The press article above explains the build up behind the scenes to recording the Big Blue 72 live album at the Marquee in October 1989.
It was locally financed with the thinking behind it being it may lead to the band getting a proper recording deal with a major record company. Prior to this event, however, well known influential A&R guy, Ronnie Gurr, had already seen a performance by Big Blue 72 a few months earlier, and as you can read in the side article, he wasn't impressed - so no record deal signing occurred via Ronnie. |
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There was a Dundee guy called Gary Gordon in this trio called All Systems Go.
Gary used to go to Grove Academy then DJ'd at Gennas in the 1980's before he moved to London and formed his own business called London Music Enterprises.
In London he formed All Systems Go as a fun side project which was based around the club music scene of the day and managed to get this single called "Pop Muzik" into the mid area of the top 100.
This was in May 1988.
Although there were plans for a follow up record, it never actually happened, and so All Systems Go soon after, crashed to a halt.
Gary used to go to Grove Academy then DJ'd at Gennas in the 1980's before he moved to London and formed his own business called London Music Enterprises.
In London he formed All Systems Go as a fun side project which was based around the club music scene of the day and managed to get this single called "Pop Muzik" into the mid area of the top 100.
This was in May 1988.
Although there were plans for a follow up record, it never actually happened, and so All Systems Go soon after, crashed to a halt.
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I already have a couple of items in the Scrapbook featuring Drew Larg.
One is when he was with Staccato 5 in 1960, and the other is when he was in The Honours in the mid 60's. Well here's another couple of acts Drew is associated with. The Vikings with a gig in Maryculter in Feb 1966. Rip Kirby playing in Burntisland in June 1972. |
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Some well known local musicians were involved in this recording which went under the name of Girls Of The Girls Brigade...
Brian McDermott, Ged Grimes, Derek Thomson, Stewart Ivins, Frances Carlin and a few others.
The record sounded a bit like an advertising jingle, but nevertheless, it was released in 1984 on the Mink label.
Brian McDermott, Ged Grimes, Derek Thomson, Stewart Ivins, Frances Carlin and a few others.
The record sounded a bit like an advertising jingle, but nevertheless, it was released in 1984 on the Mink label.
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This is Dundee celeb, Ann Shepherd.
The reason she became a local celebrity was, in 1977, when aged 58 and had retired as a nurse, Ann started up a mobile disco called Supersonic with £6,000 of her savings, because she didn't want to sit around all day being bored in retirement.
Supersonic disco became well known locally and Ann herself became known as Disco Granny.
Word soon spread about Disco Granny wearing a fur stole and playing all the latest tunes.
In fact, word reached as far as Canada and in 1979 Ann was offered a years' contract playing every night at $100 per night.
When she arrived in Canada, there were 100's of families there to greet her, all shouting for "Disco Granny", and in response Ann set her disco up in the Airport lounge and did an improvised 2 hour set.
While in Canada she was showered with gifts including a free four bed-roomed house as a result of playing at an oilman's wedding.
When Ann came back to Dundee for a holiday break in 1979 she was still getting phone-calls from fans in Canada.
Ann went back to Canada after her wee holiday and continued on.
She was also then offered a years contract in New Zealand, although I don't know the outcome of that.
Yes, definitely better than twiddling your thumbs in retirement.
The reason she became a local celebrity was, in 1977, when aged 58 and had retired as a nurse, Ann started up a mobile disco called Supersonic with £6,000 of her savings, because she didn't want to sit around all day being bored in retirement.
Supersonic disco became well known locally and Ann herself became known as Disco Granny.
Word soon spread about Disco Granny wearing a fur stole and playing all the latest tunes.
In fact, word reached as far as Canada and in 1979 Ann was offered a years' contract playing every night at $100 per night.
When she arrived in Canada, there were 100's of families there to greet her, all shouting for "Disco Granny", and in response Ann set her disco up in the Airport lounge and did an improvised 2 hour set.
While in Canada she was showered with gifts including a free four bed-roomed house as a result of playing at an oilman's wedding.
When Ann came back to Dundee for a holiday break in 1979 she was still getting phone-calls from fans in Canada.
Ann went back to Canada after her wee holiday and continued on.
She was also then offered a years contract in New Zealand, although I don't know the outcome of that.
Yes, definitely better than twiddling your thumbs in retirement.
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These gig adverts are all dated 1968 when Robin McKidd was touring UK with Rab Noakes.
The 2 end ones were in Motherwell and the middle one was in Haverhill in England.
The 2 end ones were in Motherwell and the middle one was in Haverhill in England.
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When Lorna Bannon's time with Rokotto ended, she still got plenty of work afterwards.
One of the bands she was in was well known UK jazz-funksters, Shakatak.
This, however, only covered the 1982 period mainly.
She made one album with them that year called Night Birds and also toured the same year.
All the above items are dated 1982.
Photo of Lorna in the band.
The album cover.
Some of the tour dates - 2 gigs in Edinburgh, 1 in Aberdeen and a week in Manchester.
One of the bands she was in was well known UK jazz-funksters, Shakatak.
This, however, only covered the 1982 period mainly.
She made one album with them that year called Night Birds and also toured the same year.
All the above items are dated 1982.
Photo of Lorna in the band.
The album cover.
Some of the tour dates - 2 gigs in Edinburgh, 1 in Aberdeen and a week in Manchester.
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John T & The Green Onions appear in all 3 decades of the Dundee Band Index.
I'm not too sure of the date of the photo however, but judging by the gear they are wearing I'd guess the mid 70's.
I do know the dates of their gig adverts though...
Left - June 1969 in Forfar.
Mid - March 1974 in Montrose.
Right - December 1986 in Dundee.
I'm not too sure of the date of the photo however, but judging by the gear they are wearing I'd guess the mid 70's.
I do know the dates of their gig adverts though...
Left - June 1969 in Forfar.
Mid - March 1974 in Montrose.
Right - December 1986 in Dundee.
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3 gigs for Heraldic Decoration, all in 1967.
Left - Reid Hall in Forfar when they were supporting Miss Billie Davis & The Quality.
Mid - is with fellow Dundonians, The Tippens, also in Reid Hall, along with Cindy & The Censations.
Right - Cupar Corn Exchange when supporting The Poets.
Left - Reid Hall in Forfar when they were supporting Miss Billie Davis & The Quality.
Mid - is with fellow Dundonians, The Tippens, also in Reid Hall, along with Cindy & The Censations.
Right - Cupar Corn Exchange when supporting The Poets.
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The Kites were formed in 1986 by 2 Dundee guys - Greg Moodie & Ian MacLeod but the band were based in Edinburgh.
The other two band members were Neil Somerville & Dave Flitton. The photo is dated 1988, the same year they said they were to be releasing their debut single, but... no sign of it anywhere. |
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Ignatz were formed in Dundee in December 1974.
They played funky soul music in the main, but with a college-rock attitude.
The band then relocated to Edinburgh in April 1976, and as a consequence, they were generally considered throughout Scotland to be an Edinburgh band.
For example, they appear in an Edinburgh A-Z of Bands publication as having formed in 1976.
And as you can see from the first ad on the left dated November 1977, they are described as Edinburgh's No 1 funk-rock band.
The Dutch Mill ad is dated July 1978.
The Town Hall in Stornoway ad is also from July 1978 and this time Ignatz provide the dance music after a magic show.
The ad on the right is for a rock musical called Zitz, in which Ignatz performed the music. This was at The Workshop in Edinburgh and was orginally supposed to run for 10 days up to 10 March 1979, but due to public demand, it ran all the way through to the 24 March.
Ignatz member, Gordon Dougall has gone on to play with many musicians and done the music for lots of stage productions.
For example in 1979 he joined Mafia and soon after played on their single "Rescue Me".
As a composer, director & writer he has been involved in lots of stage shows, from Strange Brew in Edinburgh in 1978 to playing in Tanzania, Europe & America.
Gordon has also hooked up with Dundee Rep in the past as well as play loads of gigs around town in the 70's with Ignatz.
So for the record, it was Dundee first, Edinburgh second.
They played funky soul music in the main, but with a college-rock attitude.
The band then relocated to Edinburgh in April 1976, and as a consequence, they were generally considered throughout Scotland to be an Edinburgh band.
For example, they appear in an Edinburgh A-Z of Bands publication as having formed in 1976.
And as you can see from the first ad on the left dated November 1977, they are described as Edinburgh's No 1 funk-rock band.
The Dutch Mill ad is dated July 1978.
The Town Hall in Stornoway ad is also from July 1978 and this time Ignatz provide the dance music after a magic show.
The ad on the right is for a rock musical called Zitz, in which Ignatz performed the music. This was at The Workshop in Edinburgh and was orginally supposed to run for 10 days up to 10 March 1979, but due to public demand, it ran all the way through to the 24 March.
Ignatz member, Gordon Dougall has gone on to play with many musicians and done the music for lots of stage productions.
For example in 1979 he joined Mafia and soon after played on their single "Rescue Me".
As a composer, director & writer he has been involved in lots of stage shows, from Strange Brew in Edinburgh in 1978 to playing in Tanzania, Europe & America.
Gordon has also hooked up with Dundee Rep in the past as well as play loads of gigs around town in the 70's with Ignatz.
So for the record, it was Dundee first, Edinburgh second.
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Four gigs away from home for NWOBHM band, Colossus.
The small ad top left was at Hotel Birksgate in Kirkcaldy in September 1979, where they were the only act on, but accompanied by a disco.
Underneath it is for the Dutch Mill in Kirkcaldy in February 1980 where they were once again, the only band on.
The twin towers on the right were both up in Aberdeen at Ruffles, and both in October 1979.
The 30 Oct on the left was supporting Freebird.
The 9 Oct gig was supporting London Zoo.
The small ad top left was at Hotel Birksgate in Kirkcaldy in September 1979, where they were the only act on, but accompanied by a disco.
Underneath it is for the Dutch Mill in Kirkcaldy in February 1980 where they were once again, the only band on.
The twin towers on the right were both up in Aberdeen at Ruffles, and both in October 1979.
The 30 Oct on the left was supporting Freebird.
The 9 Oct gig was supporting London Zoo.
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Although The Upstarts were based in the Loch Lomond area, one of the members was Dundonian, Derek Yeaman.
They actually got together in 1977 and first called themselves - Bloo Moon, then Junior Love Affair, then Junior Mod Affair, then UK Upstarts and eventually settled for The Upstarts.
The band then went on to release a single in 1978 called "Beggin".
A sample of their gigs - from left to right...
Stewarton Centre - May 1978.
Stewarton Centre - December 1978.
Forfar Reid Hall - December 1979.
They actually got together in 1977 and first called themselves - Bloo Moon, then Junior Love Affair, then Junior Mod Affair, then UK Upstarts and eventually settled for The Upstarts.
The band then went on to release a single in 1978 called "Beggin".
A sample of their gigs - from left to right...
Stewarton Centre - May 1978.
Stewarton Centre - December 1978.
Forfar Reid Hall - December 1979.
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After The Upstarts run had ended, 2 of the members went on to form Local Hero, one of which was Derek Yeaman again.
They had a bit of success in 1988 when they released a club version of The Monkees hit "Daydream Believer".
Local Hero's version stayed at number 1 position in the Scottish dance charts for four weeks.
The photo was taken in 1988, same year as their record release and also their gig date at Flicks in Brechin.
They had a bit of success in 1988 when they released a club version of The Monkees hit "Daydream Believer".
Local Hero's version stayed at number 1 position in the Scottish dance charts for four weeks.
The photo was taken in 1988, same year as their record release and also their gig date at Flicks in Brechin.
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I remember Jim Lyon when he used to bring his drum kit along to the Sands every Sunday lunchtime when they had jam sessions with the likes of Jimmy Deuchar.
That was in the late 70's / early 80's.
These 2 ads here though are dated a few years earlier.
On the left is a gig at a Chinese restaurant in Carnoustie that took place in August 1969.
The other ad is dated July 1972 and was at the Castle Hotel in Broughty Ferry.
The other 2 members of his trio were Jerry Culley on piano and John Fagen on bass.
That was in the late 70's / early 80's.
These 2 ads here though are dated a few years earlier.
On the left is a gig at a Chinese restaurant in Carnoustie that took place in August 1969.
The other ad is dated July 1972 and was at the Castle Hotel in Broughty Ferry.
The other 2 members of his trio were Jerry Culley on piano and John Fagen on bass.
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Jim Wilkie was in Dog Eat Dog during the 1972-74 period and toured all over Scotland with them - and they even won a band contest.
Here's some of the band's tour venues when they landed in Fife...
Left was at the Falkland Bar in June 1973.
Next was at the Seaforth Hotel in July 1973.
Then Barbarellas in December 1973.
Finally, a return visit to the Falkland Bar in May 1974.
Here's some of the band's tour venues when they landed in Fife...
Left was at the Falkland Bar in June 1973.
Next was at the Seaforth Hotel in July 1973.
Then Barbarellas in December 1973.
Finally, a return visit to the Falkland Bar in May 1974.
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This photo of Setting Fires has an extra character in it - bottom centre is a guy called James Lawrence who flew up from London to sign a management deal with the band in April 1988.
Their gig at Electric Whispers in Perth was also in April 1988.
The local gig at the Cafe Club was in May 1988.
Their gig at Electric Whispers in Perth was also in April 1988.
The local gig at the Cafe Club was in May 1988.
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A lively bundle of English gig adverts from the early 1960's featuring Jimmy Deuchar.
From the left....
The Guildhall in Portsmouth is the venue for a show with big USA star, Carmen McRae in November 1960. On this occasion, Jimmy was with The Ronnie Scott Quintette.
Next up is a visit to Bristol for a gig at the Corn Exchange in March 1961. Jimmy still doing the biz in Ronnie's Quintet.
Then over to Coventry for a gig at the White Lion in May 1961. The Quintet continuing to entertain.
Leicester next and Club Cubana puts on a jazz night in June 1963. This time it's the Jimmy Deuchar Quartet.
The final ad is for the Shell Bar in Grimsby in November 1963. Jimmy is now in Tubby Hayes Quintet.
From the left....
The Guildhall in Portsmouth is the venue for a show with big USA star, Carmen McRae in November 1960. On this occasion, Jimmy was with The Ronnie Scott Quintette.
Next up is a visit to Bristol for a gig at the Corn Exchange in March 1961. Jimmy still doing the biz in Ronnie's Quintet.
Then over to Coventry for a gig at the White Lion in May 1961. The Quintet continuing to entertain.
Leicester next and Club Cubana puts on a jazz night in June 1963. This time it's the Jimmy Deuchar Quartet.
The final ad is for the Shell Bar in Grimsby in November 1963. Jimmy is now in Tubby Hayes Quintet.
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