From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads, Part 2 of 2

One evening after school in 1971, a pal played me 'Get It On' by T.Rex. I was 11 years old at the time and when I listened to the record it was as if a black and white curtain had been pulled aside, to reveal a vivid technicolour world beyond. It was a personal musical revelation. A life-changing moment.

So I've had roughly 44 years to consider what I might say, should I one day be lucky enough to meet Tony Visconti, the producer of 'Get It On' and of many subsequent records that ended up in my collection. I had a close call once, on a bitingly cold Winter afternoon in mid-1990's New York, when we passed each other on the street. We were both wrapped up against the fierce sub-zero winds so that our faces were only partially visible, but I recognised him instantly and also instantly decided that I wasn't going to disturb him in those hostile circumstances. I've quietly regretted that decision ever since.


On Wednesday evening (after this show) I found myself in a queue, edging ever closer to Tony Visconti, who was seated signing autographs a few feet away. I had just a couple of minutes of those 44 years left to decide what words I could possibly use to, A) adequately summarise what a profound effect the music he's produced has had on my life, and B) not sound like a gushing buffoon.


As I drew level with him, Tony looked up, smiled and said 'Hello'. This was my moment. 'Do you mind if I shake your hand?' I said. His smile broadened as he gripped my hand firmly. Quite suddenly I knew exactly what I should say. I didn't need a to make a grand statement or sweeping gesture to encapsulate the years of pleasure this man's work had given me. The solution was far simpler and more obvious than that.

'Thank you', I said, shaking his hand warmly and blinking back the stinging in my eyes. 'Thank you.'

55 From 55 - 1962

55 songs in 55 days - one for every year of my life...so far.

Modelling my Sunday best in 1962.

1962 was a good year for Bernard Cribbins. He scored two big hit singles with 'Hole in the Ground' and 'Right Said Fred', popular tunes on the BBC's Family Favourites radio programme throughout my childhood. Often overlooked nowadays though, is Bernard's third hit that year, 'Gossip Calypso'. For some reason this one is vividly etched in my memory. Perhaps it's Cribbins' breathless rat-a-tat delivery or maybe it's the unique use of the phrase 'oxyacetylene welder' in a pop record, but this song has always stuck.

'Gossip Calypso' was written by Trevor Peacock. Latterly a noted TV actor, in the 1960s Peacock penned songs for the likes of Joe Brown, Adam Faith and Billy Fury in addition to the bona-fide hit, 'Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter' for Herman's Hermits.

51 Years Ago Today

                                                                     Nine acts in two hours! 

Back in the summer of 1963, given the choice between nipping just around the corner to catch The Big 'O', The Fabs and Gerry & his mates at the local fleapit, or heading off to Southend-on-Sea to work on my inflatable ball balancing routine....well, it would've been no contest really.

Mind you, if someone had told me about Erkey Grant (& the Earwigs), I'd like to think that my answer might've been quite different.

Where it all began...

Early in 1972, I was in the East Ham branch of the Co-op when I spotted this beauty. I believe it was 72p, which I had to beg from my parents. I knew of T.Rex from classroom chatter & might even have already owned Jeepster & Telegram Sam on 7" singles, but this was my first 'pop' LP. Unbeknown to me at the time, it was a just a watered down version of the Fly release 'The Best of T.Rex' with the hit title track added & housed in a hideous sleeve, but it was with this album that my black & white life became colour. All roads lead back to this moment.