(as pictured on right)
| Kevin Parrott |
lead guitar |
| Colin Leah |
lead guitar |
| Geoff Kirk (Kirk Price) |
vocals |
| Derek Morrison |
rhythm guitar |
| Dave Snape |
drums |
| Ronnie Dixon |
bass guitar |
"Mick Coleman joined the band from The Hornets and we eventually changed the name to the Fat Sound after adding frontline saxes.
We then worked the rest of the 1960s in Denmark, Germany & Israel with the Big Sound. Mick wrote the song Matchstalk Men which I produced, and we made number one in 1978"
Kevin Parrott
The Pathfinders at Regent Ballroom 1965
While I was with The Pathfinders, I auditioned as lead guitarist with the Manchester Federals one afternoon at the Ice Rink (off Cheetham Hill Road?), and was offered the job.
Meanwhile, as our manager Dave Baxter had a "recording studio", we recorded a couple of acetates to send me on my way.
However, while serving my notice with The Pathfinders, I changed my mind about leaving.
Dave's studio was in Audenshaw, and had a few groups in to do "demo's".
Actually, the studio looked the part, but behind the glass he only had a small stereo tape recorder and a little mixer.
Still, he had the best of intentions.
One of the groups he had recording was "The Buddies" from Bury, and for some reason I think I have an acetate they did at the time in the attic. I seem to recall that one of them had died soon after they made that recording. (I think the song could be "Hello Josephine".
I was wondering if anyone remembered them, perhaps family?
Kevin Parrott
Well as you can see, it's me, the one and only Dave.
I met the Pathfinders as Kevin says in my studio at Audenshaw, which I converted from an ex co-op shop, and I was so impressed with the sound that they were producing, that to tell the truth I neglected everything else and started to manage them.
Before very long, the boy's popularity grew to such an extent, that we were approached by the Liverpool Pathfinders who were unhappy because people were turning up at gigs expecting to see us and then found that it was the wrong Pathfinders and, as they had chosen the name before us, we had to change our name.
Now I am an ex 'Big Band' leader and I had by then added, Tenor sax, Trumpet,and Trombone to the lne up and am proud to say the sound the band then made was fantastic ... lots of body, so we called it The FAT Sound. and thats how I still think of them.
I am now 78 years of age, and can honestly say that the happiest time of my life was spent with THE FAT SOUND.
I am still in touch with, Kevin who hasn't forgotten me and hopefully we will be meeting in June at Altrincham, when the boys get together for a re-union.
Dave Baxter
In memory of Dave Baxter
Two photographs taken 45 years apart, almost to the day.
L/R Kevin Parrott, Geoff Kirk, Dave Snape, Derek Morrison, Ronnie Dixon.
Strange ... but true!
Can you believe that the 'Pathfinder Band Director' of the Bahamas Conference of the '7th Day Adventists'
is Kirk Price.
http://bahamaspathfinders.netadvent.org/officers.htm
Kevin Parrott
9/2/11
