I contributed to Zoe Ball’s show on Greatest Hits Radio this afternoon, which proved a total pleasure. I had chosen a number of tracks for broadcast, all of which involved former colleagues at the Musicians’ Union. (The notes I provided to the production team are included here). I spoke to Zoe for a significant time, however understandably the recording was edited to fit the featured slot. The programme will be available for a few weeks via the Rayo app and website.
https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/shows/zoe-ball-in-the-afternoon/id-236336579/
“Amongst many roles in the music industry down the years, I am currently a Governor of the Royal Society of Musicians.
The Society, the UK’s oldest music charity, is dedicated to offering financial aid, advice, and guidance to music professionals impacted by physical or mental ill health. Founded in 1738 by Handel and run by musicians for musicians.
Previously I was a full-time official of the Musicians’ Union for 25 years, Based for many years in the Oval, south London.
I was also editor of The Musician for 20 years, which was recognised as the magazine for working musicians in the UK.
This meant I shared an office with some former musicians of note, including Dave Fenton of The Vapors…
Turning Japanese
The Vapors
I saw The Vapors supporting The Jam at Poole Arts Centre in November 1979.
Little did I know that twenty years later I would end up working closely with Dave, frontman for the group, when he became MU in-house solicitor in 2000.
The Vapors still play the occasional gig and I saw them in April at the Half Moon in Putney.
Do anything you wanna do
Eddie and the Hot Rods (aka The Rods for that release in 1977)
Paul Gray, a superb bass player with the band, and who then became a member of The Damned and UFO in the 1980s
He subsequently became a Regional Officer for the MU offering advice to budding musicians in Wales & SW England
He has returned to gigging with The Damned and they are, in fact, on tour and playing the UK this month
Einstein a go-go
Landscape
I was living in Hammersmith with a girl from Seattle (whom I met on the tube) when this was a hit and a particular favourite of ours. She played in a band called ‘The Rich & Famous.’ The least known and worst paid group in the world!
Australian Pete Thoms played trombone and keyboards with Landscape. Alongside another bassist who is now a friend, bassist Andy Pask.
After Landscape, Pete toured with various artists, including Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, Roger Waters, Pete Townshend and Midge Ure.
Pete then became the MU Sessions Official and a familiar face in all the major studios.
He’s also still gigging around town with the Mojo big band!
This is how it feels
Inspiral Carpets
Moving into the 1990s, this is a great track from the Manchester era
A classic from an influential band, sometimes overlooked when people talk about that time
Lead vocals by Tom Hingley, a lovely man, who is the partner of Kelly Wood, who is currently the MU National Organiser for Live, Theatre & Music Writers
Others who worked with me at the Union include Horace Trubridge, saxophone player with Darts (of Daddy Cool fame amongst many others). He rose to the top role for the Union as General Secretary in 2017.
I am still a fan of grassroots gigs. We are off tomorrow (Friday) to catch the RAH Band – of ‘The Crunch’ and ‘Clouds across the Moon’ fame – as they are playing Bush Hall.”
