It’s strange because my son Leo, at 17, can inform me of things which happened in the 1960’s music scene which I either didn’t know, or forgotten. Maybe that’s the evidence that I was ‘in the 60’s’!!

But once in a while, names from the past come out and the memories roll back. Something like this happened only yesterday when Allan Ashton, a former drummer with ‘Respect’, kindly submitted an article for my other web site ‘Silvertops‘ (now closed), about ‘Klooks Kleek’ , the West Hampstead London venue for so many ’stars’ of the mid -late 60’s music scene, continuing into the 70’s as well!

You may have seen my nostalgic memories in Down the Lane’s ‘Over the Hill’ pages in which I mention the likes of John Mayall, Cream etc., but Allans article really is the bees knees with mentions of Zoot Money, The Graham Bond Organisation and others. You can read his article here.

Strange thing was that not long after reading the article, I watched the documentary ‘Hotel California’ on BBC4 and yet more names came out the bag and watching some of the past performers speaking along with the history, it surprised me that many of them are still around to tell the tale! I’m surprised they even remembered half the stories!

It’s good to see that Allan, although semi-retired and living in Spain, is still quite involved with music and runs an Electric Drum business called ‘Electrodrum‘.

I still pick up my bowl back Ovation guitar and strum away a few Yardbirds and Mayall numbers along with the occasional interuption of ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ for the grandkids - but even that has a controversial background to it!!

Albeit, much of the music then was heavily influenced by American Blues and Jazz, but it had that pioneering spirit and sound which lasts through to today and even bounced back on the US itself!.

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Long may the 60’s music live and hopefully it will through the younger generation who are obviously searching for more purpose than generated pop!