Hello Mates,
Well another month zooms by, it just goes so fast as you get older and time becomes more precious, as do your old friends with whom you shared your teenage days and wild experiences of youth. Those 1960's days when everything was new. There were those of us who were lucky enough and determined enough to dedicate ourselves to music and try to make it as entertainers.
I am fortunate enough to still be friends with some of those I shared the teenage dream with in the UK, Europe and a couple who live in the USA. So let's go across the pond and pay a visit to the great
GRAHAM ASHFORD.
Graham moved out to the USA to enjoy working for Rolls Royce and he didn't come back. He was very successful and married in the States. Just because he was now "gainfully employed" didn't stop him being a vocalist and entertaining people. He was fortunate enough to buy a second home in Hawaii where he spent 6 months a year with his own band playing in the bars and also playing Hawaiian dance music with his wife performing Hawaiian dance.
Click Here: GREAT VOICE
The second Brummie who made his home in the States who also had an outstanding voice was Bassist
JOHN FINCHAM
John Fincham was a class singer and bassist who had more than a touch of John Lennon about him, he was The Beatles personified. Good looking and stylish, he had it all. He found himself in a class band called Trickster who played support band to ELO on their US Tour and following that tour the band supported BOSTON on their US Tour too!!
So their dreams of well deserved fame were well and truly dashed on the rocks. However, never say die, and John decided to stay in America and chance his luck there. He formed a good little band and called themselves, with great Brummie humour, THE TOSSERS gigging in Ventura and its beach side marinas where they enjoyed a good following.
I still dream about playing with him again before the Grim Reaper comes knocking at my door so Keep at it John. You never know what good fortune can come along.
John went to Moseley Grammar School and was pals with my next old mate who still lives in Birmingham but has never stopped playing and singing and getting involved in the music biz. He is the very amiable and kind:...
BOB STYLER
I have mentioned Bob a few times over the years with some folk believing he is 'Bulls Head Bob", I can neither confirm or deny that suggestion. What I can say is that Bob ran a music shop in Stirchley for quite a few years while playing the clubs as part of an acoustic duo.
Bob was, from the outset, the vocalist with Brummie bands, The Yamps, Fashion and Traction, all great groups and Bob was a dynamic stage performer.
GIBSON FOUNDER .. ORVILLE GIBSON.
He was a little ahead of his time and remarkable in his outlandish appearance but that's what you expect from a dreamer of excellence. It was little more than a hobby when he first started but it doesn't take too long to get a good reputation and 'word of mouth' publicity is the best and he started getting more and more orders.
When the demand started growing in 1902 he applied for some financing for the Gibson company largely making mandolins and his self designed archtop guitars. His dream was realised, to be a guitar maker and he was well on the way to becoming a huge business but unfortunately Orville died in 1918 never really seeing how successful the brand had become. I imagine he would have been incredibly proud of his achievements. I would have loved to have met him.
FINALLY
A shitty world right now with danger on the door step....let's get those dangerous politicians put in the Jailhouse.
Look after those dearest to you, that's what matters my friends.
Take Care
Bob
Copyright: Bullsheadbob
Contact: Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com
