Bulls Head Bob May 2024 . Mike Pinder RIP. THE GREAT BRIAN GREGG

Hello Brummies and 60s music lovers.

MIKE PINDER.

So, if the recent news of the death of Moody Blues Denny Laine wasn't enough of an upset to the fans of the original R&B Moodies, this week saw the passing of the last member of the original line up, pianist Mike Pinder.  His thunderous musical intro to "Go Now" creating a part of Birminghams music history as the first band to top the UK charts.  His piano solo on that song was soulful and brilliant in its effective simplicity with a hint of Ramsey Lewis thrown in.

When the band decided to change their whole format and musical direction it was Pinder who was at the forefront of that sound with his complete mastery of the Mellotrons workings  providing the orchestral parts.   

In fact he was also instrumental in helping the Beatles "Strawberry Fields" intro after demonstrating its capabilities to Paul McCartney who immediately bought one.   The new Moodies sound struck a chord with the American audiences in particular and they became HUGE in the states.    

The impact of years of constant touring always has a detrimental effect on bands and infighting in the group led to his departure in 1978 after many arguments with Graham Edge in particular.  He released two solo albums but didn't achieve any real success.   

I saw him several times with the original band and I was a real fan of the bands energy and on stage performance.   I was not so much of a fan of their soporific orchestral stuff but many others were so what do I know? 

So God Bless you Mike and thankyou for the memories.

Another hero of mine with connections to the Moodies also passed away 4 days ago and this guy was at the very beginning of pre Beatles popular music and he was the magnificent 

BRIAN GREGG

Brian Gregg, British bassist has been one of my heroes for many a year.  He was one of the very first Rock and Roll heroes  learning and earning his dues working at the 2i's coffee bar in London in the late 50's playing with the likes of Terry Dene, his best friend, then Eden Kane, Les Hobeaux Skiffle Group, Jess Conrad, Colin Hicks and the Cabin Boys and Billy Fury at his height as Britains Elvis Presley.  He was really at the sharp end of the early pop music biz touring the country.   He and Jet Harris were best of mates and the first two to own the new fangled electric bass guitars in the country.

Brian was then asked to join Johnny Kidd as one of the original Pirates along with drummer Clem Catini and guitarist Alan Caddy who had also been in Billy Furys band.   They recorded and scored a minor hit with "Please Don't Touch" and as a follow up Brian co-wrote the riff laden, "Shakin All Over" which took them to them top of the charts and made them the first power trio in the country.  Johnny Kidd only employed session musicians as his backing group so when that line up of the Pirates terminated their contract Brian was already booked to tour with Eden Kane and Catini and Caddy became the in house session musicians for recording pioneer and eccentric,

Joe Meek and when Meek wrote and recorded"Telstar" it propelled Caddy and Catini as The Tornadoes to instant fame.  Their bassist left to go solo which left a vacancy which Brian filled and continued his career with them for many a year.

Brian moved to Swindon, Wiltshire where he opened a music store and also promoted music events.   This is where he met Justin Hayward and Brian was instrumental in getting Justin the job in the

Moody blues following Denny's departure and the band worked on their new material ie "Days of Future Past" and yours truly was on the same bill as them when they first played it live.    Brian's music contribution  didn't stop there and he still played at various gigs including an annual concert celebrating the music of Eddie Cochran with the band including Big Jim Sullivan, Rod Argent and Eddie Cochrans younger brother.  There were also The original Pirates reunion gigs with Catini and Caddy.

Even with all his incredible history Brian was such a nice guy and willing to extend help to others including XTC guitarist Andy Partridge who bought a guitar from him.    I met him through a good friend and it was great for me, as a muso, to talk to him.  I asked him if I could write about the recording of "Shakin all Over" for the Bulls Head Bob blog and he was very forthcoming giving me many details about this historic song which has been recorded or played by gazillions of bands world wide.   We kept in touch from then on.   You can read that very interesting article by clicking on the link below   SHAKIN ALL OVER

Brian sadly passed away 5 days ago.   My condolences go out to his wife Teri, his lovely family and his many friends.This hero of Rock and Roll will be sadly missed, certainly by this man.    

 FINALLY

A bit of a sad blog but as we get older we see our friends passing away with regularity, sadness never diminishes but gives us the chance to celebrate their living years.

Take care my friends.

Bob

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Contact:  Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com