Roy

Like many other old boys of my generation, I was swept up in the 1950s skiffle craze and played washboard and/or tea-chest bass.  However, within a few short years skiffle was replaced by homegrown & American rock and pop, so I decided to try my hand(s) on the guitar.

 

In 1962 I was celebrating my 18th birthday with friends in a Whitechapel pub- a favourite of ours because of its resident group.  On this particular night their drummer was absent so I asked if I could 'have a go' -  the very first song I drummed to was "Let's Twist Again".  I was either did OK or they must have been desperate because they asked me to sit in for the rest of the gig, after which I was paid £2.  A week later my electric guitar & amplifier were traded in for a white Olympic drum kit.

 

The following year I met Pat, my future wife, at a gig when she made a song request - we celebrated our Golden Wedding in 2016.

 

The East End 60s was a great time for groups, as many pubs had live music a couple of times a week.  At one stage I was playing 8 gigs a week - every night, plus Sunday lunch time.

 

Over the years I've been in about 10 groups/bands - mostly 60s covers, blues and rhythm 'n' blues.  Along the way I've played on the same bill as Rod Stewart, Joe Brown, Heinz, The Who, Mike Pender's Searchers, The Hamsters, Stan Webb's Chicken Shack and even Susan Maughan!

 

During 2011 Pat's, health was deteriorating and I started to struggle playing some faster numbers due to arthritis - so, in that October,  I decided to call it a day.

 

So that was that, or so I thought, until 2018 when my youngest son celebrated his 50th birthday with a music festival (Paulfest) in his back garden and I was part of a family band formed for the occasion.

 

Realising how much I missed playing, I replaced my drums with a smaller, lighter kit and started looking to join a new band.  After a few false starts I came across an advert seeking a drummer for a "progressive ukulele band which is how, in March 2019, I came to join Nuklear Fret.  A few months later I was asked if I'd like to attend a Rumatica rehearsal - which led to me joining them too.  I don't regret either decision because it's very enjoyable and friendly - long may it continue.