Coventry Music Archives's blog

DAVE PEPPER BAND - BURNING RUBBER IN DETROIT!

THE DAVE PEPPER BAND set the pace of their US tour on Jan 26th at the Ritz in Detroit alongside Choking Susan and Vic Wayne. Dave Pepper said " It was a great gig. We got to hang out with Vic Wayne and the system and multi-channel desk was awesome". 

 

Dave Pepper Band 1

 

The  gig was well documented by photographer Karen AKA Tricky on her My Space - Luxlive HERE and the photos below are from that  site. On the site you can see more photos and photos of the the other bands.

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You can follow the updates on Dave Pepper's My Space HERE.We think the photos speak speak volumes! Next they are in Chicago and then LA.

 

One of Dave's first gigs was at the Hobo Workshop (Holyhead Youth Centre) at 16 in 1974 and 5 years later he

X Certs

emerged with one of Coventry's top bands of the time The X Certs, well celebrated in Alternative Sounds at the time. 

 

 

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dave pepper band

 

 

The Fortunes - Tribute

 

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Visit The Fortune's Website HERE

The Fortunes were a top Midland band of the Mid 60's.

The Fortunes - You`ve Got Your Troubles

 The band's distinctive lead singer Rod Allen (born in Leicester) passed away at 63 at his home in Coventry. The band's website paid tribute to the "wonderful voice and sparkling personality" of their founding member. Rod Allen died aged 63 after battling liver cancer, it has been announced.

His contemporaries would all agree that his was one of the most distinctive voices to come out of the golden era of popular music

The harmony group's biggest hit was You've Got Your Troubles which was a UK number two hit in 1965, also

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reaching number seven in the US. Other hits include Here it Comes Again, Caroline and This Golden Ring, Freedom Come, Freedom Go, Storm in a Teacup.

One of The Fortunes earliest singles was Caroline, which was used as the signature tune by the pirate radio station of the same name.

The band also recorded the jingle for Coca-Cola's It's The Real Thing advertising campaign in 1969.

The Fortunes, who have continued to perform in venues across Europe, have vowed to carry on. Allen, born Rodney Bainbridge, announced his retirement from the band at the New Year.

 

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According to Coventry's top music journalist - Pete Chambers - The band's original name was The Clifftones before they became The Merry Men, The Fortunes Rhythm Group and finally The Fortunes. View Pete's article for BBC Coventry Here

The band originally formed in Birmingham and in in the 90's the band were joined by Coventry's legendary progressive keyboard player Bob Jackson, who wrote most of the material for their cult 1971 progressive album Indian Summer on RCA Neon and went on to play with Pete Brown (composer of Cream hits like White Room), the Who's John Entwhistle, and Apple band Badfinger.

The original line up was -

Rod Allen (Rodney Bainbridge) vocal, bass guitar
Glen Dale (Richard Garforth) vocal, guitar (left 1966)
Barry Pritchard vocal, guitar, keyboard
Andy Brown drums
David Carr piano (left 1968)
Shel MacRae guitar, vocal (joined 1966)

From Brumbeat-

The Fortunes were signed to the prestigious Decca Records label in 1963 and their first record release -

The Fortunes - Here It Comes Again

under supervision of future Who and Kinks producer Shel Talmy - was a bizzare cover of the Jamies 1958 U.S. hit Summertime, Summertime (also attributed to "The Clifftones"). A second Fortunes single released the following year Caroline was adopted by the pirate radio station Caroline as its theme tune. Despite plenty of airplay, the song did not chart and subsequent single releases, although highly competent, were derivative of the current Merseybeat style. Compositions by group members in those days were usually confined to single b-sides such as Barry Pritchard's Come On Girl which appeared on the back of their third single I Like The Look Of You released in 1964.

The Fortunes fifth single was a ballad written by professional songwriters Roger Greenaway & Roger Cook

The Fortunes - 'Caroline'

 and the recording featured lavish instrumentation as well as the now trademark 3-part harmonies by the group. The song You've Got Your Troubles, suited the band's image perfectly with the record almost reaching the top spot in the British charts in August of 1965 and also climbing to No. 7 in the U.S. charts.

With a hit formula now established, a follow-up Here It Comes Again (also composed by Greenaway and Cook) was released soon after and gained a No. 4 chart placing.

 

The Fortunes - NME 1966 Very Rare Footage

The group undertook a packaged tour of the USA with Peter and Gordon and the Moody Blues.The Fortunes continued as a major attraction on the club circuit and in 1960s nostalgia shows. Founding member Barry Pritchard left the group in 1995 due to ill health and became a resort operator in Spain. He died in January 1999 at 54 years of age. Remaining original member Rod Allen continues to tour and record with the present line-up of the Fortunes which also includes Coventry musicians - the former Badfinger keyboard player Bob Jackson as well as veteran performers Paul Hooper (Ex Indian Summer) (drums) and Michael Smitham (guitar).

 

 

KHAYYAM

  

KHAYYAM c 1973 / 4

Khayyam

Jazz Rock

Obviously the names comes from the poet Omar Khayyam

Line up-

 Chris Jones - Lead Guitar

Steve Tayton - Sax / Clarinet / Flute

Harry Heppinstall - drums and percussion

Dave Wickes - Bass guitar

Rodney Joyce - Congas

 

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Chris Jones had a blues outfit called The Chris Jones Aggression in the early 70's and had played with Just Jake

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 and Wave. Later with Quanna Parker and other outfits.

Steve Tayton played at the Cov Arts Umbrella Jazz club in the late 60's and had been a member of Stavely Makepeace of which Lieutenant Pigeon was intended as a less serious offshoot.

Harry Heppinstall had played in Wave

Khayyam

Dave Wickes had played in Just Jake

Rodney Joyce had managed 3AM c 1966/67

 

Steve Tayton

Both Hobo and the Coventry Evening Telegraph reported on this dynamic Jazz rock outfit who were

Khy EEC

resident at the Earlsdon Cottage and played London venues The Speakeasy and Ronnie Scotts, toured the continent and negotiated a record deal and appeared on Belgian and French network TV.

In Issue 2 of HOBO August 1973 we reported on the break up of Just Jake

"Chris Jones, lead guitarist and Dave Wickes, bassist, have joined the Jazz Rock group Khayyam (formerly Wave). The group have residencies at the Earlsdon Cottage on Thursdays and the Carousel in Hinckley on Monday nights. Other bookings include Ronnie Scotts, Pheasantry, Speakeasy and possibly the Rainbow."

In Febuary 1974 HOBO reported

"KHAYYAM  formed from the Jazz/ Rock band Wave, are now set to make an album, privately, which will be

Khayyam

produced by Roger Eames, who produces the jazz club on zee radio. Members of the band are, for persons interested, - Steve Tayton - Saxaphones, clarinet, flute; Harry Heppinstall - drums and percussion; Rodney Joyce on congas and 'paint cans! ; Chris Jones on lead guitar and vocals. Dave Wickes on bass and keyboards."

HOBO spring 1974

"KHAYYAM seem set to knock the rocks off the music scene.. A group of very accomplished musicians making some incredible music in the Jazz rock field. They are currently negotiating a recording deal and a fortnight's residency in both Brussels and Amsterdam. After blowing the minds of the clientele who frequent the Speakeasy and Ronnie Scotts in London, they are set for regular spots at these venues. Said Sound Mixer John Bargeant (BO) (former HOBO co- editor) " Most places we've played have agreed to rebook us, it's incredible". Catching them in the act at Coventry's new rock venue - THE STEAM PACKET at the Tree Tops on sundays, I spoke to some of the audience to see what they thought. Some felt their music was 'too complicated' for them while the

Khayyam

majority were amazed at the sounds theat were emanating from the stage. All agreed though that the musicianship was a of a very high standard. The audience at the Tree Tops was not the audience Khayyam normally play to it has to be said. Hobo wishes Khayyam success int he future."

HOBO summer 1974

"KHAYYAM - STIRRING THE DUST

On the outskirts of Coventry, fair city, looms a big world which Khayyam have been pioneering, leaving their mark firmly embedded in the eardromes of their audiences in colleges and universities around the country, not to mention the Speakeasy and other haunts in the City of Royal! Word reaches me that they are one of the most talked about up and coming bands. The band are full of enthusiasm for the continental scene too, where they played LE PUSSYCAT ROCK in Brussels; The TIME MACHINE in Lieges; The RITZ in Antwerp. Their enthusiam and that of their promoters is so great that already they have another tour arranged for Blegium and Holland. And a certain caged bird whispered to me on the quiet that a tour of the continent could occur in the near future, depending on developments. Those familiar with Khayyam's music from the Golden Cross or the Earsldon Cottage in Coventry maybe interested to know that their music is retaining that essential Khayyam sound, although it has become more funkier and rocky, loosing some of it's jazziness. This is owing to the recent departure of Sax player Steve Tayton. The stage performance has become funkier too."

 

Khayyam

In the foreground of this picture of Khayyam from the Earlsdon Cottage (Cov Evening Telgraph pic) you can see the editors of HOBO. On the left (back of the head view) is Trev Teasdel and on the right is John Bargeant (BO). Bo was both co-editor of Hobo and promotor / manager of Trev Teasdel & Don't Talk Wet at the time but soon afterwards left Covnetry to become road manager for Khayyam on their European tour. Later Bo returned to HOBO helping out at the Hobo Workshop in 1975

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JUST JAKE

 

Just Jake ad from Hobo No1

JUST JAKE c1973 -74

Was a band that was centrered around the skills of two of Coventry's top lead blues guitar players. First of all John Alderson and then Chris Jones. Both guitar players had a track record of being in class Coventry bands in the earlier 70's - John in Wandering John and Chris in his own band The Chris Jones Aggression.

Line up -

Lead Guitar -

John Alderson / later Chris Jones

Keyboards

Martin Barter

Bass

Dave Wickes

Drums

Richie Medlock

 

Chris Jones

The originally formaed around John Alderson until he moved temprarily to Saundersfoot in Wales after which Chris Jones stepped in and gave the band a more funky feel.

The band was covered in Hobo magazine during this period -

From HOBO ISSUE 2 AUGUST 1973

"A vocal group in the vain of Genesis and Yes, producing interesting and original material. It features the talents of

Hobo3 Cover

Martin Barter on Keyboards, Chris Jones on lead guitar, Dave Wickes on bass and Ritchie Medlock on drums. They all assist on vocals and help in composing their material with a lyricist friend. The band will be back on the road soon after suffering the loss of their former lead guitarist - John Alderson (Formerly of Wandering John). John has split Coventry to live and play music in Saundersfoot, Wales. I'm told that Chris is doing an excellent job, so I wish John and Jake all the best."

Also reported in this issue

• Just Jake will be operating under a new name (not yet decided on) owing to the personal changes mentioned above.  (Eds note - I think this was Wave but I can't be sure).
• JUST JAKE were down to play the Windsor Free Festival in August 1973 along with other Cov bands Trilogy, A Band Called George, Fission and Trev Teasdel and Don't Talk Wet (In the end Fission were the only Cov band to play the Windsor festival that year). Hawkwind / Pink Fairies / Longdancer / Skin Alley / Skin Driven Thing / Third Ear Band / Kraan were also on the bill.

In an unpublished issue of Hobo c October 1973 (not sure of date) it was was further reported -

 

John Alderson

"JUST JAKE no longer exist, Martin Barter (keyboards and Richie Medlock (drums) are currently working things out with Trilogy, whilst Chris Jones, lead guitarist and Dave Wickes, bassist, have joined the the Jazz Rock group Khayyam (formerly Wave). The group have residencies at the Earlsdon Cottage on Thursdays and the Carousel in Hinckley on Monday nights. Other bookings include Ronnie Scotts, Pheasantry, Speakeasy and possibly the Rainbow. Apologies to Dave Wickes for calling him Dave Sweet last time and apologies to friends of Dave Sweet who thought he'd suddenly become a pop star!!"

 

 

JUST BEFORE DAWN

JUST BEFORE DAWN c 1974 /5

I don't have a lot of info on this band althugh I should have really as they advertised in Hobo magazine in 1974 care of Peter Morris and played at the Hobo Workshop either at the or the Holyhead Youth Centre, Golden Cross.  I seem to think that they were the first band we put on at the Golden Cross and were earmarked to play at Hobo's closed down Coventry Precinct gig with Memories in 1974 already blogged about on this site.

However I've found a piece submitted to Hobo earlier by drummer Jim Pryal in which he throws some light on this band -

"I got a normal job at this time and joined a band called 'Just before Dawn'  in 1975 managed by Norman Dewis, chief test driver for Jaguar. Norman had been a racing driver in the 50s racing with the likes of Sterling Moss and he was the first person to drive from Cov to London on the new M1 in an E type Jag in 1959 - all those years ago - amazing!). His son Graham played bass. It was a club type  covers band and had regular work. We used to practice at Normans farm near Packington. You always got tea and biscuits off  Nan, Normans wife. Other guys in the band were Martin ......? on keys,  Paul.........? vox and Pete Morris on guitar."

Question - could Martin the Keyboard player have been Martin Barter?

INDIAN SUMMER

INDIAN SUMMER

One of Coventry top bands whose 1971 album is still cult among worldwide progressive fans.

INDIAN SUMMER-GLIMPSE.

Below is the classic line up that were featured on their album.
HERE THEIR TRACKS ON MY SPACE HERE

MALCOLM HARKER bass, vibes, vocals  
PAUL HOOPER drums, percussion, vocals   
BOB JACKSON keyboards, lead vocals  
COLIN WILLIAMS guitar, vocals

 

Former members of Indian Summer include -

• Al Hatton - Bass

• Roy Butterfield -

lead guitar

• Steve Cottrel - Guitar.

Indian Summer were formed in the summer of 1969 by keyboardist Bob Jackson, guitarist/vocalist Colin Williams, drummer Paul Hooper and bassist Malcolm Harker. Based in Coventry they toured the local universities and colleges in their native

Indian summer Cover photo

Indian Summer at Umbrella

Midlands before being spotted by manager Jim Simpson who also looked after Black Sabbath and Bakerloo amongst others. In fact, they often filled in for Sabbath when they were too poor to be able to afford to get to the gigs they were booked to play! Ex-Vertigo Records manager Olav Wyper had been employed by RCA to head its progressive Neon Records label and, after a recommendation from Simpson, he signed the band after witnessing them go down a storm at Henry's Blues House in Birmingham. Teaming

Indian Summer advert

them with producer Rodger Bain, who'd produced Black Sabbath's self titled debut album, he put them into London's legendary Trident Studios to record their debut album. Indian Summer was released in early 1971 (NE3) though a proposed single "Walking On Water" failed to see the light of day.

 

Immediately after the album's release, Harker left to take over his father's engineering firm (he currently lives in America). His replacement was Wez Price, ex-The Sorrows, who undertook the promotional duties required of the band, including dates in Switzerland. However, on returning from a gig in early 1972 with no money (and a bag of chips between them!) the band felt that something was wrong and decided to call it a day.

Colin Williams retired totally from the music industry to take up employment in the motor industry. Paul Hooper played in various Midlands based bands before teaming up with Bob Jackson in The Dodgers for 1978's Love On The Rebound album, and is currently a member of The Fortunes. After extracting himself from his contract with Jim Simpson, Bob Jackson teamed up with ex-John Entwhistle vocalist Alan Ross for two LPs and numerous tours. He then joined Moon on their Too

Is1

Close For Comfort LP of 1976 before passing an audition for Badfinger who he stayed with for nearly three years. He then formed the Dodgers with Paul Hooper before joining ex-Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron for the On The Rocks LP. Since then he's played with the likes of The Motors, The Searchers, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce and Pete Brown and still plays in local bands as well as teaching music.

Mark Brennan - Special thanks to Bob Jackson

Taken from the Repertoire reissue of Indian Summer, 1993, REP 4357-WP

Bob Jackson also played with Pete Brown and Piblokto in 1974. Their roadies later roadied for A Band Called George.

FROM THE COVENTRY EVENING TELEGRAPH 1971

A RAY OF SUNSHINE

"The Coventry group Indian Summer are right to follow

Digger Dave with Roy Butterfield

their maxim; 'To give something fresh, warm and exciting when no one expects it.' It is what their name means. And how well they achieve it. Their new album Indian Summer RCA Neon - is a real ray of sunshine. It does the group less than justice to compare them with anyone, for individuality is certainly their keynote. But to say they succeed where Procul Harum fail and to point out the similarity in voice of the lead singer with that of Roy Phillips of the Peddlers is a compliment anyway.

They lost their first chance of recording contract in the face of Black Sabbath. Might I be so bold as to forecast even better things for the Coventry boys. - GEOFF ELLIOT

• INDIAN SUMMER supported the only Midland gig of Johnny Winter at the
  

  Bob Jackson z
  Kinetic Circus in Birmingham in 1971
• Played Warwick University Arts Festival Fri March 5th 1971 as part of the Blues Workshop with EDGAR BROUGHTON  / HIGH TIDE / SORROWS.
• Played the Lanchester Polytechnic (now Cov Uni) Sat 9th with Goliath and Stone the Crows
• They played the Pete Waterman's Walsgrave Gig in 1970 (which is where I met the band and booked them for the Cov Arts Umbrella).

(just a few of their many gigs)

Some reviews of their 1971 album on the  internet -

"Indian Summer were a British progressive quartet with tremendous potential. Formed in Coventry in 1969, they were managed by Jim Simpson of Black Sabbath and Bakerloo fame. Indian Summer were up against Black Sabbath for the opportunity of signing to a record deal. Black Sabbath won the contract but Indian Summer were signed the next year (1971) to RCA's Neon Label (as were Dando Shaft). The album is now a collector's

Indian-Summer-01

item and Indian Summer still have a cult following among progressive music fans all over the world. Harker left to take over his father's engineering firm."

"This album is loaded with lots of driving rhythm and psychy musical passages with emphasis on keyboards and guitars. Vocals (Bob Jackson) are quite good and have a certain wildness about them, which you'll either love or hate. Although fairly heavy musically speaking, Indian Summer do resonate with certain Canterbury leanings actually and at times remind me of a heavier version of Caravan. Songs are well written and do carry a certain dark atmosphere to them which I do enjoy. The fine folks at Repertoire have done a wonderful job of enhancing the recording and speaker separation which is actually quite good. Most importantly, Indian Summer have a very original and professional sound quality to their music and they are clearly one of the better bands who had far too short an existence. This is

Indsum1

one of those albums which once you get into, yu will cherish fondly forever..full of lots of razzle dazzle.'

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In Summer