Bulls Head Bob April 2024. DUO's Brotherly Love. Happy Birthday Mr Beano.

 Hello and welcome to the rainy April Blog.

Me and Mrs Bob returned from our 50th anniversary second honeymoon where we gorged ourselves on the best food and cocktails for a couple of weeks of unadulterated 5 star luxury, basking in the sun getting tanned before coming back to reality, thunderstorms and the blog.    

IN THE BEGINNING

Some people think of the 60's as the Beatles, Hendrix or Clapton, psychedelia....etc but there was a beginning to all that.  It was years in the making, no such thing as bending guitar strings or 100 watt amplifiers in the early days.  It was a steady build up of styles of music, each step as important as the next and one of those steps was "Brother Acts".  I've tried to list chronologically the UK's contribution.

DUO'S

THE EVERLY BROTHERS

I think it is right to say that The Everly Brothers were the benchmark for two-part harmony duos in the world prior to and into the early 60's for UK acts to imitate.  Although none of those young teenage so called "Brother Acts" could compete at the same level of excellence as The Everlys with their strong familial harmonies of actual brothers.  They scored their first UK hit in 1956 with "Bye Bye Love" and achieved their first Number 1 in 1957 with 'Wake up Little Susie'. As a kid I recall watching the audience doing the Hand Jive to it on 6.5 special.   From that moment on they had hit after hit.  Their fame triggered other teenage kids in the UK to want to emulate that success and one of those Duo's were formed at the famous 2i's coffee bar in Soho London and they called themselves

THE MOST BROTHERS

They were not brothers nor, at that time, were either of them named 'Most'.   The twosome were Michael Hayes and Alex Wharton, two great looking young men working at the 2i's, the birthplace of British Rock.   They changed names to Mickie and Alex Most because, in the hip lingo of the day, to be "the most" was the hippest and coolest around.  The perfect formula for success and their 1957

Decca record release was "Whistle Bait" and they went on Rock and Roll tours of the day around the UK.  They recorded a second single "Takes a Whole lot of Lovin" before breaking up in 1958.   The two of them went on to have further success individually with Alex as a Decca producer and as manager and producer of the original Moody Blues and as an actor.   Mickie Most became world famous as a producer.  

THE ALISONS 

Another early UK fake brothers act of 1957 were The Allisons who were GBs entry for the Eurovision Song contest with a song called "Are you Sure" which launched them onto the pop scene.  Neither of the Alisons were brothers.

They did however have nice harmonies, their hit was a sound alike in the style of Buddy Holly.  Nice for the time.  They released several singles but nothing as good as their first hit.   The duo had quite a good career in the clubs.

Styles of music changed and it would be a few years till the next British duo and they were the luckiest pair ever.  In 1964 Paul McCartney was in love with Jane Asher and lived at her families house along with her brother Peter.   

PETER AND GORDON 

Paul, as an act of family togetherness gave Peter a song for he and his friend Gordon Waller to record.  The song was the brilliant "World without Love" which soared to the top of the charts in the UK and the USA.   They had three other hits with the last in 1967 "Lady Godiva".   Peter Asher worked at Apple as Head of A&R when James Taylor came along and recorded an Album which flopped and returned to the states.  Peter Asher knew a good thing when he saw it and became James' manager.

Peter and Gordon continued releasing records and doing concerts in the states up to 2007.  In 2009 Waller died of a heart attack.  These days Asher still plays Britush Invasion concerts with guest singers in Wallers place.

PAUL AND BARRY RYAN

These young men were more than Brothers, they were twins and sons of singer Marion Ryan.  They came on the scene and charted with their first single in 1965 "Dont bring me Your Heartaches" and had a further 8 chart hits up to 1967, all in the bottom half of the Top 20 .  They were the teenybopper favourites.    The duo split which was good for them because in 1968 Paul Ryan had his greatest success singing a song "Eloise" written by his Brother Barry which was a real tour de force and stormed up the charts getting to No 2.   In the 1980's the song was recorded by The Damned and charted at No 3 so even punks loved it!!

THE EVERLY BROTHERS

I started, so I'll finish with the Everly Brothers.   Of all the acts mentioned none have had the enduring affection enjoyed by Don and Phil Everlys contribution to music by other musicians.  Their songs have been recorded by a mountain of acts and artists.  Their heavier songs like "The Price of Love" are timeless and feature in many Rock acts today.  Brian Ferry had a big hit with this great tune and with its fab guitar riff, it's even on my own set list!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC.

Mister Beano has celebrated his 79th birthday a day or so ago so Happy Birthday Eric Clapton, what a guy, what a career.

So that's it from me.  Have a nice week and as usual love the one you're with.

Bob

Copyright: Bullsheadbob 

Contact:  Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com 

  

Bulls Head Bob. March 2024 . Mr and Mrs Bob

 Hello From Sunny Shores.

Mrs Bob and I are currently on our second honeymoon after 50 years of marriage.  There will be a blog but a week later than usual this month so "Dont go frettin' herself ya hear".   

Love from

Bob

Bulls Head Bob - Feb 2024. REVVING UP FOR SOME CAR GUITARS and A HARLEY DAVIDSON TOO!! AMERICAN SHOWSTER.

 Hello My Friends,

Been through the wars lately with the horrid flu variant and feeling a bit pissed off but am back feeling "on the up" and raring to delight with another epic blog for you hungry people, well maybe epic is taking it a bit far!!  This month I thought I might delight you guitarists out there with some wierd instruments.   

THE CAR/GUITAR IS THE STAR.

Some time ago I featured the lovely original Guild Corvette and a more recent reissue of the model with Racing stripes down the body like a Corvette Car.  During the winter recess I was talking to a mate who had recently bought himself a Deusenburg guitar and it is styled on the car of the same name, with nice lines and chromework like the car itself.

AMERICAN SHOWSTER

This raised my interest in searching out other guitars that may have followed in the footsteps of Car Guitars and found a treasure trove from one maker who fabricated a whole range of models and motorbike tank body shaped guitars which may be of interest to you guys who might want to own a guitar to suit your character.  At this point I have to say that there are not many about in general terms but there are 2 guys in the USA who have cornered the market for these models.   The instruments are under the name American Showster and were produced by Kramer.  They are really eye catching and the  star of the range is without doubt the:

AS57 BEL AIR

It's the first guitar I have ever seen modelled on the tailfin of a Chevrolet Bel Air and comes with a working tail light at the jackplug input!!

This model comes in different colours and pick up configurations including EMG.  Its a pretty thing alright!!

American showster also produced a couple of motorbike guitars too with the body shape of a Harley Davidson petrol tank and like the Guitar above it came in differing colours and configurations nlike this beautiful Flame effect gas tank:

And also in Harley Orange with Bigsby

the Cream of the Crop, colourwise was this beautiful Coppertone AS57.

I cant guarantee what they sound like but they are certainly eyecatching and, as they are no longer made, are ripe for a guitar collectors purchase.

There is a good Youtube clip of these and many more models at a Guitar Meet in the states with a phone number too if you are in the market for an American Showster to add to your hoard.

here is the Clip so click HERE

AMERICAN SHOWSTER

Not to be outdone by Kramer some folk have created their own Car Guitars and the top of the range is this stunning aluminium Cadillac built by Ali Kat guitars and is owned by Dave Gartland from whom you can buy lovely art prints of this gorgeous guitar (copyright Dave Gartland).

LAST BUT NOT LEAST GUITAR CAR

There is a beautiful Gibson Les Paul Corvette too: 

Nice inlaid neck too.   

Unfortunately I'm not in the market for any of the above beauties but am sure that some of you may want to own one of these individual machines so good hunting, good luck and check your bank balance before you think about it!!!!

So there you are, something to dream about.  My mate with the Duesenberg was aghast when I showed him these.

I'm waiting until someone makes the Brummie version of the 1955 Hillman Husky estate guitar (my first vehicle) before I'm tempted to buy one.  The 1955 Husky model had a "side valve" engine so maybe it could be called the "El 34" to give it a bit of Pzazz!!

FINALLY

Its my and Mrs Bobs 50th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow, we have great food and who knows, perhaps shes bought me one of these peculiarities??

Take Care of yourselves.

Bob

Copyright:  Bullsheadbob

Contact:    Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com

Bulls Head Bob Jan 2024. DENNY LAINE RIP. JEFF LYNNE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

 Hello You Lovely People!!

Happy New Year!! 

It's 2024, I'm still alive and if you're reading this you are too! so congratulations to all you west Midlands musicians of the Brumbeat era of the 1960's who were a part of the magic and to those who packed the Dance Halls and created great atmospheres for us to entertain.

DENNY LAINE. RIP.

I have always been a fan of Denny Laine and have written many articles about him as an important influence in the venues of Birmingham.  From the Springfield Ballroom days of the very early 60's with The Diplomats to the fabulous first formation of Moody Blues with his turbo charged vocals belting out the hard Rythm and Blues sound of Brumbeat and being the voice of 'Go Now', full of emotion that went straight to your heart in the opening bars, he was something special.   

After leaving the Moody Blues he wrote and recorded, as the Denny Laine's String Band, the wonderful and biographic 'Say You Dont Mind", that was and still is real class that didn't get the success it deserved until many years after when re recorded by Colin Blunstone.    Paul McCartney remembered him from those early days too when the Moodies were on the same bill as The Beatles and wasted no time in making contact with him when he departed the Beatles to form Wings.

Last year he went out on the road across the USA on an acoustic solo tour performing songs and relating some stories of his journey in the world of music.  The tour finished and he went straight to the Carnegie Hall to perform in a night of the songs of Paul McCartney where he showcased the song he co wrote with McCartney, Mull of Kintire.

It was probably his last gig but what a place to play your last appearance, a very fitting end to an illustrious career in the music biz.   He was the best in Birmingham in those early days and will be sadly missed by this old rocker.  God Bless Denny.

I was away when Denny passed so didnt make any comment in the last blog but I didn't want to miss acknowledging his Brummie beginnings albeit a little late.    Please visit the Pie Stand page at BRUMBEAT www.brumbeat.net to read John Woodhouse's article for a much broader and complete dedication to Denny.

JEFF LYNNE.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I don't often talk about Jeff on the blog because every facet of his life is covered by the ELO network and I'm not really a fan. However, it would be churlish of me not to mention his recent 76th birthday.  Jeff is also a Brumbeat Hero but a little later than Denny Laine, his band The Idle Race were very popular on the circuit of Brummie venues but lacked getting the "big break" to push them into stardom.   His songs with that band were quirky and inventive and I liked them a lot.   His invite to join the twilight days of The Move was just what he needed to lift him into a higher strata where he would blossom and compete with Roy Wood, the two of them collaborated on the music which would give birth to ELO.

There was too much friction however and Roy departed to form WIZZARD leaving Jeff free reign over the ELO name and its direction.  The rest is history and although there were many, many people who featured in that band they were there only to play Jeff's songs and the release of "Out of the Blue" cemented his name as a truly serious songwriter to be reckoned with.    His lush productions gained many admirers most famously with George Harrison who asked him to produce his next album and that inevitably dragged him into The Beatles fold when asked to produce "Free as a Bird" which must have seen him walking around in a daze, head in the clouds.   It must have been a sensational feeling.   

You don't gain anything sitting on yer arse and Jeff got his rewards for a life of hard work and dedication but with some folk getting hurt along the way.  These days he is rightly a world star born from the days of BRUMBEAT.

So, Happy Birthday Jeff, may you have many more.  Happy New Year.

MORE CHRISTMAS BIRTHDAYS

There were some other prominent Brumbeaters birthdays in recent days so Wishing a Happy Birthday to 

JOHN WOODHOUSE Head Honcho at WWW.BRUMBEAT.NET 

BOB STYLER.   30 December.

JOHN FINCHAM.  Born on Christmas Day.  

FINALLY

I am still in recovery mode from the festivities but sincerely wish you all a Properous new year and Hope for some Peace in these troubled times initiated by politically dangerous thugs.   

Bob

Copyright: Bullsheadbob 

Contact: Bobsbullocks@gmail.com