Mick Grady I recall but not Sunny . The scandie girl I wouldn’t forget a ‘looker’
Tony – we started a band at school Size 5 others were Steve Harrison, on drums, Phil Greaves on lead (really good guitarist)& Mick Lindsay on rhythm used to practice in the scout hut down near the Lido on Uppingham Road, played a gig at Pork Pie Library down Saffron Lane, too loud and unappreciated & didn’t get paid.
, I left school at 16 & they stayed on not sure
what happened to the band though. I played a few fill in gigs on bass, but to be honest I wasn’t much good back then., failed a couple of auditions & lost heart, but picked up about 25 years ago with my kids.
I played at Butlins Clacton back in 67 until the theatre burnt down with all our kit in it.
Only went to Hinckley a couple of times Wynder K Frog I think was one gig,
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Russ.
I lived on Scraptoft Lane a fe2 doors from the Trocodero. Went to Gateway Boys and went on a two week sailing school at Mareham, Norfolk, the Broads. Went with Deke and Clive.
Small world. Chris may know them from the Churchill?
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Tony, Used to go to the Troc as a kid ABC Minors with my sister 3d, first ‘proper’ date with a girl & I’m sure I saw the Stones live there in 66, is that likely or a muddled memory?
Small world us living that close with me in Goodwood, my paper rounds were from Whiteheads the other side of Humbo Park to you.
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Hey Russ,
Small world again. Yes I saw the Stones there too. The original line up with Brian Jones.
Who was the support band?
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Russ
You were on about the guy who may have started Boy? Didn’t he hang around in the early days with Pete Stephan who opened up A Nice One in Silver Street and married LindaHefford?
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The ABC Minors, Saturday mornings. Flash Gordon. Yea IWas there too?
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Hi There, Yep, they played the Troc. My dad was friends with the manager, and got me and a mate tickets, row 3. They were really good, although Mick’s voice was still at the ‘wobbly’ stage, trying hard to maintain the note.
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Hollies backed them dont know who else , odd fact just sent some Hollies vinyl I got locally to a mate in LA who’s an avid 60’s vinyl man.
Don’t know much about A Nice One Tony, but wouldn’t be surprised by a connection, it was a small group really back then.
Do you remember two lads Roger & Rick setting up R&R Autos down Rushey Fields in the old army camp buildings, repaired my scooter one time and did a few others.
Roger was with Mary Hook mod girl from down Chris’s way. I think
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No. I don’t remember them. Mary Hook I may have met a couple of times.
Who did you see at the Granby Halls?
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Blimey mate where to start
Shotgun Express and Steampacket parked their buses at the side, so Brian Auger , Julie Driscoll, Baldry, Rod the Mod , Arthur Brown, Cream , Family, Animals, – most of these were Rag Balls, also odd ones like Peter Jay, Honeycombs, Dave Berry, & loads of others Local bands Legay, Broodly Hoo, , did you play there?
I remember queuing all night in Charles Street ( old council/electricity offices) for tickets for De Mont & someone put Halfords window in, next year queued at De Mont all night with Maria Rossa – posh mod sort dad was Rossa’s icecream, for Stones tickets
I must have been 14/15 my old man went barmy,
Do you remember Yardbirds at Rondo. What a great band Keith Relf was outstanding the night I saw them
Funny how I remember peoples first names & their rides
Bill. -had a Sportique withchrome bubbles,
Carol -only girl I knew with her own scoot -cream Vespa GL
Wal with a gold sportique
Gordon – a Lambo GT 200
Paul – an old LD 150
Tich a TV175
Rupert with a weird Capri- I went out with his sister
I had a grey GS 150 (VS5)
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Hey Russ:
Played the gig with Arthur Brown at the Rag Ball at the University. He was such a quiet, educated dude. Smoked a pipe like a professor.
We came off stage and I turned the corner and there he was in the wings with that bloody helmet on fire…. scarred the f<#$% out of me. Interesting story his drummer asked if he would join us and I told him no we had a great drummer. He said how about a roady??? Said no. nice young guy. Saw him next year and he was drumming in Atomic Rooster…..Bloody not only Carl Palmer!!! Like I said you can't make this shit up.
Saw Peter Jay and Terry Reid was the singer. Didn't make much of an impression until a few years later.
I remember the offices on Charles Street and YES I queued up for the same bloody Stones tickets.
Their first gig at De Mont right? Come on had just been number one?
Steam Packet there's a memory.
Keep 'em coming. They really were the good old days.
Tony
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Steph did you go on and create Boy? If so I bought some of your stuff when I was living down in Camden for a time I remember you and Jelly (Nixon) in the Burlesque, he was DJ at the time, you were the first ‘faces’ I can recall in Leicester, I was 16 in 1964 so just a kid and just got my scooter, where did 50+ years go?
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Hey Russ
I remember Boy. Wasn’t the McClarren and Vivian Westwood???
Tony (Hal C)
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Hi Tony I recall Steph going to London and later getting into the fashion scene and punk culture, I think he set up Boy Clothing and maybe with those ‘names’ , he was always into his sense of style
A quick question is there an archive of the Mod exhibition from 2019 at the New Walk Museum, wouldn’t mind a look at that.
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Russ
https://www.modculture.co.uk/mods-shaping-a-generation/
Book by Shaun Knapp and also youtube has a few vids on the exhibition
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Chris
Thanks. Steph was ahead of the curve. Still can’t believe about Paul Smith.
When you got to know him he was a pussycat.
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Tony
I’m glad you found the good side of Paul,Angie Pollock an old friend of us both saw that in him too, I caught a glimpse when 1 in the morning police were harassing me as I was a target for the drug squad and they stopped me down high st, Paul came along and told them to fuck off and let me stay at his mum and dads that night and made me egg and toast next morning,lol, Did you ever meet Ricky Millar in Skegness?
Safe
Chris
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Chris
I cant remember the name. I had a shop in the High Street…Bogeys…74 to 81..
Knew a lot of the folks. Most of them into Northern Soul, Wigan and Cleethorpes. Made a lot of baggies for them.
Tony
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Tony
Chris Epton was a good friend then and we’ve kept in touch, last saw him in Skegness 2013.I worked the donkeys with him ‘69, are you not on Facebook?if not why not? Lol
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Working in the software industry and on the phones all bloody day, Facebook never appealed. Linked In I’m on. Get on and send me a link.
You know I can’t believe our lives crossed and touched so much. Weird. You ended up in the industry too?
Best of
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No, I was a barber Tony.
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Hi Russ
There are some YouTube videos re the Mod exhibition plus did you buy the book by Shaun Knapp
https://www.modculture.co.uk/mods-shaping-a-generation/
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Gonna order the book tonight it’s on Amazon, would have liked to see the exhibition when it was on and will visit the link. Thanks for the pointers
I posted before, there was a mod coffee bar in the street running alongside New Walk. , can’t remember it’s name but I remember me & Mitch there a couple of times had a really good juke box of our music
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Found the road Princes Road Backways but I don’t recall it being that name and can’t remember the name of the coffee bar
Anyone remember Kenny from Francis Motors on Uppingham Road first kid I recall turning up in a customised mini really sharp dresser
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Chameleon ?
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Sounds right to me Chris, memory I have was Georgie Fame always playing on the box & Mitch ‘blocked’ sat on the step, 😊
Noticed you got pulled by drug squad , was it a tarty young girl ? I saw her operating in the coffee bar under Lee Street car park back of the Palais, harassing some poor sod,
My books’s on its way thanks
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Russ
No I was talking about in Skegness where I lived for a couple of years,got done eventually ,made the Leicester Mercury,I tried to arrest a copper,been on green and clears for 2 nights and was paranoid, he had a walk-in talkie with cello tape around it hence thought he was false copper so told him I was going to arrest him, unfortunately one of those tiny 7wt vans came along and arrested me lol.
Tony Paul was well into the drugs at the time.
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The crazy shit we did…what a life. Did you know Mandy Smith Paul’s sister?
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Tony. I was in Skegness from 69/72 so yes I saw her a couple of times but she was only a kid then , are you still in touch?
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Hey Chris
We split up years ago. Sadly she passed away two weeks ago. She was only 59.
The last of her family.
Stay well and keep those memories alive.
Tony.
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Tony,how sad to hear.no age 59. I was so pissed off I missed being able to see Paul again by about 12 months,got to speak to his next door neighbour,old Boston lad.gutted.
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There was a Leicester band called Spring end of the 60’s when I came up from Clacton, never saw them though.
Did see The Action at Boat Club in Nottingham and anyone remember a band called Fleur de Lys at Il Rondo
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Hey Russ,
Played a couple of times with Spring supporting us. The Action what a band the Il Rondo?
The boat clubs, great nights. Played them too.
saw Zoot Moneys Big Roll Band there.
Romberg Wynder K Frog ?
Mitch put his Hammond organ on his shoulder and carried it upstairs at the Burlesque.
What a guy.
Take care.
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Hi Chris thanks to you and Tony for the link to Shaun’s books, half way through one now & realise I should have read it sooner as it answers a lot if my questions. Now I’ve seen your picture I remember you and did see you play abs on your scooter. I remember Tom introducing me to a girl down Ashleigh Road Aileen , I also went out with a Kathy from down Wilberforce Rd (your knack of the woods) I crashed my scooter in the Narborough Rd South dual carriageway when it was built too. Went to the Roxy with a girl from work a couple of times.
As a barber did you know Graham Penny who set up Stag and Steve Wain? I was good friends with them when I came back to Leicester in 70’s
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Hi Russ
Wow that’s interesting stuff, I’ll ask around if anyone knew Kath.
Yes I knew Graham though not well and of Steve, did you come across Paul Coles who worked at Stagg in the 70’s , he was our drummer when Moth joined Legay.Geraldine was there too
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Hi Tony, thanks to you and Chris I have got Shaun’s books and reading one which I should have done sooner to answer my questions. It all comes back and so vivid when you read it, Chris’ bit about the life as a Mod is pure Quadrophenia and nails it, as you said you couldn’t make it up, it really did happen. Due to the passage of time I hadn’t put Otis and Hal C in context (although I knew it at the time), but of course you were not Tony to me! I can see you on your scooter and having seen the band picture I recognise you too and of course sat opposite the Cadena with Mitch and others – John, Frank etc just floods it back. I’ll probably give it a rest for a bit having got over excited, a couple of blues should sort me, lol
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Lol I often think that I should have stashed a few blues away for a rainy day.
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Russ
It takes a while to clear the fog. Sean did another great book on the sixties and the music.
High Flying Around.
Chris I remember from the Churchill of all places and never connected him to smashing the TV set at the Casino until he mentioned it.
Those times were magical and I feel sorry for the kids today. Nothing like the times we had.
Stay safe.
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http://jackthatcatwasclean.blogspot.com/2011/10/lost-tribes-of-leicestershire-mods-by.html?m=1
This was the original article from the illustrated chronicle 2010.aMark Charlton from the Mercury asked me to say a bit about my memories.
I remembered I’ve still got my blue knee length leather bought from Irish in 65. Came in blue black Martin or green, about £22 . I still wear it from time to time.
Otis. I remember clearly you riding down Churchgate on your Vespa,looked ace. Made my LI 150 look a pile of crap lol.
Also parked outside Cowlings across from Cadena and Alex Barrow pulls up in his big Yankee car a hooker on each arm lol. Brill
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Hi Chris, half way through the 2nd book now, interesting stuff
I remember Paul at Stag didn’t know his other name but thought he was in a band, Geraldine cut my hair if Graham was busy.
Steve I think moved down to Devon (Ilfracombe?)
Old memory, I ‘slept’ in the launderette up Narborough Road (about opposite Ashleigh Rd, after a late night gig with Eileen ( but called herself Tracy) last name gone, got kicked out by police at 5 in the morning weird days!
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Hi Tony & Chris, finished the 2nd book and enjoyed them both, lots of memories sparked off.
Do you remember ‘Rum Weather’ the gentleman of the road with his bag of belongings, Mitch tried to get him on the back of his scooter once outside Cowlings, not havin it and stalked off with his usual
Also
I got done for spraying Crazy Foam on a suits umbrella outside Kenco, no sense of humour and got bound over
Have to laugh now,
Just been out on my scooter first time in nearly a year, pot holes are bigger than me now!
Got a gig in Liverpool in October Bruce Foxton From the Jam good even for a revivalist band
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Hi Russ
Yes Rum Weather,he passed away a few years ago,in I think Northampton or maybe Kettering. Great character.just remembered Geoff Lapworth,do you remember him, we were always in the Kenco.
So just to be clear,you are still gigging?
Cheers
Chris
Ps, it’s 2 years today since mod book launch
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Hi everybody from the green bowler anybody remember charlie giles
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Hi Charlie,i dont recall your name but if you were a regular there our paths must have crossed because if i wasnt playing in the band i would be in the Bowler,any old photos from back then ?
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Hey Chris
The old days. . .
I bought that Telly from the lead guitarist in the Bow Street Runners for 68 Quid. He had gotten it from Eric Clapton. I swapped it for a strat.
Great days. Never thought they would remain so fresh.
Tosser and some of the band stay in touch. I moved to the States in 93. I did bump into Rod Stewartbut we did not talk. He was always having around town at the Burlesque and the motorway cafe.
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Hi Tony,great to hear from you.are you on FB?amazing re the Tele history.Tony tells me if hes spokedn to you,hes in mexico at the mo.anyway if your on FB hope to see you on there.
all the best
Chris
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Chris
Email me westonfuels@gmail.com when you get time. Do you have Shaun Knapsack email too.
Tony Hal C
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Will do Tony,I hear we had a mutual friend in a mr Paul Smith 🙂
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The world gets smaller…his shop in Nottingham was really small. Nice guy.
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Lol no Tony,I’m talking about Skinhead Paul Smith from Skegness,originally from Sheffield and not someone to cross 🙂
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Wow, yea he is also a great guy. We had a shop that made clothes for the Wigan and Cleethorpes Northern Soul guys. Another set of happy days. Seems fashion, and music go hand in hand.
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Hi Charlie, I remember you. You used to live on the St Matthews Estate in Leicester didn’t you. Regards and best wishes Steve
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Wow, there’s a few names there I forgot. The Nocturne, The Fuddyduddy. Here’s two more I don’t see mentioned. The Latin Quarter on Belgrave Road near Abbey Park Road and Alex Barrow’s The Roaring Forties club near London Road Station. The Roaring Forties was probably inspired by the short period Family changed their name to to The Roaring Sixties, itself most likely inspired by the film Bonnie and Clyde. Alex Barrow used to play bongo with The Farinas/Family from time to time. There’s a bit more on the late ’60s in Leicester on my blog.
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The Latin Quarter was small and we played there. We were down there to see Solomon Burke. in those days visiting Americans had to have equity musicians. A Scottish band called Clockwork Orange backed Burke. The was a definite organ sound present and we followed the leads to a back room, an old changing room and there playing away was a guy that looked like a schoolboy. He wore great and a small school tie and had short back and sides.
I asked the lead guitarist who he was. They said the stage was so small they had to put him in the back and he didn’t get on with him. He said his name was… Reg…Reg Dwight.
A few years later I saw him singing his first song on tv. He was called Elton John then.
A lot of mention of places. What about bands like Fearns Brass Foundry… Duece Coup…
Tony Weston. Hal C Blake
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Loved Deuce Coup,great harmonies. Paul Smith died 2013. Mod exhibition is good,you would love it
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Please,please, does anyone out there remember the name of the nightclub that was situated near the old Provincial Garage, Uppingham Road, Kitchener Road area? It was there mid to late sixties. I think the opening band was the Animals and I do know that Pink Floyd played there before they were well known.
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Fifth Dimension?
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We were the resident house band, along with Ten Years After. It was the 5th Dimension.
Tony Weston. Hal C Blake.
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Hey Tony, I was there that night, and if I remember correctly, and it was the same night, it was Bluesology backing Solomon Burke. He was incredibly late as their kit got stuck on stage at Clouds, Derby I think. Tried to talk to the band, and all were amicable, apart from one obstreperous person; guess who? lol.
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Hey Fred. That’s the night. He was an asshole then and has not changed. He was down the BlueBoar one Saturday after a gig and he crying eyes out because his boyfriend, one of the saxophone players in Geno’s band had blew him out.
What unbelievable days.
TonyW
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Only got to 5th Dimension once, in 1967, went to watch Herbie Goins as Id’ seen them before and a bit of a cult following, did you support them on this gig Tony, I never got to go there again though.
my book’s just arrived too!
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Russ
No we did not. We were the resident Sunday night band every two weeks. I was stopped coming off M1 by the guys from Pink Floyd, Waters and Sid Barret. They were playing the 5th Dimension. Took them there and went back later. We had great night partying. Great guys.
What a fun night.
You just can’t make this shit sound real. But it was.
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Alex also had a ska bar in Conduit Street, I remember talking to him once about his fights with Jonny Prescott
Hard man Alex but I got in ok with him, he had a mate called Raleigh Walters 😊
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Hi, Someone on here mentioned the Peep Hole Club Wharf St Leicester.
Yes I can remember going to it in 1963 or 64; It was a terraced house down Wharf St on the left hand side maybe 250yds from the Three Cranes. Everything
painted black, no lights only dim light over the DJ Tony Gobi who was shit faced as usual and he had just got Al Capone by Prince Buster which he played every other record. A great time but got me loads of trouble with my parents as my elder sister spotted me coming out in the morning and told my parents. The Burlesque on Humberstone Road was also a great place while it lasted, its now a petrol station. What was the name of the Beatnick place just down Churchgate on the right or was it Bond Street? Cant remember but they wouldn’t let me in. Also I went to the Back Door Club somewhere around Albion / Chatham St in a pub but again cant place it now as it was 63, 64, 65 ish. Regards to you all John
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Bryan,was the roaring forties where an everton supporter got killed about 67? so the House of Happiness was around the corner from the station?
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The beatnik place you mention was probably in Bond Street, opposite the Bond St Working Mens’ Club. Forgot the name. The back door club was upstairs in the De Montfort, Wellington St. So called because the entrance was around the back and up fire exit stairs
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The Beatnik place I think was Bond Street coffee bar upstairs and Peter Smith’s Pit downstairs, I saw Moody Blues there live doing Go Now.
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Yes I saw Geno Washington in The Peephole Club, I seem to remeber it was in an old house scheduled for demolition, My brother in law to be Scots Jim Rosen ran it. I was there with Andy Doolin. good old days. My brother Bob Sutton used to flog his striped tank tops around the Churchill and Il Rondo from the back of his Reliant Robin. Talking of Rockers what about the Castle Cafe!!
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Was this El Casa Bolero ?
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Sorry it was Jim Roseman !
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Jimmy Rose?
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Jim Roseman worked at the Peephole, seem to remember Geoge the hairdresser was doing the entrance at the Burlesque. Farinas playing at the Casino, late night picture shows at the Cameo High Street.
Everyone just mooching about from clubs to coffee shops and back ,
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Yes good times Jacky
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I enjoyed reading Kenny Wilson’s blog as I too grew up in the 1950s/1960s and lived in the Knighton area. In my teens I played rhythm guitar and sang vocals in a group called the Three Quarters the line up of which was Pete Gumley, myself Gareth Mills and Johnny Haynes. Pete played lead guitar and Johnny was on percussion. We mainly played Shadows instrumentals. Is the Pete Gumley who replied to Kenny’s blog the Pete Gumley I used to play with in the 1960s ?
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Anyone remember the spittal house? Think over the road to the red cow
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Sorry, don’t know that at all.
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The Spittlehouse, was just up the road from Painter Street, Charles Keene College.
Originally a pub, it became a cafe before being demolished in the late 60’s or 70’s
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What an excellent piece. Brought happy memories for my other half. From what he can remember !!!!!
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Anybody at the Stax Roadshow at Granby Halls. Booker t, The markets, Aurthur Connelly, Carla Thomas, Sam and Dave and Otis Reading.
Incredible night.
Tony (Hal C)
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Yep, I was there Tony; how are you?
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Nice to hear from you. I’m great. How’s things back home?
Did you get to the Ike and Tina Turner Review at the Granby Halls too? Fabulous night.
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Yep, I sure was Tony. How’s things?
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Blimey yes I did; we were so fortunate in those times. What are you up to now? I’m retired, and living in Spain. Love it
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Emigrated to the US 26 years ago. What a brilliant move. They love the Brits and my career took off. Retired now. What a life. Funny thing we were asked to open for the Stax show at the Granby Halls, I turned it down. How could we go on doing Booker T and Otis Redding covers when the real thing, my heroes were up next and in the wings.
What a time the late sixties were in Leicester.
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What about Steam Packet ( Brian Auger, Rod the Mod etc) also same gig with Arthur Brown (with his head on fire) Cream & local band Broodly Hoo! Phil on vocals /brass, his dad had electrical shop on Green Lane Road
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Tony did you do a gig Peterborough way in 67 or 68, my sister lived over there by then and went to see Peter Green and she says there were some Leicester bands on but can’t remember who they were ? I was down in Clacton by then I think.
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Russ
Yes. Whittelsey. Fleet wood Mac, Fairport Convention. Check it out on ukrockfestivals.
The Move, Amen Corner. Great couple of days.
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Thanks for that Tony, she’ll be pleased to hear she remembered right, I’ll have a look at that link. How did a big gig like that end up out there in the sticks. We did live in funny times though.
Did you ever support Chris Farlowe, he was the first band when the Nite Owl opened around Christmas 66, I was there and at a few others too.
In answer to earlier yes I do remember Wynder K Frog saw then at Nite Owl and at Clouds Derby
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Hey Russ
No never supported Chris Farlowe. Did support Eddie Floyd, Alan Bown, Jimmy James at the Nite Owl.
You think back and how many superstars played the same gigs, too many. Rod Stewart still owes me for a bottle of whiskey…
The George Ballroom Hinkley another great spot. Saw the Who the Saturday after their first Ready Steady Go spot were they smashed their equipment.
Wow.
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Does anyone know the name of the coffee bar on West Bridge 1950/1960?
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The White Cat?
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Just seen this site! Wow! I was a big Il Rhondo fan… lived at Thurnby Lodge .. my sister and I used to walk 8 miles home after a great nite in Leicester… Hazel and Barbara Shewring… we were good friends with Jim and Terry Gannon.. but in those days, a lot of people were ! Brilliant memories xxx
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Great to hear from you Hazel. Good times indeed! 8 miles to Thurnby Lodge? I think I could have shown you shorter way or was that the round trip?
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I lived in Goodwood and walked home from the Rag Balls at Granby Halls not as far though, used come through Charnnie passed Paddy’s Swag Shop, laughing all the way
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Hi Russ
Yes saw that Corn Exchange gig. seem to remember it was afternoon sat?
Kenco Cadina Green Bowler Chameleon scooter,Do you remember Tom and Plumb, rode SX200? I used to cut Mitch’s hair, what happened to him?
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Hi Chris I didn’t know you were a hairdresser?
Russ… Paddy’s Swag….what a memory
Tony W
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HinTony,
I must be thinking of another Mitch who worked at the BU, often wore a green leather,tall lad dark hair looked a little like John Entwistle..
Yes was a hairdresser from ‘74-2018
How you doing. Must ask you. Were you still with Hal-C at a gig Frollicking Kneecap Xmas eve snowing your van broke down and you all had to hitch a ride back home, my band was on also and iPad and Gray Morris had an altercation with your bassist John Savage lol
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Yes I remember being stuck outside Great Glen and we walked home in the bloody snow. Left the van.
Everything is good and staying safe. How are you. As soon as this crap is done I will be coming over so Tosser and the old band will get together . You’d be welcome. What a night, parkas and old mods…
You can still recognize them, it’s the old haircuts.
Nice one Chris.
Tony (Otis)
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It was a Saturday
Yes I remember Tom (Hunt)?) & Plumb rode with Dick Hollis another madman. and Mini (Marsden?)
If I’m remembering the right guys, so many come back to me
You must have been a decent hairdresser as Mitch was very fussy about how it looked. See the other post from Tony about Mitch’s sad passing.
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Hi Russ and Tony(Otis)
Russ it was a different Mitch,I realised when sadly Tony mentioned his early passing. I didn’t take up the scissors till ‘74, Still wonder what happened to the Mitch I’m referring to.Yes it was Tom Hunt with Plumb.I also in very later years had a guy come to my barber shop asking if I knew how to get hold of a guitarist from the Beatnicks, this guy was the bass and was writing a book.anyhow I then cut his hair for about 2 years but sadly he died and he never finished the book.Russ !I know Tony from his Band Hal C Blake,my band Cert X,later Vrpfranie often did gigs together, Tony do you remember at the Casino London Rd,I smashed a telly with an axe and cut straight through I think a speaker lead or maybe guitar lead of HalC’s.those rag ball Granby Hall gigs with The Who usually topping the bill were great. My mate asked Jon Entwistle to give him his union jack jacket as Hohn passed to the bar,he told him to fuck if lol.Tony do you remember we met at Northampton mkt ‘93, Jim wasn’t with you that day.and that girl from Skegness surname Smith you went with was the sis of the real hard case Skin Paul Smith,you got away with that,I’ve seen him take some tasty lads down with one habpnd behind his back.
Who was in the Palaus in a Sunday when we heard tragic news on a mod lad getting killed coming back on a ride to Skegness,must have been ‘66?
Saw Danny Norman in Town the other day,he’s still got a good head of moddushky cropped hair.
Be good to see you Tony if you get back to leicester.
Happy days
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Hi Chris
Mitch was a big lad and had an Entwistle look but more a Moon the Loon, his on/off girlfriend Jenny used to nurse him through Sunday ‘come down’
The scooter lad killed wax with me that morning in Skeg and , was coming back to see his girlfriend Sheila Hit a fire engine head on at Wainfleet double bends , police rousted us on the seafront to go and identify him, bad scene, , he was Mick? from up Scraptoft way and we all went to his funeral
Some Bad times as well as good , I think I remember Pete Smith could be a nasty bugger
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Russ, weird that both Mitch’shad the entwistle look,tall and long green leather,I worked the donkeys in Skegness 69/70/ stayed winter ‘71 ,.big amphet scene over that time, did you work in Skegness too? It was Paul Smith ,originally a Sheffield lad and Chris Kirk Ricky Millar Pedro Smalley etcetc were the gang, great days.
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Excuse the messed up words,predictive is playing up plus just woke up and typing with one eye shut lol
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We’re you ever at Moto Baldets in Northampton, I remember meeting a Chris there when getting some chrome for my GS that Readers couldn’t get?
Tom lived down Narborough road way j think, went to a new year party in a girls house with him and others Dick set the house on fire , by accident I think.
What was the little clothes shop opposite Lewis’ next to Bell Hotel, I bought some stuff there that The Irish hadn’t got
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Yes Tom lived off Hinckley Rd ,used to go in the Modena before heading to town.no I lived in Northants for a year but that was 92/3 ,I lived Evesham Rd back in 60’s near the Roxy
Where area did you live,
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Just seen a very old photo and the little clothes shop in Humberstone Gate was also the Irish (must have been part of the Silver Arcade setup, ) I bought a leather Levi jacket there , still fits like a glove 😊 I wish,
Mad Dick put a pair of trousers under his own in the changing room and walked out, got away with it too!
Pub next door was Admiral Nelson which served me at 16!
I had a girlfriend in Loughborough (cousin to Chris Hawker a mod girl from Leicester,) used to meet at a coffee bar on the corner of Leicester rd and Ashby rd & get chased off by Loughborough greasers , gotta laugh now.
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Chris
Yes I remember. The Casino you guys borrowed our kit and Ray Percival rushed over to tell me you were smashing up the tv. I remember you had a nasty cut from the screen explosion.
Northampton I remember. Now I’m putting names to faces. Is Jimm still going? He had a heart attack years back.
That Paul Smith. I was with his sister for eleven years. He was a hard case but he was older than the mod days I would have thoughtand hung out local. Hard but we got on on.
I bet you knew him from the days you were there.
Take care dude, you nearly gave me a bloody heart attack with the TV stunt. Bless Carl Wayne and Ronnie Wood.
Tony
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Hahaha Tony
Yes fun wasn’t it.
In fact Paul Smith was younger by about 2 years than us.
Him and Chris Kirk were the 2 skinhead leaders of the Skegness skins but this was only from 70/72 then as you know it faded and most of us started to grow our hair again lol.
I spoke to Jim 2 years ago ,was supposed to meet him at the New walk Museum Mod exhibition but we missed each other.
He’s doing ok though.
If I remember my Marshall cab went flying that night too lol.
I looked Paul up in Skegness 2013,sadly missed his death by a few months. Did you know any other Skegness lads back then?
PS. Anybody here on Facebook,if so please send me a friend request
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Was the lad killed at Wainfleet’s girlfriend called Sheila Murray.I was in the Palais when she came crying telling me and they played a tune for him after announcing it
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Not sure of her last name but she was from around County Arm Blaby area.
I lived up on Goodwood , Uppingham Road & Evington area, then hit a flat off Highfield Street (very rough). I remember being with Tom in Modena and Chucky In for late nite faggots & peas!
I came back at the end of 1st season, but all seemed to have changed in those few months or maybe I changed? Got in a bit of bother nothing too serious and went back to Butlins. They kept me on full time and I did a stint Skegness & at most camps ending up at Bognor Regis
Just for interest I saw Geno live in Liverpool fairly recently same show great stuff! We also have an old rock club Tivoli Buckley, local bands, tributes and old rockers, best show was From the Jam with Bruce Foxton one of the best bass players ever, I know second wave mods but all the local scooter boys and mods still turn up, like a Night Owl gig.
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Great times. I wonder if Tom and Plumb are still with us.
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That would be good to know. Dick was also a great character and wild man. Him and Plumb were always around the Cadena.
Chris stay safe. Let us know if their were two Mitchs who crashed away. Sounds very much like it.
Tony
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Been a while but posting a catch up, nostalgic trip to Brighton to see This is the Modern World exhibition, gigs From the Jam and Style Council, I know not original mod stuff but my wife was into The Jam and I met some good old timers from 60’s . Last time I went was 1964 on my Vespa happy days., bought an LO at auction that’s got Fearns Brass Foundy track
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Hey Russ
Was that Don’t Change t? Great song. Played with them a lot. Interesting gig at Netherhall Youth Club, us and Fearns and Legay.
I had a jam session with Lehay we did Rock and Roll Star.
Great days.
Tony Weston (Hal C)
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How’s it going Tony? Tony Dev still doing good with his perfume business in Hinckley. Apologies if I’ve already asked but we’re you still with HalC at the Frollerking kneecap gig with us when your van broke down, it was Christmas Eve afternoon?
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Hey Chris, how are you? Still rocking around I hope.
Yeah that was a real bummer. It snowed if I remember. We had to walk home.
Was it you who cut themselves smashing up that TV at the Casino? There was a lot of blood.
I used to hang around with a blonde girl-Anita? At the Longship a lot. Do you remember her? Lived near the Pork Pie Library up Saffron Lane?
Great days.
Tony Dev was at the book launch for Shaun Knapps first book. Truly my best friend.
Have a good one.
Tony
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Hi To y yes I’m good thanks
Yes was cutting Tony’s hair until I retired, nice guy, yes it was me that smashed the telly with an axe.
That gig at the Frolicking your bass player accused Graham our guitarist of messing with his bass tuning, I’m more inclined to think it was Paul Wolloff , our bassist but he had a go at Graham so I jumped on his back and ended up on the floor lol.
Mick used to pop in the shop when he was in Leicester , I miss seeing him now yes a wonderful player, good to know your ok
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Hey Chris
I stay in touch with Mick Pini who is still playing in Germany. He is really brilliant. Check out his webpage. He really is a great blues player.
https://www.mickpini.com/bios/
Tony
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I seem to recall you with a blonde but not any details .perhaps too many lol blondes I mean lol
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Hi Tony, it was indeed Don’t Change It, I got it through a German auction site a 6 disk vinyl compilation put together by Eddie Piller, some really great tracks from ‘the day’ and I bet a few bands you’ve backed for sure. I do recall Mick Pini and think he backed Chris Farlowe at a gig I saw in Nottingham, but truly 50+ years dims the mind. Good to hear your still bouncing Chris, I wasn’t at the Casino gig with the TV but it’s the stuff of legends as people I know were there (or say they were). I knew Paul Wolloff vaguely too.
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Hi Russ
How did you know Paul, were you aware he left us a few years ago now?sad day.
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Hi Chris, I remember trying out on bass after I left school for a local band ( there were a few so I’ll try to remember the name) & Paul was there too I think, I didn’t get the slot, I wasn’t really good enough tbh!but don’t know about him. It was his name I remember as I knew another Wolloff in the printing game in Leicester. Sorry to hear he’s gone but guess we are a dwindling bunch now.
Scoot is under cover now for the winter, shit roads round here anyway, & fell off again this year, life keeps recurring 😂
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Talking of smashing tv
s we did a gig with the move just after Chris and the Casino Gig. Nottingham Uni do about six stories up.
The Move had a bad rap they used to chop up statues of Harold Wilson and just before we came off about 40 coppers filed in to a full audience. They were going to pull the plug on the Move performing. I remember Carl Wayne and Roy Wood had everybody standing around the electric outlets to stop the Boys in Blue.
Se all got a bit fighty and they did finally go on.
Just a great night in the old days.
Tony
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Going to see Rod the Mod at London O2 22nd Nov, it ain’t the Il Rondo but it will bring back memories of the days., he was there with Long John Baldry, Also saw him at a Granby Halls rag ball with Steampacket I think (I remember their bus parked at the side) Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger, Baldry & others
Am I likely to have seen Shotgun Express there, or is it me getting confused, I do remember Rod in it but not sure where I saw him.
All pre Jeff Beck era
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Russ
The Shotgun Express as Rod and Maggie Bell.
They played the Burlesque and a lot round town.
Tony
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Thanks Tony, I’d forgotten all about Maggie Bell but must have seen her, I recall Beryl Marsden singing now as well.
I doubt Rod will sing his really old stuff at the upcoming gig, but still a step back in time.
You must have played Loughborough Uni Tony , I was seeing a local girl Viv Brown who lived just down the road and her and her mate took me & Pete Asher from Enderby there, not sure who else was on but Hal C were on, must have been 65 or 66.
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The Rod gig was pretty good really, he is still good value and can carry it off despite his age. A bit of ‘dad’ dancing made me laugh.
Took my wife down Wardour St to show her where the Marquee was at the time I went, brought a tear to my eyes , cant believe it’s nearly 60 years ago,
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Russ
Glad you had a good time.
Wardour Street. I remember driving down on my Vespa SS with Mac. It took three hours and we ended up in Granny Takes a Trip. Terrific days. We went a couple of times and down to the Kings Road.
Rod the Mod. He used to hang around Leicester a lot. Once saw him get slapped by some dude from New Parks. He had scored and owed some money.
Played with him when him and Ronnie Wood (Bass) was with Jeff Beck at Hinkley. Cozzie Powell on drums. HE was shy and we got some whiskey down him.
Can’t believe those days. Sounds like BS. The people you mixed with who went on to become famous.
Anybody remember Memphis?
Tony W.
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Hi Tony and Russ.
yes Memphis {Terry Newell} is still around ,he lives down south now . He was always around wasn’t he :). Nice guy once you knew him.
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That’s a name from the past Memphis wow! No idea why he got that name, pretty sure I first met him with Mitch at Il Rondo
Blimey Tony you got to meet some faces , it couldn’t happen today you know, everyone is so ‘precious’ or up their own arses, and not much genuine music (imo), I think what made it real for me was everywhere was small enough to know everyone, now a gig is on a big screen as the stage is so far away.
Just my dinosaur rant guys.
Chris I remembered the girl who lived down your end Aileen Cairns she had a sister too, I remember a New Year’s Eve part there with Tom, Plumb, Minnie , Dick Hollis abd a few others – a bit wild to say the least; also the girl whose boyfriend got killed at Wainfleet bends (Skeg) was Sheila Miller from Blaby friend of Sue Jarvis as I recall, funny how names come back to me usually when I can’t sleep😊
Sad to hear Christie McVie (Perfect) has gone I saw her in Chicken Shack
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We were lucky to live in those days. The stories are unbelievable and the people we met. Plumb and Dick and Minnie, names and some of the faces blur. I remember Dick getting high on petrol??? Crazy.
Did you get to the Stax revue at Granby Halls? They wanted us to open for the show but I would not, a poor substitute and playing all those songs of my heroes.
Great times.
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I saw the Stax Revue, great night. Apart from when those guys got on the stage and jumped Otis Redding, who ran offstage. Thankfully he returned to complete his set. Excellent.
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I was at the Stax Revue, great night. Apart from when those guys got onstage and attacked Otis Redding, who ran offstage. Thankfully he returned to complete his set. Such times, we were indeed very fortunate.
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I was at the Stax Revue, brilliant night, apart from when those guys got onstage and jumped Otis Redding, who ran off. Thankfully he came back on to finish his set. Great times
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The black guy was Patrick, who loved Otis. Months later he became one of our roadies. Nice guy and we were playing the Irish club in Leicester the night Otis died and we cried like babies.
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Missed the Stax show, but did see Otis Redding at Grantham Drill Hall! Great gig in an odd venue. For some weird reason I went in a Bond 3-wheeler (to do with my girlfriend’s dad not letting her ride 2 up on the Vespa,) & broke down in thick fog at Thurmaston on the way back,
Bad end to a brilliant night.
Anyone remember a local lad having a Mini Cooper green with white roof? Can’t recall his name though
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Not sure who’s still on this, but thought I’d catch up
75 on 26th April where the f#$k did the years go?
Picked my Vespa up yesterday after a full repaint and service gotta say I’m well chuffed with it, runs like a dream 60 years old! better nick than me for sure.
Got a couple of decent gigs this summer to go to on it, but camping out is a bit beyond the old bones
Still working in my IT businesses but not as hard as I used to now.
Got my guitar out again and thinking back on some good times. Local acquaintance is Mike Peters (The Alarm) just turned the. local pub into a music venue & bar, should be good.
I still can’t believe how good the 60’s were in Leicester, things look so tame these days, what happened to good music?, fashion sense and friends?
Take care you lot
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Russ
Good to hear your still rocking. Keep it up. I heard from Mick Pini in Germany.he is still playing and doing some amazing shit. Take a listen on his website.
Keep going and wash that Vespa again. Wish I had my SS.
Looking back we had the best of days.
What kids today will grow up with all the gigs to play too busy texting shit. They have no solid base like we had.
Shame for them.
Nice to hear your going.
Tony Hal C
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Thanks Tony, are you still over the Pond? I was over in Indiana last year (my wife runs the the UK & Euro end of Lucas Oil based there). Had a great time , very hospitable and got to some good music bars in Indianapolis. Not sure they got the mods stuff I talked about though, The Who is about their total knowledge.
Back to Leicester, do you remember Frank Sheard (gold sportique) ? I went out with his sister, sadly passed now .
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Hey Russ,
Nice to hear from you. Does your wife know Chris Gannon…he headed up Real Estate for Lucas Oil in New York? I worked for PDI headed up business development for them. They were the biggest software company in the oil and down stream business from C Store to Replenishment and trucking.
Small world. Where in Indiana were you, Indianapolis? Did you do the MPACT show? Did that many times.
Small world. Take care.
Tony
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Hey Tony, thanks for that what a small world, I’ll ask her about Chris.
We stayed at the the Lucas estate in Carmel (they helicopter’d us into the Indy 500 guested with the Ursay family , (guy had the biggest private ikonic collection of guitars etc – surreal time) The visit was just business for her and down in Corydon their main plant. She also went to their place in LA whilst I did the touristy but.
Random question, did you ever play a gig with The Creation? just that I bumped into a guy from Makin’ Time named after their song!
I knew you were in the software game but that sounds like a big job to me
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Sounds like you had a great time. Never played with Creation. The guitarist used to play solo’s with a violin bow. Great band. Did see the Birds at the George in Hinkley. Ronnie Wood and his brother Art Wood.
Another great band.
Stay cool.
Tony
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Yeah Tony, wtf, council house kid from Goodwood at the Indy with billionaire music freak Jim Irsay. If you ever hit Indianapolis try Slippery Noodle good food and live music
Just booked Peterborough rock festival for August – lineup if you can believe it Ten Years After, Arthur Brown, Coliseum with Chris Farlowe, he’s 82 ffs! Saw him in 60’s either at Odeon or Troc. not sure), and again at Night Owl or maybe Clouds at Derby, it’s 60 years gone
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Hey Russ, unbelievable. America is like that, you never know. Rod Stewart lived down the road from where I worked in Palm Beach. He’d be hanging around.
We used to ply the 5th Dimension on Sundays, the res house band and we did a Radio Trent gig and we got to the Sunday gig following Alvin Lee the night before and the Radio Trent gig we followed him again.
Played Leicester Uni with Arthur Brown. HE was a school teacher and spoke very user class and smoked a pipe. Came round the corner of the stage to watch him and his bloody headers was on fire..frightened the bloody life out of me.
He had this young drummer Carl Palmer. Carl wanted to jinn us but we had a great drummer.
Funny old days.
Stay cool
Tony
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Hey Tony
there’s a music gig in Victoria Park Leicester of all places in September , we’re gonna go although it’s a bit modern for me, Pretenders I do like though, saw them at Glastonbury last weekend along with some good rockers, Manic Street Preachers for one. Elton John is looking his age but I bet you remember him as Reg when he played with Bluesology?
and got tickets for Clapton next year. which will bring back Cream memories in Granby Halls.
Keep rockin Tony!
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Hey Russ,
Sounds like a great event. Yeah I remember Reg from backing Solomon Burke. The rest of the band always thought he was a little weird.
HE did put on a show though, gotta admit it. Glastonbury looked a blast, and a shame I never got there. I was invited to play the Isle of Wight festival with the Liverpool Scene, remember them? Didn’t do it though, another shame.
We did a park gig opposite the prison. Spring where on too. Mick Pini joined us for s couple of songs. He is great and you should check him out.
Sounds like your having a great time. Keep it up and enjoy.
Tony
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Hi Tony, thanks for the update, we’re going to go to Victoria Park (it’s some sort of Radio 2 on the road gig), but still worth the trip.
Odd question did you ever play a gig with Spooky Tooth? a bit random but I bought a job lot of vinyl at a local auction and there in the middle of about 90 albums was a Spooky Tooth, I’m sure I saw then in Leicester.
Looks like we’re heading over the pond later this year, wife’s got business meetings to attend in Indiana again, but going to get week over on the West Coast this time we hope.
Kenny Wilson who runs this site is playing some gigs in Leicester too later this year Exchange Bar down Rutland Street, we’re going to catch one and hopefully get a quick chat with him about the ‘old’ days.
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Off to Leicester next weekend 16/17th should be a laugh at the old stamping ground and looking forward to seeing the old haunts and what’s changed (a lot I guess in 60 odd years.
Picked up an odd recording , only on CD’s , but something Brian Auger put together of Steampacket tracks , cost a fair bit but worth it.
I was looking for some Eric Burton stuff and came across it in a back street of Abergele.
Keep well you lot
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Hey Russ
Sounds great. I was in Leicester 10 years ago. Its hard to believe the changes. The Burlesque is unrecognizable, Nite Owl, Il Rondo too.
Charney ( Charnwood Street) Gone. We used to drive down that on our scooters to avoid the greasers on the Humberstone road.
What we had in the sixties has gone. Kids today will never understand that social media is not like living the real thing. Big concert events and great but not like the small club and socializing we did.
Gigs do not exist like we used to know.
Sad. Still its life. Keep on trucking”
Tony
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Hey Tony thanks for your post, we’re going a few days early, there’s a pub in Grafton Street, The Musician, playing music most nights , Kenny is doing Chameleon Dreams gig there on 13th bound to take me back.
I’ll try and have a quick catch up
Scooter will have to stay at home though, roads/traffic too much for me (& him)
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hi Tony, just picked this link up and thought it may be of interest.
https://www.madmodsandacamera.com/
we got to the Victoria Park gig, not the 60’s but we had a laugh, sadly couldn’t get to the Musician Pub, we’ll try again when I retire!
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Tony,
You well?
Going back to a Mitch again,this one had full length green leather, tall slim dark hir,mod style,stand out was his longish sideboards,worked The big engineering factory down melton rd, I cut his hair around 75/6,then never seen or heard of him since, ring any bells?
chris
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Hi Chris
Yes: We hung together. He had a fabulous sense of humor. Carried Wynder K Frogs Hammond organ on his shoulder up the flight of stairs at the Burlesque.
He went to the cops in Charles Street about someone stealing from his scooter and got arrested they found an old blue in his pocket.
Mitch had an accident going home to Safron Lane opposite the prison. He went under a bus. He was in a bad way. Terrible.
Hope you’re well. Been sending Shaun Knapp some stuff for the new book
Keep on trucking”
Tony
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good to hear from you Tony but this couldn’t have been the same Mitch ,could it,didn’t the accident happen in the 60’s?
chris
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Chris
Yes you are right. I think the complication is that Mitch I knew was over six feet tall and always wore a full length green leather coat. He had sideburns too.
Must have been a couple similar.
Tony
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