Born where & when?
Watford, Hertfordshire, just post-war and around the time they started knocking down most of the old town. The nursing home where I was born is long gone. No loss – apparently it was a bit of a dump.
Grew up where?
Derbyshire, from age 2.
Early musical interests?
Given a ukulele at age 4 – loved the instrument ever since. Took up guitar at 10, electric guitar at 16. Immediately invited to join a band, The Vulcans (except in those days it was a ‘beat group’) mainly playing dodgy pubs and clubs around Derby. Biggest gig – supporting Dave Berry & The Cruisers, Central Hall, Derby, playing to 1000 people. Very scary at 16! Got kicked out of Vulcans for moonlighting in jazz band, Derwent Jazz Seven (head Vulcan didn't approve!).
Work?
After A-Levels started working for British Rail as management trainee. Digs in London, then Manchester. Continued playing and writing for fun. Liked London and Manchester, didn’t like job. Stuck it for a couple of years then, rather than doing what well-meaning elders around me wanted me to do, left to do what I wanted to do –
Art college
1-year pre-dip at Derby Art College then 3-year diploma in furniture design in Nottingham. Dived into an early marriage while still at college (no, she wasn’t pregnant). Liked doing arty stuff, but preferred writing about it! Spent 7 months on enormous thesis – happiest time of my student life. College was where I met Derek Pearce (who’s been a good friend, colleague and co-writer ever since). We became –
Roaring Jelly
Duo (briefly) then trio, semi-pro (during my 1-year teaching course then day job as art teacher) then pro, 15 years total. Wrote or co-wrote dozens of songs for the band as well as songs and music for TV and radio. See Roaring Jelly page.
Other bands?
After Jelly, spent 12 years in another long-lived band, R. Cajun & The Zydeco Brothers, enjoying best years of the European Cajun boom (late 80s/early 90s) which we played some part in creating. Also active with Zydeco Hot Rods, Back Seat Jivers and recently, of course, Jelly's remanifestation – The Omega 3.
Now?
Musician, guitar/ukulele teacher, freelance writer, happily living in Surrey with second (and last) wife Gill and our son Jackson, a cracking good bass guitarist (look out, Graeme). Sitting at my computer writing this…
CH, 2009
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