Updated Oct 27th 2007
Pete Chambers invited me down to Cov to attend the launch of his latest book on the history of Coventry Music - a
book mainly photographs.
The launch last Thurs 18th Oct 2007 was at 'The Fletch' and after a speech by BBC Radio Coventry DJ and musician Bob Brolly (featured in the book) and author Pete Chambers, the resto of the evening consited of book signings, networking and music.
Many Coventry musicans were there or those associated with Coventry music in some way. I can't remember the names of all those who played but they incuded some of the musicians from the 60's and later on form Wandering John guiitarist John Alderson and former Ra Ho Tep (Cov's former avant Garde Jazz group leader) Tim James performed some country blues on John's Delta Resonator guitar with Tim on vocals and harmonica. The set included Statesbro' Blues and a Robert Johnson Number.
After a couple of wines - I got up to dance, being described by one of the musician's as "the original Breakdancer"! but most of the evening was sent networking on behalf of the Hobo site. It wasn't too far removed from the original Hobo Magazine work in the
70's, finding out what the musicians were up to, throwing around ideas and informing them of the lastest happenings, with musicians that I haven't seen since I left Cov in 1980, although I have communicated with some of them via this site more recently.
There were many I didn't get around to talking to - some of the musicians from the 60's whom I didn't know personally and the Enemy - however the Lord Mayor came up and said hello although no converstion resulted from it - he was circulating one way as I was circulating the t'other.
First off though I spoke to Bob Jackson, for the first time in many many years. Bob was the main songwriter, vocalist and keyboardist with Indian Summer, whose RCA Neon album from 1971 is still a classic of progressive music. Indian Summer competed with Black Sabbath for their record contract - Sabbath won in 1970 but Indian Summer won in 1971. After they split Bob went on to play in bands with the Who's John Entwhistle, Ro Ro, Pete Brown (who wrote the Cream lyrics like White Room), Badfinger and now gigs with the re-formed Fortunes. Bob was unaware of some of the recent developments like this Hobo site and the proposed Coventry Music Exhibition and the Gnome Label. I was able to inform him about them and Bob said I'd set him on path to find out more about what was happening so hopefully he may contribute some of his info and stories to the site and for the exhibition..
Next off I spoke to ex Wandering John / Trevelling Riverside Blues band guitrist - John Alderson. We talked about the idea of publishing the 1971 Wandering John tapes - recorded at one of the band's last gigs at the Lanch Polytech (now Coventry University). John has the tapes but finding them after all these years might be a task. These tapes were to be the first release on the Gnome Label in it's original proposed form in 1971 but owing to the band splitting up and the Broadgate Gnome emigrating to Brighton - it never happened. Shame as they were (in Neil O'Connor's words) "a spaceship of a band". The hope is that the Gnome Label will soon be able arrange for the tapes to be digitally enhanced (they were recorded live in in the 70's) and release it. The next hope is for the band to reunite for a new recording session of fresh material - it could even be a Then and Now style presentation. So hopefully the Gnome can re-unite John Alderson and John Gravenor and Ade Taylor and Jim Pryal and John Alderson can locate the tapes.
Tim James (formerly of Coventry's Underground and experimental Jazz group of the early 70's - Ra Ho Tep) - joined us and Horace Panter formerly of the Specials of course. Horace is currently teaching music in a Primary School and was enthusing about how the kids loved his presentation of Blues music, especially excited about stories of Robert Johnson. Both Tim and John had been doing school residencies as musicians that very day along the same lines - and they had played, among others, Robert Johnson. It had struck a nerve and the roots music had excited the pupils, most of whom thought the session was going to be boring. We talked about how learning about the blues wasn't just about music, it was a doorway in to ecoomic and social history, the poetry of the blues, sociology etc. Having been a writer in residence in schools in the past, I could understand how artists in schools can generate enthusiasm in pupils for music and writing in a way that the normal curriculum can't. The enthusiam and insights that artists bring to it bring these topics alive and can even inspire pupils who are not otherwise too responsive to learning. this augers well as one of the ideas around the Music Exhibition is both adult Education moduals and musicians going into schools -and a reciprocal visit to the music Exhibition. Both John and Tim said they would explore the site and make any contributions they can.
Also there were Kevin and Lynda Harrison, formerly of the Coventry Jazz/
Rock group Whistler and later in the Two Tone period The Urge who single Revolving Boy is a classic (see on this site on You Tube) in the videos. Although I have communicated with them over the last year via this site, it was the first time I've seen them since my former Coventry days. Their new album Real Life Obsession is now on release and well worth buying, with Kevin's brilliant electronic music, Lynda's vocals and effects and a range of guest musicians including Two Toners
Horace Panter and Neol Davies and Guitarist Charles Bullen and of course Mick Gawthorp whose wonderful sax playing is always an inspiration (apologies to Mick as I left him out
of this in the original draft) and more who have helped Kev turn this into a innovative and exciting classic. Also - as Mick Gawthorp pointed out "these recordings facilitated a reunion of sorts in as much as Kev, Neol and myself collaborated again for the first time in decades."
Also there was former KING drummer John Hewitt who was formerly with Team 23 with Dave Pepper and Jim Lantsbery (also of King). We got talking after Jim had given me the thumbs up for my wild dancing! The lineage of King had evolved from two bands that played the Hobo Workshop in 1975 - Analog (with Paul Brooks / Steve Edgeson) and Trigon (with Paul Samson). Paul Samson of course went on the produce the Primatives and Catalonia. The evening was coming to an end about then but Jim said he would take a look at the site and hopefully contribut. Another drummer - Ted Duggan was there too but had disappeared before I could talk to him.
All in all it was a good evening and nice to be reconnected to my roots in Coventry after a long absence and some good networking was done. It looked like Pete Chambers did a good turn on book sales and I think him for the opportunity to attend this invitation only event. Thanks Pete.
Do check out Pete's new book if you are interested in development of the Coventry music scene - there are a lot of interesting pics and stories and an interview with Jerry Dammers. The amazing thing about this is tht despite all the posts on this site - Pete's books and the site have quite independant material in them in the main - which just shows what a lively scene there has and continues to be in Coventry.
Trev Teasdel - Oct 2007 - Below some of Coventry Music books by Pete Chambers
The Two Tone Trail and The Beatles - Sent To Coventry.
Visit TWO TONE CENTRAL MUSEUM http://www.2tonecentral.co.uk/
does the book contain the beatpreachers?
Posted by: angie | 12/02/2007 at 08:39 AM
Hi Angie, I can't find a mention of the Beat Preachers in Pete's index but he does mention them in his book Godiva Rocks. I will draw Pete Chamber's attention to this so he may reply himself.
There is however a good piece on them on the Broadgate Gnome Music directory Here which says -
BEAT PREACHERS
circa 1963-66
R&B/mod/freakbeat
Line up: Geoff Parson (guitar), Stuart
Coleman (bass), Graham Rolaston (drums), Forbes Merrigan
(lead guitar), Jackie McCormick (vocals).
Formed around 1964 in Rugby. R&B/Mod
outfit who supported The Who at the Matrix Hall in 1965. When they
played the Parkstone Club the ad proclaimed "see all you mods there
...". Were known as the Midlands Rolling Stones.
Released their lone single under the name
The Carribeans (sic) in September 1965. The songwriter credits were 'Benn/Sherriff',
after two famous local dignitaries. Reviews at the time noted "..a
distinct West Indian sound..."
Added Saxophone
(Tony Britnell - later of Jigsaw)
in April 1966, but split up
two months later. Some members joined Pinkerton’s Assorted
Colours.
Under Friars agency. Played The Walsgrave,
The Coventry Flying Club, Orchid Ballroom, Reynold Chains factory, The Heath.
Single (as 'The Carribeans'):
A: Inside Out/B: ?? (Pye 7N
15961 - 1965)
............................................................
I think the mention in Godiva Rock more or less mirrors the above with links to bands the members came from / went to.
Stuart Colemen apart from also being in Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, became a Radio One DJ and produced Shakin' Stevens..
If you or anybody else reading this has any more information, pictures, memories of seeing the Beat Preachers, please get in contact - I'll do a piece on them. i was still at school at the time so I don't have any personal archives on this band.
Hope that helps - Trevor.
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 12/02/2007 at 12:20 PM
i no this is a long shot but do you think i would be able to get the record for the beat preachers from somewhere?
Posted by: nikki | 12/19/2007 at 09:37 PM
Hi Guys Pete Chambers here, been trying to contact Stuart, got a phone number, but it could be out of date. No more info as yet.
Posted by: Covsound | 12/19/2007 at 11:21 PM
Well thats answered a question about some Matrix , band room pics . We were trying to figure out the support band.
You might get an mp3 from deano..I sit on one of his Youtubes? Or try Tony?
The Gnomesses have Beat Preacher stories/memories but are all away at the moment, theres probably a presscutting or two. (Connew or Anderson) I have an hazy one about them on the front of Midland Beat (Detheridge)
DD
Posted by: A and R | 12/19/2007 at 11:58 PM
oh goo, would be great if you could get in contact with stuart. My dad was the lead singer of the band, jacky mccormick, and he would like a copy of the record if possible as his is cracked,
thanks
Posted by: angie | 12/20/2007 at 08:36 PM
Hot news from Pete Chambers -
"Gemm Records are the best bet, just checked and they don't have it at
the mo, but I am certain I have seen it there. so keep checking.
Regards
Pete"
http://www.gemm.com/catalog/76174/RECKLESSCHICAGO/
I'm not sure if that's the one Pete means but it's the only one I could find on Google in a quick search.
If your dad wants to write something for us about the band, and or a few photos I'm be happy to post it on here. I think I was still at school when they were out so missed them unfortunately. Be nice to have the single on here (it's not downloadable on Vox but it would give people an idea of the band and their sound - if the track can be found.
Thanks for getting in touch Angie and Nikki (assuming you are linked in someway.
Trevor
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 12/20/2007 at 08:51 PM
Angie
Hope you are still there? I am now in touch with Stuart Coleman. he has sent some great info on the band and a nice pic. I am doing a piece on the band in my newspaper column, be great to talk to your dad?
Regards
Pete Chambers
Posted by: Covsound | 05/25/2008 at 06:36 PM
Hiya Pete,
Sorry for late response not been on here for a while. Great news about Stuart and the column. Have you done the column yet? would you still like to speak to my dad? Sure he would love to talk to you. If you have done the piece could you send me a copy.
Many Thanks
Angie
Posted by: angie | 06/15/2008 at 06:55 PM
[this is good]
The Beat Preachers
This is for Nicky who wrote to this site on 15th June 2008 on behalf
Posted by: Geoff Parsons | 01/20/2009 at 02:22 AM
The Beat Preachers
Nick, sorry - dont know what happened. I wrote a lot more than came up. Your dad Jacky, together with Stuart, Forbes, Grayham and myself made up the core of the Beat Preachers. It was a lot of fun and a great time to be in a band. If any of you guys see this I would love to hear from you
Geoff Parsons
Posted by: Geoff Parsons | 01/20/2009 at 02:31 AM
Hi Geoff,
Its Elaine, Jacks eldest daughter.
Posted by: elaine | 09/26/2009 at 08:23 PM