RIP- musicians

[Jules Gray]

"Sold baked taters...in day old papers...for a penny"

What a lovely song...I'd not heard it before...

"And did they taste good, mate?
Not many!"

 

Jules

[Field 7 is Heaven (Trev)]

I was one less than impressed with Chas and Dave at Cropredy despite being a fan of their songs.

They arrived late ,there had been much too long of a gap since The Wonder Stuff's Miles Hunt had really communicated and charmed the crowd.
It was pi**ing down and they the final touches of Aussie Pink Floyd's extensive set going up around them whilst they were on.

It just never got going. Cold ,wet Cropredy is never really OK.

We all put up with it,but you need to be special to do well on a cold ,dark stormy night in our field. Afro Celts were, Aussie Floyd were. Chas and Dave and Emmylou Harris just weren't. I think like top football Clubs ,top performers are not always on form.Just didn't happen that night.

Chas Hodges had nothing to prove to anyone. He was a genuine star and may he rest in peace.

[Shane (Skirky)]

Anecdote from a friend:

“Very sad to hear of the passing of Chas Hodges of Chas and Dave. The duo owned a pub in north London in the 1980s – it was a great place to play, with the best equipment – you just had to bring your instrument. One night my band was playing there and Chas and Dave turned up. They asked if we minded them performing our second set. “Don’t worry, son, you’ll still get your money,” said Chas with a knowing smile. So we sat and got paid to watch a masterclass in musicianship and showmanship. R.I.P. Chas. A gentleman and a total geezer.”

[Chris from Fieldtown]

He must have made more money from one Chas and Dave hit than all his other music adventures put together (which is a slightly sad reflection on his talent) but fair play to him that he found a way to make his music earn him a very good livin.

I can't agree with this.  Chas & Dave made some terrific records.  It's a bit niche for some people, but I always thought they were great.  There Ain't No Pleasing You, for example, is a fine song.

Jules

I'm guilty of judging Chas and Dave on the singles which didn't connect with me at all. I thought they were just a novelty act based on great musicianship and daft lyrics, Snooker Loopy anyone?

[David W]

I find it interesting that songs based on the London experience, with more that a nod to music hall heroes such as Harry Champion, are seen as novelty but songs based on a rural idyll collected by Cecil Sharp are venerated as based on tradition.

[Malcolm]

I find it interesting that songs based on the London experience, with more that a nod to music hall heroes such as Harry Champion, are seen as novelty but songs based on a rural idyll collected by Cecil Sharp are venerated as based on tradition.

I remember hearing Lonnie's last radio interview with Johnnie Walker during which he said 'Dustman' is a folk song. It was a first war army song with rude lyrics. Exactly the same as the point you correctly make here.

[GubGub (Al)]

I find it interesting that songs based on the London experience, with more that a nod to music hall heroes such as Harry Champion, are seen as novelty but songs based on a rural idyll collected by Cecil Sharp are venerated as based on tradition.

Is that necessarily true? Genuine question (I am not trying to be argumentative). How many people know those songs? I think it is the likes of Rabbit, Gertcha and The Sideboard Song that have created a repuation for novelty but they may not be representative of their wider catalogue.

But yes, urban songs generally do not seem to be regarded as folk music unless they are ballads from the industrial revolution or the like.

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

This is brilliant:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ysSHINdExQ

Chas Hodges, Phil Lynott, Roy Wood and Bev Bevan, from Tiswas, thoroughly enjoying themselves  

RIP Chas (and Phil for that matter)

[jOhN]

It was only recently I discovered that Chaz had been a session musician for Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley, Gene Vincent, Mike Berry & the Outlaws & Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers

[Tim Fletcher]

The Word podcast with Chas Hodges from 2012 has been reissued - I seem to recall it being of interest. http://wordpodcast.co.uk/2018/09/23/word-podcast-215-with-chas-hodges/

On the subject of reissues - the 3 cd Chas and Dave compilation out on Friday has been in planning for some time and it’s not an attempt to cash in on Chas’ death. This is from a fellow Barnet season ticket holder who works for the company involved. Just appalling timing.

[StephenB]

There's a documentary right now on BBC4 about Chas and Dave early years, with lots of old footage. Started at 8, over at 9. I can't see any repeats for it.

[Jules Gray]

There's a documentary right now on BBC4 about Chas and Dave early years, with lots of old footage. Started at 8, over at 9. I can't see any repeats for it.

I'll see if it's on catch-up later.  Cheers.

Jules

[Speleologist (Robin)]

Sam Spoons of the Bonzos. https://mobile.twitter.com/NeilInnes/status/1045591814235983872

[Jim]

Sam Spoons of the Bonzos. https://mobile.twitter.com/NeilInnes/status/1045591814235983872

 

[tony the roundhead]

Marty Balin. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jefferson-airplane-guitarist-marty-balin-dead-76-730912/

[davidmjs]

Marty Balin. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jefferson-airplane-guitarist-marty-balin-dead-76-730912/

Sad about that...never my favourite from the band, but his voice was unmistakable, and a huge part of the sound.  He did write some terrible old rubbish later though...!

Glad to have seen the KBC band lineup of the Starship twice in the 90's.

[garrypbrooks]

Sad about that...never my favourite from the band, but his voice was unmistakable, and a huge part of the sound.  He did write some terrible old rubbish later though...!

Glad to have seen the KBC band lineup of the Starship twice in the 90's.

I envy you that David, Airplane/Starship are high on my list of bands I wanted to see but never did.

Sad news. I have just put on their "Deep Space" live CD in his memory.

[davidmjs]

Sad about that...never my favourite from the band, but his voice was unmistakable, and a huge part of the sound.  He did write some terrible old rubbish later though...!

Glad to have seen the KBC band lineup of the Starship twice in the 90's.

I envy you that David, Airplane/Starship are high on my list of bands I wanted to see but never did.

Sad news. I have just put on their "Deep Space" live CD in his memory.

They (particularly that lineup) were always pulling in different directions, and Kantner always seemed like a bit of an arse to be honest - getting stroppy with the guitar techs etc - but when they hit it, they still definitely had it.  I wish the reunion lineup ('89) had come to the UK...the album is execrable but some of the recordings from that tour show some truly great moments...

[garrypbrooks]

They (particularly that lineup) were always pulling in different directions, and Kantner always seemed like a bit of an arse to be honest - getting stroppy with the guitar techs etc - but when they hit it, they still definitely had it.  I wish the reunion lineup ('89) had come to the UK...the album is execrable but some of the recordings from that tour show some truly great moments...

I recall they had quite a few "personality clashes" over the years- the reports (NME?) usually put these down to Grace Slick (who she was sleeping with, or what mind-expanding substances he was on  at the time), but I suspect Kanter & Balin were also culpable, too many egos/prima donnas in one band?

I missed a chance to see them in 1978 when they played Knebworth - some friends were going but I declined as it was expensive and I couldn't stand the headliners, Genesis. It seems that I dodged a bullet as they played minus Grace Slick, who had either run off in a hissy fit or been kicked out, depending on who you believed, so Marty sang her parts in falsetto - sounds godawful, my friends who went certainly thought so.

[Nick Reg]

RIP Marty in the 60's Surrealistic Pillow, Baxters, Crown of Creation, Volunteers etc were hardly ever off the turntable. Particularly liked the boy/girl vocals, it was probably that that led me to Fairport (and Merry Hell of course).