A
band history - the early years - 1977 to 1983
Its often difficult to pinpoint a change in direction but the GA certainly sticks in my memory - although I couldn't tell you where it is now. |
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When the band started playing there in its first few gigs, they pulled about 10 people. Herne Bay based QUINT were the big boys and everyone else was third/fourth fiddle. They got about 25 quid and every one else got between 10 and 15 - so they had to be good. |
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| The band did a few gigs to a small
but appreciative audience - playing a mixture of original compositions
by Reg and soul, pop and rock and roll standards. To compensate
for a lack of numbers, the band had joked around a little between
the songs and Paul started to tell the odd joke - usually very odd. |
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| After a gig or so like this, the audience
began to improve and the "witty repartee" between Paul and
the audience (plus Paddy, the barmaid) increased to such an extent
that the band always had songs to spare. |
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| At rehearsal one night (Hythe Scouts
Hall), Paul suggested they did a medley of Gary Glitter songs.
At the next rehearsal, Terry turned up with a silver suit and a pair
of golden boots and basically told him to put his money where his
mouth was. Paul (who had always wanted to sing but never had)
took on the challenge! |
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| The Golden Arrow was the place to try
it out! |
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| The crowd had been building for some
time - now the room was packed out every gig, to the extent of covering
the pool table so it could be sat on. The audience expected
the unusual - a raffle where the somewhat posh winner was shocked
to receive a pair of Perry's socks (still warm) or the band opening
up with Moon River or worse, opening up and trying to play someone
else instrument!
The Gary Glitter act went down a storm, especially with a guy called
Gordon - who used to do something "odd" every time the
band played. Although he had turned up dressed in unusual
things, the most memorable was him dressed in newspapers as
a punk. A quick thinking Terry called him over to chat n stage,
while Perry set him alight! |
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| Eventually the band could no longer
afford to play at the GA - although the fee increased to a massive
27 pound 50p plus the odd free drink. |
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| A recording of the early days at the GA is available - click here | ||
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