... being a reflection on Jimi Hendrix and myself, just because it looks good to see the two of us in the same sentence, and Pete Olding, who made that sentence possible
Very much enjoyed this. I first came across Jimi Hendrix in about 1972 It was Hey Joe on a strange set of compliations records of my dad 's which included songs like Cumberland Gap and Running Bear, and I still enjoy all of them
Both paintings are fantastic
I noted the Johnny Lydon comment and thought I needed to say the following.
When I was 17 I used to go to the Adelphi to see my friends band, One of my friends at the time was Francis Jack who said he had two friends who both had bands.One friend was Eddie the Mad banana and the other was Mad Mike Montez. I was therefore fortunate enough to see you with The Velvetones and I thought you were a fabulous singer, with a mixture of humour and pathos and for many years, when asked, I said my favourite bands were The Clash the Velvetones and the Gargoyles, not forgetting the Pistols.
Unfortunately as the years passed I lost my Velvetones tape and though still living locally became so wrapped up in mundane things meaning that music took a back seat and much of your music and that of the Gargoyles became just a distant memory
Then thanks to YouTube I found the video of Skinhead girl, a favourite song along with Jim, and ice cold Joe and this led me to following Ted Key which eventually led me here, AND bandcamp which
means I can download the Velvetones music.
and of course the Gargoyles
I bought your book as well,infact I bought it twice as the first got lost.
Wow! Cheers Anjie - its good to know that those far off days of the Adelphi are still remembered. I miss the Mad Banana, and hope to feature some of his poetry in Sixty Odd Poets next month. Have you heard anything from Fran Jack lately?
I've not heard from him in Years. He was doing some music last thing I heard.
No unfortunately I lost touch with him and Peter a long time ago.I think he is ok though because I sometimes see Margaret, their sister who is a senior physio at Hull hospitals where I work ,though it's usually too busy for a catch up
As ever an enjoyable read, even if don't quite agree with some aspects - it is refreshing to read rational articles (yes I am talking about Mike OBrien). Interesting to learn about Mex art scene and to hear about how younger people regarded music of their and previous generations. I was perhaps a bit young, in the head at least, as I was Animals and Stones as Purple Haze came out. Dad would have called it a row up.
What we should do before we judge any performer is to be aware of the circcumstances of their out put. With Jimi Hendrix, the majority of available stuff is post mortem; it is sweepings up, rejects from the studio bin than Hendrix would never permit to exist, let alone be passed off as his 'genius'. The way to get to him truly is to acquire any work composed by himself from the album Axis Bold As Love backwards. I'd suggest that would be Axis; Are You Experienced; Electric Ladyland or Band Of Gypsies.
Some live material is good, but Hendrix hated his off days and was aware of his inferior performances. They wouldn't be out there either. To go deeper I recommend reading Sharon Lawrence's biography. But Jimi was a perfectionist (it drove other band members etc mad). Sadly he was 'managed' by entreprenuers (and I don't mean Chas Chandler) who relied on his own antics/genius as PR to sell the act - they were bean counters, not appreciators of quality product.
I'd planned to go and see him soon as I realised what he was about. Then, come Noc 70, I was in hospital with hospital earphones on hearing this amazing guitar. Being told i should give up bikes, I though guitar's the thing if I can make it sound like this. Then heartbreak, as the DJ says "and that's the posthumous release of Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile (Slight Return).
Marc Bolan was something indeed with Tyranasaurus Rex, but he sold out with Trex. A lot of whites went on for colourful garb, headbands, even make-up - and looked pretty silly - and sounded worse. It's a cultural thing, though how BB King wears suits acceptably baffles me. The lads from the swamps wanted posh, not dungarees. But as he later said, let's take it back to the swamp. A show is one thing - I could set fire to my arse and it'd be a show. But a taseful firework display, that's summat else.
As for punk, the behaviour of its devotees disgusted me. Just in my late twenties, I felt old as I scorned the spitting and shoving and the acute lack of musical knowledge or should I say ability. When I found out the railed against hippies, that rankled. We were JFK, Luther, thank heavens Hitler was defeated and lets keep freedom alive. Hello Americanised capitalism and art school rock. I thought the Stranglers were OK, but they apparently denied being punk. Blondie claims proto but they were others before who could be so-dubbed, just as Jimi could be glam etc. I know what answer he'd have had.... He waved his flag, others got their pecadillo out:). Cheers Mike, like the poem too
A great, thought provoking response as ever Alex. I have been thinking that perhaps as someone who has been in bands, but who focused on writing and singing lyrics (as I can't play an instrument to save my life), that I am almost bound to take Bolan's side over Hendrix, as Bolan was (correct me if I am wrong) the most poetic lysricist, and Hendrix the more technically inventive musician.
When I look back at the punk times, yes, the behaviour and attitudes could be disgusting, but it was, for me, a moment in time when everything went into the melting pot and got re-examined. And some of the resultant attitudes (and behaviours) were magnificent. The spitting, self mutilation and violence didn't last that long, and what came out was a brave, do it yourself attitude, that was surprisingly tolerant. The never trust a hippie thing was just a gimmick, wasn't it?
Very much enjoyed this. I first came across Jimi Hendrix in about 1972 It was Hey Joe on a strange set of compliations records of my dad 's which included songs like Cumberland Gap and Running Bear, and I still enjoy all of them
Both paintings are fantastic
I noted the Johnny Lydon comment and thought I needed to say the following.
When I was 17 I used to go to the Adelphi to see my friends band, One of my friends at the time was Francis Jack who said he had two friends who both had bands.One friend was Eddie the Mad banana and the other was Mad Mike Montez. I was therefore fortunate enough to see you with The Velvetones and I thought you were a fabulous singer, with a mixture of humour and pathos and for many years, when asked, I said my favourite bands were The Clash the Velvetones and the Gargoyles, not forgetting the Pistols.
Unfortunately as the years passed I lost my Velvetones tape and though still living locally became so wrapped up in mundane things meaning that music took a back seat and much of your music and that of the Gargoyles became just a distant memory
Then thanks to YouTube I found the video of Skinhead girl, a favourite song along with Jim, and ice cold Joe and this led me to following Ted Key which eventually led me here, AND bandcamp which
means I can download the Velvetones music.
and of course the Gargoyles
I bought your book as well,infact I bought it twice as the first got lost.
My favourite bands list therefore remains intact
Wow! Cheers Anjie - its good to know that those far off days of the Adelphi are still remembered. I miss the Mad Banana, and hope to feature some of his poetry in Sixty Odd Poets next month. Have you heard anything from Fran Jack lately?
I've not heard from him in Years. He was doing some music last thing I heard.
No unfortunately I lost touch with him and Peter a long time ago.I think he is ok though because I sometimes see Margaret, their sister who is a senior physio at Hull hospitals where I work ,though it's usually too busy for a catch up
Look forward to see some more poetry😊
As ever an enjoyable read, even if don't quite agree with some aspects - it is refreshing to read rational articles (yes I am talking about Mike OBrien). Interesting to learn about Mex art scene and to hear about how younger people regarded music of their and previous generations. I was perhaps a bit young, in the head at least, as I was Animals and Stones as Purple Haze came out. Dad would have called it a row up.
What we should do before we judge any performer is to be aware of the circcumstances of their out put. With Jimi Hendrix, the majority of available stuff is post mortem; it is sweepings up, rejects from the studio bin than Hendrix would never permit to exist, let alone be passed off as his 'genius'. The way to get to him truly is to acquire any work composed by himself from the album Axis Bold As Love backwards. I'd suggest that would be Axis; Are You Experienced; Electric Ladyland or Band Of Gypsies.
Some live material is good, but Hendrix hated his off days and was aware of his inferior performances. They wouldn't be out there either. To go deeper I recommend reading Sharon Lawrence's biography. But Jimi was a perfectionist (it drove other band members etc mad). Sadly he was 'managed' by entreprenuers (and I don't mean Chas Chandler) who relied on his own antics/genius as PR to sell the act - they were bean counters, not appreciators of quality product.
I'd planned to go and see him soon as I realised what he was about. Then, come Noc 70, I was in hospital with hospital earphones on hearing this amazing guitar. Being told i should give up bikes, I though guitar's the thing if I can make it sound like this. Then heartbreak, as the DJ says "and that's the posthumous release of Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile (Slight Return).
Marc Bolan was something indeed with Tyranasaurus Rex, but he sold out with Trex. A lot of whites went on for colourful garb, headbands, even make-up - and looked pretty silly - and sounded worse. It's a cultural thing, though how BB King wears suits acceptably baffles me. The lads from the swamps wanted posh, not dungarees. But as he later said, let's take it back to the swamp. A show is one thing - I could set fire to my arse and it'd be a show. But a taseful firework display, that's summat else.
As for punk, the behaviour of its devotees disgusted me. Just in my late twenties, I felt old as I scorned the spitting and shoving and the acute lack of musical knowledge or should I say ability. When I found out the railed against hippies, that rankled. We were JFK, Luther, thank heavens Hitler was defeated and lets keep freedom alive. Hello Americanised capitalism and art school rock. I thought the Stranglers were OK, but they apparently denied being punk. Blondie claims proto but they were others before who could be so-dubbed, just as Jimi could be glam etc. I know what answer he'd have had.... He waved his flag, others got their pecadillo out:). Cheers Mike, like the poem too
A great, thought provoking response as ever Alex. I have been thinking that perhaps as someone who has been in bands, but who focused on writing and singing lyrics (as I can't play an instrument to save my life), that I am almost bound to take Bolan's side over Hendrix, as Bolan was (correct me if I am wrong) the most poetic lysricist, and Hendrix the more technically inventive musician.
When I look back at the punk times, yes, the behaviour and attitudes could be disgusting, but it was, for me, a moment in time when everything went into the melting pot and got re-examined. And some of the resultant attitudes (and behaviours) were magnificent. The spitting, self mutilation and violence didn't last that long, and what came out was a brave, do it yourself attitude, that was surprisingly tolerant. The never trust a hippie thing was just a gimmick, wasn't it?