At 15, I left school and went on tour with a band called the Ebony Combo. This was baptism by fire - broke and hungry I returned to Birmingham and after a few months was playing bass in a trio at strip and cabaret clubs. I actually gained an insight (in more ways than one) into performing Arts - then it was back to the R&B scene. Over the next few years I worked with Nicky James (Pye records), gigged with Johnny Neal and The Starliners (Decca) and worked with Joe Meek, a well known record producer of the 60's.whose signings included Billy Fury, The Honeycombes, The Outlaws, Screaming Lord Sutch, the Tornadoes and numerous others. Most notable claims to fame was declining an offer from Denny Lane to join the Moody Blues, missing out on their first number 1 - 'Go Now'. Denny of course went on to become a central part of Wings with Paul and Linda McCartney. During the 60's I played with numerous bands and appeared on the same bill as many of the big names of the time. I had recorded material with assorted artists, met and enjoyed the company of some great people but was the time to move on. A new family business venture claimed me and it was to be 15 years before the bug would bite again. As a ‘respectable’ businessman, with family, the purchase of an electronic somehow ended up with me back on bass playing social clubs. Next came the formation of Blues Power, a band playing Chicago blues and it was to be another 3 or 4 years of gigging before I decide to hang up the bass for good ......... well that is till my son had a flirtation with music. I was 'co-opted' to help my son’s band. The drummer had two uncles who played guitar - it took a couple of pints of warm beer in 1995, on an equally warm Saturday afternoon to lay plans for a new band. With a combined age of 223 years If It Fits notched up credits including one of the best gigs of my life at the University of Warwick’s, Students Union. The photos are If It Fits, eluding me at this time are just two old pics of my youth ....
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