Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate

If there was a prize for the band who appeared at Coventry Theatre most times, then my guess would be that Hot Chocolate may well be in contention for top spot. They played the venue numerous times during the 1970s and early 80s. Prior to that, and in their very early days, they also appeared at the Chesford Grange a couple of times.

And when you think Hot Chocolate, I think it is fair to say, you think of their charismatic vocalist Errol Brown. But, like with all success stories, there is a bit more to it.

As a youngster I clearly remember being blown away, at my local youth club, by their 1970 Hammond driven hit 'Love is Life' and its follow up, 'I Believe in Love'. And the chart hits continued for the next decade and a half. Unusually Hot Chocolate were primarily a singles band. Apart from greatest hits, they never really had any real album success.

The roots of Hot Chocolate began in London when Errol Brown and Tony Wilson began songwriting during 1968. Bands and artists who used their work included Mary Hopkin and Hermans Hermits. After a cover of John Lennon's iconic song 'Give Peace a Chance' had been sent to Apple Records the duo were given the name Hot Chocolate Band by an Apple secretary.

After the short lived association with Apple, the duo dropped the 'band' part of the suggested name, and went ahead simply known as Hot Chocolate. Soon after, Mickie Most had them signed up to his RAK record label. During those early singles various musicians were used to flesh out the band.

By the time of the bands sixth single, 'You'll always Be a Friend', released during 1972, the 'classic' line up of Brown - vocals, Wilson on bass, Harvey Hinsley on guitar, Tony Connor - drums, Patrick Olive - percussion and Larry Ferguson on keyboards had been established.

Brown and Wilson wrote some heavy lyrics. 'Emma', for example, released during 1974, was a song about a woman's dashed dreams of stardom that tragically ended in suicide. The lyric was thought to have had haunting similarities to Errol's own personal circumstances surrounding his Mother who had passed away when he was just 19.

Hot Chocolate had, by now, become well known on both sides of the Atlantic. The serious lyrics continued with songs like 'A Child's Prayer' released during 1975. The theme of the song being despair and hunger.

Errol Brown and Tony Wilson enjoyed writing lyrics that people could easily identify with. And 1975 also saw the last collaborative hit as Tony Wilson left the band soon after. That song was the chart topping 'You Sexy Thing'.

The song, unique in as much the featured congas were played through a wah wah pedal, was about a dancer met at a West End Club called Gulliver's. Two years later that dancer became Errol's wife. The pair remained together for almost 40 years until Errol Brown's untimely death during 2015.

Losing Tony Wilson had a profound effect on the bands style but not an adverse effect on their popularity. Hot Chocolate went from strength to strength as they became a more glamorous and commercial band. Additionally, some of their greatest hits were still to come.

Errol Brown moved to the Bahamas and invested in race horses. He also enjoyed his cars and one of the bands next singles, titled 'Heaven is in the Back Seat of my Cadillac', was about one of those cars.

Hot Chocolate also began to collaborate with other songwriters and this proved to be a major success as Russ Ballard's 'So You Win Again' hit number one. The overall sound of their songs became more expansive as 'Put Your Love in Me' proved with its strings and brass sections.

Few bands, if any others, could claim to have had a song in the charts during each year of the 1970s. And this feat continued during the first half of the 1980s as they clocked up a total of 230 weeks in the UK singles chart alone.

'I Gave You My Heart (Didn't I), released during 1984, was to be Errol Brown's last with the band as he left to go solo. Without him Hot Chocolate disbanded during 1986.

But of course through TV commercials and major film releases the legacy and the memory of Hot Chocolate's music is never too far away from earshot. And, if unfamiliar, that Tony Wilson era of the band is well worth delving into. 

Stylusboy – ‘Routes’ album launch

Stylusboy – ‘Routes’ album launch.

by Pete Clemons

I have been aware of Stylusboy for at least 10 years. I first became aware of him when I saw him perform a gig at the Tin Angel when it was based in Spon Street. And over that time Stylusboy has produced a succession of quality songs and music.

Whether it be at Café’s or Pubs, Bookshops or Bistro’s he has played the lot. And I have tried to get to see him perform as often as I could. And throughout those many gigs he performed solo or as part of a duet.

For the release of his second album ‘Routes’, Stylusboy was going to step out of his comfort zone, by performing with a band. And, to my knowledge, this is the first time he has performed his music with a band. Although I do seem to remember a band at the Tin Arts Centre which he featured in.

The setting for this launch gig of ‘Routes’ was the unlikely surroundings of a coffee shop. But of course, this is no ordinary coffee shop.

Backhaus and Co. coffee shop is part of the Fargo village complex. It is situated on what I remember as a child as being Cooks warehouse. Cooks, amongst other things, sold carpets and was located on industrial estate off Gosford Street.

Parts of the fabric of the old warehouse still exists. The coffee shop is tucked away within that part of the old building. And the acoustics within the room were, surprisingly, very good.

Stylusboy mentioned to me beforehand that he had a touch of nerves. Months of planning and preparation had gone into the event, so I guess he was entitled to be. But if he was feeling a tad skittish it wasn’t at all visible as the gig got underway.

Despite it being Stylusboy’s evening he was surrounded by a strong team of experienced musicians. His band consisted of Wes Finch on guitar, Holly Hewitt – harmonies, John Parker on double bass and Tim Bowes – Drums.

For just over an hour they effortlessly breezed through songs from the new album. The single ‘Out Upon the Ocean’ along with ‘Embrace the View’, ‘Ride This Storm’, ‘Open the Door’ and ‘For the Souls of my Brothers’ along with many others, were among those that featured.

But the evening wasn’t totally devoted to ‘Routes’ as Stylusboy found time to revisit a few old faves such as ‘Lamplight’. And these were performed as they were conceived - without a band -who, for a few minutes, took a well-earned rest.

I asked Stylusboy where his inspiration for the Routes title came from: ‘Routes came from the fact a lot of the songs reference the idea of moving along a journey, maybe literally or through life. We all take different routes in life’.

I was also intrigued by the map of Coventry City centre presented on the physical CD: ‘The map came from the fact that a lot of the songs are inspired, directly or indirectly by Coventry. The map is old as you can’t copy a map unless it’s older than 50 years!’

It was a truly delightful and totally memorable evening. A lot of work and effort has gone into this album. Find more details about the album and other goodies on the link below. https://stylusboy.bandcamp.com/album/pre-order-campaign-for-my-new-album-routes?fbclid=IwAR1P_NzG5G43JPW1t9CJsockQg7FRrqCZ_nkWV9U1P1zef9Be4y3vUWjYXo

Stylusboy Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaFvzgJd6guU77M5zVUtB3g

Bob Dylan Isle of Wight 1969

Bob Dylan Isle of Wight 1969

by Pete Clemons

When talking about the legendary Isle of Wight festivals, then undoubtedly, the one held in 1970 generally crops up in. But equally as important was the one held during 1969 and headlined by Bob Dylan.

Bob Dylan had been out of action, as far as the live scene was concerned, following an accident in 1966 and chose the island for his comeback gig rather than an offer to perform at Woodstock. Speculation was rife beforehand. It was suggested he could be onstage for a full three hours and that even The Beatles would reform to support him.

Those ‘lost’ three years had been spent writing reams of new music. A documentary film had also just been produced. George Harrison had even offered Apple Studios as a place for him to record.

Bob Dylan flew into London on 23 August and, after time in the capital, travelled direct to a 17th century manor house on the island which had been offered for his disposal. He stayed on the island for around 5 days and, such was the interest, brought with him an entourage of around 300 press men and photographers.

In addition to the hordes of UK music fans, hundreds of American fans also flew in for the gig as the crowd numbers, estimated at 200,000, grew to three times the population of the island.

Sunday 31st August 1969 and the festival had been in full swing for a couple of days. But the crowd noticeably swelled as first couple of bands, Liverpool Scene followed by Third Ear Band, hit the stage.

Gary Farr, brother of compere Ricki, was next up performing songs such as ‘Good Morning Sun’ and ‘The Vicar and the Pope’.

Following Gary came singer songwriter Tom Paxton who received one of the biggest ovations of the entire festival. It was totally unexpected but honestly deserved. Paxton is a craftsman and clearly won a whole host of new fans with songs like ‘Can’t help but wonder where I’m bound’, ‘Rambling Boy’ and ‘Last thing on my mind’. Obviously overwhelmed, Tom returned for several encores.

The Pentangle, however, didn’t fare so well. Low flying aircraft spoiled the ambience and a fire at the perimeter fencing caused the interest of some of the audience to wane. Members of The Rolling Stones unwittingly chose The Pentangles set to make their entrances. That meant the photographers refocused their lenses - much to the obvious annoyance of the band.

Next up was Julie Felix with a selection of songs that included ‘I want to be alone’ and Leonard Cohen's ‘Bird on a Wire’

As dusk set in Richie Havens made his appearance accompanied by a guitarist and a Congo player. They performed a dynamic version of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and warmed the crowd up with what was to come by way of a version of ‘Maggie’s Farm’.

It was now the turn of Bob Dylan and by now the atmosphere was charged. As Dylan took to the stage, albeit briefly, a few missiles were aimed at the photographers who were clearly blocking the view of some.

But Dylan’s appearance was brief. Bob’s backing group, The Band, then performed for almost an hour. Testing the WEM PA apparently. Still, they managed to showcase a lot of their own debut album.

Bob returned to the stage to rapturous applause. The Band stepped aside allowing Bob to perform acoustic. ‘It ain't me Babe’ and ‘Mr Tambourine Man’ followed. The Band returned and accompanied Bob on ‘Like a Rolling Stone’, ‘Lay Lady Lay’ and ‘I’ll be Your baby tonight’ but clearly things were not going well.

We are going to do one more Bob announced and ‘Mighty Quinn’ followed. Bob did do an encore but the whole thing was nowhere near the rumoured three-hour set. And with a ‘thank you, thank you’ he was gone.

At the end of it all, none of the pre-gig predictions came to fruition. Bob Dylan’s shortened set lasted for around an hour. Maybe he had been ill as rumoured. But he certainly disappointed many. Bob allegedly netted 50,000 dollars for the performance and CBS capitalised as Bob’s then latest album Nashville Skyline which, despite all the publicity, was never harmed at all in terms of sales.

10 years of Kscope

10 years of Kscope

by Pete Clemons

https://kscopemusic.com/

I was recently reminded of the days of classic budget sampler LPs such as ‘The Rock Machine Turns You On’ and ‘You Can All Join in’ by way of a CD celebrating 10 years of the Kscope label.

Admittedly, the 10-year celebration was a year ago now, but the CD came as an additional freebie I received as being part of an order I made through distribution mail order outlet Burning Shed.

Rock Machine and You Can All Join in, were compilations released by their respective labels, CBS and Island, as part of campaigns to turn people on to the exciting new sounds of the late 1960s. As opposed to this Kscope release that has been released to celebrate a decade of the label.

Rock Machine sold over 140,000 copies and entered the charts during June 1969. It featured and introduced us to bands such as The Byrds, Moby Grape, Blood Sweat and Tears and Spirit. And it was described at the time thus...’it's the happening sounds of today. It's all here - the talent, the product and the big concept to make it all happen. Now, doesn't that turn you on?’

Similarly, You Can All Join In was instrumental in giving bands such as Free, Jethro Tull, Spooky Tooth and Traffic exposure to a wider audience as it reached number 18 in the charts.

And this Kscope release has been designed to showcase the more underground sounds of today. And the importance of this unassuming album can’t be overstated.

Kscope, now an independent company, was formed during the very late 1990s. It was Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree who thought up the name which came from a play on the word Kaleidoscope. Plus, it reminded Steven of that old TV promoted budget label of the seventies, K-Tel, which also appealed to him.

Initially Kscope was an outlet for the music of Steven Wilson’s own band Porcupine Tree. In fact, the first release on the label was an album called ‘Stupid Dream’ by Porcupine Tree released during 1999. But the Kscope label went dormant when Porcupine Tree signed up for Lava Records at the time of their 2002 album release ‘In Absentia’.

May 2008, however, saw the Kscope name revived after Steven Wilson suggested that the label be opened for new releases by new talent and allow the bands to develop musically. It provided a home for the growing post-progressive genre and an evolving, flexible and adventurous style of music without boundaries.

As such The Pineapple Thief became one of the first of that new talent to be signed up and the bands seventh album ‘Tightly Unwound’ became the first album released on the newly revived Kscope label.

Kscope albums are available via an on-line distribution company called Burning Shed. Burning Shed is run by artists and musicians for artists and musicians. Given that, you are always guaranteed a first-class service. Additionally, however, I have even noticed that our own relocated HMV has a good number of Kscope products available on their shelves.

You Can All Join In was chronicled at the time as ‘one of those seamless compilations that simply cannot be improved upon. A dozen tracks highlight the best – and that is the best – of Islands recent and forthcoming output’.

This was exactly the feeling I experienced on first hearing the Kscope compilation containing the work of No-Man, Engineers, Blackfield, Gazpacho, Lunatic soul, Tesseract and many others.

Bill Gates and The Flamingoes (Coventry Band)

Bill Gates and The Flamingoes
(and the Beatles!!)

By Pete Clemons

Some years ago, I wrote a piece about Coventry band The Flamingoes who existed somewhere between 1963 and 1966. 

The Flamingoes featured Alan Payne on lead guitar, Ollie Warner on bass guitar, Rob Woodward (Lieutenant Pigeon) keyboards, Murray Winters (Mackenzie) on lead vocals and Bill Gates on drums.

During the creation of the article I had met up with Gill Gates, who had been married to Bill. I clearly remember Gill mentioning the fact that Bill had had a brush with The Beatles. But it was such a huge comment that I admit to possibly not taking it too seriously.

That was, however, until guitarist Alan Payne confirmed it. And it was at that point when I began to take the comment seriously.

Bill Gates was born on the 2nd August 1938 in a British Military Hospital and indeed served in the British Army. Bill’s army service records show that he was stationed in Germany between 1960 and 1963.

Early August 1960 saw drummer Pete Best join The Beatles. The Beatles arrived in Hamburg, Germany during the evening of 17 August 1960. They stayed in Hamburg till November 1960. Firstly, playing the Indra Club then moving onto the Kaiserkeller.

The Beatles returned to Hamburg during April 1961 to take up a residency at the Top Ten Club where they stayed till July of the same year.

A year later and another Hamburg residency when The Beatles performed at the Star Club between April – May 1962. Pete Best was then fired during August 1962.

A final Hamburg residency took place at the Star Club took place between November and December 1962. But by this time, Ringo Starr had been installed into the drum seat.

Gill was insistent that Bill Gates stepped in for Pete Best at a Beatles gig in Hamburg possibly during 1962.

Alan Payne went even further: ‘In '62 Bill played with The Beatles in their Hamburg days’. He continued: ‘Indeed Paul McCartney particularly liked him and wanted him to join The Beatles in the days prior to Ringo Starr days. Not only cos he was this great drummer but had an amazing high ranged voice - he did most of the singing in The Flamingoes but Bill was doing his national service at the time and despite all the efforts from Paul and Brian Epstein they couldn't get him out of the army, which is incredibly sad not only for Bill but I can only imagine what the Beatles records and vocal arrangements and harmonies would have been like with him in the mix’.

Additionally, Alan went on to give another gem of a quote: ‘On another occasion some years later after leaving the army, coming home to Coventry and forming the Flamingoes we did a gig with The Who at Rugby Town Hall (some 12-15 miles from Coventry). Bill did the most phenomenal drum duet with Keith Moon that night - words cannot express just how amazing they both were, Bill with his incredible showmanship - very Buddy Rich like, running round his unbelievably big triple Slingerland drum kit throwing this drumsticks at various drums and catching them in this almost acrobatic routine and the Keith Moon doing something similar and finally doing his famous party trick of kicking all the drums off stage’.

Alan concluded ‘So thank you Mr Bill Gates for changing my life forever’.

Sadly, Bill Gates is no longer with us. He passed away on 2nd July 1993. But after gathering evidence like this I am now absolutely convinced that Bill did indeed perform for The Beatles. What is more, he could have changed the face of musical history as we know it.

The original article on the Flamingoes by Pete Clemons is here (click the link to read the full article)

Doc Mustard (Andrew Roland Oliver) - A Tribute

Doc Mustard (Andrew Roland Oliver) - A Tribute

by Pete Clemons

Andrew Rolland Oliver, variously know in musical circles as Ollie, Doc Mustard, The Rhythm Balladeer, Slim Dog Chilli and more, was born near Matlock. He passed away in 2019 down in Penzance. I met him when he moved to Coventry in 1973. I was typing an issue of Hobo (Coventry's Music and Arts Magazine) in the office of  the Sunshine Music agency in Gulson Road Coventry. Sunshine was run by Craig Ward, Bob Young and others and Ollie walked in, looking less eccentric than he did in later years - I think he had a suit on!! He was playing bass in a rock band called SMACK and I gave the band a write up in the magazine. My biggest memory of Ollie was in the late 70's / early 80's in a a ska band called Machine - Hot Snacks. he went on to busk in Coventry and Cornwall and play in reggae bands and more. Doc Mustard did the sound and played at The Stoker venue, organised by Steve Ashwell in Coventry. Pete Clemons offers some interesting insights into the DOC's musical influences. Trev Teasdel

It is fair to say I think that Andrew Roland Oliver, or Doc Mustard or Ollie as more widely known, led an alternative lifestyle. Ollie was non-mainstream, he believed in conspiracy theories, particularly those involving aliens, and, in general, lived outside of the cultural norm.

Ollie moved to Coventry during 1973. Coventry folk of a certain age will remember Doc Mustard as a busker who pitched up, with his dog Paxo, around various locations in the city centre. This led to a partnership with former Tubulah Dog and Crokodile Tears guitarist, Jerry Richards, who became known as the Cobalt Kid.

Ollie then moved onto Cornwall during the early 1990s. Firstly calling in at Mousehole and then eventually settling in at Penzance.

Despite his life style, and the fact they clearly enthused him enough to get up and play, Ollie’s musical influences would suggest that he was not that different from you and me.

The following are a few of Ollie’s quotes on albums that had an effect in his early years:

‘Flowers of Evil’ by Mountain: ‘Back in early 70's Matlock I was bass player in a rock trio called The Doughnut Band. We got a gig at The Cavern. As I walked down the steps into the basement club there was what sounded like PA feedback and I'm thinking it's the sound engineer setting up. Wrong. It was the DJ who was spinning the Dream Sequence from this album and I'd arrived at the point where Leslie West holds a sustained note before breaking into Roll Over Beethoven. I was ecstatically blown away’.

‘Tons of Sobs’ by Free: ‘Whilst living in The Horse Shoe, Matlock Green during respite from boarding school, my friend a few doors along towards Tansley, Tom, who is wholly responsible for my guitar obsession thanks to his Watkins Rapier if my memory serves me well and also his album collection, would regale me with tales from his college adventures including rave reviews of this amazing band he'd seen called Free’.

‘The Eagles’ by The Eagles: ‘Back in the mid 70's I saw Horace (Panter) in Gosford Street, Coventry on his way to Hits, Misses and Vintage records to part with some Eagles albums so we came to a satisfactory financial arrangement. Even before Joe Walsh they were awesome’.

‘Babylon by Bus’ by Bob Marley and the Wailers: ‘Living in multi-cultural Coventry from '73-'91 I was blessed with an infusion of uplifting music. Here's a top live album that helped to steer me towards the post of Keyboard player for an awesome Cov reggae band 'The Ring'.

‘96 Degrees in the Shade’ by Third World: ‘I don't take holidays as travel advertising in the name of global consumerism doesn't appeal to me also I'm not a slave in need of respite despite having to report to the taxman annually. This album takes the mind on a vacation so here we are with the sun blasting away outside’.

‘Can’t Buy a Thrill’ by Steely Dan: ‘I was living in Coventry when I heard this. Utterly ground-breaking harmonies, melodies and rhythms seriously fed my musical appetite. Can't imagine how life would have been without them’.

‘Talking Book’ by Stevie Wonder: When I moved to Coventry in '73 as a bass player in a trio we were introduced to a drummer, Nick, who put us up temporarily in his flat in Radcliffe Road. Earlsdon. His dog Freddie always went apeshit every time the ‘Crossroads’ title theme came up on ITV. Nevertheless, this is an album that was a popular spin on the turntable.

Ollie had just recently put together a trio called The Cobalt Kids. This involved former Coventry residents Alan Varney on bass guitar and Robert Brown on drums.

According to Alan ‘Doc Mustard and the Cobalt Kids were just ready to do gigs and we had a lot booked and even got 26 songs recorded 13 of which are on a CD, but just as it was about to be unleashed on the public Ollie took ill and within 12 weeks sadly passed away’.

Alan continued ‘Of the 26 songs we put together for gigs and recording, about 13 are Ollie's lyrics, with my bass and Robs drum parts. Just up to date versions of Ollie's busking songs which are a mix of Boogie/Reggae/Ballad/rock feel songs’. ‘I met up with Ollie here in Penzance this year the last time we met was in the 70s in Coventry. He called it Serendipity the way we met again after so many years. We jammed for an hour or so and then found we just clicked and had a great sound and Ollie loved it’.

...................................

Here is a recent tribute from Cornwall Live https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/one-cornwalls-best-loved-buskers-3204360?fbclid=IwAR3obkBrIAJXbJS3cW2Nx97srImjd4OH-ipTgo60FZmCK6Pw2vuxWHEjxF4

Doc Mustard playing bass with Machine / Hot Snacks in the early 80's. The original drummer of the band was Silverton Hutchinson who was also the original drummer of The Specials before John Bradbury joined. The band performed Two Tone band The Selecter on occasions.

Below - Ollie with a tale about his busking career!

The Ring - Reggae band

Doc Mustard's appearance on May the Best House Win.

More of Doc Mustards musical videos here

https://www.youtube.com/user/ibrowze/videos

https://sites.google.com/site/bandsfromcoventrypart2/home/hot-snacks-machine?pli=1 More about Machine / Hot Snacks on this link. 

The Ring

Craig Ward's publicity sheet with Sunshine Music Agency Coventry 1974 for SMACK - Ollie played bass and sang vocals in the band.

The following are two news items from Hobo Coventry Music and Arts Magazine (edited by Trev Teasdel) 1974.

SMACK! ...MISS UNDERSTOOD (From Hobo Jan 1974)
"SMACK! formed from the now defunct Pug-ma-Ho, are now completing a tour of Germany. a single is due out around Christmas time on the Bell label.

The number is entitled "Miss Understood" and was written by Bob Young. The line up of the band consists of Gordon Reaney on lead guitar; Ollie Oliver on bass guitar; Nicky Trevisthick on drums and a female vocalist by the name of Margo- Buchanan-Reid-Smith (Later a backing vocalist with Mud)."

From Hobo  (February 1974)

SMACK! PLAY GERMANY
Just returned from a successful tour of Germany are SMACK!. The group who are Coventry based, hail mainly from Matlock. This phunky rock band who play original material, consists of these curios Smackeroos - Gordon Reaney - lead guitar, Ollie Oliver - bass and vocals, Margo-Buchanan-Reid-Smith on Vocals and smiles and Nicky Trevisthick on drums.

Doc Mustard at the Stoker venue in Coventry c 1989 / 91, organised by Steve Ashwell

Doc Mustard with Simon Baker at the Stoker.

The following are Ollie's press cuttings sent to me by Al Varney.

Discordia - Eris