1 - In the Beginning

Having been born during the war you take as you find but our generation had an opportunity to start afresh and the gift of self belief that we could go forward, it was to be our way --- Rock N Roll!

The seafaring village where I lived was as rough as rough could be and all were poor. My hardworking, upright parents worked hard to keep us clothed and fed plus, a roof over our heads. Being a family of six in a tiny house meant there was no room for me ,not even a bed until the age of thirteen I shared a couch with my brother but was happy as I had a guitar!!!

In fact I had a guitar since the age of eleven and had been taught how to play by a great guitarist George Watson who I later played with in my first band the Blackhawks. This stood me in good stead as George played dance band music and showed me how to play bar chords that stretched my fingers so later on it would be very easy to change over to bass.

How I acquired my first guitar was a masterstroke of creative accounting by a kid who didn't have two halfpennies to rub together! But I'll save that for another day.

My First Gig was with a bunch of local lads and we called ourselves the Rabble it was at the Palladium (Not the London one but the Seaforth Palladium!) If there is anyone out there who can remember the row we made or took part please get in touch.

Next: A 1956 Hoyer Bass Guitar