HISTORY OF A LOCAL DERBY BAND
I find it difficult to believe that after 50 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 (Organ/Piano/Guitar/Vocals). Paul (Saxophones/Vocals).Bill (Bass Guitar/Vocals),Mick Irwin (Drums)
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.
The band continued mainly as a five piece covering pop and rock songs of the day from Mott The Hoople, Wings, Slade, 10cc                                                              . During the mid 70's
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 (Keyboards, Keyboard Bass/Vocals), Chris  (Twin neck Guitar Bass and six string) Bob (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.  The band reverted to Keyboards/Guitar, Bass, Drums 3 piece line up and
 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 Coventry's Horizon Studios Peeping Tom Label (Horizon were the instigators of the Two Tone Ska Label.) The band continued through the 80's performing mainly current chart hits and on to the 90's with a similar policy.

CURRENT LINE UP

Ken (Keyboards/Guitar/Vocals), Paul  (Drums/Vocals), Dave  (Bass/Keyboards/Vocals) Chris (Lead Guitar/Vocals)

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

It is good to know that some 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.
 Chris Camm who was with us for many years reformed PUGMA HO for a while and now performs with J QUAD. Alan Westby last performed with THE CREW until retiring from music. Bob Parsloe is involved with various musical projects and Gordon 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 Melv Lewis has a music business in Melbourne Australia. With our Current Working Line-up, my-self and Paul  were members of the ex 60's 70's Band SIX ACROSS,.until they  finally stopping performing in 2015 .

2002 Reunion BIG BEAT BASH
1968 was 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)




MICK SADLY PASSED AWAY ****** SEPT 25th 2009 *******

 

Gig history