Blockheads

[Scroobius]

Who remembers the Blockheads? originally the Loving Awareness Band in the days of Radio Caroline and then the backing band for Ian Dury. Top quality musicians back in the day.

I did not realise that they are still touring but they are!! I managed to get hold of some tickets and 3 (yer the same 3 that went to see Nigel K) of us went to see them on Friday. Unfortunately we arrived at 8pm and found that the Blockheads were not on until 10p.m. Even more unfortunately the two support bands were dreadful - truly awful. Anyway we stuck it out and it was well worth the wait. The original line up were there including Chaz Jankel (keyboard/guitar), Norman Watt-Roy (bass guitar), Mick Gallagher (keyboard/piano), John Turnbull (vocals/guitar).

The only problem for me was the singer - he was mates with Ian Dury but I do not see any other reason for him being in the line up. OK he could do the original Dury songs OK but the new songs well not so good. But anyway when the blockheads get going they are superb. This has to be another recommended set - they are on regularly around the south east and tickets are cheap. If you get a chance go!!

[PeterSt]

Radio Caroline ...

Funny to read this. Back in my younger days, indeed the days of the "pirate stations being uncaughtable ships at sea", it was Radio Veronica and Radio Caroline. Oh, and Radio North Sea.
I now wonder ... I never realized that maybe Radio Caroline was not meant for us Dutch at the other end of the North Sea (the other two sure were); it looks like you imply Caroline was for the UK, Paul (was it ?). But could you also receive the other two ?

And hey, don't I recall that those ships regularly got smashed off their anchors and landed at Dutch beaches.
Those were the days !
Including Ian Dury & The Blockheads.

Thanks for sharing Paul.
Peter


PS: May Caroline was not (on) a ship at all; I forgot.

[Scroobius]

I remember Radio Atlanta but not for long as it joined forces with Radio Caroline thereby giving Radio Caroline 2 ships that could cover most of the UK. Not sure about Holland though. Also I remember Radio Caroline broke its moorings one night and ran aground in Frinton. No one hurt but it was repaired in Holland.

"On 2 July 1964, Radio Atlanta and Radio Caroline's companies, Project Atlanta and Planet Productions., announced the stations were to merge, with Crawford and O'Rahilly as joint managing directors. Radio Atlanta closed at 8pm that day. It was renamed Radio Caroline South and MV Mi Amigo remained off Frinton-on-Sea while MV Caroline broadcast as Radio Caroline North."

Nowadays Radio Caroline "transmits" on the internet - but that's no fun!!!!

I remember Radio North Sea International but not Veronica - weren't these some years later though?.

I used to listen to Radio Caroline on a Crystal Radio connected to the radiator in my bedroom. That was probably my first electronic project when I was around 10 years old.

Those were the days!!!

Cheers

Paul

[PeterSt]

I just looked it up and Radio Veronica started in 1960. I didn't even know that. What I recall though is that I always had it on during the whole night which was harmless because it started transmitting at 5am so it nicely woke me up with always the same tune. This was when I was 10 so not quite 1960.
At that time I had a transistor radio which was already quite old at that moment as I remember, but before that I had several of those old tube radios which later transformed to a stereo system. I think I was 11 when I did that, which was around the same moment when I "graduated" from primary school and when I received money from my parents to build my own turn table (kit).

So to speak, that was a father who saw his own hobby grow in his son (I was closely co-operating with my dad from when I  was 4 or 5 - model railroads, so that was easy), while I am as far with our son as him being able to check whether a fuse is blown or not. And he is 15 now. So yes, those were the days.


Peter

[Jud]

Who remembers the Blockheads?

Me, esp. on tracks like "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick."  Yep, amazing stuff.  Hope I still have the 45 around the house somewhere.

[pedal]

The first couple of albums and singles by Ian Dury and the Blockheads are classic albums. I play them frequently. The band was sooo good.

The pirate boats didn't reach as far as my hometown in northern part of Norway, but I was able to tune in to Radio Lux on AM during holiday trips to Oslo. I taped a show (with Tony Blackburn IIRC) in December 1978 which impressed me a lot, me being an amateur DJ at a local youth disco club. I copied all his clever song introductions and mixes.

Especially impressive was the instant crossover from Hit Me With Your Rythmstick to Foxy/Get Off.

Every time I hear that song by Ian Dury that Radio Lux tape comes to my mind. :-)

I could probably re-tell my whole life through the songs I remember when growing up. Music is such a strong memory catalyst.