It's good 'ere!

simonplloyd · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Bromley

A piece of somewhat useless information - Mud's PA system was owned by them (rather than hired-in for a tour). It was a Midas-Martin rig, i.e. Midas 24 channel desk and Martin amps and speakers. The system was, I believe, 'owned' by the roadcrew under the company name of Goodear Ltd. The name, however, didn't derive from the obvious sound connortation but rather from the crew's sarcastic comments at certain gigs in saying "It's f***ing good 'ere, isn't it!".
Thought I'd share that with you - and it explains my 'signature' below.

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It's good 'ere!

Chris Smith · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Near Eastbourne

Well remembered - part of the idea was that when MUD were not actually touring the PA and crew could be hired out to generate income towards the crew wages bill. After one tour of the USA (I think it was with Fleetwood Mac) several of 'our' crew came back with T-shirts bearing the legend "No Head - No Backstage" which Barry Dunning quickly instructed were never - ever- to be worn at a MUD gig.

simonplloyd · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Bromley

I seem to recall Les making the comment that "How come the f**kin' road crew has been to the States but we haven't!"

A typical Les comment, I would suggest!

Chris - Re my previous post as a 'guest', were you either Les's manager or PA at one time?

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It's good 'ere!

Chris Smith · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Near Eastbourne

Originally I worked in the Evolution agency booking out bands such as Mungo Jerry, Babe Ruth, Stan Webb, New Seekers etc etc as well as Mud. I then went on to work exclusively for Mud and Barry Dunning - part of that job involved "looking after Les"..... basically making sure he was in the right places at the right times with whatever he needed to have with him. Happy days indeed.

simonplloyd · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Bromley

Chris, Nice to know the old memory still works and I was right! I kept in touch with Phil Bowdrey (tour manager), Steve Rayment and Dave Hulme (road crew) for many years - well into the 90's. In fact I saw Phil only a few years ago - he works for Clearchannel Entertainments now - Vice President, European Touring, looking after people like Michael Ball and Tom Jones. When I last heard of John 'Reg' Vahey, he was running a pub near Heathrow.
I've been able to supply some more background info (re the road crew etc) for this website, much of which still has to go on - so keep looking as I'm sure Dave Proffitt will get round to it all soon.

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It's good 'ere!

admin · Site Admin Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 20

I'm still working on putting the lyrics pages back but I WILL get round to adding new material soon. Promise!

Chris Smith · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Near Eastbourne

If you want to pick my brains (such as are left) on that - get in touch Dave

Scratch · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Bristol UK

[quote="Chris Smith"]part of that job involved "looking after Les"..... basically making sure he was in the right places at the right times with whatever he needed to have with him. Happy days indeed.[/quote]

Hi all, I worked as a sound engineer for Les Gray's Mud in the early 80s, after the glory years but the band were still doing a lot of gigs. I got on really well with Les but I also ended up as the "Les minder", keeping him out of trouble during those crazy days on the road. During this time the band consisted of Les and a band from Bristol previously know as Gazer. You can see some pics in the gallery of this site of that line up. I'll see if I can dig out some more and perhaps share a story or two with you.

tiger feet · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 6 Location: scotland

scratch,

i saw mud in those days, i remember their run at the gaitey bar in blackpool. how about some stories about les? what was he like to work with? was he still a party animal etc.

Scratch · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Bristol UK

Ah Blackpool, 7 weeks of hell! Somewhere I have a polaroid of Les after he'd been 'got' by the bouncers on the last night of the season...

Scratch · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Bristol UK

And I've just realised that I'm in this picture wearing Les' shades. I have no recollection of that But I think it was taken in Holland around 87?
BBCode doesn't seem to work here so you'll have to follow the link.

http://www.mudrock.org.uk/pics/pics/dl020.jpg

tiger feet · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 6 Location: scotland

scratch,

i remember the blackpool gigs as brilliant, packed every night i was in. les was in top form and i remember them doing a fleetwood mac number.

were the bouncers bad to les? if so i want names and numbers, its never to late to get neat with my tiger feet.

Chris Smith · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Near Eastbourne

Once a party animal always a party animal. I remember when Les's solo single Groovy Kind Of Love was released - I had to take him from London on a really early train to Newcastle to do a radio show. Knowing Les's inability toget up early I made careful arrangements with him and the taxi firm. I called Les from my house at about 6 am and he was wide awake and said he'd be ready in half an hour as required. When we got to Les's flat - no reply from the bell or loud banging on the door, so I had to "effect an entry" and found the boy fast asleep in bed. We just made the train with seconds to spare and then I asked him how come he had been so awake when I called. His answer - "I'd been to Noddy Holder's birthday party mate, only just got in". Happy days.

tiger feet · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 6 Location: scotland

nice story chris, keep them coming.

my rock n roll hero is probably ian hunter from mot the hoople, but les was my first, i still think of him a lot.

simonplloyd · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Bromley

The last time I saw Les was in either 1984 or 1985 - at Wembley stadium at a Bruce Springsteen gig. We were all in the 'Directors Box', courtesy of one of their old road crew, Steve Rayment, who was working for Harvey Goldsmith at the time. Les, unfortunately, was much the worse for drink. We had a great time.

I remember spending Christmas Eve's in "The Star" pub in Mitcham with the road crew. One of their parents owned the pub at the time. Les was always there and towards the end of the evening would get on the piano (how many knew he could play?) and there would be a right-old sing-song - including, of course, Lonely This Christmas! Something I'll never forget.

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It's good 'ere!

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