My German exchange

This is me (on the right) with my German exchange 'friend' from Hannover. We spent a month in each other's country and I got to really dislike him. It all came to a head at Hanover zoo in the trampolines - we had a fight and I finished up breaking my wrist pummeling him in the head. It was a big deal. I was going to be sent back home - had to have a cast on my arm. Happy Days. Dierck his name was. His parents were very nice. His Dad had been a P.O.W. in the the UK. I managed to pick up this record at Hanover fleamarket. I also got mugged by some blokes on bikes while I was out wandering around.

Stones poster sells for £15,000

This poster was in the news when it fetched 15,000 at auction. First Stones tour. Quite a package. Keith Richards wrote in his autobiography about this tour and the romance he had with Ronnie to be Spector.

A rare poster promoting one of the Rolling Stones' earliest concerts that was found in a loft has sold for £15,000.

The original poster advertised a show at Bristol's Colston Hall in 1964 during the group's first UK tour.

It was found when the sellers of the poster moved into a house in the Knowle area of the city in the 1980s.

Maxwell street Chicago 1964

'And This Is Free' is the fascinating personal vision of life around Chicago's Maxwell Street open air market shot by award winning photographer Mike Shea [capturing] the gritty urban landscape that nurtured Chicago blues...Shot with a handheld camera in the cinema verite style... the film crew spent every weekend on Maxwell Street over a six month period... The flow of everyday details - overheard conversation, faces in the crowd, items strewn in a vendor's stall - captivates the viewer with the power of authenticity." The film uses the footage to illustrate a Sunday afternoon on Maxwell Street in 1964.

Cliff Richard & The Shadows - On The Beach (Sing A Long Version)

Watched this movie Wonderful Life (1964) the other day. It's as you know part of a trilogy of colourful youthful movies that represented an attempt to create a commercial British musical. Other films include the Young Ones(1961) and Summer Holiday (1963). 

Elvis Presley Beach Shack

From the movie Spinout 1966. I woke up this morning with this song in my head. 

The Who May 31 1976

 Another early on gig I went to was the Who at Charlton athletic ground in 1976. Travelled by car with schoolfriends. It rained and my burgundy waistcoat ran all over my Grandad shirt. Support was the Sensational Alex Harvey band as well as others. Who setlist

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When Dave Clark Five 1965

Did you watch this the other day? (Catch us if you can 1965) I loved it. Hadn't seen it for about 30 years and it didn't disappoint. This scene is on the Mendips apparently - near Charterhouse on the Mendips. This song is great. John Boorman directs. 

Gary Rhodes RIP

My kids were big fans. Here they are plus one at Waterstones Bath for a signing. BBC obituary 

Howlin' Wolf 'Don't Laugh at me'

Captures the intertwining of the Wolf and Hubert Sumlin, playing his Bartolini guitar. Looks like this model. Don't know much about them I used to think it was Japanese.

My first real gig - Wings Bristol Hippodrome May 11 1973

Setlist here
James Paul McCartney a TV special from 1973.
I wish I could remember more about this but I was only 12. Support was Brinsley Schwartz but I can't say I particularly dug them. I was wearing a purple corduroy trouser suit with home made Wings badge made by my sister. I went with my big sister and her friend who was known as Splosh. Her mum drove us there in a Morris minor. They debuted the song 'Live and Let Die' with strobe lighting. Highlight for me was the encore Long Tall Sally. It was a big deal as it was the first gig in McCartney 's first real tour and it was all new. We waited after the gig with some die hard fans and got a glimpse of Paul and Linda peeking out at us peeking in at them. 1973 tour wiki
The below clip is from 74 but they started with this one. 

Somer Valley Rockin'

Hi everyone,

After a small break we are back and raring to go with some great gigs coming up in the next year.

You will see that we have revamped ourselves, starting with a new name, logo, and committee of like minded friends.

Our next gig is The Crawlin' Kingsnakes on Saturday 08/02/2020, with the brilliant Trevor Rock Ape Stewart spinning the tunes. This will be at our usual venue of Radstock Working Men's Club in the centre of Radstock (BA3 3PR). It's a great hall with a large dance floor.

Tickets will shortly be available through PayPal via our newly created website, priced at £6.50 online/in advance or £8.00 on the door.

Many thanks to you for your continuing support,

Marc, Elaine, Meg, Paul and Keith

Norman Cornish centenary (with thanks to the Durham miners gala)

 Norman Cornish - internationally acclaimed artist and Durham miner - was born 100 years ago today.

Born in Spennymoor on 18 November 1919, he worked at Dean & Chapter Colliery for 33 years from the age of 14.

Famous around the world for his depictions of work and life on the Durham coalfield, he was the last surviving artist of the Pitman's Academy at The Spennymoor Settlement, established to give mining communities access to the arts.

He continued to paint until his death at the age of 94 in August 2014.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/gallery/norman-cornish-paintings-county-durham-3957212

50th anniversary of Sesame Street

From 1969, "Jazzy Spies #3", written by Denny Zeitlin, vocals by Grace Slick (yes, that one, of Jefferson Airplane).

Purnells

Picked this up from a charity shop. It's the story of the Printing firm for around here. My mother and father were working there when they met whilst cycling home. 

Somer valley rocknroll club nights for 2020

These are the rocknroll gigs at the working men's club Radstock for 2020 - see the webpage where you can buy tickets

Please note the following dates in your diary:

Sat 08/02/2020 The Crawlin’ Kingsnakes with DJ Rock Ape

Sat 04/04/2020 The Authentics with DJ Tony Toye

Sat 13/06/2020 The Rhythm Slicks with DJ Tony Toye

Sat 08/08/2020 The Sonny Richards Trio with DJ Tony Toye

Grand March in honor of the 78th anniversary of the military parade November 7, 1941

Van Morrison - Wavelength - 2/1/1979 - Belfast (OFFICIAL)

40 years ago. I wasn't a Van fan 40 years ago. I had some Them records but my younger brother got me into Van's solo stuff initially with the l.p. he made with the Chieftains 'Irish heartbeat' and then this which is from the Van Morrison in Ireland VHS. This version rocks better than the lp version give it a spin. By the way we have a new bass player and he has Van Morrison's old BMW. 

A real life Midsomer murder?

Except it was in Radstock. BBC sounds programme of the Wellsway pit disaster.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p02k4d3g

Hamburg62 at Tucker's Grave 26 September 26 2020

This 4 piece band recreating the apprenticeship years of the Beatles and others from 1962 are playing at the lovely cider house in Faulkland near Radstock. You can camp there if you wish for about a fiver. I am going.
https://www.tuckersgraveinn.co.uk/