Me, Bryan and Matt Cowe were all at Cavendish School and in a band called Bela Lugosi ( hmm)

 

I answered an ad that was in a music shop in the Old High Street in Hemel - can’t remember the name - for bass lessons. Which turned put to be with Neil. After I'd gone a few times Bryan started going to see Cedric.

 

Druid were still together as we supported them at a gig at the Heath Barn in Boxmoor.

 

A short while later, I can’t remember whether they split up first or Cedric left to join Gary Numan, but they needed a drummer. Our band  had finished  (me and Bryan played for a short while with a guitarist called Jim Fennymoore (sp?) - I'd then got 'serious' about my 'A' Levels and Bryan left Cavendish 6th form to join the Never Never Band.

 

I used  to often go and see them at the Horn of Plenty (often getting a lift with Bryan's mum and dad) and occasionally in Oxford when I was back from Uni.

 

They were great gigs with I think too many highlights to mention (however -  Neil's silver trousers and banter with the crowd -  Dane's guitar playing and hitting that high note -  at the end of The Valley ?  And some bloke on drums, John Bonham in chef's trousers).

 

They played the May Ball at York University in 1980 I think (whilst on the support tour with the a band I can’t remember the name of but they had a hit with a song called ' living by numbers' ) where I was studying, Pete had replaced Neil by then.

 

(I think they should tell you about the support tour with Shakey - I remember the Leeds gig ! )

 

I can honestly say I do not know how some songs  e.g. ' Hollywood Intermission'  were not good enough to secure contracts and become hits at that time.

 

I am still in touch with Bryan and called him on finding your website today.

 

He says he will complete your questionnaire !! ( yes but he still has homework due from 1979) .

 

Good luck with the website, it was a great trip back in time !

 

I have a tape of a compilation of some Never Never studio sessions and some of Neil and Splash and a 12" somewhere including what I think is Neil's best song ' Take the House'.

 

 

Best wishes

 

Mark Sapsford (19 and a half )

More Bryan-centric reminiscences in this email from Mark Sapsford.  Thanks Mark.

Bryan, if you see this, would you like to volunteer some information?  What REALLY happened on the Shakin’ Stevens tour?!?

 

Phil