Like all people of my age, 15 in 1963, The Animals came along, you brought a guitar and learnt 'The House of the Rising Sun'.
Strange, the kids are still doing it now !

It was a time of great social revolution, expression and feelings which had been held back through the 50's were let loose accross the nation. Everywhere were new sounds, new groups, new ideas and....everyone wanted to be in a Group ! 

So, I joined a band when I was about 18. To be fair, the other lads only asked me because I was the only one who had a full time job and earning money.
I was to be lead singer in 'The Q5'.
With a voice of a cross between Jimi Hendrix and Arthur Mullard, I was pretty awlful - but I was of thespian breed and pranced around the stage like a ferret running away from Mick Jagger.

We played pretty much locally around Sevenoaks with a few adventrous journeys as far as The West End and deep south to Crowborough (15 miles) !

They were good times and I remember like it was yesterday when, after a gig,  I got thrown out the Wimpy Bar in the Strand because I was dancing on the tables (I recall repeating this act at my daughters wedding, but fell extremely awkwardly on the floor below).

Then there was the time when we played of all places 'Worlds End Lane' in Green Street Green. We turned up in our fine hippy gear, me with my scarlet hipsters, white shoes, thick white belt, flower shirt, head band and flower, only to find out it was a 'Rockers' do.
It started well, but that's all I remember. It would appear that about 4 chappies thought it entertaining to pick me up, hold me in the air and throw me off a four feet high stage. The next thing I knew, I was in AandE at Orpington next to a bloke who thought he was Harold Wilson!

They were good days however and I progressed to guitar playing (of a sort). We played mainly in the style of the Yardbirds, Zombies etc., with a final line up of Lead, Rythm, Bass guitars, drums and an Organ.
Our lead guitarist Terry had a Les Paul and played it to a dream.

But some of us wanted more and some didn't. We broke up in 1970 I think. Two went on to play for 'Vanity Fair' ('Early in the morning' fame), one went to University, one to session musican and I went into DIY !!

My major part in British Blues

But memories of Carnaby Street, flower power, Hyde Park Concerts, Sundays in the woods with a few guitars and a couple of beers are memories which last.
I don't know where the rest of the Band are now, but they made that time of my life a very happy one - and I miss it !

Our last gig was at Tunbridge Wells Tech College. We were 'top of the bill' with about 4 other bands. When we played, about 1,000 kids were rocking and rolling, we made it ! That's the thing I regret, that night I thought - this is it, I'm doing something right.


But at least I see my son Leo playing guitar and keeyboards, plus he's well into the 60's music gladly watching a Procol Harem or Zeppelin Concert on TV - he also learnt the House of the Rising Sun too !!

Maybe nows the time to go back to the crossraods and search for that lost song?

Strangely, as soon as I left, I got better at it ! But since then I've been refined to playing very occasionally at home along with keyboards and harmonica (gets the cats out).
I've written a few things which have been done in Ashford and did a few bits when in Stuttgart during the early 80's - but that's it.

All good things come to an end, although I can but try to remember 'I was there'.
Like many old rock and rollers, things happen in your life, then maybe you can call yourself
 'A Blues Man'

Although the neighbours would probably call it
 'Annoying Man'

Also in The Blog.....
Klooks Kleek
 Memories of the famous Club by Guest Writer
Allan Ashton (who was there as well!)

1963 - I even signed it!!