Latest

The party’s over – remembering Mark Hollis, Talk Talk & Genesis

Mark David Hollis, 1955-2019

I was sad to learn of the passing of singer/songwriter Mark Hollis during February 2019, only aged 64. Nothing has been released publicly about the cause of death at the time of writing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was another victim of cancer, reading between the lines from a (reported) quote by his… Continue reading The party’s over – remembering Mark Hollis, Talk Talk & Genesis

Roger Taylor’s Drums – and me!

How I got closer to the Queen drummer’s gear The internet’s a funny old thing, a double-edged sword at the best of times. One minute you can be finding all sorts of information about stuff you didn’t know existed, the next arguing with somebody on the other side of the world you have never met.… Continue reading Roger Taylor’s Drums – and me!

I was never a WHAM! fan, but…

Oh dear...looks like these chaps favoured my type of leather biker jacket - and so what if I did coincidentally get my hair cut shorter just as this was in the charts? Me, a Wham! boy? Get out of here!

George Michael was truly, a gifted artist I can categorically state, I was never a WHAM! fan; it really is that simple. But, respect should be given where respect is due, especially after an unprecedented year of deaths from within the creative arts fraternity. George Michael was a naturally gifted songwriter of my generation and… Continue reading I was never a WHAM! fan, but…

First Gig

Singer/Songwriter Gareth 'Gaz' Hill, circa 1981 at one of our after-school rehearsals at 3 Devonshire Road, West Kirby. Barely visible in the background, my first drum kit, a Maxwin 'Funky' outfit! Gaz's guitar is a quite tasty Eko acoustic with a pickup attached to the sound-hole, possibly the best quality instrument in the room!

How it all began… Thursday 29th October 1981, it is early evening and I stand huddled in a small attic bathroom, together with six of my mid-teenage compadres. We are jocularly nervous as we prepare ourselves for the next 70 minutes in front of an already jeering, but friendly, invited audience. There is a drum… Continue reading First Gig