McSorleys, Jamaica St, and Billy Bones was first to arrive, before being joined by Shields and me and finally Spanner. A few beers and then we wandered along to the gig. It was still quite quiet when we arrived and the folk who had opted for the Dinner Package were, sitting at their tables, looking across an empty floor at the stage. Ever the gentlemen, Billy B and I removed ourselves to the side of the hall where we wouldn’t spoil anyone’s view. Spanner & Shields, however, decided to pick their spot and unfortunately this was right in front of a table occupied by either Boycie (Only Fools and Horses) or at least someone who could be employed as his stunt double. The body language, and ensuing debate, confirmed The Publican and my suspicions that this hadn’t gone down well. Chivalrous to the end, I remained leaning on a pillar to watch my beloved tell Boycie, in no uncertain terms, that she was staying put.
All this was, unfortunately, interupted by The Colin Blunstone Band coming on stage and plying their trade. The first two tunes were seriously middle of the road tosh and had me wishing that I’d stayed a little longer in McSorleys. The second one, in particular, was so like Eye of The Tiger that I sang that tune, to my chum, to prove that you could.
Then a sudden gear-change, he sang Jimmy Ruffin’s What Becomes of The Broken Hearted, with that Dave Stewart arrangement, started telling some stories about the olden days, meeting The Beatles, travelling to the studio by bus while Rod Argent drove a Rolls -Royce etc. and eventually it turned out a fine night.
Second half, we moved centre stage (Boycie had now stood up like everyone else) and, while standing there, I suddenly realised that it wasn’t a Nehru suit he was wearing and exactly where Justin Currie’s trousers had gone.
I had also marvelled at the way Colin carried his hands throughout the night and noticed that two giant strings went up to the ceiling, off to the back of the hall and were being ‘worked’ by two retired Gerry Anderson puppeteers.
What a night, not as good as The Zombies but still a great singer!
Hands, in “Supermarionation”, attempt to draw attention away from stolen troos!
Lighthouse Beacon Straight Ahead 