‘Chasing the Rainbow’ is my debut solo album and at the age of 72 I feel a real sense of achievement to have done this explained Phil. I first made music in 1959 when I was 7 year old with my two brothers Pete who was 10 and Paul who was 5. We’d give concerts in our parent’s garden, we loved singing in harmony. I’ve been so fortunate to make music with my brothers.
Arbre were signed to DJM records in 1975 and released two albums and four singles in the mid to late 70’s. By the 2000s The Caffrey Brothers formed and released four CD’s.
Phil added Lately I’ve worked with a number of musicians and recorded a new album in Stuart Emerson’s studio. The first track Rollin Thunder is about how life can be frantic and not having time to take stock. It can also be about how the weather is changing and we need to do something before it is too late.
The Lion Share is about someone who wants and takes more out of a relationship and Measure asks questions as somethings are not always easy to work out or see. There are things that are difficult to measure, love being one of them.
Meet Me in Heaven is about meeting someone somewhere at sometime, maybe in the future. Final track Chasing the Rainbow is about striving to reach a goal in life. I think we are all chasing a rainbow of some description.
Musicians on the album are Phil Caffrey – lead vocal, backing vocals and acoustic guitar. Stuart Emerson – acoustic and electric guitars, bass, piano, keyboards and backing vocals. Paul Smith – drums, percussion and congas. Michael Bailey – bass guitar, Rachael Bailey – accordion and violin.
For more information contact The Caffreys on social media/facebook. The CD is also available on all music platforms to download or stream.
Following on from the success of her debut in 2022 ‘Wish Her Well’ and the highly acclaimed 2023 release ‘Memphis Calling’, which was recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Studios in Memphis, Teesside singer Emma Wilson releases her third album ‘A Spoonful of Willie Dixon’.
The recording is always a joyous experience and not like work at all said Emma if I could be in the studio every day of my life I would – well so long as I could gig in the evenings!
After recording Willies’ Hoochie Coochie Ma (ma) on ‘Memphis Calling’ – prompting pianist Archie ‘Hubbie’ Turner from the Hi-Rhythm Section to exclaim “She’s not from Middlesbrough, she’s from Mississippi!” Emma was inspired to sing more of Dixon’s songs and record them with her British band.
Even though I have a distribution deal with ‘Select-O-Hits’ and a great publicist in Frank Roszak, I do the rest of the work myself regarding the release of the record, such as PRS, PPL, coding, mastering and publishing which I have had to teach myself – I’m like my own record company.
Returning to her beloved Memphis in May 2024, Emma performed at the inaugural Riverbeat festival with The Bo-Keys – who’s bandleader Scott Bomar produced ‘Memphis Calling’.
The Riverbeat Festival in Memphis was amazing, it’s held right beside the Mississippi in Tom Lee Park, I felt so thrilled to be there, even checking into the backstage was an experience. I think I was the only British artist there, you become a bit of a novelty “Wow you’re from England!”
Everyone was very welcoming particularly the musicians I played with – Scott Bomar – who produced my album ‘Memphis Calling’. My pal Archie ‘Hubbie’ Turner who also played piano on ‘Memphis Calling’ and the wonderful Bo-Keys.
The stage was openair and even though the heat was sultry there was a cool breeze coming off the river giving it an even more cinematic atmosphere, everything felt sort of slowed down, or maybe that was me trying to take it all in or the ‘Purple Rain’ wine Hubbie gave me!
The audience was vast and I was buzzing to get on. In fact, when we did What Kind Of Love it lasted so long I think we played the 12 inch remix! I also got to watch all the other bands from the VIP area including The Fugees who were pretty spectacular.
Emma then drove down the Blues Highway to Clarksdale to sing at the legendary Ground Zero Club at the invitation of the Pinetop Perkins Foundation. Playing at Ground Zero the iconic club in Clarksdale, Mississippi – which is owned by Morgan Freeman – was a different experience again. It’s a super cool club seating around 300. I was invited to sing at the annual fundraiser the Pinetop Perkins Crawfish Boil.
I performed with the Pinetoppers – students from the Pinetop Perkins Foundation – they were fantastic, full of soul, groove and most of all blues. Backstage they asked so what do you want to play? got a key? got a groove?
Look out for Harrell ‘Young Rell’ Davenport, Danny ‘Guitarwood’ Garwood, Wyly Bigger and Six String Andrew, they really are the blues stars of the future.
We played five blues standards including House of the Rising Sun where I managed to get in a plug about being from the North East of England and mentioning The Animals.
The club itself is great, it looks like a really old vintage venue with cool graffiti on the walls, flags hanging from the ceiling and long wooden tables which the gorgeous waitresses seem to glide between serving beer and wings.
It’s a special place and I loved it. Everyone should go to Memphis and Clarksdale it’s easy just drive down the Blues Highway.
Emma & Hubbie Turner at Riverbeat Festival, Memphis.
You have a few UK gigs scheduled – anymore in the pipeline?
Yes, we have a lot in the UK and more coming in all the time, thanks to the new album release which has boosted our profile. We have a headline at the Texel Blues Festival in the Netherlands, I’m also going to Germany to do some guest spots and then back to USA to promote the record in September.
‘Good to the Last Drop’ 2025 UK tour dates >>>
Saturday 21 June ‘Blues & Soul Revue’ + Trevor Sewell & Lola-Rose, Hutton Rudby village hall, North Yorks. 7:30pm
Tuesday 24 June ‘Bletchley Blues Club’ special guest Terry Marshall (sax) Bletchley, Milton Keynes. 8pm
Sunday 13 July ‘Flying Circus’, Newark. 4pm
Tuesday 29 July ‘The 100 club’, London. 8pm + Thomas Heppell
Sunday 3 August ‘Tyne bar’, Newcastle 4pm
Saturday 9 August “Blues & Soul Revue” + Robin Bibi & Lola-rose Hutton Rudby village hall, North Yorks 7:30pm
Saturday 13 September ‘Flying Circus’ ‘Not the Newark Blues Fest’ 4pm
Friday 10th October Texel Blues Festival, Netherlands
Friday 17 October ‘Crawdaddy club’ The Turk’s Head, Twickenham 8pm
Sunday 7th December Looe Blues Festival, Plymouth
Thursday 18 December ‘Leeds blues club’ Christmas party.
David Haldane appearing at the Lit & Phil, Newcastle on 23 April 2025.
David Haldane’s work has appeared in a number of national newspapers including Punch, The Express, Mirror, Guardian, Telegraph, Daily Mail and TheTimes. On Wednesday 23rd April he is booked at Newcastle’s Lit &Phil where he will be sharing stories from his life.
Now living in Morpeth he said “It’s been an incredible 50 or so years learning about drawing cartoons and then creating them for the leading newspapers and magazines in the country.”
Born in 1954, David started his career in the 70s working for the Shields Gazette“I was working for the art department at the Gazette. I received my first pay packet there, every Friday, in cash. It was so busy with three editions of the paper every day. It was like Fleet Street!”
During the 1980s David contributed sketches to the original series of Spitting Image. Now retired from The Times, his latest cartoons regularly appear in the satirical magazine Private Eye.
Playwright Ed Waugh is hosting the evening at the Lit & Phil “I’ve known David for over 20 years and he’s both very sharp and very funny. You have to be to create top-class satirical cartoons every day, often at very short notice, for national newspaper front pages”.
He continued “David’s career stories are both deep and hilarious. It will be a fantastic evening for people who want a laugh and those who want to find out about some of the stories behind the many thousands of tremendous cartoons David has created and had published.”
Tickets for the Lit & Phil are only £5 and can be bought on line
Jeff Brown & Ian Payne appearing at North Shields Exchange 29 April 2025.
Two of the region’s most loved television icons will be appearing in North Shields this month on their regional tour. Jeff Brown and Ian Payne who between them presented award-winning local news on the BBC and Tyne Tees Television for more than 30 years will be sharing the stage at the Exchange Theatre.
People will get the chance to learn about the interests and lives of these TV personalities who have been welcome guests in our living rooms for decades.
Jeff, 62, joined the BBC over 20 years ago, co-presented Look North with Carol Malia until he left in May last year. Ian, 56, joined Tyne Tees in 1992 from Nova International where he worked with Brendan Foster on the Great North Run. Ian has presented with Mike Neville and the much-loved Pam Royle. He now shares news anchor duties with Amy Lea.
Despite once being on rival stations they are good mates – having worked together at Tyne Tees for six and a half years in the 1990s.
The compere for the evening will be South Shields playwright Ed Waugh (Wor Bella, Hadaway Harry, The Cramlington Train Wreckers) whose play Carrying David transfers to Newcastle Theatre Royal in June. Ed explained “I’ve worked with Jeff and Ian at various times, especially at Sunday for Sammy. They’re both really entertaining and interesting lads. Whenever we get together it’s one long laugh.”
He continued “We put them together a year ago at the Lit & Phil in Newcastle and the Customs House in South Shields where it sold out twice at both venues. It went down a storm.They are both cultural icons of the region, that’s why we are touring to The Exchange in North Shields, Gala Theatre Durham, Bishop Auckland Town Hall and Gosforth Civic theatre.”
Ed continued “Ian was a top trampolinist in his youth and appeared on the children’s television show Blockbusters! He’s also a creative writer, a budding artist and loves music. Likewise, Jeff is a creative writer. His excellent play – The Bench – is touring the region in June. He’s also a canny chanter. I’ve seen him sing live with a band and he rocked”
“It’s a cracking show their stories are captivating and hilarious. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get to know Jeff and Ian better.”
An Evening with Jeff Brown and Ian Payne will be at: Durham Gala April 24, North Shields Exchange April 29, Bishop Auckland Town Hall May 12, Gosforth Civic Theatre May 16. Contact the venues for details.
GHS (Group for Hunt Sabotage) has been active since October 2023 currently with a team of 8 active sabs. However, for the past 5 years Rosie Brock and her loyal sab dog Pogo have been monitoring the Braes hunt, often solo or with a small crew.
“In August young hounds are trained to chase and kill foxes. These cruel sessions take place before dawn meaning sabs are up at 4am for 4-6 weeks. This rolls straight into the main hunting season which stretches through to March ending with the traditional hunt celebration – the hunt ball” explained Rosie.
GHS continue through spring and summer with animal rights work including fundraising and direct action. Recently the GHS received some great news – from February this year they are officially approved and affiliated with the Hunt Saboteurs Association.
“After hard work and close monitoring of our actions, we’ve been recognised for our dedication and commitment to protecting wildlife and taking direct action against bloodsports. We’re proud to stand alongside other HSA groups in the UK”.
“Massive thanks to everyone who has supported us so far – whether in the field or just cheered us on – we see you. But now is the time to get involved.Whether you’re a seasoned sab or brand new to the scene there’s a role for you in the Geordie Hunt Saboteurs. Essentially, we‘re looking for people to stand up, speak out and save wildlife”.
Can you fit into the GHS?“We need boots on the ground, foot soldiers who are willing and ready to hit the fields and get muddy. We need drivers to get us there safely. We need sharp eyed quick thinking map readers and fundraisers to help keep us mobile and moving. We have a number of on-line platforms so we’re after media savvy folk to take the reins and grow our voice” added Rosie.
“We’ll show you the ropes and provide full training but most of it is really just good old fashioned common sense. You’ll see the countryside in all its glory – or inglory, and you’ll be part of something real. Get stuck in. Be part of the resistance. Join today”.
We’re in old favourite the Centurion bar in Newcastle Central Station where I’ve talked to a few contributors to the site. This is our first time meeting however Rosie wasn’t hard to spot with her nose rings and orange hair.
Rosie is 58 years young and retired from Newcastle Social Services, she talks about her strong working class background…My mam was a nurse at Newcastle General hospital and my dad was a welder in Swan Hunters shipyard. Being small, he worked in the bowels of the ships.
Rosie is a member of Geordie Hunt Sabs, a North East group established to expose illegal fox hunting and other blood sports. The Sabs use non-violent direct action to protect wildlife from cruelty.
We want to hold hunts accountable and try and make sure the law is upheld.I thought in 2004 when Tony Blair was in government, he would ban fox hunting completely but I think they left so many loopholes that nothing much has changed.
I’ve always been passionate about animals and animal rights but thinking back to when I first stopped eating meat was when I was about 13 year old. I never liked the texture and taste of bacon.
At family dinner I used to ask my dad to swap my meat for some carrots. One day I asked where did it come from ‘a pig’. ‘So, a pig’s been killed so I can eat that?’ That was it. That was the moment. I started thinking why do they have different names like pork or bacon? It doesn’t sound like pig where it actually comes from.
Me mam used to put bits of chicken inside my mashed potato, when I’d find it I’d spit it out ‘You’re gonna die if you don’t eat meat’ she’d say. I found a magazine with recipes without meat and gave her them. This was 1980 when I made the connection.
I was listening to punk bands like Dead Kennedys, Crass, Anti System, reading all their lyrics I discovered there were people out there like me. Back in the day it was always punks and alternative people who went out Sabbing.
When I left school I went on a YTS government scheme and worked in Phaze a shop for alternative clothing in Newcastle. The shop done a lot of mail order so I’d go to the Post Office with parcels and on the streets see a lot of Sabs at the monument on their stall, I thought I’d love to join them.
When live music show The Tube was on TV we had people from that show coming in to Phaze. The show was recorded in Newcastle TV studios and we used to get tickets to be in the audience. The presenter Paula Yates used to come in the shop for something to wear on the show, we also had bands like Grandmaster Flash come in. I ended up getting a punters card off Chris Phipps who worked on the production team.
When I was working for Social Services I was still an Animal Activist and a vegan who never had vaccines because of my beliefs, I think if they knew they might have sacked me.
There was an abattoir next to the building I worked in. I could hear the noise coming from it, it was absolutely horrific. Nowadays they are bigger and kill up to 2,500 animals per day – there is no respect at all.
When I was younger, I protested for animal rights but when I had my kids I stepped back and just donated to different groups. Now my kids are teenagers I’m back out there again.
There are nine hunts in Northumberland who hunt on a Wednesday and a Saturday in places like Tyne Valley, Tynedale, Morpeth. We try to get to them all. We’re hitting the Braes Hunt of Derwent at the moment. Braes have been going for over 200 years, they are teaming up with south Durham now. They have over 40 specially bred hounds at the moment, they’ve given them pretty names like Bracken and Daisy.
Throughout the season they do hound walks and shows in places like Wolsingham and Stanhope. The one at Corbridge gives out prizes. I don’t go to any of these, I would be spotted as my car is well known so it’s possible I would return to smashed screen or slashed tyres.
On hunts they have a few terrier men who come out on their quadbikes. Some of the number plates aren’t on. They can bully the hunt sabs, harass us, block us in – tactics like that. They call us vile horrible names especially to the girls. I’ve put up with it for years but it just goes over my head now.
At times they use bagged foxes, they catch one and take it out of its familiar area keep it in a shed and starve it. For the thrill of a kill they then release it to hunt it down. All the badger sets are blocked beforehand by the terrier men so they can’t go to ground. So, the fox is in an unfamiliar area, hungry, scared, confused and an easy catch for the hounds.
We have some incredible footage for evidence but the police ignore it. One Sab got badly attacked and they pinched a go pro camera. We get in touch with the rural crimes person and they just say ‘thank you for the information’.
We’ve got a piece of equipment called a gizmo with the sound of the hounds on so when we can’t get to certain areas or there’s not enough Sabs out we can let that sound go and the hounds come to us away from the fox.
We find we’re fighting a losing battle with the police. I was at the poll tax riots I’ve been to loads of Animal rights protests I‘ve seen how they work. In protests like Just Stop Oil that’s in the news now, people just want to make their voice heard and want to see their future is safe. A lot of them are students with no kids so haven’t got anything to lose.
The Geordie Hunt Sabs aim to raise funds to go toward maintenance and equipment to support their work. On sale are printed t-shirts and a punk compilation CD, a gig is also scheduled for Newcastle Trillians on 4th May 2025.
We are really grateful to all the bands who dedicated their effort and time to producing the CD and the upcoming gig. I was involved in Overground Records label that used to put out a lot of punk re-issues and promoted gigs.
In October 1990 we brought The Dickies over and took them on a two week tour around the UK plus two weeks in Europe. We put loads on, there was Sigue Sigue Sputnik and the girls in We’ve Got a Fuzzbox at Tiffanys in Newcastle. They were great times.
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.
Can you see a time when you step back from animal activism?
I can’t see it stopping for me. I’ll always be out protesting or Sabbing. In fact, even if I end up in a wheelchair I’ll get there somehow. I don’t think anything will stop us.
For further information find Geordie Hunt Sabs on social media.
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
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 Embletonholding 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.
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
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 Hallremembers…
“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 UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE 