Hear here for some early 70's live recordings and a 4 track demo of original compositions that was taken around to record companies by our then manager. Freddie Mack aka Mr Superbad (American ex-boxer - Check him on Wikipedia) and received 3 offers to record - Not realised due to arguments over production etc - We were never privy to these discussions. That's life !
From our first gig : Track 1 - 'Ardon Woman' was an attempt by Gywn & me to imitate our heroes 'Cream' and the instrumental section (totally improvised) is quite unique - How many other bands (at the time) had this togetherism ? After this first gig we became a 5 piece with the addition of Ray Hawkins , my closest friend and ace guitarist ( my mentor) and we became a real band with potential...
We continued to support other name bands at the time, ChickenShack...Snafu..Man..Stackridge...Stray and many others ..I can't remember..and we were always encored ! That's unusual for a support band ( in those days! ) We were the first band booked to play at 'Upstairs At Ronnie's' on the opening night...Another time we attended an audition in a large hall with a dozen other groups setting up in limited space...we played after a couple of the others...2 tracks...We got a standing ovation from all the other guys present...and yes we got an offer ! Great days of youth.
The great laughs you see in the last pic above - We had a puff...and Ray had just called the photographer the 'C' word ... in jest...! LOL! LOL!
And BTW the Gibson Firebird that I hold in my hands ...came from Eric Clapton...in his junkie days...via a friend ( it was Ray's) and sounded great with a lovely action ! Where is it now?...I sold my Gibson SG too...and bought a Les Paul Standard ... see later pics ...It played itself ! In later days I became a committed Fender Strat man !
I've not expected any comments at this blog ! But ...if you wish...feel free to say something.
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| Ardon with friends |
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Gwyn & Gus  |
Here is ARDON - A 70's band that got 3 offers of an album contract ( 2 big companies & 1 small) And due to management arguments didn't get signed ! Have a listen and make up your own mind Should we have been there ?
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Hi Gus, whatever happened to Ray?
ReplyDeleteSorry CR...whoever you are...Ray became mentally ill...it was tragic...We were a trio of friends...Ray Ady ( Adrian Fisher...played guitar on 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Two Of Us' by Sparks) and latecomer me...but Ray was SO gifted and ahead of his time...before he became impaired....but he passed on to me some of his playful spirit...I like to think
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