Full name and when and where you was born?

How and when you started playing music?

You played in another band or bands before The Pinch?

In 1967 you replaced original bass player Bob Broadhurst in a Cream-type trio called The Pinch. First of all we can says you joined them in July because that was the first month that appeared on your diary? And how it happened that you joined them?

Speaking about the Pinch, according to Clem Clempson it was him that actually joined before you not viceversa, so who’s right? Who joined first?

Also about the original trio, you told me that John Hinch was in a band called The Generation in 1967. However, according to John himself, the band was actually called “This” Generation and was his first band before the Pinch, so it was at least in 1966, because the Pinch were formed in September 66 exactly. So you just remember wrong here? You confirm John’s version?

Also speaking about John Hinch, it’s true that he was a trainee building inspector when he was in the Pinch? If so, I guess he left work when the band turned pro in 1968 right? Also Dave Mason was a carpenter by then right? You also had a work at the same time of the band?

Where the Pinch rehearsed at that time and what was your repertoire by then?

According to you, at some point in 1967 (but exactly when?), Clem Clempson replaced Dave Mason as guitarist in the Pinch. You remember how it happened? Also Mason was the singer of the band too, so at that point who became the new singer of the band? Clem? You?

With Clem in the Pinch, something changed musically or you continue to play the same repertoire, rehearsed at the same place/s etc?

It’s true that when Clem joined the Pinch he had a full time job with Lichfield Civil Service? Again I suppose he left work in 1968 after the band turned pro…

Reportedly, on January 1, 1968, the Pinch changed its name to Bakerloo Blues Line and turned pro. First of all you confirm me the date? I mean you really changed your name on New Year’s Day? How it happened, you didn’t like Pinch anymore or? And also what is means that you “turned pro”? I know that you signed with the Jim Simpson Agency only in May 1968, so you had another manager before him?

About the new name, you tell me that you came up with the name, but according to Clem Clempson the name was actually suggested by the band manager, but again, who was the manager by then? As I said Jim Simpson arrived only later in May 1968, so who’s right?

Also about when you became Bakerloo Blues Line on January 1, 1968, it was also reported that by then you, Clem and John lived together in a farm cottage near London Road in Lichfield and you were the only occupants and so can rehearsed any time of the day or night. It’s this story true?

The first advertised gig I’m aware of Bakerloo was on February 10, 1968, at The Elbow Room in Aston. You remember if this was the first one with the new name or there were others before that I’m just unaware of? And if so you remember where?

On April 21, 1968, you supported John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers at Mothers in Erdington. You have some recollections of that legendary band?

Reportedly, in May 1968 the band signed a five-year contract with the Jim Simpson Agency in conjunction with dee jay Tony Hall Enterprises of London. Can you tell me the details about the deal, how you met them, etc?

Since June 1968 and on a weekly basis, local newspapers reported that the band was working on its first album, writing songs, recording songs, etc. and at some point was even announced a release date of September 1968 for this long-awaited album. However we know that actually you started recording the album only in February 1969 with Keith Baker and then you signed with Harvest only in June 1969, so all these news over the 1968 were “fake” news put around by Simpson and Hall just to create some sort of hype or at least you actually recording something in studio with John Hinch or Tony O’Reilly or Poli Palmer that was eventually never released?

On June 4, 1968, Jim Simpson opened the Henry’s Blueshouse. He said he opened it as a showcase for the band. Your recollections about that place?

On July 2, 1968, you opened for Champion Jack Dupree at Henry’s Blueshouse. Some recollections of the legendary bluesman? Also who backed him? You or he had his own band by then?

In early July 1968, probably right after the above mentioned gig, the band added a rhythm guitar player named Gary Butcher (or spelled Garry with two Rs? You remember?). How it happened? Also he sang and played harmonica too right?

On August 9, 1968, the “Lichfield Mercury” newspaper reported that Gary Butcher left the band. So I guess his last gig with you was the day before, August 8, at Le Metro Club in Birmingham? Or maybe earlier? You remember? Also why he left the band, or he was fired?

On September 6, 1968, Tony Hall said to “Lichfield Mercury” that the band will be backing Champion Jack Dupree on an album to be released later that year on Blue Horizon. Is true? I mean, I don’t think you eventually recorded an album with Dupree, but at least the idea was true? Or it was another fake news by Tony just to create some hype?

On September 13, 1968, the band played a big “festival” at the Roundhouse in London with some big names such as Joe Cocker and the Small Faces. Some recollections of the gig or of those artists?

On September 15, 1968, you supported Tyrannosaurus Rex at the Mothers. Some recollections about the great late Marc Bolan?

On that same gig with T. Rex, John Peel was the compere of the show so you met him too for the first time. Reportedly, Peel was duly impressed by you, became a big fan of the band, and invited you to play on his radio programme “Top Gear”. Some recollections about JP?

On September 20, 1968, the “Lichfield Mercury” reported that: “a change of style and a change of name for the Bakerloo Blues Line, one of Lichfield’s best-known groups. They have now changed from their blues image to concentrate on the more sophisticated sounds of contemporary music, with numbers such as Eleanor Rigby, and have contracted their name to the ‘Bakerloo.’” … Ok, so, can you explain more about these changes in the musical direction and also about the band name, maybe you want to shortened it to Bakerloo since September 1968, but why it actually happened only later in January 1969 (even if for most of the gigs the band continued to be advertised as Bakerloo Blues Line or even Bakerloo Line)?

On Friday, October 11, 1968, the “Lichfield Mercury” reported that the band “last week made a recording for the Top Gear show in London”. Ok, we know the episode of the show with you was aired on October 20, so I could guess that it wasn’t not aired live and you filmed it in the first week of October as reported by the newspaper, or maybe the show was live but you actually lip-synced songs pre-recorded somewhere in London that first week of October? Can you explain? Also which songs you played on the show? Any recordings exist somewhere?

Now the big mystery of Bakerloo! That same issue of the newspaper dated Friday, October 11, 1968, also reported that on the same week you was in London recording for “Top Gear,” you also played the Marquee Club. Ok, the problem is that the band was did not advertised to play there at all during the month of October, so the newspaper was wrong so you actually never played at the Marquee before your first advertised gig there on November 26 opening for Jethro Tull, or you actually played at the Marquee in the first week of October maybe unbilled? If so it was a last minute added to the bill or you replaced an act that cancelled?

Speaking of this mystery gig at the Marquee in October 1968, if it happened now we need to find when it happened. Based on the newspaper dated Friday, October 11 that said “last week”, we can guess the gig happened between Monday, September 30 and Sunday, October 6. If so, I tell you the exact Marquee bill for these days and you can tell me if it ring a bell to you: [List of dates provided]

Again that same issue of “Lichfield Mercury” dated October 11, 1968, also reported that the band need a rehearsed space for rent. So what that means? You moved from that cottage in Lichfield by then and so you need a new house and/or rehearsal space? And eventually where you ended?

On October 18, 1968, it was reported by “Lichfield Mercury” that the band signed a two-year contract with the Harold Davidson Agency after a talent scout of the agency saw you at the above mentioned mystery gig at the Marquee. Ok, let aside the Marquee gig, it’s true you signed with HDA? I never heard about that, I know you have this exclusive 5-year contract with Jim Simpson and Tony Hall, and that’s it.

On November 8, 1968, you opened for John Lee Hooker (backed by The Groundhogs) at the University of Aston. Any recollections of the legendary bluesman?

Ok, from now on my questions will be based most of all by your diary which started on November 30, 1968, with a gig at the RAF station in Cranwell where you pointed out it was the last gig with John Hinch in the band. We know he left because he was tired of the life on the road and wanted to retired from music and find a real job etc… you have something to added?

According to your diary, on December 4, 1968, a gig at the University of Exeter was cancelled and instead you spent that day rehearsing in your practice room. First of all where the band practiced by then? And then I could guess you cancelled that gig because you still didn’t find a new drummer and maybe you spent that day rehearsing or actually auditioning some new drummers including Tony O’Reilly? I guess so because your next diary entry was a gig on December 6 with already Tony on drums so…

In your diary for December 9, 1968, you wrote “Institute F.E. London”. What that means? Institute of Further Education in London? If so, I google it, but didn’t exist, maybe have another name by then, can you be more specific about the exact school where you play that day?

On December 10, 1968, you opened for Led Zeppelin at Marquee. Any recollections?

On December 13, 1968, the band was advertised to play at King Edward IV School in Lichfield, but in your diary you don’t listed any gig for that day, so what that means? The band cancelled this gig?

On December 30, 1968, you have an empty entry in your diary for that day, but the band was advertised to play a “Super Star Jam Session” at Henry’s Blueshouse and according to Jim Simpson the gig happened and Bakerloo played along with Pete York (as solo, he didn’t joined your band yet), two of the Locomotive (Norman Haines and another unspecified), Earth, and trombonist Ron Hills from Mike Westbrook Big Band. So you played that gig or not?

On January 2, 1969, according to your diary, Tony O’Reilly played his last gig with the band at Bull’s Head in Yardley. Again we know Tony left because, as Hinch, he was tired of the life on the road etc, its true?

On January 8, 1969, you wrote in your diary “trip to London reff. Tony O’Reilly”. What that means? You went to London that day with Tony? So he was still in the band by then? Can you explain? Because I guess by then you had already hired Pete York who according to your diary played his first gig with the band the next night so…

Speaking of Pete York, how he joined the band?

On January 11, 1969, Clem Clempson was interviewed by “Melody Maker” and he said that the band wanted to record the cover of Eleanor Rigby for the band upcoming album, so why eventually didn’t happened? Or maybe you recorded it but it wasn’t included in the album?

On January 16, 1969, the band played at the Opposite Lock Club and that night, for the first time, the show ended with a jam session between you, Locomotive and Earth under the ad-hoc name of Big Bear Ffolly. Can you explain me about this “jam group project” made by Simpson and Hall? Who came up with the name, you liked it, how it worked?

On January 18, 1969, you listed Bill Ward on drums for a gig at Newcastle University. Why he filled in for Pete York that night? What happened? Pete was ill or something?

On January 22, 1969, the band appeared live at “Alexis Korner’s Rhythm & Blues” BBC radio programme. Any recollections of the show and of Alexis? What songs you played? And a recording exist somewhere?

On January 26, 1969, Pete York played his last gig with the band at The Golden Torch in Tunstall. Why Pete left the band? Or he was fired?

On January 27, 1969, Bob Lamb was on drums at a gig at University College of Wales. Why you used Bob Lamb from Locomotive? Just because you didn’t find a new drummer yet and he just filled in temporarily, so he was never considered as a permanent replacement?

On January 28, 1969, you wrote in your diary “Birmingham practice”. Where the band practice at that time? Bob Lamb practice with the band that day or you auditioned new drummers that day? And also the band rehearsed only when you wrote “practice” in your diary? So not everyday?

On January 30, 1969, you wrote in your diary “Routine for L.P. Birmingham.” What that means? Another practice somewhere in Birmingham rehearsing material for the upcoming album? And who was on drums on that practice?

That same January 30, 1969, after the “routine”, you played a gig at Club Lafayette in Wolverhampton. This was the second and last gig with Bob Lamb. Why he left? Again because he was just a temporary filled in drummer?

On January 31, 1969, you played a gig in Swansea with Bill Ward. I could guess you didn’t find a new permanent drummer yet and you used another drummer from another band managed by Jim Simpson right? Also you didn’t write in your diary the name of the venue you played, you remember?

On February 1, 1969, the band played at Sheffield Hallam University. You don’t listed any drummer in your diary so the gig was played by you and Clem only?

On February 4, 1969, you did your first recording session for the Bakerloo album at Trident Studios. According to you, because the band didn’t have a drummer yet, a sessionman played that day, you remember his name? Also according to you at least one song was recorded that day and it was “Drivin’ Bachwards” with Jerry Salisbury on trumpet. Any other songs recorded that day? And can you explain how “Drivin’ Bachwards” was born?

Also speaking about that first session, Clem Clempson played his ’58 Les Paul guitar and reportedly that guitar was formerly owned by Wes Montgomery and which was given to Clem by American guitarist Thornel Schwartz. Its true that story?

On February 6, 1969, you wrote in your diary that a second session at Trident was cancelled, so I guess you cancelled it because you did not want to record again until you find a permanent drummer right?

Also on February 6, 1969, the band was advertised to play at Marquee with Earth, Locomotive, Tea & Symphony and Roy Everett. However you did not mentioned that gig at all in your diary, so I could guess the band cancelled the session and also the gig because you don’t want to play as a duo without a drummer?

On February 7, 1969, back home from London, the band hired Poli Palmer. Can you tell me how he joined the band? How you find him?

Poli Palmer played only two gig with the band. February 8 at Loughborough University of Technology, and then on February 9 on “Top Gear” radio programme. The Top Gear episode was aired live? I think you played “The Last Blues” and “Drivin’ Bachwards” you confirm it? And the recording still exist somewhere?

Why Poli Palmer left after only two gigs?

On February 12, 1969, the band was advertised to play at College of Building and Commerce in Shelton with Locomotive, Earth, Tea & Symphony, and Roy Everett. However the gig didn’t appear at all in your diary, so I assume it was cancelled but why? maybe because Poli left and you did not have a new drummer yet?

Maybe after the above mentioned cancelled gig you finally hired Keith Baker. How it happened?

On February 15, 1969, you did your 2nd session at Trident and the first with Keith Baker. You maybe remember what songs you recorded that day?

On February 20, 1969, you did your 3rd session at Trident. You maybe remember what songs you recorded that day?

Also on February 20, 1969, the band was advertised to play at Adelphi Ballroom in West Bromwich, but the gig didn’t appear at all in your diary, so I guess it was cancelled? If so why?

On February 25, 1969, you did a 4th session at Trident. According to Jim Simpson that was the last session for the album. Of course it’s not true but maybe Jim thought so at that time. Anyway, Jim said that until then the band had recorded 8 tracks, 6 originals written by you and Clem, and 2 covers. However when the band album was released only 7 tracks were on there, and only one cover, so I guess one cover was cut off from the album, you recorded which one? Maybe Eleanor Rigby? Or maybe Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles that resurfaced on the album reissue in the 2000s titled only “Georgia”?

On February 28, 1969, it was announced that the Big Bear Ffolly “are soon to appear on BBC-2’s Colour Me Pop”. However, to my knowledge neither Bakerloo or Earth or others never appeared on that tv show, you know why?

On February 28, 1969, the band played at Marquee and that gig was on your diary so ok, but that day the band was also advertised to play at Adelphi Ballroom in West Bromwich, so I guess the second gig was cancelled right?

On March 4, 1969, you wrote in your diary “Practice” and then “Digbeth Civic Hall”. What that means? That you used Digbeth Civic Hall as rehearsal space by then?

On March 7, 1969, you wrote in your diary “London”. What that means?

On March 7, 1969, it was reported on the news that “three major recording companies have, apparently, expressed an interest in the record and negotiations are expected to be completed within the next ten days, when a release date will be announced.” The news is true? 3 labels are interested in the album? If so, it was Harvest and?

On March 11, 1969 at the Marquee, and then on March 12 at Staffordshire College, the band played with Earth, Locomotive, Tea & Symphony and Roy Everett. You remember if the shows were closed as usual with the Big Bear Ffolly jam or by then that project was already done? I know Tony Hall wanted even to record Big Bear Ffolly but I don’t think it happened right?

On March 13, 1969, in your diary you wrote “Van Hire episode”. What that means?

On March 14 and 15 the band returned at Trident. As I said Jim Simpson recalled that the album was done by February 25, so those 2 new sessions were for overdubs, mixing etc…. or maybe Simpson was wrong and the album was not done and so in those 2 sessions you continued to record new songs?

On March 16, 1969, you wrote in your diary “Godfrey Davis Van Hire.” What that means?

On April 11, 1969, it was reported that “8 major record companies have expressed an interest in the album.” Its true or was a news made up by Jim Simpson just to create hype?

On April 12 and 13, 1969, you played two gigs in Belgium. You remember exactly where? Apparently according to your diary the first one was in Ravels and the second one you didn’t mentioned anything at all but reportedly it was an open air concert in Brussels. What you remember? Also about those two gigs, its true that Earth and The Gods were also on the bill?

On April 26, 1969, the band played at Brixton School and you wrote in your diary “Clem’s laney amp pinched.” Can you explain it?

On May 1, 1969, you recorded for the last time at Trident. It was the last session for the album or it was just a session for mixing etc?

On May 5, 1969, you wrote in your diary “False alarm??? (the communey of George)” or something like that (your writing sometimes is difficult to read! Ha ha). What that means?

On May 6, 1969, you wrote in your diary “Practice (Birmingham A. Centre)” and “False (illegible)”. What that means?

On May 16, 1969, it was reported that “apart from the regular ‘live’ work, Clem Clempson and Terry Poole are taking on quite a lot of session work in London studios. Recently they backed Tamworth’s ‘singing greengrocer’ - not my description - Roy Everett, who left a well-known group to take over a business, and is now hoping to get back to showbiz. His debut as a solo singer ‘Happy Birthday Blues,’ which, incidentally, I have the pleasure of hearing over the phone the other week, is released next Friday on Parlophone.” So what that means? You and Clem backed Roy Everett on that single? Or played in any other recordings of other artists?

In June 1969 the band signed with Harvest. You remember how it happened?

On July 11, 1969, it was announced the release that day of the band debut single “Drivin’ Bachwards / Once Upon A Time”. However, the single was withdrawn at last minute, you remember why? and also why “Once Upon A Time” was not included in the album?

On July 16, 1969, you wrote in your diary “Band meeting (Jim’s)”. What that means?

On July 23, 1969, the band appeared live at “Alexis Korner’s Rhythm & Blues” BBC radio programme. What songs you played? And a recording exist somewhere?

On August 6, 1969, the band appeared on “Radio One Club”. You recorded which songs played? And the recording still exist somewhere?

Although announced on September 5, 1969, the album was finally released on August 29. Its true that originally you want to titled it “Gang Bang”? Also tell me something about who made the cover and why etc…

On September 1, 1969, the band played at the annual Bank Holiday Jazz and Blues festival at Cannon Hill Park along with Earth, Locomotive, Tea & Symphony and Roy Everett. You remember if the show was closed by Big Bear Ffolly jam session or not?

On September 4, 1969, you was advertised to play at Club Lafayette in Wolverhampton but the gig wasn’t mentioned in your diary, so I suppose it was cancelled, but why?

On September 6, 1969, you wrote “Huddersfield P.C.”. What that means? It was a gig somewhere in Huddersfield, but where? maybe Huddersfield College of Technology? Or The Builders Club?

On September 7, 1969, the band played at the Angel Lounge bar in Godalming. It was the last gig mentioned in your diary so what that means? It was your (and Keith) last gig with Bakerloo? If so I assume the band advertised gig on September 8 at Cooks Ferry Inn was eventually cancelled?

Why you and Keith left the band? Clem stayed and reformed it briefly with Cozy Powell and Dave Pegg, but you and Keith why left?

After you left the band its true that you and Keith moved to London and formed May Blitz?