This band had been through a process of evolution from an earlier band, The John Carter Image, John Carter himself having departed some time previously. At this point in time Bryan, Bob and John were the encumbent players and were auditioning for replacements for their departing lead guitarist and drummer. This was a semi-professional working band managed by Bob's mother, playing a mixture of Soul, Pop and Rock 'n Roll. Gigs were 2 or 3 a week at the Plaza Handsworth, Plaza Oldhill and various other venues in Birmingham and the Midlands. The average performance fee was £10. The new line-up proceeded to overhaul the set list introducing a "progressive rock" element. This led to John's disenchantment as he did not possess the required musical skills, becoming increasingly out of touch and eventually leaving.
The Plaza Handsworth
L to R : Stuart Scott, Bryan Calloway, Pete Webb, Bob Clifton
Following John's departure the band became increasingly heavy, moving away from the Pop and Soul material and introducing numbers by The Small Faces and The Who. The stage show became wilder usually culminating in the simulated destruction of Pete's drum kit as a climax. On occasion things got out of hand notably at the George Hotel in Walsall where Pete was left unconcious at the back of the stage and the Plaza Handsworth where a near-riot ensued after various objects were hurled into the audience by Bryan.
The Plaza Handsworth
L to R : Stuart Scott, Bryan Calloway
I was replaced by Dennis Royston and eventually Pete was replaced by Dennis's brother, Derek.
Up to about 15 years ago I still had a couple of diaries detailing all of the gigs that we did including the fees paid. For some reason I decided that I no longer had any use for these and threw them out - an action which I now regret.
E-mail to : em89@bcs.org.uk
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