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BANDS LIST Chalkie Margo Ruby Murray Sparkle Splinter Taste
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"My Music Memories" Well for me the mid Sixties and early Seventies were mostly about the Music but also the local characters and the Dance Halls. Then of course the only Bands were "Showbands", dressed in colourful suits playing the current hits of all the popular artists. Groups like Cliff and the Shadows and the Beatles were only starting to emerge and they also wore suits. Early every Saturday morning, with my sixpence in my pocket and my modest 6 string acoustic guitar, in the minor's matinee talent competitions at the Ritz Cinema, Newtownards. I remember standing on the Stage singing "I like it" which was a No.1 hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers. Finally after weeks of knockouts I eventually got into the Finals. 1st place went to Margaret Brown, 2nd place went to Fred Benson and 3rd [last] place to me. Before I started buying vinyl records, most of the time I usually just sat around listening to Radio Luxemburg and Radio Caroline, picking out the chords and learning how to play my favourites. It wasn't long before I realized that I wanted to become a musician. What could be easier {Not} and at this time I still hadn't even seen a live Group/Band. "Now for the Choice: - Rock & Roll - Soul - Blues..?" In my Ben Sherman shirt and a pair of worn out Jeans {Not Levis - my pocket money didn't stretch that far)} I was almost ready, but what about the Mods & Rockers! You had to be one or the other during the early Sixties, otherwise you got a hiding from both groups. Mod's on their Lambretta or Vespa scooters and extra mirrors and the Rockers - also known as 'ton-up boys’ with British-made motorcycles, they were all part of the macho culture at the time. So I opted out and hung out with my friends around Scrabo estate, not with the cool guys at Cafolla's in the square. The first song that I ever learned completely was "The House Of The Rising Sun" by the Animals and for those who know, it meant using everything but bar chords. So from that moment on I just listened and learned from the masters otherwise known as The Beatles. Michael Richmond had already left the Band and later moved to Australia to live, he's still there to-day. So as a three piece and without an Agent or proper Management we really struggled to find Gigs. Lots of the other local groups had bigger line-ups with Keyboards, Sax and a lead Vocalist. So most of the time, we simply ended up supporting these Groups, gaining experience along the way. Philip O’Connor also left and was replaced by Jim Doak on Drums and to attract more interest from Promoters and Venue’s we changed our repertoire to include some Soul and Current Chart material. Following these changes we then started playing some of the popular Belfast Venues like “Betty Staffs” - “Cecil Clarke’s” and of course Bangor's “Cloud 9” etc: This continued until 1971 when Alan Mawhinney who was at this time already playing in Germany with a well known Band called "Tapestry" asked us to put together a Band replacing the original line-up and capable of playing the German Clubs. It was at this point when we had to make several changes to the line-up. So “Tapestry Mark II” was born:- Alan Mawhinney – Keyboards & Vocals Robert Apps {RIP} {formally with the Suburban’s} from Donaghadee on Drums... replacing Jim Doak who had other career plans. Noel Fee {Formally with the Mood} – Keyboards & Vocals Lawrence Thomson {RIP.} Guitar & Vocals Myself – Bass & Vocals Immediately on my return from Germany, Harry Filmer asked me if I would consider joining “Spring” formally “Gumm” who at that time where a well established Pop Band with a great repertoire. The existing Bass Player, Paul Menown was leaving and I really needed the work. So I gladly went along to a rehearsal/meeting and I was very impressed with their sound, professional approach and an impressive line-up. Norman Keenan {Vocals] Harry Filmer {Guitar] Raymond Donnan {Keyboards & Sax] Billy Bell {Drums} and Sammy Waddell {Sax}. The Band where managed by Damien McIlroy, guitarist with the “Freshmen” so the opportunities looked very promising. Following the meeting I was offered the position and naturally accepted. Their stage presence was great and material was a real challenge “Blood Sweat & Tears” “Ides of March” “Stones” etc: and the audience reception was terrific. So I soon settled in and it felt great playing the big Belfast and Dublin Venues in a very good Band. It was a really exciting time for me, without the pressure of doing lead vocal, it gave me the opportunity to develop my Bass style and increase my vocal range and work on balanced harmonies. "To Be Or Not To Be ?" “A semi-professional Musician is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom Music is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the musician not fully professional”. So with all Semi-professional musicians, it’s always a very fine balance of doing what you really enjoy and at the same time managing to pay the bills. Holding down a day job, rehearsing and working nights with a Band isn’t easy. I still have vivid memories of racing home from work - getting changed - grabbing something to eat - jumping into the Transit Van and travelling to Dublin. Then unpacking the Van - setting up the gear - playing for 3 hours - stripping down the equipment - packing the Van and driving home. On several mid-week gigs it was simply a case of “Falling out of the Van at the Factory Gates”. It’s difficult to explain why you do it and virtually impossible to share the memories with someone who has never done it. Most certainly, it isn’t for the money!. I firmly believe that most musicians really struggle to make the jump to the Professional level, mostly due to the lack money and support - not the lack of talent. During the Sixties and early Seventies it was never considered by the Parents or the Establishment as being a "real job". It was always seen as something that you would grow out of. A hobby or a past time but never considered as a real career and sometimes frowned upon by many others. So for many years, like most other Musicians I lead a double-life, holding down a full time day job and playing as much as possible. Sadly the life style didn’t always work for everyone and perhaps that explains why there have been so many line-up changes in many of the local Groups\Bands over the years. Much more to follow:-
http://derek-beattie.110mb.com Click the above link to go to directly to Derek's Beattie's Home Page " All you need to know about Newtownards" Please send all James Meredith emails to:- ardsbangor@gmail.com I understand and share your concern about the security and the use of private information. I want to assure you that I respect your privacy. If the information show on this Site is incorrect please let me know and I will make the necessary changes.
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