I was tooting my little plastic school recorder when Uncle D spotted potential. He donated the Antoria acoustic that would shape my life.
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Also included with the Antoria deal with devil were 3 ripped pages of " How to play jazz" and the stern advice of uncle Denis "you can't have it unless you learn to play" ...a pretty large mountain to climb ahead I thought..and even now -when do you arrive at the point where learning is achieved??
Anyway...enough philosophy...enthusiastically, I dropped the recorder and worked up some fretboard blisters. I nosed up to our bakerlite TV to study "lift off with Ayesha"-to fill in the missing tutor book pages. The chords of Chickory Tip and T Rex were quickly absorbed to the strains of "stop sniffing Ayesha's bum" from my dad. Slight delays to becoming a guitar hero were due to me not realising the glue on the neck had gone giving my trusty axe a variable, sitar like 1 inch action-quite a workout that gave later benefits.
Then- hurray, Lally Stott, a fellow Prescotian rocketed to Eurovision fame with "Chirpy chirpy cheep cheep". Success for the "Prescot sound" bands was certain (sadly not!).
First gigs seen were Gravy Train " Staircase to the Day", Faces "Nod as Good as a Wink" and Quo " Piledriverr" tours. This launched the Dancette record deck learning inot overdrive; resulting in a few of local band gigs. Later the pick of destiny was required when SPlatt suggested we see the movie "Hendrix Plays Berkley"...WOW "Jonny B. Goode"!! The Fal phase 50 amp and Hofner Guitar swiftly melted at this attempted intensity so it was in with the Marshalls and a second hand Fender Strat to form "Snatch Back" with Rusty ( bass) and the singist JC (invited as he had a tassled jacket that looked likeOssi on Sabbath vol 4 cover).
The guitar man got famous (hey that's me) and the the business man got rich (Pete Darwin Music,Rushworths Hesseys, etc). Hairy headonist road crew parties, touring and recording times followed with great achievements made by all (and very big in Pocket Nook these days). Rusty moved into the Manchester blues scene.We developed the concept further and then tried a little lucrative cabaret ...which was nice.
After several other rock bands including "The Reginald Trowel Experience" Rusty came back to join me in" "Spyke" and "The Trubshaws" to play the Liverpool Cavern amongst other grand venues.
Ste D had meanwhile drummed his way in. Mike Mc (Bon one) came along to form ACE/DC with us. We never got time to look for a Malc but I like the challenge of doing me nut as well as playing two guitar parts....
Meanwhile Mike had "drifted away"" after having a nice day" with a "brown eyed girl" as he just loved the bingo too much. Chuff (Bon two) was a real "block buster" of a guy who came along and saved the day.
I first saw AC/DC in the Sounds Roadshow Liverpool Stadium and Empire Bon days. It left a lasting impression of what a live band should be. My last sight of Bon and the boys was at Wembley supporting the Who. I saw AC/DC’s first UK festival with Brian singing. Back in Black had some great songs. The show was fantastic. AC/DC had moved into a world-class big venue band. There was something different about the earlier days, the hunger for success and intimate venues, that I liked better though...and there will never be another Bon.
Maybe I could take a bit back though....2009 Wembley has put this to rest for me. After all it's about keeping the band partying with the people. I have to face it, there's no way those intimate days at Liverpool Empire will be back. ..but I feel it's up to us....ACE/DC to re capture that magic for everyone. From what our fans tell me the magic is working.
Recreating the what Angus does, being a 6ft old fart at play, takes the biggest balls of them all. It's energetic, technical, rock, blues... but the real key is getting the spirit of jazz inside (as the Mighty Boosh would say).
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