Mo' Diary
Wednesday 20th. September, Arts Centre, Solihull
This will be our third time at this theatre and another fairly modern venue (Built within the last 30 years at least). At the sound check we did a couple of run throughs of  “If You Wait For Love” in preparation of our gig next month in Holland, where the song was a hit for Dave. Once again the show attracted a fairly healthy looking crowd (that means they hadn’t got any diseases that we could detect!) and they seemed to enjoy the set. Our revamped version of “Goin’ Back” (dedicated to Dusty Springfield with whom Dave his first-ever UK tour with in ‘64) appears to be going down very well, proving that the audiences enjoy a bit of light and shade amongst the more rockin’ fayre. Suffering from  fluid on my knee, I must say that I was in agony throughout this evening’s show, although being an old trooper, I carried on regardless! Afterwards we convened in the foyer to sell the merchandise and sign autographs,etc. After a couple of people pointed out that we’d left “Mama” out of the set, I was quite surprised to see and hear Dave giving them each an impromptu a cappella version of a verse of the song, how obliging he is!
 
 
Friday 22nd. Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield
This evening show would be a bit different as the auditorium had more of a cabaret setting with tables and chairs, plus dance area in front of the stage. Also because of this the show would start later with our set commencing at 8.45, as opposed the usual 7.30/8.00pm. Before the show we took a stroll around the immediate vicinity as Dave recalled that this was the old road from Birmingham and in the 60’s he would go that way to Aston to film his appearances on the popular pop TV show ‘Thank Your Lucky Stars’, (‘oil give it foive’!). Kicking the show off, the audience seemed a little restrained until Dave encouraged them to get out on the dance-floor and boogie! Halfway through the set and the floor was filled with cats and kittens hoppin’ and-a boppin’ and seemingly enjoying themselves. It made a nice change to play in this setting and maybe other venues should think about doing the same. Good to see Brian Yeates again at this venue as we reminisced backstage about some of the old midland musicians like Denny Laine, John Lodge and Mike Sheridan. Following the intermission, Mike and Co. took the stage to keep everybody well-entertained as we made our getaway and headed back for home.
 
Saturday 23rd.,Oakengates Theatre, Telford
A new venue for us and another complex built in the 70’s, and set amongst a shopping precint of pubs and kebab shops (the perfect surroundings!). In the sound check we gave Dave’s version of “My Baby Left Me” a quick run-through and I managed to take a rare photo of Dave behind the drum-kit. Suitably satisfied with the sound, we all headed off down the street and found a delightful real-ale pub that was getting all geared-up for the beer festival the following week which was bad timing on our part! With another good crowd in attendance, we did a pretty rockin’ set which included an all too rare version of “My Baby Left Me” and featuring some particularly hot guitar from Jason. Instead of the more familiar glass head on Dave’s small stage-table, tonight we featured a large can of Emulsion paint which Dave carried as he slid of stage, he’s such a wag! Out in the foyer, the crowd seemed most interested in what we’d got to sell with Dave’s CD’s going like hot-cakes and even managed to sell a batch of the live CD’s too, so it might even now go fablon, as opposed to rubber! I think we should have had a few tins of paint that we could have sold too!
 
Thursday 28th. September, PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE, CANNOCK
Another return gig back in the ‘black country’ and attracting another good crowd. After a sound-checking through a couple of numbers we were out on the street again, looking for food and drink. A nearby shopping precinct included a Somerfield’s so supplies were obtained. On the way back to the theatre, Jason, Johnny and I managed to get slightly lost in a multi-storey car-park, but thankfully found our way out, although there was now only 15 minutes before showtime!
Out back of the theatre Dave was also waiting for somebody to let him in as the seconds ticked by. The stage load-in doors were eventually opened as we hurried got back to the dressing room and put on our stage-costumes. Opening the show with either “I’m Ready” or “Route 66” usually gives us a good chance to get right into rockin’ mode and also appears to do the same with the audiences. In the interval out in the foyer, there’s always plenty of  people coming up to buy items or just get an autograph. Amongst them are those who recall seeing Dave  originally back in the 60’s with their own particular memory of a gig which is always appreciated. With most of the people seemingly happy with whatever they’ve bought, we make our usual speedy getaway and arrive back home at around the comfortable hour of 10.15.
 
Friday 29th. September, MARINE THEATRE, FLEETWOOD
This trip takes us in a north westerly direction, back out to the part of the country known as Fylde. As we by-pass Blackpool (last one to see the tower stinks!) and head on through the surrounding areas, Bispham, Clevelys and arrive in the Ferry-port of Fleetwood. The Marine Hall is situated right on the sea-front and with all the tables and chairs tonight’s gig would resemble something like the old radio show ‘Worker’s Playtime’. Before-hand Mike and the boys sort out a few sound problems in their sound-check while we wait for our turn. Once done, it’s off the adjacent bar for a swiftun’ along with Jason and Johnny along with Keith, Baz and Mike Jr. Looking through the window, it’s a great view as the sun sets over what must be the Irish sea. As quite a long queue has formed for the bar we make our way upstairs and psych ourselves up for another hot recital. Going on the size of the audience, the show is virtually a sell-out and everybody soon seems to be enjoying the music. After the set we attend the merchandise stand where a large crowd has assembled and clamoring for some goodies. Naturally a number of people have driven up from BLackpool, a town that has some great memories for us back in the 60’s where Dave and The Cruisers played a couple of very memorable summer seasons in the now legendary Picador club.
Back outside we load everything back into Dave’s car for the homeward trip. Driving through Fleetwood I notice a big factory where Fisherman’s Friend lozenges are made, reminding me of that old joke about sucking a fisherman’s friend (“don’t you think I’m in enough trouble?!&rdquo.
 
Saturday 30th. September, PAVILLION, WHITBY
Not of the 60’s Night Out tour, this show is a fairly late addition, but one I personally was looking forward to. We’re scheduled to finish off a 60’s Weekender in which we share the event with a host of fellow 60’s type acts. Taking advantage of the gig my wife Margaret and I have booked a B&B which fortunately is situated about five minutes walk from the venue. Arriving in the afternoon, we check out the action as an Everly Brothers tribute act seems to be going down well. Unlike the recent forecasts, the weather is really good as we take a leisurely stroll round this splendid sea-side town, and naturally stopping off for fish and chips. As there are quite a few steep hills in Whitby, we need to get back to the B&B for a bit of a rest and to recharge our batteries. Fully recharged, we do the stroll again down to the Royal Hotel where we meet up with Dave, his daughter Tanya and her husband Kev who are also staying over. Along with a couple of drinks we enjoy a good laugh (at various people’s expense) as we watch the town light up as it steadily goes dark. Looking across the harbour the old Abbey looks quite eerie and you can see why Count Dracula chose it for his holidays! Back at the Pavillion the joint is jumpin’ as The Fourmost are onstage doing the biz and once again the event has attracted a good crowd. The only down-side to this gig is that we’re not on till 11pm, but that’s showbiz and after going on early on all the shows with Mike Pender, we can’t really complain. As we get into the set, I wondered if we’d actually gone on too late as the audience look a bit tired and seem to prefer just sitting and watching. Not to worry, our leader knows his stuff and gets to work arousing the audience into getting out on the dance-floor and rockin’ it up. Proudly, the set goes down a storm and we look forward to playing at the next Whitby 60’s fest in June, which we are informed is already nearly sold out and another indication on just how popular 60’s music still is. A quick snifter and then it’s back to the B&B as Brian, Jason and Johnny head back home. The next morning we take in a little more of the town and meet up with Dave, Tanya and Kev who are also out enjoying some this lovely town’s ambience. Around lunch-time we saddle-up and head back home, making a stop off in Scarborough, another of our favourite places.