HISTORY OF A LOCAL DERBY BAND
I find it difficult to believe that after 30 or more years ago I'm still a performer in a band that was first formed in 1968 by a group of Derby musicians then performing as a six-piece band called IMAGINATION (See Photo in the PHOTOS over the years Section). We were listening to an album by a group known as the DOORS titled 'Strange Days' and decided this is the type of music we wanted to take forward! This decision split the band up into a 4 piece which resulted in the first line-Up of STRANGE DAYS. I suppose we would have been called a tribute band in current times! The song repertoire then consisted of material by the DOORS, COLOSSEUM, ATOMIC ROOSTER, MOBY GRAPE and other West Coast type bands.,plus a good handful of self -penned material. That style of music carried on for a few years and earned the band some nice support slots with the likes of STATUS QUO, BRIAN AUGER/JULIE DRISCOLL, JIMMY CLIFF, ZOOT MONEY and many pop bands.
ORIGINAL LINE UP
Ken Cook (Organ/Piano/Guitar/Vocals). Paul Hirst (Saxophones/Vocals).Bill Grantham (Bass Guitar/Vocals),Mick Irwin (Drums)
Bill was replaced by Dave Bennett on Bass and Mick was replaced by Gordon Stimpson on drums.
For the first few gigs Baz Anderson played bass.
As the concept of playing DOORS and West Coast type material waned, a re-shuffle of band members and musical direction came in the early to mid 70's.
NEW LINE UP
Ken Cook (Keyboards/Guitars/Vocals), Dave Bennett (Bass), Alan Westby (Guitar), John Greatorex (Guitar),Bob Parsloe (Drums)
The music was typical 70's pop/rock (T Rex, Mott The Hoople, 10CC etc) aimed at club/pub/dance gigs.
There were other musicians coming and going during that era, Melvin Lewis (Bass Guitar), Paul McLeod (Bass Guitar), Chris Camm (Guitar) and a return of Paul Hirst (Saxophones)
MID 70's LINE UP
There was a desire to re-introduce self penned songs along with the then rock and pop classics of that era to give the band a good steady work base. The line-up was modified to the following unusual set-up:-
Ken Cook (Keyboards, Keyboard Bass/Vocals), Chris Camm (Twin neck Guitar Bass and six string) Bob Parsloe (Drums/Vocals)
This proved to be a very popular concept on a local level and saw the band playing from rock Venues to pop venues earning a reputation of high regard. As the 70's marched on and the new wave era was born, again a line-up alteration came.
LATE 70's LINE UP
Ken Cook (Keyboards/Guitar/Vocals) , Chris Camm (Twin kneck guitar) , Paul Boole (Drums/Vocals)
Chris was then replaced by Vernon Keeling on bass guitar and this line-up then continued to the 80's. Covers of the day were the musical order with a splattering of self-penned songs. A single was released Another Day/Saltash which was on the Peeping Tom Label from the Coventry Two Tone stable.(Hear it in the LISTEN section of the site). Vernon was replaced by Gary Fletcher on bass guitar which took the band right into the 90's. From the early 90's onwards, the current line-up was formed and the rest is HISTORY!
CURRENT LINE UP
Ken Cook (Keyboards/Guitar/Vocals), Paul Boole (Drums/Vocals), Dave Williams (Bass/Keyboards/Vocals) and that brings us to where WE are now!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
It is good to know that alot of the ex members are still active somewhat in the music business, some have never stopped , others have decided to have another crack or just amuse theirselves. Its always good to hear from old music pals so please write in.
Mel Lewis contacted me from Australia and gave me an in-sight to what he's up to, link to http://www.bodymotors.com and one of his former musician friends Chris Camm who was with us for many years has reformed the band PUGMA HO, who were very popular in the 70's. The Late Mick Irwin played drums with two bands, SMOKIN and SIX ACROSS and Alan Westby keeps his hand in on the music scene with two bands , The CREW and SMOKIN. Bob Parsloe is involved with various musical projects and Gordan Stimpson is back playing at his home city of Southampton with a local blues band www.riversidebluesband.co.uk John Greatorex kept on playing for many years lastly with a 60's band ROCKFACE www.rollbacktheyears.co.uk With our Current Working Line-up, my-self I play the occasional gig with ex 60's 70's Band SIX ACROSS,.and keyboard session work occasionally. Dave plays bass guitar on the odd gig for rock band SYDEWYNDER
2002 Reunion BIG BEAT BASH http://beehive.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/bigbeatbash/
1968 re-visited when the band re-formed the original line-up for a one -off concert with other bands of that era at the old Derby Locarno (minus the revolving stage!), performing music from the DOORS, ALAN PRICE, ARTHUR BROWN, CHICAGO,JOE COCKER. Two songs featured in the Listen section(Click on History Songs Tab) of the website. I'm a man(Spencer Davis)and Love me two times(Doors)
KEN COOK
****** SEPT 25th 2009 *******
On a sad note just a few lines to remember our original drummer, Mick (Basher Irwin) who sadly passed away on Sept 25th 2009
Mick was still active in the music industry playing with a number of bands. He loved music and life and always saw the funny side of things. His humour and company will be missed!
Local Tribute Link to Mick, copy the link
http://lastingtribute.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/tribute/irwin/3158110
