NORTH EAST LOCAL HISTORY

AN ANIMAL IS BORN with former Piranha Brothers drummer Tony Hodge

/ Alikivi

On 1st February 1967 on his way to becoming one of the most influential guitarists of the 1960s, Jimi Hendrix played the Cellar Club in South Shields.

A previous post (19 March 2025) looked at the impact this gig had, also mentioned was the opening of the new Cellar Club in December 1966 by Cream.

Reading the article stirred up some memories for North East musician and actor Tony Hodge, he recalled the time he was introduced to the band and in particular the drummer Ginger Baker and how influential he became in his life.

‘In the sixties my good friend Ray Laidlaw played in Downtown Faction along with Rod Clements and Simon Cowe – all three became famous in the amazing band Lindisfarne. Ray and Rod had an excellent bass and drums connection, driving the band’s music with real power – I loved to hear them play’.

‘On many occasions we went to see each other’s bands play at various venues including the Briar Dene Tavern in Whitley Bay and The Nautilus Pub, a short walk from my house that became a regular haunt from 1964 onwards.’

‘I would often go with Micky Balls and meet Ray and other likeminded musicians like Billy Mitchel, Will Browell and Billy Dunn. We always had great meetups and all types of music were discussed’.

Micky Balls and Tony in Newcastle.

‘One night near Christmas 1966 Ray mentioned he had heard of a drummer that played with two bass drums. This drummer apparently could play a drum roll with his feet!’

‘A drum roll is hard enough to play with your hands using sticks, never mind with your feet using foot pedals. I found it hard to do a fast double beat that was required in some pop songs of the time never mind a full drum roll. I said I couldn’t see that it was possible and we had quite a heated discussion about how impossible it would be’.

Fortunately, the band were due to play at Newcastle Club a’Gogo and Ray saw this as a chance to convince Tony. The Club a’Gogo was a popular venue housed in two upstairs rooms above Handyside Arcade in Newcastle.

It opened in 1962 as a jazz club but broadened its musical style and became better known as a Soul, Rhythm n Blues and Rock venue attracting big stars like The Who, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck and local stars The Animals.

Tony explained ‘It was split into two separate rooms each with its own stage three feet up from the floor. One room was called ‘The young set’ for under eighteens and the other was called ‘The jazz lounge’ for everyone young and not so young’.

‘When the big stars played there, they would play a set in each room. This must have been a nightmare for the road crew as during the interval everything needed to be set up in one room then taken down and set up in the other’.

‘If you got in early, you could be right at the front and literally a couple of feet from the stars. That was amazing for a fan. On every visit I always got to the front and had the most amazing view of people who were to become megastars’.

‘We had come to see the band that we had discussed in the pub with this special drummer. It was a newly formed band from London. Unusually they were just a three-piece group, lead guitar, bass guitar and drums and had no separate singer as was the popular set up of the time’.

‘The club had an amazing atmosphere, it was dark and you were all packed in together. Small lights lit the stage which was only big enough for artists to play and not a lot of extra room for big theatrics. The stage was absolutely packed with equipment’.

‘To each corner were two sets of PA speakers and on the right-hand side were four Marshall 4×12 cabinets and the same on the left-hand side. In the middle was a set of Ludwig drums with two tom toms, two floor toms and two bass drums showing the name Ginger on one drum and Baker on the other. Yes, this band was Cream and the amazing drummer Ginger Baker. At this time of course, I had no idea who he was – but that was about to change’.

‘On came a man dressed in a long purple Teddy boy jacket and a ginger quiff with a half pint glass of rum (I think) in his hand. He sat down picked up his sticks and hit all four tom-toms then did an amazing roll on the two bass drums. He stood up and left through the back door of the stage, his sound check completed. This was the one and only Ginger Baker’.

‘Both Ray and I just stood and looked at each other in amazement. The speed and technique were just amazing and so different to us two young drummers, I heard nothing like it before’.

‘I was still recovering when two other guys entered the stage and came to the microphone. Ginger came through and sat down behind this huge kit. They started to play with no count in just heavy tom-tom beats, then guitar, then the man in front of me who was Jack Bruce started to sing ‘Driving in my car, smoking a cigar, the only time I’m happy is when I play my guitar’.

‘The opening to N.S.U. was like nothing I had heard or played – ever! The drums rolled around the kit the volume was deafening and when the guitar solo came in by Eric Clapton the hairs on my neck stood up. It was loud, very loud. It was something you never forget’.

‘The rest of the set was also amazing playing in a style I could never have imagined. Ginger played a drum solo that was again long and loud but it ended with him playing the two bass drums and his tom toms in a chest thumping roll that went on for several minutes.

That was the famous twin bass drum roll Ray had been talking about, it was true, a drummer could play a drum roll with his feet. I had to learn that, I had to be able to play drum rolls with my feet. I was hooked’.

‘The trip back on the bus was all about the miracle we had just seen, a drummer like no other. I was changed overnight, by this one-man, Ginger Baker. Without my friend Ray persuading me to go to the Gogo to see him I would not have become the mad drummer I became. That night ‘Animal’ was born’.

‘I had to have a double bass drum kit and if possible, a Ludwig one. Off again to the music shop and more debt but I got a lovely Ludwig drum kit with a pearl finish just like Ringo Starr. It looked and sounded fantastic’.

‘Once I got this kit my whole style changed. I was more brash and started playing a drum solo at the end of The Pirahna Brothers first half. It was long, loud and not very technical but this new style and the notoriety it brought with it opened many doors. My nickname was ‘Animal’ and people shouted it out at venues’.

More stories from Tony Hodge coming soon including Jimi Hendrix, The Nice, Jethro Tull and Tina Turner.

Edited: Alikivi   May 2025

Link to previous interview with Tony from February 2021 >>>

LUCKY MAN – part one, with North Shields actor & musician Tony Hodge. | ALIKIVI : NORTH EAST UK CULTURE

SOUTH SHIELDS SCHOOL DAZE with former Westoe pupils Ian Taylor & Malcolm Jensen

/ Alikivi

These recollections are from two former pupils who attended Westoe County Secondary School over 50 years ago. The South Shields school was on Iolanthe Terrace and closed down in the 1980s. It had a fearsome reputation amongst schools in the town.

MJ: You could walk past the outdoor toilets, get nabbed and have your head stuffed down the bog with the chain flushed. Plumes of smoke rose from the roofless toilets – I made a Prefect report on the smokers. I knew if I did, they’d kick my head in.

New boys could be thrown over the 6ft wall into the girls school next door. They were unable to climb back over as the girls would de-bag (pull trousers down) them and threaten them with used sanitary products.

Our most dreaded teacher had a bald head onto which he applied some strange lotion that left him wafting carpet cleaner as he went by. Pupils hidden at a distance would shout his nickname whenever he went by in the playground and he’d produce a little note book and jot in it pretending that he knew the culprit to be dealt with later.  

He was once seen kneeling in front of his desk as if it were a sacred shrine. He told the kids he had his hair pulled out in a Japanese prisoner of war camp during the second world war. Other teachers told us to ignore him.

IT: There was obvious staff room conflict regarding his sadistic attitude to the kids and over use of the cane. I recall our English teacher deriding him to us a few times. I remember teachers rowing with him in the dinner hall on a couple of occasions.

MJ: We had an equally dread teacher, when you went into his classroom you’d stay absolutely silent throughout. Although sober he was like an inebriated Oliver Reed on a live chat show, you were on edge from the start fearing his unpredictable behaviour as he’d make it clear from the start, behave or he’d ‘crease you’ or ‘ruddy do you’.

IT: He was a terrifying man, well built with little patience, and there’d be a sudden burst of anger to any pupil he perceived to be play acting – as if anyone would dare – or gave the wrong answer during the lesson.

He kicked my desk on one occasion and it lifted a couple of feet in the air. I was terrified when he started walking towards me and feared he would lay into me.

MJ: Then there was another teacher who’d top up his earnings as a taxi driver. After handing out maths books he’d write out 10 sums on the board complete with answers and get us to copy them out then tell us to do the next 10 on our own.

We couldn’t do any to save our life so when we handed our books in for marking he’d mark the first 10 as correct and the other 10 with a cross. If you dared go to his desk and ask for help in doing one of the remaining sums he’d look up from his newspaper and say ‘Go away – you’re barmy.’

IT: I don’t remember him ever smiling. He was a humourless man. Seemed to me to be just waiting for retirement.

MJ: We only ever went on one school trip early one Saturday morning, a coach trip to Fountains Abbey. From the moment we left we were rowdy and when someone threw a shoe out the window after 20 minutes the teacher had the coach turn round and that was that.

Whenever rumours went round in an afternoon that nearby school Ocean Road were coming round at home time to scrap with us we’d break legs off wooden chairs in preparation but they never once turned up. The teachers never understood why in the morning they’d find all the chairs broken.

We once got involved in an inter-schools quiz – a posh lot turned up as challengers. We thought we’d have no chance but they weren’t all that hot and somehow we had equal scores right up to the last and potential winning question.

‘What sport is played at St Andrews?’ An arm shot up from one of ours. ‘Football’. ‘Incorrect’ came back the answer, they answered ‘Golf’.

We didn’t know about golf at St Andrews only that Birmingham City’s ground was another St Andrews. We wanted our hands on the winners but they received a hurried escort out the building.

IT: The fact that there are no Westoe School class photos  spoke of the low value attached to schooling and futures of those in the lower education system. I reckon there must have been a Caning League mentality amongst some of the staff and a culture in which status was earned based on flair or disciplinary prowess. Maybe some had a City & Guilds qualification in caning. Perhaps the staff room walls were plastered with framed certificates.

MJ: When the school closed down I wonder if they left all their canes behind in a cupboard?

Ian Taylor & Malcolm Jensen

Edited by Alikivi   May 2025

SHORT BACK & SIDES  – with South Shields veteran barber Vernon Gray.

/ Alikivi / 3 Comments

A post on this site back in December 2019 featured memories of Billy Roberts, known locally as Billy Meths (link below). They were written by a 63 year old South Shields resident operating under the pseudonym Tinwhistler.

Recently he got in touch about another well known character from the town somebody who could be in the Guinness book of records.

79 year old Vernon Gray lives in Washington, Tyne & Wear and for four days a week works as a barber at Westoe Bridges in South Shields.

Vernon Gray in his barber shop, South Shields.

‘According to research on the Internet I’m the joint longest surviving barber in the UK! The other fella is 3 years my junior so I’m at least the longest surviving senior barber in the land!’

‘I left school at 15 year old and started as an apprentice way back in 1961. My mother was a hairdresser so that gave me the motivation. I learnt my trade at Melvins on Dean Road, South Shields. Neighbouring businesses were Quigleys, Robertsons who were both fruit and veg and Tissemans the watchmakers and jewellers.’

‘I was at Melvins for a year and a half and then did about a year with Norman Craig at my current Westoe Bridges address. Then went on to do a further two years or so with Ross Neal who had two shops – one at Gaskell Avenue and the other at Whiteleas Way. When Norman Craig retired, he offered me first refusal on the Westoe Bridges business. That was in November 1968’.

‘My favourite part of being a barber is meeting and chatting to customers and members of the public. The hardest part is often having to stand for up to 4 hours per shift without a break. If yer wondering, it’s my sister who cuts my hair!’

Having a bad start to the day or dealing with some awkward customers has brought challenging moments, Verne remembers a couple of incidents.

‘I recall a situation during a Christmas period, the last customer of the day. ‘What are we having?’ I asked. ‘You tell me’ he replied. ‘It doesn’t work like that’ I stated. His reply was that he didn’t like my attitude. I then removed my gown and told him to fuck off! ‘You’re losing money’ was his response and he left the shop’.

‘On tidying up I noticed he’d left an XXL sweater behind, so, hoping he’d return for it I held onto it. I would have asked for a description of it so as to confirm ownership. He never returned but I had a response prepared to say that it wasn’t an XXL but an FB – Fat Bastard.’

‘One morning I turned up possibly not quite alert. I opened the shop up and when I went over to the chair, I suddenly kicked a brick on the floor. ‘That’s funny’ I thought, ‘I don’t remember putting that there.’ Turns out some likely pissed lout had thrown it though the shop window during the night and I hadn’t noticed the massive hole in the window.’

One customer of Verne’s didn’t want a haircut he requested a singing barber.

‘That would be when local town celeb and friend Wavis O’Shave had a non-musical troupe called The Borestiffers. He talked me into being recorded singing ‘Obladi Oblada’ in the shop after hours. Under his instruction I played the scissors, clippers and hair drier. He put it on a cassette album!’

‘Wavis would call me ‘Sweeney’ for fun and when I once went to Malta I saw a barbers there actually called ‘Sweeneys’ which I found amusing.’

The scorching heat during summer 1976 brought some unwanted guests to the shop.

‘Three whopping great rats had come out of Hornsby’s bike shop garage next door to my shop. They hid under a parked car so I’m told and then trooped into my packed out shop which emptied in a second. Two blokes tried to hit them with rolled up newspapers and I came out armed with scissors and a trimmer. I saw two fellas who I knew sitting on the nearby wall and asked if they’d sent them in!’

Verne talked about today’s barbers and his plans for the future.

‘Modern day barbers have their place and seem to suit people. I’m not interested in offering advice to them as this is a totally different era. For me, I never thought of quitting. The job suits my personality.’

Original interview by Tinwhistler.

Edited by Alikivi  May 2025.

Link to feature on Billy Meths >>>

BILLY’S STORY -The artist formerly known as Meths. | ALIKIVI : NORTH EAST UK CULTURE

GEORDIE HUNT SABS BENEFIT GIG

/ Alikivi

All needles are gonna be in the red zone at Newcastle Trillians this Sunday for the Geordie Hunt Sabs benefit gig. Sin City Rockers, Extinction of Mankind, Cazimi and Bastard Face are the four face peeling punk bands who’ve promised this’ll be the only show in town.

GHS member Rosie Brock “We are really grateful to all the bands who dedicated their effort and time to the upcoming gig”.

The GHS recently received some great news as they are now officially approved by the Hunt Saboteurs Association.

“After our hard work we have been recognised for our dedication and commitment to protesting wildlife and taking direct action against bloodsports. We’re proud to stand alongside other HAS groups in the UK” explained Rosie.

Throughout the summer the GHS continue their vital animal rights work by fundraising. On the door for the gig is £10 for this important cause.

“All the money that we raise now goes towards keeping us on the road, we need petrol and money for repairs after tyres are slashed and windows broken. Be part of the resistance on Sunday May 4th at Trillians in Princess Square, Newcastle”.

Further insight to the work of the Geordie Hunt Sabs >>>

HOWAY THE SABS – GEORDIE HUNT SABOTEURS WANT YOU | ALIKIVI : NORTH EAST UK CULTURE

GIVE THE FOX ANOTHER GUN – with Geordie Hunt Saboteurs member Rosie Brock | ALIKIVI : NORTH EAST UK CULTURE

GIVE THE FOX A GUN – with Teesside musician Bob Campbell | ALIKIVI : NORTH EAST UK CULTURE

Alikivi   April 2025

GIVE THE FOX A GUN – with Teesside musician Bob Campbell

/ Alikivi / 1 Comment

Heart beating fast, he’s running for his life

Chased by morons, no value to their life

Bring back hunting, give the fox a gun.

(Mensforth/Newton, Angelic Upstarts)

The North East has become a home from home for 57 year old Bob Campbell. In a phone call he talked about his love of music and his contribution to the punk compilation record produced in support of Hunt Saboteurs.

I love punk. You know punk to me is urban folk music – music by the people for the people. You’d have people in rural areas singing about combine harvesters then you’d have punks singing about inner city decay, the music was full of energy. After first hearing it in 1977 – I thought that’s for me.

I was born on the Isle of Lewis and grew up in Perthshire, Scotland and came down to the North East to study at Sunderland Polytechnic in 1985. I worked in Gateshead and Blyth before finally ending up working here on Teesside since 1992. My wife is local to this area and my son was born here – yeh you could say I like the North East.

I’ve been taking my son to Rebellion Festival in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens since he was 9 year old – he’s now 28. He formed The Anti septics who played the festival twice. I took the band to a lot of their gigs where I was always down the front dancing. I’m 6 foot 5 with a mohawk hair cut and wear bright colours when everyone wears dark clothes. I stand out a bit! I don’t care what people think.

I started writing songs in the late 90s then during the covid lockdown I wrote over 300 and just wanted to give them a life. I couldn’t find people to sing them as they wanted to sing their own songs so I thought I’d do it myself. I went to a few folk clubs got some ideas and formed a band in October 2022. Last August the Gutter Folk played on the Rebellion Festival – it was like holy shit!

For years on the punk scene I’ve been friends with Julian Kynaston who is a huge supporter of Hunt Sabs. He set up a gig in September 2022 in Barnsley and got me to do two songs acapella – basically my first time on stage!

At that gig headlined by UK Subs, their frontman Charlie Harper said ‘Those people who kill foxes, just remember they’ll kill you without a fucking thought’. That quote really struck a chord with Julian and inspired him to put out the compilation album ‘Give the Fox a Gun’.

Back cover of the album with Charlie Harper quote.

We recorded a couple of songs about fox hunting. As I was a countryside ranger for 20 years I know a shit load about foxes and the lies told by the fox hunting fraternity so I can articulate that into the songs.

Julian Kynaston and Alan Walton produced the album which features bands including Gutter Folk from Middlesbrough, Darlington’s In Evil Hour, Burning Flag from Halifax and punk royalty Angelic Upstarts from South Shields who contribute with their anti-hunt track ‘Give the Fox a Gun’.

Countryside wildlife was my profession for 20 years, I was a ranger around the Tees Valley so I know a lot about fox habits. Foxes are incredibly clever and smart essentially they are scavengers they would rather find something already dead than hunt for food.

When they are being hunted they will take to ground and some hunts dig them out. They’ll climb trees and follow streams so as not to leave a scent.

When sheep are worried, they huddle into a pack which is their defence mechanism. The fox will go into the middle of a flock of sheep who aren’t bothered about the fox. When the hunting dogs come along the sheep huddle tightly keeping the fox safe from the dogs.

The hunt say what they do is pest control but really they don’t catch enough to make a difference on numbers and they say it’s only the sick or old animals they hunt. It’s absolute lies. They breed and release foxes in areas they don’t know, they are completely lost so it’s an easier hunt for them.

One time they were importing foxes from France – that’s not pest control. No, the only reason they do it is for rich people to see a living animal torn to shreds in front of their eyes.

Why would they want to introduce the killing of defenceless animals to their children? They smear their kid’s faces with the fox’s blood that’s just been murdered in front of them. Hunters try to justify it as a kind way to go….no the animals are just scared, terrified.

Do you know fox hunters will pay men to protect the hunt and beat up the Sabs? Thing is fox hunting is illegal. It’s madness when you think that they are paying people to beat up people who are on the right side of the law. What we’ve had for many years is Hunt Sabs trying to break up and disturb the fox hunt – the fight goes on.

The Hunt Sabs are aiming to raise money to go towards buying equipment like a vehicle or drones to help their work. All takings from the album go toward supporting the Hunt Sabs – 90% Sheffield Hunt Sabs & 10% Gabo Wildlife.

To buy the 13 track compilation album on red vinyl contact the official website >>>  www.givethefoxagun.com

Alikivi   April 2025

FORGOTTEN WW1 FEMALE FOOTBALL STAR MARY LYONS TO GET A HEADSTONE

/ Alikivi

She died a forgotten hero in 1979, but WW1 women’s football superstar Mary Lyons is about to get the recognition she deserves when a headstone on her previously unmarked Jarrow grave is unveiled in April.

Mary was born in 1902 in Jarrow. In 1918 aged just 15 she became the youngest-ever England footballer and goal scorer when on her debut she scored in front of 20,000 people against Scotland at St James’ Park, Newcastle. It is a record that still stands today, and yet her achievements have been written out of history – until now!

Mary died in Primrose Hill hospital, Jarrow, in 1979, aged 76, and was laid to rest in an unmarked grave with three others. The Friends of Jarrow Cemetery have been at the forefront of getting recognition for the town’s forgotten football hero and, last year after discovering her final resting place, erected a 3ft wooden cross to mark the grave.

However, Mary features prominently in Wor Bella by South Tyneside-based playwright Ed Waugh (Dirty Dusting, Carrying David, Hadaway Harry). Bella Reay was played by North East actress Catherine Dryden.

Catherine Dryden (‘Wor Bella’) in Blyth football strip.

Due to the success of that play in the North East in 2022 and its hugely successful re-run in London and Newcastle Theatre Royal last year, the Friends of Jarrow Cemetery moved to get Mary a permanent headstone.

Jarrow amateur historian Stewart Hill, 73, and Tricia Vickers, 67, are members of the Friends and have led the way in getting recognition for Mary. Stewart explained “Mary was the youngest of eight siblings and she worked in Jarrow shipyard during WW1. She was a tremendous footballer by all accounts. She debuted for Jarrow Palmers when she was only 15 and quickly caught the eye. In May 1918, she was seconded to the mighty Blyth Spartans for the Munitionettes’ Cup final against Bolckow Vaughan of Middlesbrough”.

“Mary scored a goal in the 5-0 victory at Ayresome Park, in front of 22,000 spectators and was crowned ‘Player of the Match’. The following year Mary captained Jarrow Palmers to win the Munitionettes’ cup at St James’ Park, in front of 9,000 supporters.”

Stewart added “So by the age of 16, Mary had won two cup finals, scored in one, captained her team in the other and became the youngest-ever England player and goal scorer! What a brilliant achievement! Imagine what she would be like today, given the modern game and opportunities.”

Tricia, said “Our great friend George Le-Blond of Abbey Memorials in Jarrow has generously donated the beautiful marble headstone and genealogist Sam Nicol has been a great help trawling through hundreds of newspaper articles for information.”

She continued “Friends of Jarrow Cemetery work to keep the cemetery welcoming and clean, and make it safe for people and their loved ones. This is a tremendous development. Mary and the WW1 women footballers should be an inspiration to young women everywhere.”

Christine Knox (on the left) being presented in 2024 with her red England Legacy Cap by Lioness Lauren Hemp. The cap is numbered 36 to mark Christine’s legacy number – the 36th women to play for England. The presentation took place at St. George’s Park, the national football centre, in Staffordshire.

The unveiling will take place at Jarrow Cemetery on Sunday, April 27, at 11.30am, everyone is welcome to attend. A brass band will lead the procession to the grave and ex-England Lionesses Christine Knox and Aran Embleton will perform the unveiling ceremony.

Christine, who won ten England caps in the 1970s and 1980s, played for Wallsend Ladies, Whitley Bay Ladies and North Shields Ladies.

Aran, the first millennial Geordie Lioness, gained four England caps and played for Blyth Spartans, Sunderland Ladies and Doncaster Belles in her illustrious career.

Aran Embleton holding an England cap.

Aran said “I am proud to have been invited to recognise Mary who, like the incredible Bella Reay of Blyth Spartans and other women of their generation, played women’s football until it was criminally banned by the FA in 1921. Players like Christine and I, and the current Lionesses, stand on the shoulders of these brilliant working class women from more than 100 years ago.”

Following the unveiling at Jarrow Cemetery, there will be refreshments and a celebration of Mary’s footballing achievements at the Iona Club, Hebburn. Due to start at noon, speakers at the event will be Wor Bella co-producer Jane Harker, Aran and Christine and Wor Bella actress Catherine Dryden. The event is public and entry is free.

April 2025

C’EST LA VIE – with musician Mark Aynsley Hay

/ Alikivi / 3 Comments
Mark in his studio.

Retired since 2010 and now living in France, Mark was born in Teesville on the outskirts of Middlesbrough where he began playing piano at 7 year old and by 15 started working in showbusiness.

Initially, it was my older sister Margaret who influenced me, she was a brilliant pianist and suggested I start piano lessons. Most weekends the family would sing all the popular up to date songs of the fifties accompanied by my sister on piano recalls Mark.

Of all his experiences in showbusiness it’s a cliché to say but Mark really has been there, done it and worn out the t-shirt. Read on for some of his highs and lows.

For many years I ended up working as a singer and entertainer on the North East club circuit, before moving to Manchester in 1976 where I continued performing while also working as a session singer for the BBC.

Throughout my career I’ve also performed in countries like Norway, Malta and the casino circuit in Portugal plus venues like Bristol Hippodrome and Liverpool Empire. I’ve even worked seasons at Butlins holiday camp.

Mark performing on the North East club circuit.

When did you get your first big break?

Between 1967 to 1969 I was singing with the Bill Sowerby big band at the Top Rank suite in Sunderland. The band regularly supported big name groups who appeared there. Slade and Family come to mind.

On one occasion Radio One DJ ‘Emperor Rosco’ – real name Michael Pasternak – was appearing at the Top Rank with his road show. I happened to be in the venue rehearsing an original song with the big band.

After we finished, Roscoe introduced himself “if you ever fancy moving to London and working as a session singer, you’d be welcome”. He gave me his card and a few months later I took him up on his offer.

When I started working for Rosko he was in the process of forming his own independent record label Mother Records. He co-wrote a song ‘909’ which I recorded as a demo, which presumably was meant for a name artist.

Rosko’s management took the demo along to EMI to discuss a distribution deal for Mother Records. The feedback I received was that they were very impressed with my version and would like to distribute the song.

The song was released in 1971 and started to receive air play with favourable reviews in music magazines. From what I remember it received good reviews on Rosko’s round table and the Pete Murray show as well as other Radio One shows. The only negative review was from Tommy Vance.

Just when Mark was making headway in the music biz a scandal hit the headlines. ‘Bribes at the BBC’ the Sunday newspapers suggested that certain BBC DJs were being paid by record companies to play their records. 

Rosko was not mentioned or involved however it stopped DJs at the BBC from being involved in any third-party interests explained Mark. However, he knew he needed to keep up the momentum that he had built up so far.

Rosko’s management approached me and suggested that I should promote the record on the cabaret circuit and local radio stations. In comes Colin Hutchinson. 

Colin was based in Middlesbrough and booked the artistes who appeared at the Fiesta Cabaret club in Stockton. Subsequently I signed a five year management and agency contract.

Colin promoted me as a solo entertainer and ironically one of the first venues where I promoted the record was at the Top Rank Suite in Sunderland for a local BBC radio station.

‘You’ll Never See Julie Again’ recorded by Frankie Vaughan.

By 1974 things were looking up, management approached me and put an idea on the table. They said although Frankie Vaughan’s career was slightly waning – having been a big star in the late fifties and sixties – he still had massive pre-sales orders regarding record sales.

By this time, I’d started singing on cruise ships and when on one P&O liner I sat down and wrote ‘I’ll Never See Julie Again’. Within two weeks of being on dry land I recorded a demo version of the song at Keith Murray and Billy Hygates studio in Redcar using local musicians. The song was published with EMI and produced by Les Reed for Columbia records.

Unfortunately, 1974 was a bad year all round for record pressing due to a major shortage of plastics. The major companies gave preference to guaranteed sellers – chart bands like Paper Lace.

Coincidently, in 2020 Mark teamed up with songwriter Chris Morris who was vocalist and guitarist with 70’s pop band Paper Lace who appeared on TV talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks’ and had UK chart hits including a number 1 ‘Billy Don’t be a Hero’ in March 1974.

Regardless of negatives, the first PRS cheque I received for ‘I’ll Never See Julie Again’ noted that the song had sold well in Canada and Australia with reasonable UK sales. We appeared on at least 14 different TV shows to promote the single.

Looking back, I think I’ve had a few setbacks when it comes to recording and record releases however regardless of this, I’m really grateful for the opportunities I’ve received during my career.

On the bill with Bob Monkhouse and Harry Secombe.

What was your experience of working on cruise ships?

I started performing on cruise ships at the age of 25 and initially I was naive as to how it worked. The cruising market at that time was very old fashioned, for example the ship was split between first class and tourist.

There was a first class room on the old Canberra with decor like an old fashioned colonial Gentleman’s club. I only sang there once as after I performed the first two songs combined with topical patter, I was aware that none of the snobby gentlemen were interested. A number of them were sleeping with the Times newspaper covering their face.

After my third song I announced in a rather cheeky way that I had better places to perform, audiences normally listen and react to my show. I walked off to the sound of my own footsteps. Needless to say, I was never asked to work there again.

Fortunately, the cruise director had an idea to double me up to perform in the night club come cabaret lounge for the tourists. On that show and subsequent performances, I received standing ovations from the audience.

Some months later I was sent a P&O in house magazine with an article written by the same cruise director on the Canberra – ‘Mark Aynsley and another young entertainer called Billy Hygate were like a breath of fresh air’.

It went on to say that the future of entertainment on cruise ships was changing and both Mark and Billy had lifted the bar to a higher and modern level.

What are you doing now and can you bring your story up to date?

In 1982 my wife Alison and I established Almara Music Productions. Almara was an agency that represented vocalists, dancers, bands, comedians and magicians in varied fields of TV, entertainment, cruise ships, theatres, cabaret and summer season shows.

We retired in 2010 and permanently moved to south west France although since retiring, Almara Music Productions continues to be the platform for my songwriting promotion.

To listen to a compilation of music by Mark Aynsley Hay & Chris Morris plus family, friends & associates check out the official website: http://www.chrismarkmusic.com

Alikivi   March 2025

HENDRIX IN SHIELDS

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In December 1966 a brand new £50,000 club in South Shields was opened by Cream featuring Eric Clapton on guitar. Back in 2007 I interviewed businessman and owner Stan Henry.

“I used to run a school of dancing with my mother in Beach Road and we wanted to expand our facilities because it was limited in size. So, we went to the local authorities and they gave us a site in Thomas Street which we built the Cellar Club on. We had the Cream on and Jimi Hendrix was there”.

In the coming months Geno Washington, The Family and the John Mayall Blues Breakers were booked to appear, however on Wednesday 1st February 1967 the Jimi Hendrix Experience played The Cellar Club.

On the same night, entertainment in the town included local stage acts at various clubs including the Latino, La Strada, Ranch House and at the ABC cinema the main feature film was ‘One Million Years B.C.’ starring Raquel Welch – wey she was in technicolour!

But the big draw at the 200 capacity Cellar Club was Hendrix. Being just a bairn I wasn’t there but I did find two punters who were regulars at the club. Local musician and regular Rod Hall remembers…

“The Cellar Club was my second home you know. I remember walking down the street near the club and this van pulled up and a bloke popped his head out and asked in a deep voice “Where’s the Cellar Club?” I looked at him and it was Eric Clapton on Fowler Street in a van!”

Another regular was music fan David Robertson “My road to Damascus moment was seeing Jimi Hendrix at the Cellar Club. At first, we thought he better be good cos we’ve paid about ten bob to get in. After watching Eric Clapton everyone wanted to be a guitarist. After Hendrix everybody wanted to be in a band”.

On the off chance the local newspaper had written a review of the gig I recently popped into the local history section of The Word (library) and searched the archives. Luckily, I found this in the Shields Gazette by reporter David Jenkins, it was printed Thursday 9th February 1967. This picture needs to be credited but I think the photograph was taken in the Cellar Club by South Shields photographer Freddie Mudditt.

(Review start) Jimi will soon be ‘leading the fleet’ (headline)

Jimi Hendrix IS an experience. Like a drop of gin in a bucket of retired tonic, heady serum for post teen starvation (which, finger shakily on my own pulse, I diagnose these days).

The actual teen scene of the Cellar Club though like Madame Tussaud’s. The 23 year old next to me gasped “Go” and people turned to stare.

Playing his guitar with his teeth, his Indian head-dress tubes of hair flailing, he fixes a glorious enraptured grin on his face. Little spouts of sweat gloop from temples.

More important, the fiery body of sound, the completely original effect he squeezes out of his guitar. “Follow that” said Les Gofton, lead singer of The Bond, who were to take over later – make Hendrix the most exciting animal in the cage at the moment.

But the Cellar is inhabited by so many? (unreadable). A Wild Thing like you never heard it raises a small cheer, small beer. What on earth do you want?

Well, wait a couple of years, when you have heard another 10,000 discs, as I have, and you too will fall about a Hendrix. (He came up specially to South Shields for this one night appearance). Some day soon he will be the admiral-in-chief. Pipe him aboard somebody, for heavens sake. (Review end)

Little did they know the impact that Jimi Hendrix and his music would have. He has been described as one of the most influential guitarists of the 1960s, but sadly he died in London on 18 September 1970 aged just 27.

After being in business as a nightclub during the 80s and 90s the Cellar was revived as a live music venue until the club was sold and renovated into a dental practice in the 2000s.

If you have a story about the Cellar Club to add to the site just get in touch.

Alikivi   March 2025

SHORT CUTS – Hendrix & Lemmy in Shields

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The music world has always had its fair share of myths, legends and hell raising antics. The time Ozzy bit the head off a dove or was it a bat? Well both actually. According to reports one was in record company offices the other was live on stage. He also snorted a line of ants. The list is endless for the Oz.

I came across a gaffer tape incident involving a music journalist and Killing Joke, as I was trying to find out who, where and when it happened – if it did! There were other short stories I read some with North East connections.

Sadly, both deceased now, Lemmy and Jimi Hendrix were two of music’s biggest characters – their spirit and influence live on. But what is their connection to my home town of South Shields?

In his autobiography ‘White Line Fever’ Lemmy recalls that in early 1967 “I went up north. I woke up one morning sitting on a beach in South Shields eating cold baked beans out of a can with my comb. I thought there’s got to be more to life than this.”

Was this just a random visit to the seaside town? Why not go to the main cities of Newcastle or Sunderland close by, or was there someone or something else in the town that attracted him?

Around the same time Lemmy was a roadie for Jimi Hendrix. He explained in his biography that in early 1967 he got in touch with a friend, Neville Chesters, who was a roadie for Hendrix. Lemmy ended up dossing down at Neville’s London flat that he was sharing with Hendrix’s bass player.

Lemmy recalls “They needed a spare set of hands, so about three weeks after I landed at Neville’s, I got a job working with them. I worked for Hendrix’s band for about a year on all the TV shows and tours through England. I was only a fetcher and a lifter but still it was an amazing experience”.

Even though he didn’t expand on the beach story the timeline of the visit to South Shields and a gig sort of fits, but what we do know for certain is that Jimi Hendrix played the Cellar Club, South Shields on 1st February 1967.

When Lemmy was a roadie was that when he ended up on South Shields beach and not on a random visit? Or has he been twice? We’ve got to take in account that after a full on rock n roll lifestyle with Hawkwind and Motorhead, Lemmy’s memory might have been a bit fuzzy remembering events for his biography.

Just a couple of thoughts here – the beach is only a 5 minute drive away from the club, plus to hoy a spanner in the works was Lemmy even a roadie at the Shields gig or did he join the road crew at a later date?

He explained in his biography – ‘I worked for Hendrix’s band for about a year on all the TV shows and the tours through England’. I suppose we’ll never know for certain unless a Hendrix or Lemmy aficionado can help nail down specific dates. Anyone got access to their diaries!

A post looking further into Hendrix’s South Shields gig will be added to the site soon. Where you there in the audience? Where you a member of local band The Bond who also played that night? If you have any information, much appreciated if you get in touch.

Alikivi   March 2025

Research >>>

White Line Fever by Lemmy with Janiss Garza.

Concert Archives – Jimi Hendrix

ALIKIVI IN NUMBERS

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Big thanks to all the readers of the site with just over 4,000 for January and a total of 418,000 since the first post in February 2017. There was an extra push on social media for ‘The Butchers of Bolingbroke’ (Angelic Upstarts) and the punk band proved as popular now after first posting the interview in 2017.

January readers in UK & USA have contributed most views to the site, however there’s been a spike in numbers from Australia and Sweden after another social media push on ‘Ticket to Ride’ from promoter Julie Clay in 2021 and ‘Light ‘Em Up’ from stagehand & lighting technician Par Can in 2023.

Finishing with a big number crunch from the backroom statistics uncover the largest number of referrers to the site are from Google search then Facebook, with smaller numbers from Twitter, Bing and Yahoo.

Drilling down into the count for daily views reveal a rise from the first year (2017) of 46 to 219 in 2020 and 212 the next year, with a slight drop to 147 in 2024. Average views per day in the first month of this year are at 130.

Well, it’s just about the end of the eighth year of the site, loved every minute of working on it and meeting everyone I’ve interviewed over the years. I look forward to seeing who or what will turn up in 2025. If you’ve got a story to add, just get in touch.

Alikivi   January 2025