2. A 1956 Hoyer Cello Guitar

As you grow up, if your lucky, you fall in love and I was no exception. It was as clear today as it was all those years ago, I walked round a corner and there she was ,absolutely beautiful! Fantastic body and she sparkled like a diamond. It was love at first sight and I just knew I had to have her, but how? She was way out of my league far to classy and very expensive but ,never underestimate the power of love after all I was nearly 15! So I worked out a cunning plan - talk to the parents and after arranging a dowry that would take what seemed a lifetime to pay back she was mine!!!!

A 1956 Hoyer Cello Guitar!!!!!

Wow was this a step up from my old string box ? this baby sang as sweet as a bird.

As time progressed I added state of the art, a pair of Hofner sliding pickups in chrome and I thought this was the bees knees, big time had come. Then along with a few of my mates we formed our first  serious group (bands weren't invented yet!) The Blackhawks.

The line up was George Watson (ex Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes) on lead, Rod Hughes on Drums, Bernie Holloway on bass Jeff Harvey vocals and yours truly on Vocals(believe it or not) and rhythm guitar. You can see the Hoyer in the picture and I still have it today.

How come I call myself Bassman? All will be revealed in the fullness of time!

Next: The BlackHawks