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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:55 pm
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bassmike wrote:
I can't speak for everyone, but I would love to hear your story as you wnat to tell it! Take your time, cut to the quick, you're driving the bus and we're along for the ride.

I've loved every word so far and, personally, I'd hate to see it end before the wholre story was told.

Please, do carry on at your own pace. Amatuerish or not, there are many many people reading this thread and have them hooked, and for me, I find your writing style easy to follow and like good music, it comes from the heart and whether or not it is "polished" doesn't matter, at least to me.


hear, hear, what he said!


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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:16 pm
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Bring it on man, every d@mn bit of it!! :D


EDIT: PS- Just noticed this thread is fast approaching 20,000 views. Wow.


Last edited by Delta66 on Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:38 am
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I'm in no hurry for for the story to end! For those of us too young to remember the 60's it is like a history lesson of the birth of Rock N Roll. For the older folks it is likely a trip down memory lane. By all means, take your time - we want details!

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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:58 pm
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OK Guys

I know I've been neglecting the thread.
I have been working at earning a living, but I will make the effort over the next few days and do some work on this story.
I know when someone posts to the thread, my Email symbol at the top of my page has a little 'number one' next to it, because I am informed whenever someone posts a comment.

As I write I keep remembering different incidents. Then the next day I wish I had written them down.

As you probably know, I write onto a word program first, then copy and paste.

JT


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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:20 pm
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This chapter goes back in time a bit, in order for the second part to make any sense.

It was about eighteen months earlier. Before I attempted to start a band of my own.
And after the skiffle group had failed.
I had been playing the guitar long enough to know more than just three chords and I could play the backing to most of the well-known pop songs of the day.

We found a little back street pub (Bar) called The Cambridge, near to where my extended family, Uncles Aunties and cousins, lived, in a rough part of Liverpool called Toxteth.

What was unusual about this little pub was that they allowed me to play my guitar and also plug my little Watkins 10 watt amplifier into the light socket. (Yes, the light socket)
I also had a cheap microphone with a long lead so I could allow customers to sing a song, while I accompanied them on the guitar.

The pub was absolutely dead, with hardly any customers, so the manager was happy to let me play the guitar because I had brought my brothers and cousins along as well.

We began to make it a regular Saturday night outing, and soon began to attract other customers who had heard the music and decided to join the party.

Within a month it was impossible to get a seat in the room were I was playing the guitar.

The first people to arrive always kept a place in the corner of the room for me and my family, and didn’t allow anyone to sit there.

The place was absolutely packed.
Even on the nights that we weren’t there
The delighted manager started paying me, not much, but enough to pay for my liquid refreshment.

This went on for about three months.
The increased business meant that he could now afford to install a couple of fruit machines, and eventually a TV.
(TVs were very expensive in the 60s and not many people had one).

That was when the trouble started.

The TV was in the bar, while we were in ‘The Parlour’
Bar customers started to complain that the guitar music was spoiling their enjoyment of the TV.
Eventually the Manager asked me to turn the volume down.
Then he stopped paying me.
I wasn’t too worried about that because it wasn’t much anyway.

The final nail in the coffin was when he told me not to plug the amp into the electricity. Which meant that the microphone was now unusable.

That was the final straw.
I announced that night to my ‘Fans’ that I wouldn’t be playing there anymore.
I also explained why.

The manager didn’t care.
He had seen his profits soar, since I first started playing there, and the Pub was now a thriving business.

I went on to join the Hi Cats and soon forgot about the Cambridge Pub.

It was about a year later that I went, with my brother Joe, to that part of Liverpool to see my Uncle Alec. (My Dad’s brother)
We decided to go out for a drink and I suggested the Cambridge.

It was like walking into a graveyard.

There was hardly anyone there.
They still had the TV but the other rooms were empty.
The manager recognised me.
“Hello John” he said “I haven’t seen you for a while”.
“I’m not in this area much these days” I said

“Here let me pay for your drinks,” he said generously.
I thanked him.
“We won’t be staying long” I said, “We only called in for a quick one.”

We chatted for a bit, and then I said. “Well I think we’ll have to be going”.
I couldn’t get out of that miserable Pub soon enough.

“Before you go John” he said “I was wandering” he took a deep breath.
“Wouldn’t you fancy coming on Saturday night, and bring your guitar.”
His smile was desperate.
“You can plug it into the electric light socket, like you used to”.

“I’m afraid I play in a band now” I said, “ so that is out of the question”
He looked crestfallen. “ Do you know anyone who might be interested in playing here”? He said
“Not really” I said, “but you could advertise for a guitarist, although you would have to pay him a lot more than you paid me” I smiled.

“Well we must be off” I said

We left him standing alone, behind the bar, and to tell the truth, I felt a bit sorry for him, despite the way I was treated.

I heard that he gave the pub business up after a while.
The Cambridge never did make a success.
It was too isolated and definitely needed a (modest) Johnny Templer.
Don’t you agree?


Last edited by Merseykid on Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 6:04 pm
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I love it! Reminds me of a similar experience with the local pub in my neighborhood, the bands I was in that played that bar really made it quite a night, packed to the rafters, when we played there. I owner asked me about coming back around again a year after I had left the band, but the band broke up shortly after I had left. Maybe with the new band I am working with...


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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 3:34 pm
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Location: Liverpool UK
My next chapter is a bit raunchy but well within the bounds of respectability so I don't think that Fender will be offended.

It's something that I often think about in my old age with a warm feeling of nostalgia but also a little touch of shame.
You'll see what I mean when I get around to writing it.
Not even my family, or The Hi Cats know about this story. I've always kept quiet about it. So if any of you, who know me personally, are reading this it'll be a new revelation.

As usual I make sure that the main characters in this type of story remain anonymous.


By the way. Keep the feedback coming guys. I can't do all this work for free.
Feedback is so valuable.

Thanks for yours Aer yn sun


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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:31 pm
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I've been following your story, first with some skepticism but I was quickly convinced about your and your story's authenticity.

I really love this story. It's really good to hear this kind of story from a guy who didn't reach the stars like the Beatles. I'm also really fond of all details about how a band worked and got success in the sixties. It's a different world from now but some things never change. Like the pub that wants music cheap to get customers.

So keep on. We're a lot of people who are excited about what happens next. But take your time to get to the sad ending. I'm enjoying it so much that I don't want it finished too soon. Like with any really good book.

Thank you !


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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:52 pm
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Cheers Kasper


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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:15 pm
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this reminds me so much of Mellencamp's song "Cherry Bomb", good stuff!


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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:56 am
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Location: Liverpool UK
It Was Friday and we were booked to play at the Four Winds club.
This was a cellar club in the Liverpool City center.
The “Liverpool Mafia” a group of ex bouncers and moneymen reputedly owned it. These guys were gentlemen but not the sort of people you messed about with.
I liked playing for them because they only booked bands that they really liked.
It was a compliment to be chosen and there was never any trouble at their venues, they always looked after their bands.

The show usually started at eight pm and went on until two o’clock in the morning.
The other band that night were called The Bystanders.
I had never heard of them, but they were a friendly bunch.

My brother Dave wasn’t with us that night so we had to set up the mikes and amplifiers ourselves.
At eight o’clock sharp The Bystanders started the show.
We went to the bar for a drink, although I was driving that night so I couldn’t drink too much alcohol.
I usually had a pint of beer then changed to non-alcoholic drinks.

There weren’t many customers around at that time, but that wasn’t unusual.
Everyone would still be in the pubs and bars, which would stay open until ten thirty. They would then have to close, that was the law in the 60s,
Every one would then begin to fill the nightclubs were you could drink until two am.

It was Ten O’clock and the disc jockey was playing his records while the Bystanders left the stage and The Hi cats began to get set up.

As we started to play, the club was beginning to fill up.

Apart from the normal crowed, there appeared to be two separate parties going on that night.
One was a 21st birthday party, and the other was a hen party,

One of the guests from the birthday party came over to the stage and asked me if the band would play “Happy birthday to you”
“Sure” I said “What’s the birthday boy’s name”?
“Charlie” he said, looking as though he’d already had too much to drink.
He grabbed my hand and pushed a pound note into it.

We all sang the Happy Birthday song.
I would spend that tip on the next round of drinks.

The hen party was also swinging and they were much the worse for drink
They were all women, shouting to each other above the noise of the band.
From what they were saying I could tell that most of them were workmates.

It was time for me to make my usual exit and head for the dressing room.
I stepped down from the stage and turned towards the door at the side.
One of the young women from the hen party grabbed my arm.
“Come on Johnny” she said, lets have a dance.
I wasn’t one to refuse a pretty girl so we danced until the song was finished.
I was about to walk to the dressing room but one of her friends took my hand and also insisted on having a dance.
I noticed the Hi Cats were grinning.
It happened three times in all, very enjoyable
I finally managed to get to the dressing room and spent some time going through the lyrics of a couple of songs we had rehearsed a few days earlier.

We had finished our first spot and the band was heading for the bar.
The disc Jockey began to play his records.
I felt like dancing so I looked for the three friends, from the hen party, I had danced with earlier.
I saw a middle aged woman who had been nearby when they had hijacked me earlier.
She had found the incident amusing.
I asked her if she knew were they were.
“Oh, you mean the bridesmaids”, she said, “I saw them going into the toilet earlier.
I think they’re on the other side of the club were all the other girls are”.
I made my way through the crowd and spotted them sitting together at a table.
“Hi girls” I said “ anyone fancy a dance”?
I held my hand out to the nearest girl, a very pretty young blonde.
She smiled and stood up.
“Do you all work together?” I said, as we danced
“Yes, most of our party work for the Midland Bank”.
I was impressed
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Rita” she said.
“And your two friends?“
“The tall girl is called Maria and the dark haired girl is Rachael”
“Do you three work in the same branch of the Midland?”
“No” she said. “I work in Walton, Maria works in Old Swan, and Rachael works in the City Center”.
These were all districts of Liverpool.
“I bet you’ll all look gorgeous in your bridesmaid dresses” I said
“What time is the wedding tomorrow”?
She smiled
“Four O’clock”

I spent the next hour in the company of these highly intelligent and amusing young women, and then I excused myself and joined the Hi cats at the bar.

It was about ten minutes to two. I was on stage singing when I saw the three girls waving to me. They were leaving to go home.
I gave them a wave.

We had finished the show and were carrying the equipment up the stairs to the van.
I felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Marie.
“I’m sorry to bother you Johnny” she said, “But could you possibly give us a lift home, we can’t get a taxi, they are all taken”
“Where do you live” I asked
“I live in Old Swan, and so does Rachael. Rita lives in Knowsley”.
“That’s fine” I said.
“I am driving through Old Swan on my way home, and Knowsley isn’t far from where I live”
She went to give her friends the good news.

I went back into the club to the manager’s office and collected the bands wages.
When I got back to the car the three girls were waiting.
“Hello again” I said, smiling.
I opened the car doors.
“Rita will be the last to get out, so I think she had better sit in the front”

“Three of them” Stan said, when I took the bands wages to them.
“You’re getting greedy”.
“Don’t be daft” I said I’m just giving them a lift home.
“I bet you are” Tony said.
“I should be so lucky” I said as I walked towards the Consul. “See you tomorrow boys.”

It wasn’t long before we reached Old Swan and Marie and Rachael got out.
They said goodnight to Rita and to my surprise and delight, each of them held my head, and through the open window gave me a long lingering kiss right on the lips.
“Thanks for the lift Johnny” Then they were gone, leaving me breathing heavily.

Rita was amused.
“They’re a mischievous pair of teasers” she said.
“Yeah, I noticed” I said

Knowsley was right on the outskirts of Liverpool the roads in the 60s were just narrow country lanes with farms here and there.

Rita had slid across the large front bench seat and was snuggled up to me.
She put her arm around me.
I started to feel excited.
“Do you want to stop for a while?” I asked.
“Only if you do,” she said.
I drove for a bit then noticed a narrow path to the right overgrown with bushes.
I slowed down and saw that it led to a gate, which was there to keep farm animals in the field.
Perfect.
I drove up to the wooden gate and turned all the car lights off.
The Consul couldn’t possibly be seen from the road.
The only sound was the soothing music from the car radio.

Rita was on me in a flash trying to pull my coat off. I was sure she was going to rip it.
I gently took hold of her hands then leaned forward and removed my coat, putting it on the back seat.
She immediately tried to push her hands into my shirt. I felt a button come off so I undid all my shirt buttons and relaxed.
But not for long.

She took complete control.
The next couple of hours are burned into my memory forever.

I was putty in her hands and she knew it.
She must have decided some time earlier that she was going to use me to satisfy her fantasies.
I was taken aback, by this demure little blond bank employee, and the things she had me do.

I still remember some of her words.

“It's OK, I had a bath before I came out”
And “For goodness sake Johnny……please……….Just DO It”


It was four o’clock by the time Rita was finished.
I was soaking with sweat.
My wet shirt was on the back seat with my coat.
And I was absolutely exhausted.

I sat still for a while to allow my body time to recuperate.
“I think I’d better get you home” I said, trying to control my breathing.
“You’ve got a big day tomorrow”
I started to put my coat on over my bare chest. My shirt was too wet to wear.

Rita was all dreamy eyed.
“Yes” She said, “I suppose I’d better get to bed.

After giving her my telephone number I dropped her off at her house.
I made my way home, parked the car and staggered up to my room then collapsed onto my bed

I didn’t wake up until one o’clock in the afternoon.

It was about three weeks later I was in the Old Swan shopping area.
I had called to the Army Surplus shop for some overalls.
I remembered that one of the girls from the Four Winds club, Maria, worked in the Old Swan branch of the Midland bank.

I was wondering why Rita hadn’t phoned me, so I decided to try and see Maria.

I looked in the large plate glass window of the bank, Hoping that she didn’t work in the back office.
I spotted her immediately behind a glass screen.
There were no customers in the bank at the time, so I went in and walked right up to Maria’s cubicle.
She recognised me.
I took a Pound note out of my pocket.
“Could you give me change of this please” I asked
She seemed relieved that I had thought of a legitimate excuse to talk to her.
“How did the wedding go” I asked quietly.
“It went great” she said
“And did you three bridesmaids steal the show” I said smiling.
“Which three” she said
“You Rachael and Rita” I said.
“You’ve got it wrong John......... Rachael and me were the bridesmaids,” she said.
“Rita was the bride”




.


Last edited by Merseykid on Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:34 am, edited 5 times in total.

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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:21 am
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Ohhh, snap! I've seen this in the movies, but to hear it really happen, good on you!


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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:35 pm
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Delta66 wrote:
Bring it on man, every d@mn bit of it!! :D


EDIT: PS- Just noticed this thread is fast approaching 20,000 views. Wow.


Delta66 posted this on 8th August.
So as the thread is now getting near 23000.
That is nearly 3000 hits in a week.

I will have to seriously think of putting my money were my mouth is and try and interest a publisher.


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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:21 am
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Hiya MerseyKid and all reading this wonderful thread,

I'm a 34yr old Bass player from South Wales UK. Like many, I've gone through a stage in my musical development of being obsessed by the 60's and the music around during the time, and read more than a few books on the subject, my favourite of which would have to be 'Revolution in the head' by Ian McDonald.

I just wanted to say that this thread makes every bit as good a read as anything I've read about the subject and add my hearftelt thanks to JT for posting these awesome insights into what it was like for a working musician in the 60's.

Its funny how some things about this business never change!!

Once again thanks to JT, please keep this up as often as you can, I know its hard to find time to do anything but work in these Dark gloomy Credit Crunchy UK Days!!!

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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:41 am
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Thanks for that peachfuzzbass.
One of the best compliments yet.
Lots more to come. as I'm not now being pushed to finish the story.

I wonder if Fender are pleased. I hope so.

JT


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