'Many' years ago i saw the John Strong Band at a pub on the outskirts of Harrogate, i have seen this band several times on the circuit around Leeds but was intrigued at this particular gig after noticing one of the equipment cases highlighted with BeBop Deluxe.
It was only recently looking to see if John Strong was still performing that i came across this rather interesting article on Mr Strong's Facebook site possibly relating to the above..
"First saw Bill Nelson, Be-Bop Deluxe in Meanwood, Leeds, think it was called the “Cat’s Whiskers” an old Mecca ballroom.
Knew a guy whose name escapes me who was Bill’s sort of roadie, minder type thing, lovely guy who also played in a band called, “Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry” I was looking for a flight case for an up coming tour in Holland and Germany and he said Bill had got a mountain of flight cases in his garage and I was very welcome to have a root around and take my pick.
Brilliant, I get to meet one of my heroes and maybe get a good deal on the flight case I needed for the mixing desk, this was around 1987.
We met up with “ Red Lorry Yellow Lorry” in a café somewhere near Wakefield and we followed him to Bill’s house near Eggborough, it was quite close to the power station but then again everything was.
We were met on the drive by Bill, and invited in for tea & coffee,
chatted around for half an hour and then invited up into his studio.
There was a small stage set up in the room, more like a drum riser with some of the most beautiful guitars I’d ever seen in one place and he then proceeded to play some music, straight off the 24 track, unmixed things he was working on, sort of Chinesey stuff. Brilliant
He was an absolute gentleman, warm, gracious and friendly, completely lacking in any stardom type affectation thing, in fact just the opposite.
Very nice bloke.
The conversation came back to flightcases and we were led down to the garage. Big enough I recon to hold at least 6 cars, on the far right a very nice white Porsche 911 SC Targa, mid ‘70’s and a Citroen 2CV, went with the vibe of the guy totally for me.
We had the mixing desk on the floor and tape measures and Bill proceeded to climb this mountain of aluminium and plywood and took great delight in carrying it down for us. He opened the case and there was a Gibson SG inside, obviously not meant for that particular case. “Bloody Hell he said, forgotten about that one”
We were all overjoyed at the liberation of such a lovely thing, I paid £50 for the flight case, shook hands warmly and carried on down the M62 to Hull to catch the ferry to Holland."
By the way Jon and the Band are still performing a very good musician with great lyrics,
Check out Jon Strong VRC0376 the killing fields/wear my boots and tie on YouTube
Had always really liked this photo but wondered about that power station. Seems so large and presiding, like a god.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picasso%27s_Rose_Period
Intrigued by what may be LPs behind you but also the drawing or painting on the wall. Appears to be possibly an infant visible to your left and visible above you perhaps a Phrygian cap?
Well, that's a very kind endorsement from Jon, but I don't think it's quite accurate. That must have been when I lived at West Haddlesey in the '80s. Strangely, I don't recall ever having a drum riser or platform in my studio though, and I'm not sure my tape machine was 24 track back then. Maybe just a 16 track Tascam. Also the garage was big enough to fit two cars in, not six! 😮 I don't think I had the Porsche and the 2CV at the same time either because I had to sell the Porsche due to the financial difficulties I was experiencing, (due to management rip-offs.) The 2CV was bought after I'd sold the Porsche as far as I can recall... but, on the other hand it could be that I briefly had both cars in the garage awaiting the Porche's purchaser to pick the car up. 🤔 The guy who Jon refers to as my 'minder' was Leon Phillips who was a good friend of mine who also sometimes worked as a recording engineer as well as playing bass in 'Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry.' The other thing is the story about the SG guitar being found in a flight cases. If the SG referred to is a Gibson SG, well, I've never owned a Gibson SG. It could, on the other hand, have been my Yamaha SG 2000 though I'd hardly have 'lost' that one amongst a pile of flight cases!😄 But it's nice to be remembered as a decent sort of chap, even if I am an awkward buggere sometimes! 🙃