Robert George Meek was born in 1929 in Newent, England. Joe’s mother wanted a girl and dressed him as a girl. Whilst his three brothers were outward going young Joe was introverted and enjoyed staging magic shows for other children and dressing up for his own elaborate theatre productions.

This brilliant musical documentary tells the story of Ronnie Lane from his heyday with first the Small Faces and then the Faces through the sixties and seventies and then his experiments with a rural life and the touring musical circus that he dubbed The Passing Show. Finally it charts his latter days once he developed Multiple Sclerosis. Featuring numerous musical clips and interviews with family, friends and colleagues including Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Ian McLagan, Kenney Jones, Glyn Johns, Henry McCullough, Joe Ely and many more.

Robin Trower (lead guitarist), Gary Brooker (vocals) and Chris Copping (bass) played in an r &b group called The Paramounts in Southend. The group had a minor hit with a cover version of Leiber and Stollers Poison Ivy in 1964.

The coin was pushed into the slot and it rattled away to its unknown destination flicking levers and triggering switches as it went and the machine was suddenly alive.

There is no doubt the 1960’s were a great time for music, with a number of bands from that time becoming huge influences on musicians today.  I was fortunate enough to be around the scene working for the infamous Don Arden and the booking agents Galaxy Entertainments

At ZANI’s office, we often have a flippant discussion on which fictional address we would like to reside at. Our favourite fantasy abode is the famous Rock and Roll address of 1134 North Beechwood Drive, Los Angles California USA. The residence of sixties pop legends The Monkees.