I went to a gig recently, can’t remember who it was or where it was, sign of an old age I suppose.  Yet there was a Velvet Underground vibe to this group, and when I heard that Lou Reed had died my first thought was now all the fuckers are going to sound like The Velvet’s.  Strangely enough I was thinking about a month ago that there was a real space in the market for their sound, no one is doing it. The last band to sound like them I suppose was The Strokes, and that has been it.

Ray Thomas (harmonica, vocals), John Lodge, and Michael Pinder keyboards, vocals) were members of El Riot & the Rebels in Birmingham in the early 60s. The group disbanded when John Lodge went to technical college and Mike Pinder left to join the army. Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas later formed the Krew Cats and recruited Denny Laine, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick. They appeared as the Moody Blues in 1964 for the first time in Birmingham. Decca Records signed the band and their first single which met with modest acclaim was called “Steal your heart away.”

On 13 July 1973, around 40 people – mostly Ducks Deluxe fans – were present to witness Dr Feelgood’s Tally Ho debut. This wasn’t the Feelgoods’ first London appearance – in August 1972 they had appeared in a rock ’n ‘roll revival show at Wembley Stadium, as the backing group for ex-Tornado and ‘Just Like Eddie’ star, Heinz. Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry topped the bill.   

© Words Matteo Sedazzari

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains  (directed by Lou Adler, Up in Smoke  and ex owner of Dunhill and Ode record labels) is a marvellous film that captures the trappings of fame, life on the road and general chaos experienced in rock ‘n’ roll.  Released in 1982 although made in 1980, with additional footage shot two years later to offer a more positive ending to same.  It tells the story of an all female punk/new wave band The Fabulous Stains from Pennsylvania.  Looking like sixties group The Shaggs, led by the arrogant and distrustful Corinne “third degree” Burns  played by Diane Lane

Before the onset of beat groups the sharpest sound around in the UK was trad jazz. This was a highbred of traditional jazz but as post-war Britain entered a period of massive social change and upheaval the new music became the sound of a generation determined to enjoy itself. Key names emerged like Acker Bilk, Chris Barber, and Kenny Ball. All were consummate musicians who had mastered their individual instruments.