THE BARRACUDA GOOD LIFE - 70'S

The advert from December 1977 is one that cropped up in the Tele on a regular basis back then.

It was for local soulsters, Susan Childe & The Flamingoes, the band who got everyone up on the Barracuda dancefloor.

Hidden away under all the nosh details in the ad, you may be able to spot the Barracuda slogan - "The Good Life".

You will also be able to see the same slogan on the t-shirts the two Barracuda babes are wearing - the lassies posing for the camera in the nightclub in 1978.

Thanks to Yvonne and Marky.

SAMANTHAS ADS - LATE 70's

Samantha's in South Tay Street was quite a short lived discotheque, on the go from 1976 to 78, so these ads above are a bit of a rare sight.

The first 2 are from the Dundee Telegraph and are dated December 1977.

The top one is a general ad emphasising their weekend disco action.

It also mentions the Stage Door Bar - that was the pub at the back of Samantha's in the Marketgait that had a connecting doorway taking you to the disco. It saved trekking around the block to the main entrance.

The second ad is for a midweek event, the visitor being Richard Searling.

I remember Richard's name cropping up every week back then in music mags such as Black Echoes and Blues & Soul. He was a DJ specialising in soul music, both the Northern Soul variety and the more up-to-the-minute dance tracks. In fact he was quite an influential DJ, not only was he a Wigan Casino regular, but he was the guy who brought the original "Tainted Love" to the attention of clubbers.
Another well know disc-jockey who appeared here was Radio 1 DJ, Paul Burnett. This was on 15 January 1978.

Just a bit of general background info to give you an idea of the entertainment on offer at the time.

An example of the kind of bands that performed here are shown in the next 3 items.

Firstly an ad that appeared in NME in October 1978 featuring tour dates for punk band, 999, who had Samantha's as a venue on 22 October. To go with it is a gig guide showing the same date, with Simple Minds also on the bill.

The last item shows that Ultravox played at Samantha's a couple of weeks earlier on 8 October '78.

Many thanks to Yvonne for the Telegraph ads.

BUDDIES - BROUGHTY FERRY - 1985

When the Sands changed to Buddies in the mid 80's, my regular Sunday funk sessions stopped not long after it opened. Just wasn't the same as the Sands at it's peak - circa late 70's/early 80's.

I did try Buddies on a few occasions though before eventually waving goodbye to it all, with my last visit being in 1985, the same year these 2 photos were taken.

The exterior shot is dated October 85 and the cocktail bar is June 85.

I remember one Sunday evening, me and a couple of mates were walking along the Esplanade and we stopped to chat to a lassie who had her horse with her on the beach. After a wee blether, I jokingly asked if there was any chance of a lift along to Buddies - but she actually said OK! I was about to mount the horse when I had a sudden flashback of a scary incident I had on a horse a few years earlier, so I backed off. I wish now I had got on, because there can't be that many people who can say they have gone along to a disco on horseback!

Sometimes you've just got to seize the moment!

A reminder that there is a photo of Buddies dancefloor in the April 2009 archives.

Images by DC Thomson

THE SENATE'S DUNDEE CONNECTION

In the late 60's, The Senate were one of the finest soul bands to come out of the UK. The outfit was made up of some Glaswegians, a Fifer and a couple of Dundonians - namely, Robbie McIntosh and Mike Fraser.

Robbie joined The Senate in '67, toured extensively and recorded a couple of live albums with them. The band had such a good reputation, they were often chosen to back top r&b singers from the USA when they were on tour in Europe. One such name was Ben E King, who, as a consequence of working with the band, ended up writing & producing a single specifically for The Senate. It was called "Can't Stop" and was released in '67.

The 2 live albums were

The Senate - "Sock It To You One More Time"

Garnet Mimms - "Live" (as his backing band)

Mike Fraser, who was keyboard player in local bands The Syndicate and The Vikings in the mid 60's, teamed up with The Senate in late '67. When he was with them, the band were based in Italy for a while and they made a further 2 albums - not particularly Senate-like material however. For contractual reasons, they had to do 2 sessions of pop song covers - not the sort of thing they were known for, but the albums were released in Italy.

Despite sharing the bill with popular acts such as The Spencer Davis Group, The Senate split around late '68.

To follow the path Robbie took after The Senate, you can read yesterdays item.

Mike Fraser went on to join Mal & The Primitives, and has since worked with many international artists - such as, Chuck Berry, David Sanborn, Garnet Mimms, Duane Eddy, Ben E King, Amii Stewart, AWB, and soundtrack genius, Ennio Morricone. Wow...hows about that then!

Mike decided to live in Rome, and is still there working in the music biz today.

The top photo is Robbie & Mike at Glasgow railway station in 1968, making their way down to London.

The other 2 are The Senate in action in Italy in 1968. Robbie on drums, Mike on keyboard.

But that's not all - there was a 3rd mysterious Dundee guy in The Senate. When the band's singer/guitarist, Alex Ligertwood, left, in came Dundonian Jim McAra to replace him. It was only for a short stint though, and unfortunately, I don't have any info on Jim as to what he did after that, other than later on, he was in Mafia back in Dundee.

To give you an idea what The Senate sounded like on their own, here below is the opening track from their live album. A track titled "Sock It To 'Em JB" - where James Brown meets James Bond!

Big thanks to Mac and Mike Fraser

ROBBIE McINTOSH ON DRUMS - 1950-1974



 

It could be said Robbie McIntosh was born with a touch of star quality, because in his case, he was the son of an American movie actor called Bonar Colleano. The film star was on location along at Barry Buddon, had a wee fling with one of the local lassie's, and 9 months later - Robbie!

He was brought up in Broughty Ferry as a youngster, then moved to Kincardine Street up the Hawkhill in his mid teens.

He took up drumming while at school (Harris) and found himself gigging locally while still aged 15. He was in The Sapphires and The Syndicate, but it wasn't long before he was attracting the attention of the big boys, which lead to the next step up, a residency across at The Auld Hoose in Tayport. He was also with local acts the East Coast Jazzmen and The Poor Souls, for a short time.

Robbie's first major move was when he joined Scotland's top soul band, The Senate, in 1967, an outfit that were in demand across UK and abroad.

He then followed that up with a short stint in The Primitives, and then afterwards was drumming for a French group called The Piranhas in a casino in Nice. It was when he was with them, he was spotted by ace r&b organist, Brian Auger, who promptly got Robbie to join his band, Oblivion Express, a period of time which included recording 3 albums, some TV appearances and plenty live gigs,. Robbie then left that band around 1971, and after doing some session work with the likes of Steve Marriot of the Small Faces and Chuck Berry, he teamed up the the guys who would become the Average White Band in 72. Robbie is mostly remembered for his time in AWB, a time which was still relatively short, because as a consequence of downing a spiked drink at a party in L.A., he died, on this very day in 1974.

AWB's story is already well documented on the net, so no need for me to go any further.

Robbie's gravestone (above) is in Barnhill Cemetery.

The top photos are of Robbie in full flow with Brian Auger's Oblivion Express taken at the Roundhouse in London.

I have a couple of AWB tracks running elsewhere on Retro, so thought I'd delve back to the 60's when he was in The Senate. As well as going down a storm as a band in their own right, they were often called upon to back visiting r&b singers on tour from the States. One such singer was Garnet Mimms, who ended up recording a live album with the band, from which this single, below, was released in 1967, when Robbie was only 17.

It's called "As Long As I Have You", a record which has gone on to be a bit of a collectors item with the Northern Soul fraternity!

Big thanks to Mac and JG

GOLLY GOSH...IT'S AWB IN 1973!

This is the cover of Average White Band's debut album "Show Your Hand", released in 1973.

The witty graphic on it features a familiar image of a golliwog...but with a rather obvious twist! Although the humour may be a wee bit cheeky, it's easy to get the joke.

Dundee drummer, Robbie McIntosh, used to have a slightly different version of the peely-wally golly on his drum kit - one that resembled the Robertson's jam logo.

The cover artwork was designed by John Pasche, the chap who a couple of years earlier, created the iconic Rolling Stones lips & tongue logo.

ROKOTTO - BRICK HOUSE - 1977

Dundee's disco funksters, Rokotto, penned a good chunk of their material themselves, but occasionally they would top up their repertoire by dipping into a dance classic. They covered Banbarra's "Shack Up" for example, and this one below, The Commodores 1977 hit "Brick House" was another they added to their parties.
Rokotto's version is almost an identikit copy of the original, as I'm sure many of you who were regulars on the Sands dancefloor will spot, but nevertheless, a fine slab of funk it is, and a tune that just makes you want to go out clubbing!

AWB ARE SUPERSTARS - OFFICIAL!

March 1975 was the month Average White Band became superstars!

The front page of the Melody Maker documented the moment with their WHITE HEAT headline, along with a picture of Dundee Horns - Molly Duncan & Roger Ball.

The story that declared AWB such hot property was the fact that they had just reached No1 in both the singles & albums charts, in the same week, over in the USA.

As a consequence, however, because of this surge of popularity in the States, the band decided to leave UK to set up a home base in America.

CLUBBING GEAR - 1977

A glimpse into what was on offer for the clubber in 1977.
This page of ads is from "Blues & Soul" magazine, so would have been aimed at disco dancers and soul boys.
There's the draw-string jacket, zipped sweatshirt, tab pocket shirt, Hawaiian shirt, zoot trousers, pleated denim bags, soul bags (40 inchers!), and a variety of shoes.
I remember having a pair of those round toecap shoes in 1975. I can recall the exact year because I went to my first ever Northern Soul night that year, when I was 17. This was at a place called Poulton-Le-Fylde, near Blackpool. All that swishing and swirling on the dancefloor was an amazing sight!
I also remember throughout the mid/late 70's, the Dundee soul boys setting off on their allnighters with their sports bags covered in patches like a well travelled suitcase - "Keep The Faith" - "Night Owl" - "Wigan Casino" etc.
It was easy to get hooked on this scene because the music was so powerful,.However, I never became a Wigan or soul devotee, mainly because I liked a variety of music styles and fashion trends.
Youth culture in general.
Click image to enlarge.

LONDON GIG FOR DUNDEE DUO - 1980

This ad appeared in Sounds music paper in August 1980.
2 Dundee bands in action on the same night at the Lyceum in London - AWB & Mafia.

AWB ON TOTP - 1975

This is the moment the Average White Band first appeared on Top Of The Pops.
The date of the show was 20th March 1975, and the lads had reached their peak position at #6 in the charts with "Pick Up The Pieces".
The above image is the one used on the TOTP chart rundown at the start of the show, and the clip below is of Tony Blackburn introducing film footage of AWB from America, where the band were based. They did of course reach #1 in the States with the same single.
The film of the band live on stage is the original line-up, ie Robbie McIntosh on drums, so would have been shot sometime in 1974.

HOT CHOCOLATE - CAIRD HALL - 1982

Another gig review, this time from the pages of Voice fanzine and featuring Hot Chocolate who were playing at the Caird Hall on 11th Sept 1982.
I never went to this particular show but I did see them live way back in 1976 over at the Apollo in Glasgow, and they were great. Throughout the 70's & 80's they just kept pumping out the hits in their own funky soul pop way without jumping on any passing music fad, and judging by this write up, they appear to have went down very well in Dundee.
The support act on the night was Zen, a band I know nothing about.
Click the image to read the large version if required.

AWB ON OGWT - 1973

Here's some behind the scene shots of the day Average White Band made their debut on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1973.
The top one is the episode board with the countdown timer and the info stating that it's AWB's 1st take.
The middle photo is the band in full flow in the studio.
The third image is the control room where programme producer, Mike Appleton, is keeping an eye on the monitors etc.
AWB performed 2 tracks and shared the show with other acts, but a few years later, AWB got the show all to themselves when OGWT broadcast them live in concert.
Talking about behind the scenes, when AWB were recording their debut on OGWT, Dundee drummer Robbie, said he'd had enough and he wasn't doing the show.
The reason was that they were told they had to mime the tracks, which meant the drum-kit had to have plastic cymbals fitted and foam pads placed on the drums.
They did manage to tape the show after a couple of takes and everyone was pleased, except Robbie that is, who had to be led away pretty pissed off!

BIG BLUE 72 - MARQUEE PHOTOS

Here is a photo collage that came with the Big Blue 72 album, catching some of the action at the Marquee 20 years ago.
Photos are by Neil Watson.

Click onto the image to view the large version.

BIG BLUE 72 - MARQUEE - 1989

This is the LP that captured Big Blue 72 live at the Marquee (Constable Street) on 29th October 1989.
10 members in the band - here goes - KEITH MATHESON, DAVID BOLGER, COLIN DAVIDSON, TONY HOEY, GREGOR IRVIN, ALLAN McGLONE, ALI NAPIER, SHIRLEY POTTS, DOUGIE RICHARDSON & COLIN STEWART. There were also 2 guests joined them on the night, David Oudney & Peter Allan.
This song from the album is one of the more laid-back ones on offer but still has that big sound bursting through - it's called "Days Like These", recorded by a 24 track mobile studio incidentally.
Must also mention the top notch graphics on the cover, drawn by Gordon Hendry, some of which can be viewed on the slide show below.

ON THE ROAD WITH MAFIA - #2

As a consequence of parking the Mafia-mobile outside this establishment, the band received a stiff fine..!!
Thanks to Mac and DC.

ON THE ROAD WITH MAFIA - #1

A rather unusual venue for a gig..!!

This was the band on their travels in June 1980.

There is no truth in the story that Mafia sacked their manager after he failed to negotiate a residency at this place..!!

Thanks to Mac and DC.

MAFIA - RESCUE ME - 1980

This single by Mafia was released in 1980. It's their take on the R&B classic "Rescue Me" (1965 original by Fontella Bass).
Mafia's band line-up did go through a few changes in personnel in their time but the musicians involved in this session were - Donnie Coutts - Dougie Martin - Gerry McGrath - Gordon Dougall - Allan McGlone & Peter McGlone.
The extra bit of Dundee interest on this vinyl 45 is that it came out on Groucho Records. It has on the back of the cover that Groucho was at 89 Perth Road at the time.
The B-side, incidentally, is a track called "Hold On" and was produced by AWB's Alan Gorrie.

JIM WILKIE - MUSICIAN AND WRITER

Dundonian, Jim Wilkie, has been involved in music, one way or another, for most of his life.

Halos was the name of his first band in the early/mid 60's - while still at school. In the 70's he was in a band called Dog Eat Dog for a couple of years, then spent a bit of time in Shug Barr's Allstars, and he has even worked with locals, Mafia. He is though probably best known for his involvement with the Electric Ceilidh Band who started up around 1980 and went on to become well established recording artists.
Re-winding back to the 70's, however, Jim Wilkie actually recorded an album under his own name called "The Waxer", featuring a large bunch of Scottish musicians, including members of 70's pop outfit Cado Belle.
The LP was released in 1979 and underneath the album cover image is a review of the record.

I have a wee sample from it below. The track is called "First To Cry" - a catchy pop song with a bit of a dance groove.
There is also a downtempo tune on the album where he sings about Dundee on it, so I'll try squeeze that one on sometime in the future. As far as I know the album has never been released on CD.
And as regards his other life as a writer, I'll touch on that tomorrow.
Anyway, here's the opening track...

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A wee update to let you know that The Waxer has now been released for the first time on CD. Remixed and remastered with 2 bonus tracks.
Out now on Ridge Records.
Go get!

ROKOTTO SCRAPBOOK - LE PALACE - 1978

This full page spread comes from the Black Echoes music paper dated January 1979 and is another account of the same gig as the previous item - at Le Palace in Paris.
Among the entourage was a team from the Barracuda who travelled with the band along with several journalists.
Not all went to plan however, they had a set back before they even left the UK. Keyboardist Stewart Garden fell ill and was rushed to hospital with pleurisy, so when the band arrived in Paris one of the first things they had to do was find a stand-in keyboard player!
You can read all about the weekend voyage by clicking the image to view the large version.
The group called it a day in 1982.
And there ends my Rokotto scrapbook.
Fin.