Dear Diary - Part 1

Trev's diary entries January to March 1971 - edited entries -
 
Jan 1 Fri -  Booked Fresh Maggots for the Umbrella Club. Didn't go to work The two Jan's came up to the Brolly and did the handouts. Went to Tony's Cross's and then Bazz's.
Jan 2nd Sat -  Went to the Umbrella Club - Al Docker's group Tsar were practicing.
Jan 3rd Sun - Went to the Umbrella and to the Plough Club (London Rd.)
Jan 4th Mon - Went to the Umbrella in the evening.
Jan 5th Tues - Went to the Walsgrave (run by Pete Waterman) - Dando Shaft were playing. Asked them to play at the Umbrella. Got lift into town afterwards with Ade Taylor of Wandering John by April (a Cov Folk rock band).
Jan 6th Weds -Tried to phone Mr Haggard at council about rehearsal rooms for groups. Went to Umbrella in the evening - watched Asgard practice in the little theatre.
Jan 7th Thurs - Last day working at the GEC - Hoorah! Went with Tony Cross to see Satisfaction at Henry's Blues House at the Mercers Arms.
Jan 8th Fri - Organised band night at Umbrella Club with Jessica's Theme.
Jan 9th Sat - Went to the Lanch Poly to see Goliath, Stone the Crows and Indian Summer.
Jan 10th Sun - Went to the Plough club (Silk Disco and band) - Got lift of Chaz Crompton's brother.
Jan 11th Mon - Phoned Mr Haggard to negotiate for reheasal space for local bands - not in. Phoned Ade Taylor. Got lift home off Chris Jone's bass player - Terry ? (can't remember surname). Stayed in at night working on my song lyrics.
Jan 12th Tues - Phoned Mr Haggard re-rehearsal space for bands. Went to Pete Waterman's gig at the Walsgrave - The group Children were on - we'd had these for the Umbrella. Helped on door duty.
Jan 13th Weds - Did a tour of the Umbrella, Lanch Poly and Rose and Crown with Keyboard player Tony Cross.
Jan 14th Thurs - Went with Tony Cross to see Alan Bown at the Mercers Arms. Meanwhile Traffic were playing at Warwick Uni with Rick Grech on violin.
Jan 15th Fri - Booked Ra Ho Tep for the Umbrella. The two Jan's came up - (they often helped on the door for the band nights.) Meanwhile Gentle (a band from Derby who we'd had on for the Umbrella) were playing at the Plough.
Jan 16th Sat - Harry Boardman playing folk at the Umbrella by I went to the Lanch to see Roy Harper, Lindisfarne and Pisces. at the Lanch Poly. Roy was totally brilliant when he played but got some flack from the crowd for verbling on too much between songs! Had hair trimmed by some lasses at the Umbrella earlier!
Jan 17th Sun  - Went to  see the New Modern Idiot Grunt Band (Rod Felton and  Rob Armstrong) at the Plough Club. lift home of Chaz Cromton's brother.
Jan 18th Mon
Free disco at the Plough but didn't go. Went to the Umbrella instead - talked to Cindy.
Jan 19th Tues - Phoned Mr Haggard again 9.45 am re- reheasal space for bands - not getting very far. Phoned Whistler - re- gig at the Umbrella. Went to the Walsgrave - Skid Row on - saw the two Jan's there.
Jan 20th Weds - Phone Mr Haggard 10.30am. Evening went to Umbrella and the Tony's Cross's and then to the Jaguar pub in Corporation St.
Jan 21st Thurs  - Went to see Climax Chicago Blues Band at Mercers Arms with the two Jans and Tony Cross.
Jan 22nd Fri - Went to the AGM of the Coventry Arts Umbrella (as convenor of the Live Music) and after to the Lanch Poly to see  some Birmingham bands managed by Jim Simpson of Henry's Blues House (he discovered Black Sabbath and Indian Summer) they had on Tea and Symphony (who had played the Umbrella), Hannible and The Dog that Bit People. Meanwhile Dando Shaft and Toorquewood played at the Cov Tech College (Nr the Butts).
Jan 23rd Sat  - Went to the disco at the Lanch for a bop!
Jan 24th Sun - Watched an Omnibus documentary on TV about Chicago Blues and then went to the Plough club. Lift home off keyboard player Martin Barter.
Jan 25th Mon - Stayed in all day and night working on all the songs I'd  jotted down while walking home after gigs etc and re-drafting, doing top copies by hand (no computers then!).
Jan 26th Tues  - Went to see Barnabus at the Walsgrave - not many there - left early. Phoned Crest Motel for a job interview.
Jan 27th Weds  - Went to the Crest Motel for Interview - wages crap - didn't take it. Went to Stoke Library for a session playing all kinds of music and to the Umbrella.
Jan 28th Thurs  - Went to see Julian's Treatment at Mercers Arms and then up to see Al Docker (drummer with Tsar) at his new flat on Stony Stanton Rd.
Jan 29th Fri - Lanch Poly Arts Fest. begins with Priory Street Blues (the road that runs past both the Lanch and the new Cov Catherdral). Went to the Plough Club first -saw a bit of Tuxedo Junction and then on to the Lanch to see Climax Chicago Blues Band, Arthur Big Boy Crudup (whose song That's Alright Mama - was Elvis's first ever hit), and Brewers Droop. Walked the two Jan's home - kipped at Al Dockers - too knackered to walk the 3 miles home that night.
Jan 30th Sat - Went to see Centipede (new super Jazz outfit) at the Lanch Arts Fest. Went for coffee after with poet Ian Gage.
Jan 31st Sun - Monty Python's Flying Circus at the Blegrade Theatre as part of the Lanch Arts Fest. Watched them march from the Lanch to the Belgrade with knotted handkerchiefs on their heads and rolled up trouser legs chanting "I'm a Lumber Jack and I'm Ok"!. Stayed at the Lanch to see Curved Air, Ivor Cutler and Adrian Henri. Adrian Henri was squashed up against me in the Lanch Bar queue calling to the bar staff to serve as he was due back on stage!

Feb 1st Mon - Monty Python at the Belgrade Theatre. London Gaberieli Brass Ensemble at St. Mary's Hall. (both part of the Lanch Arts Fest.). Dando Shaft at Warwick Uni. However I stayed in writing.
Feb 2nd Tues - Monty Python at Belgrade and Andrea Previn and the London Syphony Orchestra at Cov Cathedral as part of Lanch fest. Didn't see these though. Lunch time I went to see poet Adrian Mitchell and George McBeth at the Colin Campbell. Very impressed with Adrian Mitchell in particular. 2pm went with DJ Melve Preece to Kersley Colliary for job. Evening saw Gypsy's Kiss at the Walsgrave.
Feb 3rd Weds - Went to Lanch - met the Jans and others - Leon Russell, Osibisa, Indian Summer and Jonathan Swift. Leon played an intersting verison of Dylan's It takes a lot to Laugh. Indian Summer were on form as usual and Osibisa were infectious with their rhythms. (I have the Lanch Poster to go with this - as soon as its scanned).
Feb 4th Thurs - Colin Tilney Harpsichord Recital at St Mary's Hall (Part of Lanch fest) Mogul Thrush at the Mercers Arms; Wild Angels at Walsgrave, Late Disco at Lanch. I met Maggie, Chris and Gaynor and saw Tunc at the Umbrella. Then went to see Al Docker.
Feb 5th Fri - Went to see Elton John, Caravan and Skid Row at Lanch fest. Martin Barter and Clive were there.
Feb 6th Sat - Went to Lanch with Al Docker - Strawbs, Ralph McTell and Mr Fox on. Strawbs ran over time and the Lanch pulled the plug on them literally. Wrong to do that to - the Strawbs continued accoustically with congas, Rick Wakeman (who was playing with them then) continued on the grand piano and Dave cousins on acoustic guitar - the crowd were delighted.
Feb 7th Sun - Ronnie Scott Quintet, John Williams and Nucleus at Lanch but didn't go. Went to see friends and the Umbrella..
Feb 8th Mon - My Birthday - stayed in all day and night (ironically) - no money and snowed in. Worked on a new song in a Paul Simon style.
Feb 9th Tues - Went to see Indian Summer at the Walsgrave, helped out). They had a stand in bass as the bass player had left. I booked them for the Umbrella. The two Jan's, Sarah, Jackie and Louise and Gene were there and Drummer Steve Harrison. A good night with a big crowd.
Feb 10th Weds - Saw keyboard Martin Barter of Coconut Mat - talked about a songwriting liasion - Elton and Bernie style. Stayed in at night working on songs.
Feb 11th Thurs - Dando Shaft at Mercers Arms but stayed in writing.
Feb 12th Fri - Madam Arno at Umbrella. Went with Steve Harrison to the Village (Colin Campbell) to see Nuneaton band Flood and then on to the Plough to see Lucreatia Borgia.
Feb 13th Sat - Steve Harrison asked me to borrow a PA and try vocals and some of my lyrics out with his new band Railroad (with Mick Green and Tony (Mojo) Morgan). They were a new arrangement of The Mick Green Blues Band without Johnny Adams. Got a pissed and we went to the Lanch. The Two Jans showed us some great photos of a Wandering John concert.
Feb 14th Sun - Went to Plough to take some song lyrics to Martin Barter. Bill Campbell who was the bassit with Coconut Mat was there too. The Plough was run by Silk Disco with DJ Jim Twynham who had a car with Silk as the registration. Dando Shaft were playing that evening. Got the address of folk groups Don't Pick a Flower and Music Box (Rob and Colin Armstrong). Colin was later a supporter of the Hobo Workshop.
Feb 15th Mon -  Whistler and Pete Brown's Piblokto at Warwick Uni. Didn't go but went to the Umbrella to see if the Indian Summer poster was printer for their gig there and to phone Dando about the Umbrella gig. Also to arrange the disco with Al and Steve Varney and Pete Webb Alasterpedo Disco.
Feb 16th Tues - Saw Dando Shaft at the Walsgrave.
Feb 17th Weds - Went to town with Steve Harrison of Railroad and then to the Umbrella where I'd arrranged for them to practice.
Feb 18th Thurs - Duster Bennett (One man blues band) at Mercers Arms. In the day went with Steve Harrison to Tony (Mojo) Morgan's house for Railroad practice. Phone Pete Waterman to see if he knew wher we could borrow a PA.
Feb 19th Fri - Put Jessica's Theme on at the umbrella again. At the Plough they had a special birthday nite - ie only 2/- for the disco.
Feb 20th Sat - Brett Marvin and Dada at the Lanch. Went to Bill Campbell's to borrow PA for Railroad practice in day time.
Feb 21st Sun - Deep Purple and Hardin and York at Cov Theatre. Didn't go but wrote songs in evening and stayed at Al Dockers till late - walked home still working on songs as I walked home to Willenhall using a Jew's harp and a notepad.
Feb 22nd Mon - Medicine Head at Warwick Uni. Railroad practice at Umbrella - to pick up PA from Bill Campbell but PA being used that evening.
Feb 23rd Tues - Elias - at Walsgrave.
Feb 24th Weds - Worked on the car wash - stayed in writing in the evening.
Feb 25th Thurs - Went to Mercers Arms with the two Jans, Lousie and Jackie and others. Medicine Head on with Keith Relf - The Jans volunteered me to play Jews harp with them using Keith Relf's mic. Already blogged about it on this site. Tried to book Medicine Head for the Umbrella!
Feb 26th Fri - Went to the Plough to see Flying Hat band. Fang were meanwhile at the Village (Colin Campbell).
Feb 27th Sat - Fairport Convention at the Lanch with Heron. Railroad Practice earlier at Umbrella. Heard Indian Summer LP for the first time.
Feb 28th Sun - Railroad practice at Umbrella. Went to Plough afterwards.

March -

March 1st Mon - Phoned Whistler - but out.
March 2nd Tues - Phoned Whistler again (to arrange practice at Umbrella). Went to see Flying Hat band at Walsgrave and then to the Umbrella - Bill of Asgard showed me how to play Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun - on guitar (just starting to learn). Arranged practice at Umbrella for Stev and Bin's trial Jazz rock group.
March 3rd Weds - Went to Umbrella and then Tony Cross's.
March 4th Thurs - Went to Warwick uni Arts Fest for tickets and then to Umbrella.
March 5th Fri Warwick University Arts Festival begins. Read with the Umbrella Poets (2 poems) in the Airport Lounge.Got my introduction to Absurd Theatre with Pinter sketches and short plays by Ionesco and Albee, Beckett, Eliot. Saw Edgar Broughton, Hogh Tide, Indian Summer and The Sorrows. Stayed night at the Uni sleeping in a sleeping bag. In the morning awoked at 5 - listened to Mahler on the union speakers while watching the dawn break to a choral work through Student Union glass windows. Made a big impact on me as did the plays and the street theatre. meanwhile The New Modern Idiot Grunt Band played at the Plough although I obviously didn't go it.
March 6th Sat - Warwick University - saw Folk concert with Jeremy Taylor, Jo Ann Kelly and April in the evening.
(Diary says Pink Floyd were at the Lanch but the entry is crossed out - not sure if that's because I didn't go or if it was cancelled).
March 7th Sun - Warwick Uni Arts Fest -  Watched Sound Poet - Bob Cobbing and saw the Absurd Theatre programme again. In the evening went to the Blues Workshop with Loz Netto. Skin Alley, Pink Fairies, Burbastis, Asgard and Whistler and friends. Loz and I went to the dressing room - Loz keen to have a go on the Pink Fairies Lead guitar. He taught me some lead but the Pink Fairies were having fun blowing up a condom in the men's loos with water. The condom exploded as two besuited academics walked in! Everybody we knew was there over the weekend.
March 8th Mon - Lindisfarne, Ra Ho Tep - John Surman at Warwick Uni but didn't go. Met Loz Netto at the Elephant post in Cov Centre to go through to the Midland Sound Recording Studio. Loz didn't turn up though - so went to Umbrella and then to the Tally Ho and Tavern with Drummer Steve.
March 9th Tues - Indian Summer at The Walsgrave.
March 10th Weds - Heard Indian Summer LP again. Indian Summer and April played the New Tavern. Didn't go. Supposed to be meeting Whistler at the Umbrella (think it was about arranging for them to practice at the umbrella. They didn't turn up! Took first steps toward a music magazine. Stuck up a musicians wanted poster on the Umbrella reception. So many people were asking me if I knew a bass player or drummer or man with van. I added them to this list and people could findeach other. Remember people bringing in copies of Broadgate Gnome around this time. Took the Warwick Uni poster with the Umbrella Poets on it for posterity. It's now on this blog! Went for a drink with Tony cross and Loz Netto. Seem to think this was the begining of the idea of their group Love Zeus - which was formed in April.
March 11th Thurs - Jigsaw played the Walsgrave and Gothic Horizon played the Earlsdon Cottage folk club. I stayed in writing however. I was writing about a 150 lyrics a year at this time. Not all survied - there was a paring down and recyling of verses and the keeping of a smaller number of the better ones. With age comes more discernment. 68 to 74 was a prolific period. All my experiences and involvements served my muse. If anyone asked what I did - I never described myself in terms of any job I did - that's what I did. periodic jobs were a means to an end - but the jobs never defined me or my soul! Some people clearly had a problem with that attitude - especially offical type people. I had a special word for them - I think it was  'bollocks' .
March 12th Fri - Pete Webb (one of the committee members of the Umbrella launched his new diso - Ameoba with lights and the full rig at the Umbrella. Indian Summer's LP was due for official release that day and so I think tracks were played.Discos at the Umbrella usually went on until about 2 pm and typical albums would be Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd's Ummagumma, Taste, Led Zepllin, Blodwyn Pig, Santana, Curved Air, king Crimson, Gentle Giant, Moody Blues - Threshhold of a Dream, Easy Rider, Hendrix, Free, James Taylor, Beach Boys,ELP, Nice, Deep Purple, Neil Young, Groundhogs, Cohen, joni Mitchell etc. Left early tough and went to Chris Jones's party at the Craven.
March 13th Sat - Brian Patten at the Umbrella and Indian Summer + Silk Disco at the Cheylesmore Community Centre. Whistler at Wyken Croft Hall. Roger Bear's Kinetic Circus at the Lanch Poly. I went to the Lanch.
March 14th Sun -  Stayed in writing, typing and revising songs. (Never was one for watching much telly!).
March 15th Mon - Typed songs up during day. Evening went to Umbrella to collect and distribute posters for gigs.
March 16th Tues - Typed songs during day - went to see Skid Row at the Walsgrave. Went back to Al Dockers to catch up.
March 17th Weds -  Typing Songs a backlog of songs on my sister's typewriter. Evening went to Lanch Cellar bar disco for a bop.
March 18th Thurs - Got tickets for T Rex at Lanch. Stayed in at night working on song drafts. Revising material.
March 19th Fri - Early evening Maggies Brithday party at Umbrella with a jam session. Heard Dando Shaft's first LP. Went to see T Rex at the Lanch along with the National Head Band.
March 20th Sat - Izzie the Push at the Village (Colin Campbell). but went to Lanch Disco. Gave Umbrella posters to the two Jan's to dsitribute.
March 21st Sun - Went to the Plough and Umbrella. Gaynor took some posters to distribute.
March 22nd Mon -  Went to Umbrella -  Gaynor took more posters for the Umbrella. Loz Netto  and Tony (Mojo)'s group practice. (can't remember which one).
March 23rd Tues - April (the group) at Walsgrave (but they had split up).
March 24th Weds - Stayed in.
March 25th Thurs -  Raymond Froggett  at Walsgrave. Didn't go. Loz and Tony's group practice.
March 26th - Fri - April (the band) were booked to play at the Umbrella but they rang to say they had split up. (Great shame!). Meanwhile Milestones played the Plough and the New Modern Idiot Grunt band were at the Village. The two Jans and Chris were there and Ade Taylor. We all went to the Wimpy bar after.
March 27th Sat -  Mott the Hoople and Amazing Blondell at Lanch. Went with  blues guitarist Mick Green. Gaynor brought  Unicorn by T Rex for me to listen to.
March 28th Sun -  Dave Turner at Plough. Magna Carta at the Craven Arms. Went to the Umbrella got latest posters to distribute. Borrowed Dando Shaft LP off Al Docker. Exciting to hear Coventry bands on disc.
March 29th Mon -  Stayed in writing and revising new songs.
March 30th Tues -  Children  (a band we'd had at the Umbrella) played the Walsgrave. I read three poems / lyrics at the Umbrella Poetry and folk session. Beginings of my performing.
March 31st Weds - Stayed in writing.

Comments

[BroadgateGnome]

Your saw 25 bands in one month!   .Not quite a cultural desert, there then?