Kenny Wilson’s Song “Muggy Measures” now on Spotify and Online Music Stores

Posted Oct 22, 2019

Filed under Leicester, Music

“Muggy Measures” by Kenny Wilson. Just released!

I wrote this song a little while ago as part of the Vitallion III project with Mick Smith and Steve Cartwright. It has received a lot of interest from many of Muggy’s descendants and admirers so I have decided to put it on the internet so people can easily access it. Thanks to you all for the interest, it is very encouraging! It is a great feeling when your work has made a positive impact on others.

Kenny Wilson sings Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan at The Musician Pub, Leicester 24th March 2019 6 p.m.

Review – The Parisian Swing Band at The Musician, 5th January, 2019 – Music in Leicester Magazine | Jessie Mann

Posted Jan 12, 2019

Filed under Audio & Video, Gypsy Jazz, jazz, Music, paris

Reviewed by Jessie Mann

If you had asked me where I was on Saturday 5th January, I would have been inclined to say at a club in the heart of Paris. Listening to the band, Parisian Swing, I was honestly transported to another time and place, taking in the rich sound of the 1930’s Parisian Gypsy Jazz era.

Being the first band to perform at The Musician in Leicester this year, they certainly kicked off 2019 with a SWING!
The four greatly talented band members performed to an enthusiastic audience that sat at little tables by candlelight and soaked in the atmosphere the musicians created.

With Arthur Tyers and Will Smith on Guitar, Kenny Wilson on the Accordion/vocals, and Mike Whittle on the Double Bass/vocals, this set up was all you needed to listen to some of Django Reinhardt’s most famous songs.

Nuages, a Django classic, set a slow, rich and velvety mood for the couples in the crowd and then the juxtaposition of Mack the Knife, described as ‘a mean song about a mean person’ brought laughter and bounce even over its darker lyrics. Beautifully played with speed and accuracy, each note was phenomenal from the guitars. Smith and Tyers were able to play incredibly fast but each note reached the audience perfectly.

The Parisian Swing Band (Photo: Kevin Gaughan)

Mike Whittle on the bass enchanted us all with his charisma and passionate dancing with his instrument throughout the evening. During the song It had to be you, each instrument had time to truly be appreciated as the focus was passed from the guitars to the bass, to the accordion. You were able to single out the gifts of each of the band members and appreciate how much talent and hard work goes into what they do.

My favourite song of the night had to be Autumn Leaves, originally by Edith Piaf, which Parisian Swing played with beautiful romantic justice. The audience was transported to a café in Paris with Kenny Wilson’s French vocals and accordion tying the scene together with Parisian passion.

Mike whittle, Arthur Tyers, Kenny Wilson(Photo: Kevin Gaughan)

The band played 18 songs from 8:30 onwards with a break halfway in which Music in Leicester was able to interview Mike and Kenny who were buzzing from their first half.
With a quick ‘one-two-three’ the band were off in full swing with upbeat lifts that you couldn’t help tapping and nodding your head too.

The band also played Sweet Sue, Honeysuckle Rose, Minor Swing, Just a Gigolo, Douce Ambiance, Lady be Good and After You’ve Gone. The mix was a real treat for the crowd to experience a taste of the best of Parisian Gyspy Jazz.

After two ‘last’ songs from the band (as the audience asked for more) the evening concluded at 11 and I’m sure many people will be having jazzy-dreams for a long time to come!

I wish the best for Parisian Swing and hope to hear them again!

Bonne chance mes amis!

Watch this video, by Kevin Gaughan, of The Parisian Swing band perform at this gig.

Watch this video of Jessie Mann interviewing Kenny Wilson and Mike Whittle from The Parisian Swing band.W

Source: Review – The Parisian Swing band at The Musician, 5th January, 2019 – Music in Leicester magazine

Blind Faith – Blind Faith (1969)

Posted Dec 26, 2018

Filed under Leicester, Mods and Hippies, Music

1960s: Days of Rage

“Blind Faith were an English blues rock band, composed of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. The band, which was one of the first supergroups, released their only album, Blind Faith, in August 1969. Stylistically similar to the bands in which Winwood, Baker and Clapton had most recently participated, Traffic and Cream, Blind Faith helped to pioneer the genre of blues/rock fusion. The beginnings of Blind Faith begin in mid-1968, with the break-up of Cream. Today considered to be the first true supergroup, Cream had become a financial powerhouse, selling millions of records within a few years and bringing international popularity to both the group and each individual member. Despite that success, the band was crumbling from within because of frequent animosity between Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, with Eric Clapton doing his best to mediate. In addition…

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The Musicians’ Olympus: Ric Grech (bass / violin)

Posted Jul 30, 2018

Filed under Leicester, Music, Rick Grech

Ric Grech (bass / violin)

BANDS:

BAND	PERIOD	DETAILS
The Berkeley Squares
Exciters
The Farinas	[1965-1966]
The Roaring Sixties
Family	[1967-May 69]	4 albums + 2 compilations
Blind Faith	[May 69-Aug 69]	2 albums
Airforce	[Jan 70-May 70]	1 album + 1 compilation
John Mayall Band	[Jun 70] (1 gig)
Traffic	[Aug 70-Dec 71]	2 albums + 2 compilations
Eric Clapton & The Palpitations	[Jan 73] (2 gigs)	2 albums + 4 compilations
The Crickets	[1973-1974]	4 albums
Johnny Rivers Band	[1973-1974]
Charge	[1974]
Ric Grech Band		1 compilation
KGB	[1975]	1 album
Ric Grech Band (again)	[Dec 75-Jun 76]
Square Dancing Machine	[Jun 76-1976]
Denny Laine Band	[1983-1984]

BIOGRAPHY:

Ric Grech

Very fine bassist as well as violin player, I always liked his style since I first heard him in the Blind Faith album. I felt very sad when I read of his sad death, he always seemed so young, with his pretty face. Ric Grech was born Richard Roman Grech on November 1st, 1946, in Bordeaux, France, but grew up in Leicester, England. He died on March 17th, 1990 at Gwendolen Road Hospital, Leicester. He suffered a cerebral haemorrhage, and this was followed by a combined kidney and liver failure. He was 43, too sad. 😦

One note: you´ll see him credited in albums as Rick Grech, even as Rich Grech, but my guess is that the most accurate name he used is Ric Grech.

THE BERKELEY SQUARES

Berkeley Squares was a band from Leicester, formed by Martin Osborn. This was Ric Grech first band, and Martin taught Ric to play guitar as he originally came to music via violin and was first violinist in the Leicester Youth Orchestra for a while:

THE BERKELEY SQUARES #?	?
Martin Osborn guitar	Ric Grech †	+ others unknown to me. Help!

If someone can help with additional info, it would be very welcomed.

OTHER EARLY BANDS…

Roger Chapman and Ric Grech played in a band with guitarist Stuart Brown, before they went to Farinas. Does anybody know the band name or more details, please? Maybe the band name was Exciters?

He also formed a band with brothers Ray Martinez (guitar) and Paul Martinez (bass), but again, can´t find more info.

THE FARINAS

This band was the seed for Family group. Also known as Jim King And The Farinas, it was formed by Jim King and guitarist Charlie Whitney in 1962. Ric Grech joined them in 1965:

THE FARINAS #2		1965-1966
Charlie Whitney guitar, vocals	Ric Grech † bass	Jim King sax	Harry Overnall drums

They played good strong R&B stuff.

In 1966, singer Roger Chapman joined The Farinas:

THE FARINAS #3			1966
Roger Chapman vocals	Charlie Whitney guitar, vocals	Ric Grech † bass	Jim King sax	Harry Overnall drums
The Roaring Sixtiesê	The Roaring Sixtiesê	The Roaring Sixtiesê	The Roaring Sixtiesê	The Roaring Sixtiesê

With Chapman, they also started to play Sam & Dave soul covers. But they soon changed their name to The Roaring Sixties.

Other info on members of The Farinas (I know up to 6 members)
To be covered (3):	Roger Chapman, Jim King, Charlie Whitney

THE ROARING SIXTIES

The Roaring Sixties was the new name for The Farinas in 1966:

THE ROARING SIXTIES #1			1966
êThe Farinas	êThe Farinas	êThe Farinas	êThe Farinas	êThe Farinas
Roger Chapman vocals	Charlie Whitney guitar, vocals	Ric Grech † bass	Jim King sax	Harry Overnall drums
Familyê	Familyê	Familyê	Familyê

In mid 1967, they changed their name again to The Family, then changing their drummer.

Other info on members of The Roaring Sixties (I know up to 5 members)
To be covered (3):	Roger Chapman, Jim King, Charlie Whitney

FAMILY

Family

Originall called The Family (although they soon dropped the ´The´ part of the name) at the suggestion of Kim Fowley, this was their first lineup, in mid 1967:

FAMILY #1			1967-May 69
êThe Roaring Sixties	êThe Roaring Sixties	êThe Roaring Sixties	êThe Roaring Sixties
Roger Chapman vocals	Charlie Whitney guitar	Ric Grech † bass, violin, vocals	Jim King sax	Rob Townsend drums
		Blind Faithê

They recorded their first single, ´Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens / Gypsy woman´ in October 1967, with no success.

Their first album, Music in a doll´s house, was produced by Traffic guitarist, Dave Mason. At the same time, the band backed Dave Mason in the B-side of his first single.

After their second album, Family entertainment, Ric surprised everybody when he left the band in the middle of a tour in May 1969, to join the first supergroup ever, Blind Faith.

Family in 1968 – from left ro right: Ric Grech, Rob Townshend, Charlie Whitney, Roger Chapman, Jim King

Family – from left ro right: Ric Grech, Charlie Whitney, Rob Townshend, Jim King, Roger Chapman

Other info on members of Family (I know up to 10 members)
Old pages (1):	Jim Cregan
To be covered (8):	Tony Ashton, Roger Chapman, Jim King, Poli Palmer, Rob Townsend, John Weider, John Wetton, Charlie Whitney

BLIND FAITH

Blind Faith – from left to right Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ric Grech, Ginger Baker

With these talents together, the less-known boy was Ric Grech, who was asked to leave Family and join Blind Faith in May 1969:

BLIND FAITH #2		May 69-Aug 69
		êFamily
Steve Winwood keyboards, vocals	Eric Clapton guitar, vocals	Ric Grech † bass, violin	Ginger Baker drums

They released only one album, Blind Faith, published in August 1969. I like it, although I must reckon it has some not-very fortunate tracks. But there are some others that were converted into real classics, like ´Presence of the Lord´ or ´Can’t find my way home´. It also includes a Buddy Holly rendition, ´Well all right´ (years later covered by Santana). We can find a beautiful violin solo by Ric in the song ´Sea of joy´. There´s a deluxe edition as 2CD with 5 unreleased tracks and 4 long jams as a trio (still without Ric, but with percussionist Guy Warren from Ghana, a close friend of Ginger Baker).

They made their live debut as the main attraction in a huge concert in Hyde Park in June 1969, who also was attended by ´new´ bands like King Crimson. This was followed by a Scandinavian tour in July 1969, before moving to the States for another tour.

The story of this band was really short, as it seems that Eric Clapton´s original idea was quickly abandoned for a humble stay as sideman in Delaney & Bonnie’s band (the opening band for Blind Faith), far from stardom. They simply disbanded in August 1969 after their last gig. After a while, all but Clapton stayed together under Ginger Baker´s Airforce name.

Blind Faith – from left to right Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Ric Grech

Other info on members of Blind Faith (I know up to 4 members)
To be covered (3):	Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood

UNNAMED BAND

Soon after Blind Faith´s separation, Clapton and some friends recorded some sessions at Olympic Studios in London, but none from it was ever released. Some of the musicians were:

UNNAMED BAND #1			1970
Eric Clapton guitar	George Harrison † guitar	Denny Laine guitar	Trevor Burton guitar	Ric Grech † bass

Laine and Burton were at this time in the band Balls. And Clapton finally joined permanently to Delaney & Bonnie. It was also published in the press in August 1970 that Balls were recording 12 tracks for an album that was never released, and Ric Grech played in some of those tracks, but they´re maybe speaking of these same sessions.

I guess these sessions included the tracks ´Spending All My Days´ and ´Exchange And Mart´, recorded in October 1969 by Ric with George Harrison, Trevor Burton and Denny Laine. These two tracks appear as bonus tracks in a rare German reissue of the Blind Faith album.

Other info on members of Unnamed Band (I know up to 5 members)
Old pages (1):	Denny Laine
To be covered (3):	Trevor Burton, Eric Clapton, George Harrison

GINGER BAKER´S AIRFORCE

This free-form outfit was assembled by Ginger Baker. The list of musicians wasn’t stable, in the jazz tradition. They started their short career in January 1970.

They soon released their first album, Airforce, with this personnel:

AIRFORCE #1								Jan 70
		êBlind Faith	êBlind Faith					êBlind Faith
Jeanette Jacobs † vocals	Denny Laine guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Steve Winwood keyboards	Graham Bond † keyboards, sax	Harold McNair † flute, sax	Chris Wood † sax, flute	Remi Kabaka percussion	Ginger Baker drums	Phil Seamen † drums
			Trafficê

With some other guests, like Bud Beadle (sax) and Steve Gregory (flute, sax) (later both in Gonzalez), Colin Gibson (bass), all of them were to join the band later.

In February 1970, Winwood leaves the band to reform Traffic again (where Chris Wood soon would join).

This is a slightly different lineup for Airforce from March to May 1970, when Steve Winwood had already left:

AIRFORCE #2							Mar 70-May 70
Jeanette Jacobs † vocals	Denny Laine guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Graham Bond † keyboards, sax	Harold McNair † flute, sax	Chris Wood † sax, flute	Remi Kabaka percussion	Ginger Baker drums	Phil Seamen † drums
					Trafficê

This is a enlarged lineup for Airforce in May 1970:

AIRFORCE #?											May 70
Jeanette Jacobs† vocals	Eleanor Barooshian vocals	Denny Laine guitar	Trevor Burton guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Graham Bond † keyboards, sax	Harold McNair † flute, sax	Bud Beadle sax	Steve Gregory sax	Remi Kabaka percussion	Ginger Baker drums	Phil Seamen † drums	Alan White drums
				Trafficê

And then, Ric Grech left to join Traffic in August 1970.

Other info on members of Airforce (I know up to 21 members)
Already covered (2):	Speedy Acquaye, Aliki Ashman
Old pages (2):	Colin Gibson, Denny Laine
To be covered (16):	Ginger Baker, Eleanor Barooshian, Bud Beadle, Graham Bond, Trevor Burton, Kenny Craddock, Steve Gregory, Joni Haastrup, Jeanette Jacobs, Remi Kabaka, Harold McNair, Phil Seamen, Diane Stewart, Alan White, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood

JOHN MAYALL BAND

In June 1970, John Mayall was to play at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music. But, not having a stable band at the time, he asked some of his old friends to play with him. See the surprising one-off lineup! Peter Green, not long ago leaving Fleetwood Mac, bassist Ric Grech, and drummer Aynsley Dunbar! WOW!

JOHN MAYALL BAND #?		Jun 70
John Mayall vocals, harmonica, keyboards, guitar	Peter Green guitar, vocals	Ric Grech † bass	Aynsley Dunbar drums

Other info on members of John Mayall Band (I know up to 88 members)
Already covered (4):	Davy Graham, Keef Hartley, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Chris Mercer
Old pages (6):	Rick Brown, Aynsley Dunbar, Peter Green, Jimmy McCulloch, Tony Reeves, Micky Waller
To be covered (77):	Colin Allen, Johnny Almond, Rocky Athas, Ronnie Barron, Jack Bruce, Warren Bryant, Tom Canning, Eric Clapton, Fred Clark, Rick Cortes, Jay Davenport, Roger Dean, Alex Dmochowski, Tim Drummond, Terry Edmunds, Mick Fleetwood, Hughie Flint, Andy Fraser, Mike Gardner, Victor Gaskin, John Gilbey, Don ´Sugarcane´ Harris, High Tide Harris, Martin Hart, Bobby Haynes,… up to 77 musicians.

TRAFFIC

Ric Grech rejoined his colleagues Steve Winwood and Chris Wood in Traffic, in August 1970:

TRAFFIC #3		Aug 70-May 71
	êAirforce
Steve Winwood keyboards, vocals, guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Chris Wood † sax, flute	Jim Capaldi † drums, vocals

They wrote the music for a film called Nevertheless, but the film was never done.

In May 1971, they enrich Traffic with 3 more members:

TRAFFIC #4					May 71-1971
		êAirforce
Steve Winwood keyboards, vocals, guitar	Dave Mason guitar, vocals	Ric Grech † bass	Chris Wood † sax, flute	Rebop Kwaku Baah † percussion	Jim Capaldi † drums, vocals	Jim Gordon drums

They released a live album, Welcome to the canteen. I must say that it’s not really credited to Traffic, but to the names of the 7 musicians, but no doubt it’s a Traffic album. I love this album, although it lacks a very bad sound. It contains fantastic performances, and some songs from Winwood’s former band, Spencer Davis Group. I hope someday it will be remastered or enhanced, it deserves the task!

Soon after this album, Dave Mason leaves the band again.

Traffic – from left to right: Chris Wood, Ric Grech, Jim Gordon, Rebop Kwaku Baah, Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood

During 1971, Traffic becomes a sextet with Dave Mason´s departure:

TRAFFIC #5				1971-Dec 71
Steve Winwood keyboards, vocals, guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Chris Wood † sax, flute	Rebop Kwaku Baah † percussion	Jim Capaldi † drums, vocals	Jim Gordon drums

The new lineup released another album, The low spark of high heeled boys. I like the song ´Rainmaker´ a lot.

But in December 1971, Ric and Jim Gordon leave the band.

Other info on members of Traffic (I know up to 14 members)
To be covered (13):	Rebop Kwaku Baah, Barry Beckett, Randall Bramblett, Jim Capaldi, Rosko Gee, Jim Gordon, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Dave Mason, Mike McEvoy, Walfredo Reyes Jr, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood

ERIC CLAPTON BAND (aka THE PALPITATIONS)

from left to right: Wood, Grech, Clapton, Townshend

Due to his problems with drug addiction, Eric Clapton had disappeared from musical scene since 1971. Now it was 1973, and his friend Pete Townshend convinced him to come back to music. To encourage him, Pete Townshend brought some old Eric friends to help him feel comfortable. The band was funnily called The Palpitations, because of the nervous state all they shared for if Eric finally didn’t appear to play:

ERIC CLAPTON BAND #?						Jan 73
	êFaces	êThe Who		êTraffic	êTraffic	êTraffic
Eric Clapton vocals, guitar	Ron Wood guitar	Pete Townshend guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Steve Winwood keyboards, vocals	Rebop Kwaku Baah † percussion	Jim Capaldi † drums	Jim Karstein drums
	Facesê	The Whoê		Trafficê	Trafficê	Trafficê

They played together for a week, preparing the two concerts, to be made on January 13, 1973. A live album was released in September 1973 from those concerts, but it lacked a poor sound and even a poorer selection of tracks (only 6 tracks). It was a sad thing after all the interest they all took on succeed. But … this has been solved after 15 years. Now there is a extended edition from those concerts, the sound has been remastered (and incredibly enhanced!), and now we haven´t 6, but 14 tracks!!! A superb album. I loved the original in spite of all, but this one is really fantastic!!

from left to right: Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton, Ric Grech and Pete Townshendfrom left to right: Grech, Wood, Townshend, Clapton, Capaldi

Other info on members of Eric Clapton Band (I know up to 74 members)
Already covered (3):	Dave Bronze, Donald ´Duck´ Dunn, Tim Renwick
Old pages (9):	Gary Brooker, Laura Creamer, Michael Kamen, Katie Kissoon, Marcy Levy, Shaun Murphy, Jamie Oldaker, Henry Spinetti, Chris Stainton
To be covered (61):	Rebop Kwaku Baah, Doyle Bramhall II, Randy Brecker, Jim Capaldi, Tim Carmon, Chyna, Eric Clapton, Alan Clark, Simon Clarke, Phil Collins, Ray Cooper, Kenneth Crouch, Ronnie Cuber, Paulinho Da Costa, Alan Darby, David Delhomme, Nathan East, Yvonne Elliman, Andy Fairweather Low, Steve Ferrone, Gina Foster, Steve Gadd, Roger Hawkins, Richie Hayward, Charlean Hines,… up to 61 musicians.

THE CRICKETS

This was the band for rock’n’roll pioneer Buddy Holly. He died in 1959, but his band is still alive and rockin’ today. Around 1973, Ric Grech joined them:

THE CRICKETS #?		1973
Sonny Curtis guitar, vocals	Ric Grech † bass	Glen D Hardin piano	Jerry Allison drums

But before the tour was started, Ric Grech convinced great guitarist Albert Lee to join The Crickets:

THE CRICKETS #?			1973-May 74
Sonny Curtis guitar, vocals	Albert Lee guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Glen D Hardin piano	Jerry Allison drums

Albert Lee spent until May 1974 with them, recording three albums, as far as I know.

Other info on members of The Crickets (I know up to 13 members)
To be covered (2):	Glen D Hardin, Albert Lee

JOHNNY RIVERS BAND

This was the Johnny Rivers Boogie Band in September 1973:

JOHNNY RIVERS BAND #?		1973
Johnny Rivers vocals	Ric Grech † bass	Tony Ashton † keyboards	Dave Kelper

And this was the lineup of the Johnny Rivers Boogie Band that played in Spain in September 1974:

JOHNNY RIVERS BAND #?			1974
Johnny Rivers vocals	Ric Grech † bass	Zoot Money keyboards	Patrick Doheny	Dave Kelper

Other info on members of Johnny Rivers Band (I know up to 8 members)
To be covered (4):	Tony Ashton, Mickey Jones, Zoot Money, John York

CHARGE

This was a project by Ian Green. They released a self-titled album, Charge in 1974, and assembled a different lineup for a few gigs. I can´t find proper info about the complete lineups, but Ric Grech played here, although he doesn´t appear in the album:

CHARGE #?		1974
Rosetta Hightower vocals	Ric Grech † bass, violin, guitar	Ian Green keyboards	+ others unknown to me. Help!

Please, any info about this band would be very welcomed!

Other info on members of Charge (I know up to 10 members)
To be covered (9):	Andy Dalby, Smiley De Jones, Ian Green, Rosetta Hightower, Neil Hubbard, Godfrey McLean, Alan Spenner, Lee Vanderbilt, Mike Woods

RIC GRECH BAND

I think that after leaving The Crickets, Ric tried to form his own band, but I don’t know details about it. Can anybody help me, please? I also know he tried to make a band with fantastic Spanish guitarist Ray Gomez, but I don’t know if both bands are really the same:

RIC GRECH BAND #?	?
Ric Grech † bass, vocals	Ray Gomez guitar	+ others unknown to me. Help!

KGB

KGB – from left to right: Carmine Appice (bottom), Ric Grech, Barry Goldberg, Mike Bloomfield (bottom), Ray Kennedy

KGB was a band formed in 1975, with great expectations, due to so much famous musicians being part of the project:

KGB #1			1975
Ray Kennedy vocals	Mike Bloomfield † guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Barry Goldberg keyboards	Carmine Appice drums

A really superb lineup. But, as many times happen, they hadn´t the success they deserved, and after their first album, KGB, Ric and Mike Bloomfield left the band.

Other info on members of KGB (I know up to 7 members)
To be covered (6):	Carmine Appice, Mike Bloomfield, Barry Goldberg, Ray Kennedy, Ben Schultz, Greg Sutton

RIC GRECH BAND (again)

Ric Grech settled back in Leicester around Autumn 1975, and started looking at the local music scene. In December 1975, he started played his first gigs, with an existing band The Lentones:

RIC GRECH BAND #?					1975-1976
Ric Grech † violin, guitar, vocals	Al Sansome guitar	John Cusack bass	Mickey Fleming drums, accordion	+	Claire Hamill vocals, sometimes	Mick Pini guitar, sometimes

This line-up continued to play a number of gigs around the Midlands, sometimes being called The Ric Grech Band and augmented on occasion by a fine blues musician from Leicester, Mick Pini on guitar and the lovely Clare Hammill on vocals.

It is interesting to point out here that Ric never played bass here, only violin and acoustic guitar.

After a while, they changed the musicians and started adopting the new name Square Dancing Machine.

Other info on members of Ric Grech Band (I know up to 7 members)
To be covered (2):	Ray Gomez, Claire Hamill

SQUARE DANCING MACHINE

Ric Grech renamed his band as Square Dancing Machine in June 1976:

SQUARE DANCING MACHINE #1				Jun 76
Ric Grech † guitar, violin, vocals	Al Sansome guitar	Mickey Fleming guitar, accordion, vocals	Dave Seddons pedal steel guitar	John Cusack bass	Howard Coley drums

After their first gig in June 1976 at Colchester University, Ric played the rest of the tour with the Leicester band Captain Video supporting him.

That tour resulted in a 2nd lineup of Square Dancing Machine, when the lineup of Captain Video joined Ric:

SQUARE DANCING MACHINE #2					1976
Ric Grech † guitar, violin, vocals	Claire Hamill vocals	Mick Pini guitar	Tony Taylor guitar	Les pedal steel guitar	Mick White bass	Howard Coley drums

Claire Hamill joined them in April 1976. This lineup lasted just the summer of 1976, playing a mini-tour of UK, London, Leicester, Scarboro, etc.

They recorded one single, ´Ashes Of Love´, with The Who´s sound engineer Bob Pridden, but this was never released. After that, they split.

Other info on members of Square Dancing Machine (I know up to 11 members)
To be covered (1):	Claire Hamill

DANNY PEYRONEL-DENNY LAINE BAND

Danny Peyronel was living in Spain at that time, and the band where he was, Banzai, was over, so he contacted Denny Laine (who had been previously living in Spain) to form a band. Denny surprisingly brought his former colleagues Ric Grech and Ginger Baker with him:

DENNY LAINE BAND #?		?
Danny Peyronel vocals, keyboards	Denny Laine vocals, guitar	Ric Grech † bass	Ginger Baker drums

And that happened in Spain! Unfortunately, the project went nowhere, when a Spanish producer tried to record them. Oh, so there will be some tapes from that project? That would be great!!

Other info on members of Denny Laine Band (I know up to 28 members)
Already covered (2):	Cliff Barton, Binky McKenzie
Old pages (2):	Denny Laine, Danny Peyronel
To be covered (14):	Ginger Baker, Trevor Burton, Steve Holley, Andy Leigh, John Morshead, Jamie Moses, Gary Nuttall, John Pearson, Mike Piggott, Viv Prince, Andy Richards, Gordon Sellar, Steven Thompson, Ted Tomlin

AND THEN…

And I don’t know many more things about him till his sad death in 1990. Can anybody help me, please?

I include here some facts I´ve been reading along the years, related to Ric.

Around 1980, Ric occasionally sat in and jammed with Carl Shimmings´ jazz band that played on Sunday nights at the Old Horse Pub in London Road, Leicester. He only played violin as Carl played bass and led the band.

In October 1985, the band called The Rent (although billed as the Geoff Overon Blues Band on that occasion) was playing at the Phoenix Theater in Leicester on one of the regular Sunday lunchtime jazz sessions. Ric sat on violin for the last few numbers in the set, and this fantastic photo (courtesy of Graeme Malen) shows Ric, Geoff Overon on guitar and Graeme Malen on the drums, finishing the very last song.

The Rent (aka Geoff Overon Blues Band) – from left to right: Ric Grech, Geoff Overon, Graeme Malen – copyright of the photo: Graeme Malen

SOLO ALBUMS

Ric Grech has one album under his name, The last five years, but it’s not really a new album, but a compilation of songs where he played and mostly wrote (with Family, Blind Faith and Airforce).

This page is dedicated with my love to Ric. It was one of the first pages I ever wrote, back in January 1998. Many years have passed, and I still love Ric´s playing.

UNRELEASED PROJECTS:

Ric Grech played with The Rolling Stones in the sessions for their Beggars Banquet album, although he doesn’t appear in the finished album. In March 1969 he played in a different take of ´Street fighting man´ along with Jim King and Roger Chapman on backing vocals.

Still in The Rolling Stones sessions for their Beggars Banquet album, in May 1969, Ric Grech played violin in a variation of the song ´Factory girl´ along with Dave Mason. Other people attending those sessions include: Rocky Dijon (percussion), Marianne Faithfull & Anita Pallenberg (backing vocals), as well as Nicky Hopkins (piano). All produced by Jimmy Miller.

After leaving Family, Poli Palmer tried to form a new band with Ric, around 1972, but it didn´t work out.

In June 1973, the band Sharks, led by guitar genius Chris Spedding, recorded some tracks (some with Pat Donaldson on bass, some with Ric Grech), but sadly, they still remain unreleased.

In October 1974, Jimmy Page recorded a song called ´Scarlet´ with Keith Richards on vocals and guitar, Ric Grech on bass, Ian ´Stu´ Stewart on piano and Bruce Rowland on drums. It was never released.

DISCOGRAPHY: (59 albums known to me – Status: Completed)

OWN COMPILATIONS (1 credit)

- The Last five years – Rick Grech (1973)

- Members: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood (RIP: Ric Grech)
- Comments: Compilation of tracks co-written by Ric where he also appeared.

ALBUMS AS A BAND MEMBER (17 credits)

- Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens / Gypsy woman (SINGLE) – The Family (10/1967)

- - Members: Roger Chapman, Jim King, Rob Townsend, Charlie Whitney (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Producer: (RIP: Jimmy Miller)
  - Comments: This single (still credited to The Family) was not part of any Family album, but a CD reissue of their first two albums (Music in a doll house and Family entertainment) includes both songs as bonus tracks.
- Music in a doll´s house – Family (07/1968)

- - Members: Roger Chapman, Jim King, Rob Townsend, Charlie Whitney (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Guests: Mike Batt
  - Producer: Dave Mason (RIP: Jimmy Miller)
- Family entertainment – Family (03/1969)

- - Members: Roger Chapman, Jim King, Rob Townsend, Charlie Whitney (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Producer: John Gilbert, Glyn Johns
- Blind Faith – Blind Faith (08/1969)

- - Members: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Producer: (RIP: Jimmy Miller)
  - Comments: There´s a deluxe edition as a 2CD with additional tracks and long jams.
- Airforce – Ginger Baker´s Airforce (03/1970)

- - Members: Ginger Baker, Remi Kabaka, Denny Laine, Steve Winwood (RIP: Graham Bond, Ric Grech, Jeanette Jacobs, Harold McNair, Phil Seamen, Chris Wood)
- Airforce 2 – Ginger Baker´s Airforce (10/1970)

- - Members: Aliki Ashman, Ginger Baker, Bud Beadle, Colin Gibson, Steve Gregory, Denny Laine, Diane Stewart (RIP: Speedy Acquaye, Graham Bond, Kenny Craddock, Ric Grech, Harold McNair)
  - Guests: Rocky Dzidzornu
- Rockin´ 50 rock´n´roll – The Crickets (1971)

- - Members: Glen D Hardin (RIP: Ric Grech)
- Welcome to the canteen – Winwood / Capaldi / Mason / Wood / Grech / Gordon / Baah (09/1971)

- - Members: Jim Gordon, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech, Chris Wood)
  - Comments: Recorded live in July 1971.
- The Low spark of high heeled boys – Traffic (11/1971)

- - Members: Jim Gordon, Steve Winwood (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech, Chris Wood)
  - Comments: Some CD reissues contain 1 bonus track (co-written by Ric Grech and Jim Gordon).
- Bubblegum, pop, ballads and boogie – The Crickets (1973)

- - Members: Glen D Hardin (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Guests: Pete Townshend
- Remnants – The Crickets (1973)

- - Members: Albert Lee (RIP: Ric Grech)
- Rainbow concert – Eric Clapton (09/1973)

- - Members: Eric Clapton, Jim Karstein, Pete Townshend, Steve Winwood, Ron Wood (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech)
- A Long way from Lubbock – The Crickets (04/1974)

- - Members: Albert Lee (RIP: Ric Grech)
- KGB – KGB (1976)

- - Members: Carmine Appice, Barry Goldberg, Ray Kennedy (RIP: Mike Bloomfield, Ric Grech)
- Rainbow concert (expanded edition) – Eric Clapton (July 1995) (LIVE)

- - Members: Eric Clapton, Jim Karstein, Pete Townshend, Steve Winwood, Ron Wood (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech)
  - Producer: Jon Astley, Bill Levenson
  - Technical: Glyn Johns, Tim Young
  - Comments: Expanded edition of the original live album, with 8 additional, unreleased songs.
  - My opinion: Fantastic, love it!
- BBC Radio volume one 1968-69 – Family (2004)

- - Members: Roger Chapman, Jim King, Rob Townsend, John Weider, Charlie Whitney (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Comments: This album contains live radio appearances from 1968 (6 tracks) and 1969 (10 tracks).
- Live in Hyde Park – Blind Faith (09/2005)

- Members: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood (RIP: Ric Grech)
- Comments: Live DVD recorded on the band´s debut in June 1969.

COMPILATIONS AS A BAND MEMBER (11 credits)

- Old songs new songs – Family (1971)

- - Members: Roger Chapman, Jim King, Poli Palmer, Rob Townsend, John Weider, Charlie Whitney (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Producer: John Gilbert, Glyn Johns, Eddie Kramer, Dave Mason (RIP: Jimmy Miller)
  - Technical: George Chkiantz
- Winwood – Steve Winwood (1971)

- - Members: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Spencer Davis, Dave Mason, Muff Winwood, Steve Winwood, Pete York (RIP: Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech, Chris Wood)
  - Guests: Brother James
  - Comments: Winwood is not really a new album, but a compilation of songs from earlier Steve bands, including Blind Faith or Spencer Davis Group.
- At his best – Eric Clapton (1972)

- - Members: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood (RIP: Ric Grech, Carl Radle)
  - Guests: Bonnie Bramlett, Rita Coolidge, Jim Gordon, Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Leon Russell, John Simon, Stephen Stills, Bobby Whitlock (RIP: Duane Allman, Delaney Bramlett)
  - Producer: (RIP: Tom Dowd, Jimmy Miller)
  - Technical: Howard Albert, Ron Albert, Chuck Kirkpatrick
  - Comments: 2LP compilation comprising tracks from Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominos and Eric´s first solo album, Eric Clapton.
- Best of Family – Family (1974)

- - Members: Roger Chapman, Poli Palmer, Rob Townsend, John Weider, Charlie Whitney (RIP: Ric Grech)
- Backtrackin´ – Eric Clapton (1984)

- - Members: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Yvonne Elliman, Jim Gordon, Albert Lee, Marcy Levy, Dave Markee, Jamie Oldaker, Henry Spinetti, Chris Stainton, George Terry, Bobby Whitlock, Steve Winwood(RIP: Ric Grech, Carl Radle, Dick Sims)
  - Guests: Bonnie Bramlett, Mel Collins, Rita Coolidge, Jim Fox, Albhy Galuten, Al Jackson, Leon Russell (RIP: Duane Allman, Delaney Bramlett)
  - Comments: 2LP compilation with tracks by Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominos as well as from Eric´s solo albums. Some of the tracks are live recordings.
- Crossroads – Eric Clapton (April 1988)

- - Members: Ginger Baker, Bonnie Bramlett, Randy Brecker, Gary Brooker, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, Alan Clark, Phil Collins, Rita Coolidge, Ray Cooper, Chris Dreja, Nathan East, Yvonne Elliman, Hughie Flint, Jim Gordon, Roger Hawkins, Tex Johnson, Bobby Keys, Katie Kissoon, Albert Lee, Marcy Levy, Dave Markee, Dave Mason, John Mayall, Jim McCarty, John McVie, Shaun Murphy, Andy Newmark, Tessa Niles, Jamie Oldaker, Sergio Pastora, Greg Phillinganes, Jim Price, Peter Robinson, Leon Russell, Paul Samwell-Smith, Henry Spinetti, Chris Stainton, George Terry, Bobby Whitlock, Steve Winwood, Ron Wood(RIP: Delaney Bramlett, Donald ´Duck´ Dunn, Ric Grech, Carl Radle, Keith Relf, Dick Sims)
  - Guests: Brian Auger, Dave Bargeron, Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, Jon Faddis, Albhy Galuten, Chuck Kirkpatrick, Leon Pendarvis, Robbie Robertson, John Sambataro, Stephen Stills (RIP: Duane Allman, Michael Brecker, Jesse Ed Davis, George Harrison, Peter Tosh)
  - Producer: Jon Astley, Giorgio Gomelsky, Glyn Johns, Bill Levenson, Phil Spector, Mike Vernon (RIP: Tom Dowd, Jimmy Miller, Felix Pappalardi)
  - Technical: Greg Calbi, Ken Perry
  - Comments: This superb 4CD box set (originally a 6LP set), contains lots of unreleased tracks, covering the whole career of Eric Clapton from their beginning in The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominos, and his solo career.
- Smiling phases – Traffic (11/1991)

- - Members: Rosko Gee, Jim Gordon, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Barry Beckett, Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech, Chris Wood)
  - Producer: Chris Blackwell
- The Finer things – Steve Winwood (March 1995)

- - Members: Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Spencer Davis, Al Di Meola, Karen Friedman, Rosko Gee, Jim Gordon, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Brother James, Mike Lawler, Dave Mason, Paul Pesco, Jerome Rimson, Klaus Schulze, Michael Shrieve, Carole Steele, Pat Thrall, Muff Winwood, Steve Winwood, Pete York (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Barry Beckett, Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech, Chris Wood)
  - Guests: Jimmy Bralower, Randy Brecker, Jack Bruce, Lew Delgatto, Steve Ferrone, James Ingram, Paul Jones, Remi Kabaka, Chaka Khan, Robbie Kilgore, Tom Malone, Eddie Martinez, Junior Marvin, Bob Mintzer, Rob Mounsey, Andy Newmark, Tessa Niles, John Robinson, Nile Rodgers, Philippe Saisse, John Sussewell, James Taylor, Joe Walsh, Willie Weeks, Mark Williamson, George Young (RIP: Dan Hartman, Andrew Love, Alan Spenner)
  - Producer: Chris Blackwell, Paul Buckmaster, Bill Levenson, Dennis Mackay, Russ Titelman (RIP: Jimmy Miller, Guy Stevens)
  - Technical: Phill Brown, Simon Heyworth, Andy Johns, Glyn Johns, Eddie Kramer, Tom Lord-Alge
  - Comments: The finer things is a 4CD boxset with songs from Steve’s long career. It features tracks by Spencer Davis Group (1964-1967), Eric Clapton And The Powerhouse (1966), Traffic (1967-1969 and 1970-1974), Blind Faith (1969), Winwood/Kebaka/Amao (1973), Stomu Yamash´ta´s Go (1976) and Steve Winwood solo albums (1977 to 1990).
- Do what you like – Ginger Baker (1998)

- - Members: Aliki Ashman, Ginger Baker, Bud Beadle, Colin Gibson, Steve Gregory, Denny Laine, Diane Stewart, Steve Winwood (RIP: Speedy Acquaye, Graham Bond, Kenny Craddock, Ric Grech, Phil Seamen, Chris Wood)
  - Guests: Bobby Tench
  - Comments: Do what you like comprises the whole two Airforce albums (Airforce and Airforce 2), plus an outtake from 2nd album, and several songs from Ginger Baker’s album Stratavarious.
- Feelin´ alright – the very best of Traffic – Traffic (2000)

- - Members: Jim Gordon, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech, Chris Wood)
  - Producer: Chris Blackwell, Bill Levenson (RIP: Jimmy Miller)
- Martin Scorsese presents the blues – Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton (September 2003)

- Members: Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, Hughie Flint, Jim Gordon, John Mayall, John McVie, Bobby Whitlock, Steve Winwood (RIP: Ric Grech, Carl Radle)
- Guests: Chris Blackwell, Alan Skidmore, Phil Upchurch, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman (RIP: Johnny Almond, Ian ´Stu´ Stewart, Hubert Sumlin, Howlin´ Wolf)
- Producer: Bill Levenson, Mike Vernon (RIP: Tom Dowd, Jimmy Miller, Felix Pappalardi)
- Technical: Suha Gur
- Comments: Compilation from the early stages of Eric Clapton´s career, including tracks by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith or Derek & The Dominos.

ALBUMS WITH BANDMATES AND FRIENDS (13 credits)

- Just for you / Little woman (SINGLE) – Dave Mason (1968)

- - Members: Dave Mason
  - Guests: Roger Chapman, Jim King, Rob Townsend, Charlie Whitney (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Comments: First solo single by Dave Mason. He´s backed in the B-side by the band Family (Roger Chapman / Charlie Whitney / Jim King / Ric Grech / Rob Townsend), as Dave was producing their first album at that time.
- Thinking back – Gordon Jackson (1969)

- - Guests: Robbie Blunt, Rocky Dzidzornu, Luther Grosvenor, Remi Kabaka, Jim King, Poli Palmer, Julie Tippett, Steve Winwood (RIP: Jim Capaldi, Patrick Gammon, Ric Grech, Reg King, Chris Wood)
  - Producer: Dave Mason
  - Comments: Here we can find the original Traffic lineup: Steve Winwood, Dave Mason (also producing the album), Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood, plus members of Family: Ric Grech, Jim King and Poli Palmer. More great guests: Julie Driscoll (vocals), Luther Grosvenor (vocals), Robbie Blunt (sitar), and Remi Kabaka (percussion). CD reissue contains bonus tracks.
- The Fence – Harold McNair (1970)

- - Members: (RIP: Harold McNair)
  - Guests: Alan Branscombe, Tony Carr, Terry Cox, Colin Green, Danny Thompson, Keith Tippett (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Producer: Sandy Roberton
  - Comments: This flute player was Ric companion in Ginger Baker’s Airforce, and played in lots of Donovan and Alexis Korner albums, plus some other albums from albums with members in my Olympus, like Steamhammer (Micky Waller), Cressida (with Iain Clark, the fabulous drummer, once in Uriah Heep). With Colin Green (guitar), Keith Tippett (piano), Ric Grech (bass), Tony Carr (drums), plus the rhythm section from Pentangle, Danny Thompson (bass) and Terry Cox (drums). He died soon after this album, in 1971.
- Holy magick – Graham Bond (1971)

- - Members: Keith Bailey, John Morshead, Kevin Stacey, Diane Stewart, Steve York (RIP: Graham Bond)
  - Guests: Aliki Ashman, Pete Bailey, Annette Brox, Victor Brox, Alex Dmochowski, John Gross, Godfrey McLean, Jerry Salisbury (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Comments: A great keyboardist and sax player, a pity he died back in 1974. This album features great players: his wife Diane Stewart on vocals, plus John Moorshead (guitar), Kevin Stacey (guitar), Steve York (bass), Alex Dmochovski (bass), Ric Grech (bass), John Gross (sax), Jerry Salisbury (harmonica), Keith Bailey (drums), Pete Bailey (percussion), Godfrey McLean (drums), Aliki Ashman (vocals), Annette Brox (vocals), Victor Brox (vocals). Some CD reissues contains 6 bonus tracks (others only have 2).
- Hightower – Rosetta Hightower (1971)

- - Members: Ian Green, Rosetta Hightower
  - Guests: Colin Green, Bobby Keys, Henry Lowther, Henry McCullough, Jim Price, Bruce Rowland (RIP: Gordon Beck, Kenny Craddock, Ric Grech, Harold McNair)
  - Comments: Yes, she’s one of the female voices in the famous Joe Cocker hit ´With a little help from my friends´. She also sang in some other albums by Wendell Richardson (guitarist from Osibisa and Free), Yvonne Elliman, Kevin Ayers, Baker-Gurvitz Army, and she sang in some other album where Ric Grech appears. Rosetta also released her solo album, with Colin Green (guitar), Henry McCullough (guitar), Ric Grech (bass), the late Gordon Beck (keyboards, a long time Allan Holdsworth collaborator), Ken Craddock (keyboards), Henry Lowther (trumpet), Harold McNair (flute), Jim Price (trumpet), Bobby Keys (sax), Bruce Rowlands (drums).
- Oh! How we danced – Jim Capaldi (04/1972)

- - Members: (RIP: Jim Capaldi)
  - Guests: Trevor Burton, Sue Glover, Jim Gordon, Bob Griffin, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Kellie, Sunny Leslie, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Barry Beckett, Ric Grech, Paul Kossoff)
  - Comments: This album is Jim’s solo debut. It includes lots of friends. From Traffic: Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Ric Grech, Rebop, Jim Gordon, Chris Wood. From Muscle Shoals: Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Barry Beckett (all three were to join Traffic sometime later), Jimmy Johnson (guitar). Plus some others, like Sue Glover & Sunny Leslie (vocals), the great Paul Kossoff (guitar), Trevor Burton (bass), Bob Griffin (keyboards), and Mike Kellie (drums).
- GP – Gram Parsons (January 1973)

- - Members: Emmylou Harris (RIP: Gram Parsons)
  - Guests: Tom Bahler, Byron Berline, James Burton, Buddy Emmons, Glen D Hardin, Ron Hicklin, Alan Munde, Al Perkins, Barry Tashian, Ron Tutt (RIP: Ric Grech, John Guerin)
  - Comments: This fantastic and fine musician sadly passed away in 1973, when he was only 26. He was a member of The Byrds, and later a founder member of The Flying Burrito Brothers. As far as I know, he only recorded two solo albums while he lived, GP and Grievous angel, but his legend grow immensely after his death, and like some other great names, his discography is still increasing nowadays. Ric Grech was a great friend of Gram, and that’s why he appears in his offcial albums, as well as in almost every collection of demos or outtakes.
    GP was Gram’s solo debut. With his then girlfriend Emmylou Harris, and some Byrds-related musicians, members of Elvis Presley band, and some other country-rock musicians, like Buddy Emmons (steel guitar), the great James Burton (guitar), Byron Berline (violin), Glen D. Hardin (keyboards), Al Perkins (steel guitar), Ron Tutt (drums), and John Guerin (drums). With a song written by Ric, ´Kiss the children´, who also co-produced the album along with Gram. It was recorded September-October 1972.
- Grievous angel – Gram Parsons (01/1974)

- - Members: Emmylou Harris, Norman D Smart (RIP: Gram Parsons)
  - Guests: Byron Berline, James Burton, Kim Fowley, Emory Gordy, Glen D Hardin, Bernie Leadon, Herb Pedersen, Al Perkins, Linda Ronstadt, Ron Tutt (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Comments: Gram Parsons´ second album, Grievous angel features again Emmylou Harris, James Burton, Byron Berline, Glen D. Hardin, Al Perkins, plus Linda Ronstadt (vocals), Herb Pedersen (guitar), Emory Gordy (bass), Bernie Leadon (guitar, from The Eagles). There’s a song co-written by Ric and Gram, ´Ohh Las Vegas´. Ric is not credited in the album, but I think he must be there, just my guess… Recorded during Summer 1973. It contains a really superb rendition of ´Love hurts´, sung as a duet by Gram and Emmylou.
- Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers – Streetwalkers (05/1974)

- - Members: Roger Chapman, Tim Hinkley, Charlie Whitney (RIP: Ian Wallace)
  - Guests: Jim Cregan, Mike Giles, Neil Hubbard, Linda Lewis, Godfrey McLean, Max Middleton, Poli Palmer, John Wetton (RIP: Boz Burrell, Ric Grech)
  - Comments: Ex-Family members Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney put together a new project: Streetwalkers. The original idea was to keep the band as a duo (Chapman and Whitney). They recorded the first album, Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers, with several former companions in Family: John Wetton (bass, then in King Crimson, and later in Uriah Heep and many others great bands), Ric Grech, Jim Cregan, Poli Palmer, as well as Boz Burrell, Ian Wallace & Michael Giles (all from King Crimson), Tim Hinkley, Neil Hubbard and Max Middleton, etc.
    The album has finally reissued on CD in 2010, with a different album cover and under the title First cut.
- Mahoney´s last stand – Ronnie Lane & Ron Wood (1976)

- - Members: Benny Gallagher, Ian McLagan, Bruce Rowland, Ron Wood (RIP: Ronnie Lane, Ian ´Stu´ Stewart)
  - Guests: Glyn Johns, Kenny Jones, Bobby Keys, Billy Nicholls, Jim Price, Pete Townshend (RIP: Ric Grech, Micky Waller)
  - Comments: This soundtrack, although it was released in 1976, was started to be recorded in 1972. Mahoney’s last stand album is credited to Ron Wood & Ronnie Lane. Ron and Ronnie are accompanied by many fellow musicians: Pete Townshend (guitar, from The Who), Ric Grech (bass and violin), Ian McLagan & Kenny Jones, Benny Gallagher (bass, from Gallagher & Lyle), and the late ones Ian ‘Stu’ Stewart and Micky Waller (drums), etc.
- Sleepless nights – Gram Parsons – The Flying Burrito Bros (1976)

- - Members: Byron Berline, Chris Hillman, Bernie Leadon, Al Perkins (RIP: Michael Clarke, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Gram Parsons)
  - Guests: James Burton, Emory Gordy, Glen D Hardin, Herb Pedersen, Ron Tutt (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Comments: Sleepless nights comprises unreleased songs from The Flying Burrito Brothers. Well, really, the album is credited to Gram Parsons & The Flying Burrito Brothers. Again, with Emmylou Harris, James Burton, Ric Grech, Byron Berline, Glen D. Hardin, Al Perkins, Ron Tutt, plus Herb Pedersen (guitar), Emory Gordy (bass), etc. And from The Flying Burrito Brothers: Bernie Leadon (guitar), Chris Hillman (bass), Sneaky Pete Kleinow (steel guitar), Michael Clarke (drums).
- Eleven sides of Baker – Ginger Baker & Friends (01/1977)

- - Members: Ginger Baker
  - Guests: Louise Arthurworrey, Jeff Daly, Mike Deacon, Herbie Flowers, Kuma Harada, DeLisle Harper, Eddie Mordue, Alan Skidmore, Snips, Chris Spedding, Stan Sulzmann (RIP: Ric Grech, Ian Hamer, Derek Wadsworth)
- Cosmic American music – Gram Parsons (1995)

- Members: Emmylou Harris (RIP: Gram Parsons)
- Guests: Byron Berline, Alan Munde, Barry Tashian (RIP: Ric Grech)
- Comments: Cosmic American music is a compilation of demos recorded around 1972. Ric Grech appears here, as well as Emmylou Harris.

COMPILATIONS WITH BANDMATES AND FRIENDS (3 credits)

- Warm evenings, pale mornings, bottled blues – Gram Parsons (1992)

- - Members: (RIP: Gram Parsons)
  - Guests: (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Comments: Warm evenings, pale mornings, bottled blues is a retrospective of Gram’s complete career, including his early bands.
- Sacred hearts and fallen angels – the Gram Parsons anthology – Gram Parsons (May 2001)

- - Members: Jock Bartley, Emmylou Harris, Norman D Smart (RIP: Chris Ethridge, Gram Parsons)
  - Guests: Byron Berline, James Burton, Jon Corneal, Buddy Emmons, Emory Gordy, Glen D Hardin, Chris Hillman, Eddie Hoh, Bernie Leadon, Jay Dee Maness, Joe Osborn, Herb Pedersen, Al Perkins, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Russell, Barry Tashian (RIP: Michael Clarke, Ric Grech, John Guerin, Kevin Kelley, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Clarence White)
- The Complete Reprise sessions – Gram Parsons (August 2005)

- Members: Emmylou Harris, Norman D Smart (RIP: Gram Parsons)
- Guests: Tom Bahler, Byron Berline, James Burton, Buddy Emmons, Kim Fowley, Emory Gordy, Glen D Hardin, Ron Hicklin, Bernie Leadon, Alan Munde, Herb Pedersen, Al Perkins, Linda Ronstadt, Barry Tashian, Ron Tutt (RIP: Ric Grech, John Guerin)
- Comments: 3CD comprising Gram´s two solo albums (GP and Grievous angel, plus a 3rd CD with rarities and outtakes.

SESSIONS (9 credits)

- The London Muddy Waters sessions – Muddy Waters (April 1972)

- - Members: (RIP: Sammy Lawhorn, Muddy Waters)
  - Guests: Garnett Brown, Rosetta Hightower, Herb Lovell, Seldon Powell, Steve Winwood (RIP: Carey Bell, Rory Gallagher, Ric Grech, Mitch Mitchell, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal)
  - Producer: Esmond Edwards, Ian Green
  - Comments: Muddy Waters arrived to London to record some sessions with avid British alumni. With some members of Muddy’s band, such as Sammy Lawhorn (guitar) and Carey Bell (harmonica). Great names here: Rory Gallagher (guitar), Ric Grech (bass), Steve Winwood (keyboards), Mitch Mitchell (drums), plus Rossetta Hightower on vocals.
- Billion dollar babies – Alice Cooper (1973)

- - Members: Alice Cooper
  - Guests: (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Comments: Once I read that this album contains guest cameo appearances by Donovan, Marc Bolan, Ric Grech and Keith Moon, but my Spanish LP copy doesn’t have credits, so I can’t be sure. Can anyone check it for me, please?
- Life in a tin can – The Bee Gees (January 1973)

- - Members: Barry Gibb, Alan Kendall (RIP: Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb)
  - Guests: Jim Keltner, Tommy Morgan (RIP: Ric Grech, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Jerome Richardson)
  - Technical: Ted Jensen
  - Comments: They were always great! This album contains their usual guitarist, Alan Kendall (guitar), plus guest appearances by Sneaky Pete Kleinow (steel guitar), Tommy Morgan (harmonica), Jerome Richardson (flute), Jane Getz (piano), Jim Keltner (drums). Ric Grech plays great parts of violin and bass in the song ´While I play´.
- E H in the UK – Eddie Harris (1974)

- - Members: (RIP: Eddie Harris)
  - Guests: Jeff Beck, Neil Hubbard, Tony Kaye, Albert Lee, Zoot Money, Ian Paice, Chris Squire, Alan White, Steve Winwood (RIP: Loughty Amao, Boz Burrell, Ric Grech)
  - Producer: (RIP: Nesuhi Ertegun)
  - Comments: Eddie Harris was a jazz tenor sax player, who died in November 1996. Although mostly of his albums are really jazz stuff, he also tried a bit in the rock scene. This album is also known as The Eddie Harris London sessions. Ric Grech performs in only one song, along with Jeff Beck (guitar), Albert Lee (guitar), Steve Winwood (keyboards), Loughty Amato (percussion) and Ian Paice (drums). Other great musicians who appear in the album: Neil Hubbard (guitar), Boz Burrell (bass), Zoot Money (keyboards), and from Yes: Chris Squire (bass), Tony Kaye (keyboards) and Alan White (drums).
- Men opening umbrellas ahead – Vivian Stanshall (1974)

- - Members: (RIP: Viv Stanshall)
  - Guests: Madeline Bell, Neil Innes, Gaspar Lawal, Derek Quinn, Barry St John, Steve Winwood (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech, Doris Troy)
  - Comments: The late Viv Stanshall was the leader in the Bonzo Dog Dadah Band. This was his solo debut, helped by Steve Winwood, who brought here his fellow companions in Traffic: Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech and Rebop. Plus Madeline Bell & Doris Troy (vocals) and Neil Innes (guitar, keyboard, from Bonzo Dog Band).
- London revisited – Muddy Waters – Howlin´ Wolf (January 1974)

- - Members: (RIP: Sammy Lawhorn, Pinetop Perkins, Muddy Waters)
  - Guests: Garnett Brown, Rosetta Hightower, Herb Lovell, Seldon Powell, Steve Winwood (RIP: Carey Bell, Rory Gallagher, Ric Grech, Mitch Mitchell, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Howlin´ Wolf)
  - Producer: Esmond Edwards, Ian Green
  - Comments: London revisited is a collection of unused tracks from the 1971 sessions that Muddy Waters (4 tracks) and Howlin´ Wolf (3 tracks) made with British musicians.
- Smiler – Rod Stewart (September 1974)

- - Members: Ian McLagan, Martin Quittenton, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood
  - Guests: Doreen Chanter, Irene Chanter, Ray Cooper, Spike Heatley, Ray Jackson, Elton John, Kenny Jones, Andy Newmark, Dick Powell, Pete Sears, Ruby Turner, Willie Weeks (RIP: Ric Grech, Micky Waller)
  - Technical: Mike Bobak, Suha Gur
  - Comments: Smiler is Rod’s 6th album, with Ron Wood, Martin Quittenton (guitar), Micky Waller (drums), Pete Sears (piano), Kenny Jones (drums), Ray Jackson (mandolin), Ric Grech (here, playing violin), Spike Heatley (bass), Andy Newmark (drums, later with Roxy Music, Nils Lofgren, Roger Waters and countless others), Willie Weeks (bass) Ray Cooper (percussion), Elton John (piano and vocals in his own song ´Let me be your car´), Dick Powell (violin), Doreen Chanter (vocals) and the Memphis Horns.
- Heyday – the BBC radio sessions 1968-1969 – Fairport Convention (1987)

- - Members: Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Ian Matthews, Simon Nicol, Dave Swarbrick, Richard Thompson (RIP: Sandy Denny, Martin Lamble)
  - Guests: (RIP: Ric Grech)
  - Comments: Some CD reissue contains 1 bonus track. Ric Grech appears guesting on violin with the band in 2 tracks recorded in March 1969.
- Live At The BBC – Fairport Convention (2007)

- Members: Jerry Donahue, Judy Dyble, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Ian Matthews, Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Richard Thompson (RIP: Sandy Denny, Martin Lamble, Trevor Lucas)
- Guests: (RIP: Ric Grech)
- Producer: (RIP: John Walters)
- Comments: 4CD boxset with live recordings by Fairport Convention. Ric Grech guests on violin in 4 tracks recorded in April 1969.

COMPILATIONS (SESSIONS) (5 credits)

- The Chess box – Muddy Waters (1989)

- - Members: James Cotton (RIP: Francis Clay, Calvin Jones, Sammy Lawhorn, Pinetop Perkins, Willie Smith, Otis Spann, Luther Tucker, Little Walter, Muddy Waters)
  - Guests: Buddy Guy, Casey Jones, Sam Lay, Phil Upchurch (RIP: Carey Bell, Fred Below, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Willie Dixon, Donald ´Duck´ Dunn, Rory Gallagher, Ric Grech, Earl Hooker, Clifton James, S P Leary, Mitch Mitchell, A C Reed, Jimmy Rogers, Sunnyland Slim, Johnny Walker, Junior Wells)
  - Producer: Gene Barge, Esmond Edwards, Ian Green (RIP: Ralph Bass, Leonard Chess)
  - Technical: Greg Fulginiti, Bill Inglot
  - Comments: 6LP (or 3CD) boxset.
- Over, under, sideways, down (a comprehensive collection) – The Yardbirds (1990)

- - Members: Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, John McVie, Jimmy Page, Paul Samwell-Smith, Top Topham (RIP: Keith Relf)
  - Guests: Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Louis Cennamo, Ray Cook, Aynsley Dunbar, Hughie Flint, John Hawken, Mike Hugg, Casey Jones, John Paul Jones, Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jane Relf, Rod Stewart, Mike Vickers, Steve Winwood, Ron Wood (RIP: John Bonham, Ric Grech)
  - Producer: Giorgio Gomelsky (RIP: Mickie Most)
- Reason to believe: the complete Mercury studio recordings – Rod Stewart (November 2002)

- - Members: Ian McLagan, Martin Quittenton, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood
  - Guests: Chris Barber, Madeline Bell, Maggie Bell, Doreen Chanter, Irene Chanter, Ray Cooper, Mike D´Abo, Keith Emerson, Spike Heatley, Jimmy Horowitz, Ray Jackson, Elton John, Kenny Jones, Will Malone, Andy Newmark, Dick Powell, Martin Pugh, Andy Pyle, Harry Reynolds, Pete Sears, Danny Thompson, Ruby Turner, Willie Weeks (RIP: Speedy Acquaye, Long John Baldry, Ric Grech, Gordon Huntley, Ronnie Lane, Sam Mitchell, Micky Waller)
  - Producer: Bill Levenson (RIP: Lou Reizner)
  - Technical: Mike Bobak, Keith Grant, Suha Gur, Glyn Johns, Roger Wake
  - Comments: 3CD boxset comprising Rod´s first five albums (The Rod Stewart album, Gasoline alley, Every picture tells a story, Never a dull moment, Smiler, plus several additional tracks.
- Gold – Rod Stewart (July 2005)

- - Members: Ian McLagan, Martin Quittenton, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood
  - Guests: Doreen Chanter, Irene Chanter, Ray Cooper, Mike D´Abo, Keith Emerson, Billy Gaff, Spike Heatley, Jimmy Horowitz, Ray Jackson, Elton John, Kenny Jones, Will Malone, Andy Newmark, Dick Powell, Martin Pugh, Andy Pyle, Harry Reynolds, Pete Sears, Danny Thompson, Ruby Turner, Willie Weeks (RIP: Speedy Acquaye, Ric Grech, Gordon Huntley, Ronnie Lane, Sam Mitchell, Micky Waller)
  - Producer: Bill Levenson (RIP: Lou Reizner)
  - Technical: Mike Bobak, Keith Grant, Suha Gur, Glyn Johns
  - Comments: 2CD compilation.
- The Rod Stewart sessions 1971-1998 – Rod Stewart (October 2009)

- Members: Carmine Appice, Rick Braun, Tony Brock, Phil Chen, John Corey, Jim Cregan, Paulinho Da Costa, Jay Davis, Joey Diggs, Mike Finnigan, Jeff Golub, Gary Grainger, Max Gronenthal, Dee Harvey, Duane Hitchings, John Jarvis, Danny Johnson, Chuck Kentis, Phil Kenzie, Nick Lane, Oliver Leiber, Robin LeMesurier, Linda Lewis, Steve Madaio, Ian McLagan, David Palmer, Billy Peek, Darryl Phinnessee, Martin Quittenton, Jimmy Roberts, Carmine Rojas, Kevin Savigar, John Shanks, Rod Stewart, Wally Stocker, Andy Taylor, Lee R Thornburg, Lamont Van Hook, Fred White, Ron Wood, Jimmy Zavala
- Guests: Colin Allen, Kenny Aronoff, Jeff ´Skunk´ Baxter, Madeline Bell, Gene Black, Tim Bogert, Pete Carr, Valerie Carter, Doreen Chanter, Irene Chanter, Michael Chapman, Ray Cooper, Lol Creme, Steve Cropper, Kevin Dorsey, Anne Dudley, Scott Edwards, David Foster, Albhy Galuten, Earl Gardner, David Gilmour, Bob Glaub, Richard Greene, Jimmy Haslip, Roger Hawkins, Spike Heatley, Gary Herbig, David Hood, Dann Huff, Clydene Jackson, Paul Jackson, Ray Jackson, Jimmy Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Plas Johnson, Davey Johnstone, John Paul Jones, Kenny Jones, Jerome Jumonville, Suzie Katayama, Holly Knight, Joe Lala, Michael Landau, Patrick Leonard, David Lindley, Steve Lipson, Nils Lofgren, Nick Lowe, Steve Lukather, Eddie Martinez, John Mayall, Lance Morrison, Jamie Muhoberac, Andy Newmark, Patrick O´Hearn, Nigel Olsson, Richard Page, Sid Page, Bill Payne, Phil Perry, Lenny Pickett, John Pierce, Tim Pierce, Dick Powell, Guy Pratt, Jim Price, Andy Pyle, Frank Ricotti, John Robinson, Paul Robinson, Rick Schlosser, Tom Scott, Pete Sears, Leland Sklar, William ´Smitty´ Smith, Mark Stein, Neil Stubenhaus, Fred Tackett, Pete Thomas, Danny Thompson, Joe Turano, Ruby Turner, Carmen Twillie, Tommy Vig, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Walsh, Oren Waters, Willie Weeks, Larry Williams, David Woodford, Terry Young (RIP: Speedy Acquaye, Long John Baldry, Barry Beckett, Lyn Collins, Jesse Ed Davis, Donald ´Duck´ Dunn, Bernard Edwards, Ric Grech, Nicky Hopkins, Gordon Huntley, Al Jackson, Ronnie Lane, Sam Mitchell, Billy Preston, Tony Thompson, Micky Waller, David Williams)
- Producer: Bob Ezrin, Trevor Horn, Danny Kortchmar, James Newton Howard, Lenny Waronker (RIP: Tom Dowd)
- Technical: Mike Bobak, Dan Hersch, Andy Johns (RIP: Willie Mitchell, Dee Robb)
- Comments: 4CD boxset compilation with lots of unreleased tracks.

3 comments:

Anonymous8 July 2012 at 22:41

am not sure, but i think harry oevenall was the drummer in family on that 1st single, Scene thru the eyes of a lens/gypsy woman, soon to be replaced by rob townsend.

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Jake Whitmore29 November 2014 at 20:30

My dad Jeff Whitmore was the lead singer for Berkeley Squares and used to travel to their gigs with Grech. He also sang in Leicester bands Shelly, Reverbs and Tuxedo Five. Hope this helps……..

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Replies
molympus29 November 2014 at 21:40

Hi, Jake – thanks for this. Is there any chance of getting more info about The Beverly Squares? The names of other members, for example, and the approximate period when the band was active. It’s not easy getting info about them. Thanks again.
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“Bob Dylan’s Dream” Kenny Wilson sings Dylan at the Donkey Bar, Leicester 30th August 2018

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Mods, Delinquency and the Green Bowler Cafe

Posted May 30, 2018

Filed under Coffee Bars, Counterculture, Leicester, Mods and Hippies, Music, Subculture, The Green Bowler

Mods in Nottingham

According to the poet Philip Larkin

“Sexual intercourse began
In nineteen sixty-three
(which was rather late for me) –
Between the end of the Chatterley ban
And the Beatles’ first LP.” (Philip Larkin)

It may have been a bit late for Larkin but it was rather early for me. In 1963 I was 12 years old which meant I was very aware of what was going on out in the World but I was still basically a child. I had a lot of freedom (and a bike) and I was just finishing my first year at secondary school. The obscenity trial of Lady Chatterley’s Lover was all over the news and, as has been often said, was a nail in the coffin of the old established order, who appeared so out of touch with the modern age. The Beatles were obviously a totally new phenomenon that epitomised modern times and I, like most of my contemporaries, were totally won over by both their sound and their energy.

At the age of twelve I was not a rebellious child, in fact I was quite the opposite. I enjoyed going to school and I volunteered for virtually all the activities offered. I joined the school band, I was a member of the Rugby and Cricket teams, on sports days I volunteered for nearly all the events (it took me about a week to recover) and I swam several events in the swimming galas. On top of that I acted in the school play (oh, and recited a poem by heart at an external competition. The teacher said I sounded like I was reading a laundry list! It was Robert Browning’s The Pied Piper of Hamelin, which is a lot to remember!). I was also a keen member of the scouts and loved hiking and camping. Like Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, I also eventually became a patrol leader.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Well, not a lot actually. I carried on doing all of those things but there is something that changed, and that was that I became a TEENAGER. It seems strange now that such a small thing could create such a change in attitude and outlook, but this was the 1960s and Teenagers were all the rage. A whole industry had arisen to cater for their needs and, of course, as usual, the media had created a monster. For me 1964 was the beginning of a New Age and I discovered it’s dark side. The Rolling Stones and The Who became my favourite groups and 1965 became the year I experimented with Crime and Delinquency. 1965 was also the year that Like a Rolling Stone was released by Bob Dylan, a song that still resounds like liquid mercury in my brain!

Like many before I was drawn to what the bad kids were doing and thought there was a world of immense joy and pleasure out there. The first real youth subculture in Britain were the Teddy Boys and they provoked fear, or at least tried to, in all they came across. There were a terrifying group that met up on a street corner near where I lived. I walked an extra mile just to avoid them on my way back from the scouts. But 1964 saw a media storm involving a new subculture: The Mods. The first that most people knew about the Mods was when the press and TV sensationally reported battles between them and the Rockers (another new subculture based around motorcycles) at British seaside resorts mainly in the south. Well, of course, this was enough to create the self-fulfilling prophecy of violent gangs stalking the streets of England. It has been described in a study by Stanley Cohen in 1972 called Folk Devils and Moral Panics.

Before 1965 I had never considered the possibility of entering a life of crime and violence but it seemed to occur by it’s own volition. My best friend at school was very impressed with the Mods and, indeed, he was quite knowledgeable about them. His mother’s hair-dressing shop had an apprentice who was a fully fledged Mod who had a scooter and was old enough to travel to some of the clubs that were opening up. He was a source of information for both of us. Mod was about fashion and had a real self-confidence about it. When pop group The Who released My Generation it’s sheer arrogance was quite shocking. By contrast The Rockers were fairly conservative, trying to look like Marlon Brando in The Wild One and listening to 1950s Rock and Roll. At the time I was open to anything that looked good. For example, the Rockers decorated their belts and leather jackets with studs in quite intricate designs, and this appealed to me, but the Mods choice of music was far more interesting and innovative. The Rockers dress sense was very macho and they could look pretty good, especially when the trend for skintight, ice blue jeans came into style. They also had a reputation for being far more violent than the Mods, arming themselves with bicycle chains and studied belts. Many of the ‘battles’ between the Mods and Rockers through the streets of Leicester involved Mods haranguing Rockers and then running off with the Rockers giving chase. As far as I can remember, there was a lot of running and squaring up to each other, and not a lot of fighting. There was a sickening atmosphere of violence over the whole affair though. It accompanied the growth of fighting and hooliganism at football matches, which had it’s roots during this period, although there is evidence that this probably started much earlier. I can remember being a part of ‘battles’ in town where we sang the Dave Clark Five song Catch Us if you Can (1965) as we ran:

“Here they come again, mmmm-mm-mm

Catch us if you can, mmmm-mm-mm

Time to get a move on, mmmm-mm-mm

We will yell with all of our might! [drums kick in]

Catch us if you can …” (Dave Clark Five 1965)

My third year at school lasted from September 1964 to August 1965. During this time I befriended perhaps one of the most unusual people I have ever met. He wasn’t in the same class as me but we became inseparable for nearly a year. That was until we got arrested for stealing two footballs (in case you are wondering, they were deflated!) from Lewis’s Department Store in Leicester. We ended up before the Juvenile Court and I was given a £3 fine and he was sent away to what the Americans call Juvie (Approved School in England, although there were other types of juvenile detention). He actually had quite a few previous offences so the court considered I had been led astray and that is why his punishment was more severe. To the chagrin of my parents I had become a fully fledged Juvenile Delinquent, a phrase that was banded about quite a lot in those days.

However, my friend wasn’t really a delinquent at all. He didn’t really tick any of the boxes, except that he was a truly obsessive kleptomaniac. He took massive risks and actually got away with it most of the time. He was addicted to the adrenaline rush and I really picked up on that and became an adrenaline junkie myself. He wasn’t really a criminal even. He wasn’t trying to profit from it, he really was just living for kicks, a phrase that was used a lot in those days. Apart from that, he was a nice, kind person from a quite respectable background. After 1965, to my regret, I never saw him again until I was doing a gig at The Crows Nest, Leicester in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, by then, apart from our shared school experience, we no longer had much in common.

During my fourth year at school from 1965 to 1966 I decided to give up my criminal ways and pursue more artistic and cultural interests. I started going to the Phoenix Theatre that had recently opened, and I also attended all sorts of concerts at the De Montfort Hall some of which I paid for and others I just hung about outside, this included Bob Dylan’s famous electric gig and also the American Folk Blues tours where I actually got to meet Son House and Willie Dixon.

Image result for bob dylan leicester 1966

It was during this time that I first got involved with the local Leicester live music scene. With my new best friend I started going to the Green Bowler Cafe on Churchgate. This was quite a small place that became a major meeting place for the Mods. There were always rows of scooters outside and there were often encounters from the Rockers who were based at the Roman Cafe. This worked both ways and in the end there was a ‘summit’ between the owners of the respective cafes to create a ‘Pax Romana/Bowler’ which actually worked.

You could own and ride a scooter or small motorbike at the age of 15 and I would have joined the ranks of scooter owners if it wasn’t for the fact that I had another run-in with the law for riding a moped without a licence, insurance or tax. To make matters worse I foolishly gave a wrong address and when the police finally caught up with me I was given another fine and banned from driving for two years. Even with my decision to ‘go straight’ I now had two criminal offences to my name and I hadn’t even reached the age of 16. My future was not looking good!

The Green Bowler had a few tables at the front and side and at the back was the bar selling ‘frothy coffee’, two American pinball machines and a superb jukebox containing all the latest hits. For me, the pinball machines were the big draw. After a certain amount of points you’d get a replay, and you could get even more replays as the game continued. The essence of the game was to stay on as long as possible and there were many people keen to displace you. It is a real game of skill and quick reactions and I became a bit of a ‘Pinball Wizard’ (not like the Who’s ‘Tommy’ though. I couldn’t do it with my eyes closed!)

There were girls at the Green Bowler and it was a great social scene. I met my first proper girlfriend there. The girls had their own style that was quite androgynous. When Andy Warhol encountered British Mod Fashion in New York at the time of the British Invasion he was impressed by how the boys looked like girls and the girls looked like boys. The rest of America weren’t quite as sure though, especially in the Deep South! Warhol Superstar Edie Sedgwick became the first American Mod Girl and the style went International!

Mod American style with Warhol Superstar Edie Sedgwick

As time went on the owners opened up a club upstairs called The Antiquity Club. This was tiny but there was a small stage where local groups played and there were alcoves, and a jukebox that was even louder than the one downstairs. Without a doubt, you have never really heard classic 60s hits like the Stones, Who or the Beatles until you hear them on a loud classic jukebox (45 rpm singles, not digital rubbish!).

Fairly recent picture of the original owners of the Green Bowler. Lovely people!

A friend of mine has said that there was the intention of opening another club in the basement of the Green Bowler but I never experienced this. There is a large interesting building next door that became the Freewheeler Club in the 1970s. This was quite a happening place for a few years.

By 1967 the Mod scene was splitting. Many of the Faces (trend setting figures) were moving towards the Hippie Counterculture, which was far more fashion-conscious than the American equivalent, whilst others stuck to the somewhat grim, violent, right-wing morality of what eventually became the Skinheads. The Green Bowler lasted for a few more years and became meeting spot for people and musicians but the real scene for me moved to other places like the Chameleon, the Art Centre Cafe, The Fuddyduddy (Kenco Coffee House on Granby Street) and the Art College Chaplaincy Centre (on Newarke Street).

Interview with Dave Andrews of Radio Leicester about iconic music venue “Il Rondo”

This is an interview by Dave Andrews of Radio Leicester with me, Shaun Knapp, and Sue Barton about the iconic music venue Il Rondo that is now a store room for an Italian restaurant! It was amazing to see it and realise it was still there virtually unchanged but rather derelict.

The Il Rondo hosted some of the greats of popular music including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Howlin’ Wolf, Fleetwood Mac and a host of others!

Kenny Wilson's Blog

about my journeys (both geographical and mental), my memories and my research into the counterculture of the 1960s

Tag Archives: Leicester

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Ric Grech (bass / violin)

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“Bob Dylan’s Dream” Kenny Wilson sings Dylan at the Donkey Bar, Leicester 30th August 2018

Mods, Delinquency and the Green Bowler Cafe

Interview with Dave Andrews of Radio Leicester about iconic music venue “Il Rondo”

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