Bulls Head Bob Dec 2022. Bulls Head Bobs Christmas. Bob Dylans Dizzy Spell. Christine Perfect RIP.The Salvation Army.

 Howdoo you Brummies!!  My mates abroad and all Brumbeat musicians.  A merry Christmas to you all.

Another bottle of Christmas Spirit is upon us and Mrs Bob and I are busying ourselves planning our forthcoming social events now that Covid is not as fierce as it was year ago thank goodness.

We are buying Christmas gifts on a budget this year so no more expensive Power Tools for her and no new guitars for me!! What! did I really agree to that?....in a moment of weakness, Yes I did and I'm a man of my word.   

Christmas agreements aside, ITS MY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!! and I'm hoping for an Electronic Drum Kit!!   It's a win-win gift, It keeps the noise down, I am a drummer too so it's just the thing for recording purposes and you don't have to associate with trouble making drummers.   

Now, Power Tools for Mrs Bob had been my go-to 'personal' gift, she loves them and keeps a lot of them in their boxes, unopened, just waiting for that moment she might need a 50cc petrol-engined, Angle Grinder.   I have been in a quandary about her gift until my dear old Mums words of advice  came to me, she said the secret to a successful marriage is to "Listen to each other" throughout the year and pick up on the things your partner might have said they "really want". I make mental notes and Mrs Bobs been saying for more than a year to me now that what she "really wants" is the garage wall to be painted so she can put up curtains and make it into her Ladies Chamber.

Her wish is my command so I've bought her some tins of paint to do the wall with and luckily, because I bought so much, the store gave me a load of brushes free, so I'm keeping them back for her birthday in January when she will have the joy of receiving an added gift and can get to work straight away.

OH OH! BOB DYLAN'S COMMERCIAL VERTIGO

Let the Buyer Beware.  If you buy as a highly priced book or record box set which is "Signed" you do so because historically it adds value to your investment.   If you happened to buy Bob Dylans recent book, a Limited 'Signed' Edition of 900 copies only, "Philosophy of Modern Song", a snip at 599 Dollars you might feel a tad pissed off to discover that the books had been signed by an Autopen, in other words printed by a machine!!

Dylan is a genius when it comes to the history of music, I am a fan,  I adore his radio shows and hang on his every word but this autopen signed book is a cheap act.   He has apologised for this and is quoted as saying he couldnt sign the books because of vertigo, the publishers say "It is a genuine Bob Dylan signature applied by technology, perfectly acceptable.........BOLLOCKS! says this Bob.  Get your money back now.    

A YEAR TO FORGET AND A CAUSE TO REMEMBER

This past year has been one piece of bad news after the other. War, suffering, volcanos, landslides, earthquakes, Trump. Harry and Meghan whingeing about being millionaires.   The incredible greed of the energy companies watching people die for the sake of a company dividend.  The list is endless and disappoints me on a grand scale.    I intend to immerse myself in the bosom of my family and enjoy my good fortune to have them about me.   

I know it's a bit of a dismal ending to the year but it will have been a lot worse for some others who find themselves without a place to sleep so, with that thought in mind.  I'd like to, once again, ask if you do find yourself wanting to lend a small financial hand to help, The Salvation Army who are a wonderful organisation would appreciate any tiny donations.   You are bound to see and hear their Brass bands playing Carol's in many market towns filling us with the Christmas feeling.   Drop a pound in their tin and it will make a big difference to somebody elses life, if only for a short while.    Thankyou.

FINALLY 

News just in, RIP Brummie songstress Christine Perfect.

 

Thankyou for visiting and reading the blog this year.   I wish you all a Happy Christmas and pray for a better year to come.

Take Care

Bob

Copyright:  Bullsheadbob 

Contact:  Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com 

Bulls Head Bob Nov 2022. What we did on our Holidays.. Off to the Movies. Mrs Bobs clash with The Clash. Revolver!! Jerry Lee Lewis.

 Hello you Brummies, Mates here and Overseas, Musicians, all of my ex Girlfriends and all those who I might have upset on my journey through life.    NO NO, hang on, there are some whom I'm pleased to have upset, so to those few, Greetings and F U.   

WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAYS

When it comes to Mrs Bob nothing is too expensive to gift her and nothing is too onerous for me to do to brighten her day.  "Let's go to Spain or Portugal for our holidays" we said.

Well, after some discussion we opted to save money and still have a wonderful vacation by staying at home and pretending we had actually gone on holiday abroad.   We packed our cases, then at rush hour, we boarded the Number 11 bus route known locally as The Outer Circle which is the Longest Bus Route in Europe surrounding Birmingham, it takes 3 hours which is about the same duration as a flight to Spain.

The bus was jam packed and for a part of the trip we had a spattering of raucous, obnoxious wankers making the journey feel authentic, they were Effing and Blinding and shouting to each other about Effing lager and "BIRMINGHAM CITY FOOTBALL CLUB" shouted as one word with the syllables fired in a staccato manner that resembled an anti-aircraft gun. 

It really made you feel like you were immersed in all the pleasures of being stuck at Manchester Airport, the worst in GB, in the Ryanair "Priority Boarding" line for an hour, jostling for position then noticing that there are only two people in the non priority queue, just perfect.   

The Outer Circle was Outa Sight passing areas of extreme interest and many locations where I had played during the 60's.  We got off the bus before the bus stop nearest our house, "Brumbeat Villas", then we walked with our cases for 500 yards to simulate getting off the Ryanair aircraft and walking through the entirety of an airport to get out.  We had two arguments on the way and one of the wheels on the big suitcase crumbled away leaving us to drag it along but we at last arrived at our holiday resort, our big house with self catering and British TV. The sun was shining as I had the first beer of the day and watched the Red Bull Formula1 Racing team cheat their way to another victory.

A well stocked fridge and two takeaways within a short distance, we couldn't have wished for more.   We decided we would take a virtual trip to the cinema later that evening too and it was mid-afternoon when Mrs Bob started getting frisky after a Mackeson or two, holiday sex!!   At this juncture I will leave that particular adventure to your imagination but it did involve a pound of over-ripe peaches and a book we were given last Christmas from a dyslexic friend called "The Pleasure of Essex". As a bonus, we had the added advantage that us "more mature" souls have, in that we can fit sex in during the TV adverts as well as getting the kettle on!  Here's a post coital photo of us couch potatoes relaxing in the sun getting our breath back.

You will notice that our tomato plants have grown well but disappointingly not a single tomato in sight.  

OFF TO THE MOVIES

Armed with a Hot Dog and some popcorn we retired to the lounge and fired up the Smart TV and the home cinema kit, awesome!!  We chose 2 films of a 60's music nature to enjoy, the first being the much hyped bioflick of Mr Hips himself.

ELVIS

We have long been fans of the 1979 Film of the same name starring Kurt Russell and directed by John Carpenter so with 42 years having passed, allied to the massive leaps of movie technology since then we were ready to be entertained.  Austin Butler was a passable young Elvis both in looks, from certain angles, and also vocally where he excelled in sounding like the early Elvis.  His body 'moves' were honed to perfection.

Tom Hanks plays Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker.   Hanks is the consummate character actor and was heavily made up to resemble the entrepreneur but you could still tell it was Hanks.  It was at this point where 

the film started to be more about Col Parker than Elvis and there were "Fast forward" single frame shots of Elvis covering the passing of the years stopping at selected points which at first was OK but spoiled the Elvis musical journey for me, I wanted more of him than Colonel Parker.   In this film too, Elvis didn't get fat or even have facial changes after his excesses of food and drugs which puzzled me.    We both felt that the film should have been titled "Elvis and the Colonel" and although it was entertaining, it was nowhere near as good as the more gritty 1979 version.  I asked Mrs Bob for her opinion, her reply was "Mmmmmm" as she left the room to get some small tubs of ice cream.   For those who have no knowledge of Elvis it was probably more enjoyable?  

We got settled in to watch our next music Biographical movie:

RESPECT

Before going any further about the Aretha Franklin Story I have to say that Jennifer Hudsons voice in this 2021 movie is truly amazing and I turned up the volume to get the full effect.    Back in the 60's "The Queen of Soul" had always seemed a bit of an undeserved epithet to me with her record releases sounding a bit bland and 'middle of the road' until her cover of Otis Redding's "Respect".   That is explained well in this great movie where Arethas life is portrayed warts and all.   I would rate this movie as being akin to Lady Sings the Blues in its quality of detail.

I knew very little of Arethas life so it answered a lot of questions about her musicality and Aretha Franklin herself had a say in the Film's detail and authenticity.   Sadly Aretha died in 2019, just before filming began however she personally chose Jennifer Hudson to portray her, a wise move indeed.  I am equally sure that Jennifer would have been flattered by this praise.   It is filmed beautifully and Hudsons acting is great as was the whole cast.   It is highly recommended viewing for all you soul music fans that rang out in the dance halls of the UK in the 60's. Nice one!!

For the next couple of weeks Me and Mrs Bob enjoyed our indoor holiday without pressure or the risk of food poisoning.  The cost of the journey on Route 11 was under £10 as opposed to the £400 for Ryanair and another 400 for a cheap hotel.  The housing was free and the sun shone brightly.

MRS BOB'S CLASH WITH THE CLASH

In 1985 The Clash decided to do an acoustic 'Busking' tour.  They busked at all the places that The Alarm, a group they hated, were playing to draw off their audience I suppose.   At this time we were living near to York.

After a days traipsing around the various shops Mrs Bob sat on a bench in Kings Square with her full shopping bags to get some rest before walking to the bus stop to get home.   As she was waiting, a horde of sweaty youths came carousing into the Square, they approached saying "Get off the bench, The Clash are going to play here".  "Piss Off you Tossers" she replied standing her ground, well sitting her seat to be factual.  

The Clash entered the square to the roar of their supporters but due to Mrs Bob's steadfastness they had no 'stage' to get on.  They played, Mrs Bob listened a bit, disliked it and toddled off to the bus stop.   Here is a photo of the event where Mrs Bob's blonde hair can be seen in between the two Clash members on the right of the picture whilst three guys in the background are glowering at her.   I shall not be moved!!!

I'm surprised that Joe Strummer didn't write a song about meeting the immovable force that is Mrs Bob.

REVOLVER

What's your favourite Beatles album?......the majority of answers would point to Sgt Pepper for its innovation or REVOLVER for the bands harsh and heavier recording period following the early mop top pop songs.   It's opening track, Taxman was an inspiration for sure and still has great impact.  The album has  been remixed by Giles Martin and is now available to order.  As usual in the Beatles remixes it will be available in all formats and prices. 

The basic CD is around £16 which satisfies my needs.   The problem with their early recordings is the separation of left and right tracks with drums and bass on the left and vocals on the right.  This problem has now been resolved and the tracks now blend into each other in glorious full blooded stereo.  This would make a great gift for Christmas for the music lover in your life.    Luvverly stuff.

JERRY LEE LEWIS

Just 4 months ago I did the blog praising Jerry Lee's longevity as the remaining member of the million dollar quartet.   As reported, he was due to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, which actually happened on 17 October 2022, sadly The Killer couldn't attend the event due to ill health, nonetheless his name is inscribed in those hallowed halls forever and rightly so.   Jerry passed away on 29 Oct, just 12 days later. 

He and his music will remain in my head and heart till, I too, peg out.  My condolences to his family and his many fans, he will be missed but his legacy will live on.

Finally

Should you want to experience the Number 11 Outer Circle experience yourself check out the link below to the Outer Circle Route webpage.

Outer circle Route

Take care out there.

Bob

Copyright  Bullsheadbob 

Contact  Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com 

Bulls Head Bob Oct 2022. Getting my knees brown!!

See you next month!!

Bulls Head Bob Sep 2022. JONI MITCHELLS LIVE GIG. CARL WAYNE. BRUMBEAT.Net Up and running. DEJA VU...THE UGLYS, We have all been here before.

 

Hello Brummies,

Ain't it great to be a Brummie?  Everyone loves us after we showed the country what REAL hospitality is like during The Commonwealth Games.  It's a  bonus for the greatest city on the planet and we should all be justifiably proud of our heritage.  Built on our gritty industrial past, which was my and maybe your reality, those times are now consigned to history superceded by hi-tech. However the charm of Brummies is embedded in the richness of our life in a multi racial society built on hard work since the 1950s and our self-effacing humour is enchanting and infectious too.  I have often remarked during my blog years that the City was a real role model of social integration.  I'm very proud of being a Brummie.... long may she reign.

JONI MITCHELL.   NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL.   

In 1967, Joni played at The Jug O' Punch, Digbeth, Birmingham for £10.00.   A couple of years later she achieved her first UK chart success with the release of her 2nd LP "Ladies of the Canyon" which peaked at Number 18.  From then on her light shone bright, going supernova in 1971 with her outstanding musical and autobiographical LP, "Blue" and it was a masterclass in songwriting, pouring out her soul for the world to hear, I was hooked on her voice and musicality, not only as an exceptional songwriter but also as a guitarist with a radical variety of guitar tunings and a great pianist where she floated on a gentle musical breeze.  A string of releases followed with Joni being at the forefront of the singer/songwriter genre regaling us with her musical journey from folk to jazz from then on.   She was exceptional in every sense.

In 2015 she suffered an aneurysm which left her with no mobility, speech or the ability to play music.   I won't dwell on that right now, suffice to say, it was a battle for Joni to even get to the most basic of mobility and ability.  Then along came Brandi Carlile who took on the mantle of helping her hero get back on her feet again.    She organised, at Joni's house, a monthly "Joni Jam" where people would gather and sing Joni songs to her and with her giving a critique or a nod of approval.

Last month at the Newport Folk Festival Joni surprised the world and got back on stage!   The Joni Jam players were assembled on stage before the Queen made her appearance to the roar from the crowd, real heartrending emotion flooded the air with people spontaneously bursting into tears as she came onto the stage, a tad unsteady on her feet and assisted by her daughter.  Joni was back!!!  Now 78 dressed in Jazzy Joni style she sat down and the magic started, Brandi was her right hand, high-note vocalist, giving Joni little hints of lyrics in the nicest way.  The high register of Joni's voice has now been superceded by a rich and mellow tone but still with her lovely tremelo.    

She sang several songs and played some guitar too but the most poignant song for me was "Both sides Now" because she wrote it at 22 I think and now, 56 years later, the meaning becomes more real for her because she had indeed seen a whole lotta stuff from both sides in her life.   That sentiment was certainly felt by Wynnona Judd, who was sat behind her with tears streaming down her face.    She also sang a couple from "Court and Spark" another 'must have' for songwriters to lean on for inspiration with Joni rockin' on her Throne of Gold.   Her music has and will always be played in this house.   

When the Beatles released "Free as a Bird" I cried for days, never expecting to hear them again and I shed several tears seeing and hearing the amazing JONI MITCHELL this time around too.  There are some YouTube clips of her appearance including the very moving "Both Sides Now".   It would be great to have a DVD release of the gig 

CARL WAYNE

It is now eight years since Charlie's demise although it doesn't feel like it.    Carl Wayne and The Vikings, The Move, the West End Musicals and ending his career with The Hollies is testament to the greatness of his vocal quality.   There is not a lot more left to write about him, that isnt available to read already on the Brumbeat page.    I was a bit shocked to learn of his death but he is still in my memories of those 60's days in his company.  God Bless you Charlie...   

THE UGLYS - DEJA VU

A group of Spanish teachers were visiting the Guggeheim Art Museum in Amsterdam looking at some old masters, they entered the Rembrandt gallery and came face to face with someone's face they knew very well.... "Its Will Hammond" one of them said.  They were all amazed at the likeness, burst into laughter and sent him the foto.  The Painting is by Rembrandt and is called "The Noble Slav" painted in 1632.

"When I received it I thought they had photoshopped my face onto it as a joke so I disregarded it till we met up at a gig and they said it was a real portrait.  My good lady bought me a print of it one Christmas.  I've got it framed on the wall and people always ask why I had my portrait painted wearing golden Arabic robes? That's when the fun starts".

If that wasn't strange enough,  I popped into a music shop last month and bumped into the younger double of my "Uglys" bandmate, drummer Keith Smart.  "It was amazing,  I was staring at him, and he must have thought I was trying to pick him up or something".                            

The likeness was staggering.

Spanish musician Nu above and the great Keith Smart below whilst with Wizzard. 

We have all been here before!

BRUMBEAT.NET    

Good news!  

John Woodhouse is now overcoming the cyber glitches that had occurred on the BRUMBEAT.Net website and is up and running again and this month features Robert Plants journey from Walsall to Led Zeppelin on the Pie Stand page.  

It's always a good read and a font of information on most every Brumbeat band that ever there was.   The best period for guitar bands....the 60's.

FINALLY

It's beautiful dog walking weather, so I'm off to the park where, no doubt, I can reflect on how lucky I am to have existed through such great times including these days.   I don't have a dog, I can't keep going through the heartbreak of losing them, so nowadays I go out and make a fuss of other peoples pooches.  It's great, I get my daily "Dog Fix" without the poo or the vets and food bills. 

UPDATE CHARITY EVENT

On 17 Sep there is a charity event at the  Boat and Railway  featuring a clutch of Brummie talent raising money for a great cause, Teenage Cancer Trust.  Ex Brumbeat survivor Bob Styler who featured in The Yamps, The Fashion and Traction will be performing and he's so famous they dont need to put his name on the poster, just a photo!  Show starts at 7.30.   Be there.

Go Bobby Go!!!

  

Take Care my Friends, be Kind to Each Other.

Keep Playing 

Bob

Copyright:   Bullsheadbob 

Contact:   Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com 

BULLS HEAD BOB Aug 2022. JOHNNY NEAL Rocker of Ages. GEORGE Whatshisname of Ringway Music....GEORGE WATTS.

 Hello you Brummies, Lovers of 60's music, 

"There are places I remember".........the opening line to The Beatles "In My Life" rings true in all of our lives so much so that the song is one of the most played at funerals because it's in the category of "our song" but is also a song that reminds us of all of our past occasions and memories if you get my drift.

GEORGE Whatshisname........RINGWAY MUSIC

There are indeed many places I remember and many people too, who had an impact on my life in the Brumbeat context, and one of those was George .......?

Noel Gordon left

I could never remember his surname, but he was one of the co-owners of Ringway Music along with drummer Lionel Rubin and bassist Ken Ingarfield who were both members of the Jerry Allen quartet who featured on ITV's midday programme, Lunch Box with Noelle Gordon who later starred as the owner of the Crossroads Motel.  George was the brass and flute expert in the shop so, not being a guitarist, he wasn't the focus of my musical intentions and, in fact, the first time I saw him I thought him to be a bit 'professor-like', deserving of respect and only to be spoken to from a safe distance!  That perception was quickly dismissed by his charm and mild enthusiasm for my 15 year old paltry efforts at playing rock and pop.  My Mum liked him because he wore a tie!

Many, many years have passed since those halcyon days of the opening of Ringway Music and during those years I have oft pondered what George's surname was and what he did away from the shop as he wasn't with the Jerry Allen Quartet on a permanent basis but was a member of Jerry's Big Band.   So I was knocked out when I received an email last month from one of his daughters, Carrie Watts.....WATTS!! That's his Name!! mystery solved and not only that but Carrie kindly took the time to find a photo of him inside the shop, a shop many of us remember fondly.

GEORGE WATTS

This photo takes me back to my youth and he is just as I remember him, it must have been a hot day because he has his tie on but his sleeves rolled up.

The 3 owners were a tight knit bunch and when they weren't in the shop together they were in each others houses because they all lived in Hinkley and next door to each other!!  Carrie remembers them all being in and out of each others houses like having an extended family.

I never knew what a brilliant musician he was but he played with Johnny Mathis, Vic Damone, Pat Boone, various orchestras, as the flautist for the Ian Campbell folk group and was a part of Shirley Bassey's touring outfit.  That Shirley connection would surely have impressed my Mum even more than the tie wearing!!

The shop was very successful initially but over time and with tough competition from other city traders it started to lose money at which point George and Ken left the partnership and Lionel carried on, on his own, until he found himself losing far too much and the shop closed forever.  I bought my first Gibson guitar from there, spent more than a few hours playing the guitars in there, chatting with Pete Oliver and meeting up with other musician friends.   It was such a nice ambience and I got to sign the ceiling.

George moved out to Spain, still touring with "Our Shirl" and sadly passed away in 2012 at the age of 83.   He was fondly known as "Gentle George" by his jazz buddies and is missed by all who knew him.   I'm sure he must have influenced many of the brass players in the  great City of Birmingham and I hope they enjoy this photo as much as I do.   Thank you Carrie.

ROCKER OF AGES...... JOHNNY NEAL...87 YEARS YOUNG.

I was 3 year old sproglet when Johnny Neal started gigging at the age of 16 in 1951.  He was the first of the Rock and Rollers in Birmingham with his backing band the HOUND DOGS and I have the greatest delight to feature, again, the photo below as one of the best from those days, bar none.

That's pure rock and roll, everyone plugged in to a 12 watt amp and Johnny looking as cool and dapper as Elvis himself with a generous application of Brylcreme and baggy pants.  In those days drummers were only trusted with a snare and hi-hat.   

As reported a few blogs ago he has recently found fame anew in Brazil so this is his 7th decade rockin' out which is no mean achievement....go Johnny go!!   He is known by his close friends as "Noga" and I'm pleased to be one of those who calls him that.  There are a few years between our ages so I call him Old Nog and he calls me Young Bob.  I've still got a lot to learn to attain that longevity he has deservedly earned but I'm trying. He reached the great age of 87 last month which does make him the well deserved holder of the title of "Rocker of Ages".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOGA!!

FINALLY

I'm extremely pleased for the England Womens football team, they were a delight to watch and deserved to win.   Ella Toones goal was real class.       Clapclapclapclap.....

Toodle-Ooooooo

 Bob

Copyright:  Bullsheadbob 

Contact:   Bobsbullocks@Gmail.Com 

 

Bulls Head Bob July 2022. Communucation Breakdown!! Fender METEORA, The guitar I Can't Buy!!. GRAHAM ASHFORD's Thumb. 1969 WEM SAPPHIRE.

 Hello you Brummies, Brummies Abroad and other assorted chums.

Ah, what a beautiful summer is upon us, BBQs, lounging on a sun bed sipping a cold tequila sunrise and of course the best music festival in the world, Glastonbury on the TV.    Macca did it again, putting on a brilliant show at 80 years old, pure class that only one other musician has matched through his own 80 years and that is the wonderful Brian Wilson with both celebrating their 80th birthdays last month..   Both are huge fans of each other and have been the driving force that inspired the two biggest bands in the world from the UK and USA of the 60's and beyond to better each others Albums.    The songs they individually crafted will be with us for many, many years and I'm so pleased to have experienced hearing them from their first airing, so exciting.  God only knows I need the warmth of the sun to keep having those good vibrations inside......!!

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN  

There has been a bit of an ongoing cyber glitch with the

BRUMBEAT.Net website with some of you guys having problems trying to link to the site from the blog or vice versa.  Should you experience any difficulty trying to access the blog from BRUMBEAT or any other link, you can simply Google "Bulls Head Bob" and there I am, at the top of the page, so with one click you will arrive at the blog ready to be amazed by the ramblings of a genuine old git!!

FENDER METEORA. The guitar I can't Buy!!! 

Back in April I wrote about the stylish Fender METEORA and, having written about it, I convinced myself that I should own one right now, with my choice being the stylish 3 colour sunburst with maple neck.   There were good reviews on Youtube from the usual guitar review sites even though the guitar is made solely in Mexico, which meant I would normally avoid buying it because, in the past, it would mean stripping out inferior electrics and putting in something more reliable and potent.  

I logged on and went to the Music Store site, credit card in hand, bursting with anticipation to get my grubby little mitts on it, I hadn't been this excited since the days of perusing the Bells of Surbiton guitar catalogue looking at a Watkins Rapier. 

So, I got to the Fender page and there was the METEORA in all its glory and then I noticed, written in red ink

"Estimated to be in stock April 2023!!!"...."What? Kin Hell" I thought stuffing the credit card back into my wallet, "that can't be right! It must be a typo".   I then proceeded to Thomann with the same result, except the wording was "available between 13 and 19 weeks".     

The next stop was

Andertons, normally very reliable but  their site too was bad news saying "available in 3 months".  I searched other outlets who said they had the guitar but their prices had been inflated by 2 or 3 hundred pounds more which I wasn't willing to pay.     

I am not at all surprised that this sunburst model is so popular but there is also a real downside to buying a guitar in demand and that is Fender rushing to get the product out to the shops which could impair their quality control which, I have to say, has been a Mexico problem in the past.  

So, with that in mind, I shall wait until the situation quietens down before venturing forth.  There doesn't appear to be as big a problem with the Meteora in other colours, although the silver grey Sunburst is in demand too now.

I saw it in action with the brilliant Declan Mckenna at Glastonbury and it looked and sounded great.

GRAHAM ASHFORD

The Brumbeats vocalist Graham Ashford is currently taking a "break" from "right hand activities" after getting a bone replacement and tendon repair to his right hand recently.   There is no truth in the rumour that he broke his hand himself because his wife Caroline had been receiving too much attention from friends after being in plaster herself for 4 months after breaking her left arm in a fall.

We know that the older you get, the longer It takes to heal and Caroline had just got back to her old self in time for Graham to get plastered! 

I hope you recover soon Graham so you can get back to painting.    

It won't interfere with his singing voice though so he and his Hawaian band will still be " giving it some" in the bars.

OLD KIT. 

WEM SAPPHIRE 

It was 1969, the glory days of the Watkins Rapier budget guitar that inspired a nation had passed, Watkins or WEM as it was now known had become one of the leaders in the field of amplification and great PA systems.   In a bit of a last gasp they released the Watkins/WEM  Sapphire guitar.

It had, in fact, been released in 1968 as the Wilson Sapphire, and had been badged accordingly with a different headstock and control knobs.   This rare beauty is really reminiscent of a few Burns models with the shape of the body identical to the Short Scale Jazz, the scratch plate layout just like the Burns Marvin and the controls from the Burns London split sonic.   This particular guitar is currently for sale on EBay from Germany at around £1000.00.  There were not too many of these made so it is a rarity worth buying for keen collectors of old British guitars.    

FINALLY

There's absolute bedlam at British airports.    The Govt gave the airlines a load of dosh to pay furlough wages to staff who were being laid off but they sacked the staff and kept the money and are now blaming the Govt.   What a disaster.

Take Care you Guys, it's a greedy world right now.

Bob

Copyright:  Bulls head Bob

Contact:  Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com 

Bulls Head Bob - June 2022. The last of the first - JERRY LEE LEWIS..Country Hall of Fame RICK PRICE - The Move RIP. The Queens Jubilee concert 2022. Us Golden Few.

 Howdoo you Brummies!!

It's summer time here at Brumbeat Villas and I'm busy as a host of bees, immersing myself in the garden and it's definitely the place where I feel removed from the world in turmoil with this lust for power, hatred and greed so prevalent.  OK, enough of that, let's go back to better times when gender issues didn't exist because we had more pressing things to do with our time.

ALL THINGS HAVE A BEGINNING

"How true Bob" you're probably thinking because it all starts somewhere.  My own musical journey started at the birth of

Rock and Roll, albeit being only 8 years old at the time when first subjected to the hissing and popping sound of a scratchy 78 rpm record as the needle hit the lead-in grooves, and I experienced that moment of anticipation before my first listen to rock and roll.   Clunk! ssssssssssst "Well since my new baby left me".... Elvis had arrived, my eyes popped wide open as my elder teenage sisters screamed at the sound and my Father shouted at them to shut up.  It's perhaps, pertinent to note that the output from our wind-up wonder was slightly louder than hitting the top of a boiled egg with a teaspoon, no volume controls, no controls at all!

"Ah" I thought, my own beginning has arrived and with every new 78 that I heard I knew I wanted to play a guitar and sing and get told to shut up by my bully of a father, it was the only way I could fight back..   The instrument arrived quite quickly thanks to my mother followed by the anticipated recriminations from Mr Cruel of Wankerland.

I didn't listen to Elvis much from then on because, in 1957, a bigger rebel in the form of Jerry Lee Lewis  and his "Whole Lotta Shakin" was on the scene and I have been a fan of this devil since then.

'Great Balls of Fire', 'Breathless' and the fabulous 'High School Confidential' followed in quick succession.  I was a bit too young to care or understand about him  marrying his 13 year old cousin, which effectively finished his rock and roll career at the time, it did however give birth to my rebellious nature which is still a part of me.  Everything Mr Cruel hated, I loved, so 1957 was a great year for rebels.  It seemed strange that when in 1959, just 2 years later, Elvis moved 14 year old Priscilla into Graceland and the world just said how pretty she was?

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

So here we are in 2022, 65 years have passed, two of those four songs I still play on stage and 86 year old Jerry Lee is still performing, he is now the sole survivor of that early USA rock and roll music AND what is more, is about to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.   If ever there was something that would stick in the craw of those "all sweetness and light", Bible bashing Country fans it would be this.  I am a happy man because he is a great artist with a love of Country music and was instrumental in creating that same melting pot of country rockin' styles that influenced The Band years later but Jerry did it first.

How people go on about Hendrix setting fire to his guitar!..well Jerry did it first in 1956 and on a much bigger scale, emptying a petrol filled Coke bottle into his piano and setting it on fire whilst playing Great Balls of Fire on stage to outdo Chuck Berry.  The British population was outraged when the Sex Pistols swore on TV, pretty tame by todays standards but in 56 Jerry Lee shocked, outraged and offended the whole world. 

This guy has been a real Rebel for a lifetime but a hero to me.   Go Jerry Lee!  

The Film of Great Balls of Fire starring Dennis Quaid is a must for fans of Rock and Roll music.  Early Rock and Roll made a brief comeback in 1968 and I got to play Jerry Lees songs which I adored.  That comeback had been championed by Birminghams, The Move copying the Duane Eddy sound for the intro to "Fire Brigade" which leads me to deliver a bit of sad news.....

ALL THINGS MUST PASS.

RICK PRICE - RIP

Another tick of the Brumbeat musicians clock has seen the passing of Rick Price,  ex Sight and Sound, The Move and Wizzard.  Rick had certainly paid his dues on the Brumbeat music scene serving with a few Birmingham bands before being somewhat surprised to be offered the job of bassist for The Move by Roy Wood.  However, at this time The Move were just doing cabaret dates and Rick was wholly suited to those kind of disciplines so he would have been the ideal replacement.

Although I was on the scene at the same time and we were both on the same Bill of shows that my band and his played, I never actually met him, just a nod of the head as we passed each other.   Sight and Sound were basically a cabaret style group and not to my personal liking.  For an in depth background article about Rick, make a visit to www.brumbeat.Net where John Woodhouse details his beginnings on the Sight and Sound band page.    Got to be worth a read for lovers of Birminghams music history at the best time for bands, the 60's.  

When The Move broke up, Rick continued playing with Roy when he formed Wizzard, after his departure from ELO, so enjoyed a few well deserved years in the charts.  My condolences go to his family and friends.   

THE QUEENS PLATINUM JUBILEE CONCERT.

I am pleased to see that those responsible for choosing artists for the 4 June concert at the Palace have heeded my advice and not employed anyone to do with X Factor.   The bill is headed by Diana Ross and they have bought back the immaculate Stevie Wonder, Cliff Richards, Ed Sheeran AND Birmingham's Duran Duran who had been ignored at the last Jubilee as reported by this very blog.  

Guitarist Brian May will be making two appearances, a solo performance, no doubt perched on top of a tall building playing God Save the Queen, personally I would love to see him doing it suspended on a zip line going from Admiralty Arch to the Palace, with rockets strapped to his trainers and his curly white locks of hair flowing behind him, a bit like the dog thing in Neverending Story. He will later be playing as part of Queen with Adam Lambert.  There are also 

a panoply of additional great artists too, not like the 2012 shambles.   

The British public are lucky to have had this Queen of Queens as the head of our country.  She set the standard of public dignity very high and she is respected throughout the world except by the fat orange racist buffoon who wouldn't know good manners if they were inserted analy with a red hot spoon where, I imagine, he keeps his head most of the time.  .

US GOLDEN FEW 

Us 60's Golden Few Brumbeat musicians are now in our twilight years and time marches on with the inevitable consequence that means we are getting fewer.  We were blessed to have lived through those times of post WW2 peace, where not only did we have the rebirth of a nation, us "Babyboomers", but we had the birth of the electric guitar and organ and homegrown rock and roll.  Charlie Watkins produced a great guitar in the Rapier and launched the best amplifiers available, Beat music thudded away in every sweaty and smokey pub in Birmingham and its environs, it was BRUMBEAT the vibrant 60's and the dance halls were packed.   There was a warm sense of optimism in the air and music was the key to it all.  People liked and respected each other in those days.  

DEAR OLD MUM.    Being a member of a very well known Brummie group was nice and on one summer day I was in the city with my Mother going to Rackhams for Lunch.  We walked along New Street then turned right up Corporation Street which I guess is about half a mile or so.  About every 3 or 4 steps I took, somebody would say "Hello Bob,  how yer gooin? Etc...", I was always polite and said "Hi".  My Mum kept looking at me quizzically as we walked along and as we got to the entrance of the department store she stopped and asked "Bob, does everybody in Birmingham know you"?!!   I just laughed but I could tell she was really proud and I knew she felt that reward was her's too for all the support she gave me and the sacrifices she had made, she was damn right, she was a marvellous person and I would give everything I own to see her again for a day.    

Those young Beat groups gained experience and became exposed to other influences, leading to ground breaking popular music that The Beatles took to its limit in the summer of 1967 with Sgt Pepper.    It was a recording miracle that still impresses the industry to this day when sound engineers are discussing new sounds and effects, the reference "post Beatles" is the benchmark they start from. The fashion industry bloomed too, after making Army uniforms for the previous war years.  We dressed in the brightest of colours and strutted our stuff.  The music of black artists from America, from blues through to Soul music was welcomed in the UK and they loved touring here where there was no racial hatred.  In return their presence gave us diversity and inspiration, their stage shows were stunning and it only cost about ten pence to go and see them, with 2 support bands too. 

We were Brummies and we made everything for everyone, complete with all the motorbikes and the majority of British cars we were a boom town and we had the time of our lives!!   We gave the world some memorable musicians and bands. 

That time has passed into history that only we can appreciate, us Golden Few.    Oh! all of a sudden I feel happy again so on that note, I'm off to tend to my Hibiscus.    Dib dib dib...and take care you survivors......here's a cyber hug!

Slava Ukraine!!

Bob

Copyright:  Bullsheadbob 

Contact:     Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com