Des OReilly.com (A Musical Life)
Make new Friends But Keep The Old :One Is Like Silver The Other Like Gold
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133 Comments
Hi Des,Sad to hear of the death of Keef Hartley. I always followed his career after he left Preston to join Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. The first time I saw him play was at Blessed Sacrement youth club in Ribbleton when he played with the Original Midnighters in about 1963. Reg Welch was on lead guitar and the singer was I think Tony Bell(not Freddie Starr).After that he moved to London and joined the Artwoods.I remember going to Southport Floral Hall to see John Mayalls Bluesbreakers,expecting to see Eric Clapton with Hughie Flint on drums, but when we got there Peter Green was on guitar and Keef on drums ,still with Artwoods on his bass drum. I must say that Peter Green blew us all away that night with some amazing playing. Everybody thought who the hell is this guy? Ainsley Dunbar also played with that line up,John Macvie on bass.Maybe Keef was just sitting in that night,but it wasn't long before he joined the Mayall band on a perminent basis.I saw him again with Mayall at Lancaster University with a jazz/rock/blues outfit made up of some black american musicians.I thought Keef played brilliantly that night,really showing off his versatility.He had a great feel to his playing and the technique to go with it.
The Keef Hartley Band finally made it to Preston,playing the old Public Hall,with Little Free Rock supporting them.They were excellent as we knew they would be.I think that the Halfbreed album was a real classic of it's time.On Keef's return to Preston, years later, I was invited to sit in on a rehearsal with the Steve Hesketh Blues Band. Steve, a fabulous guitar player,rang me and said you will never guess who the new drummer is. I couldn't believe it when he said Keef Hartley. I spent the whole evening just sat next to the guy watching him play.Sadly the group never got going for whatever reason.Shame that! I did get to see Keef play once more though,at the Ship Inn on Watery lane,a gig I'd done so many times drumming for Bob Johnson.Keef played a one off night with a guitarist Dave Gardner and assorted musicians doing a tribute night of the music of John Lennon.
I never really knew Keef,but the brief conversations I had with him were always humorous,he had so many stories and anecdotes to tell.He seemed to remember everything. He will be sadly missed
HI DES HOPE THINGS ARE ALRIGHT WITH YOU . GOING BACK IN TIME TO OCTOBER
1971 ME AND MY BROTHER DAVE BOUGHT TICKETS TO SEE GENE VINCENT AT THE GARRICK CLUB LEIGH WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THIS LEGEND OF ROCK N ROLL BUT UNFORTUNETELY GENE PASSED AWAY A FEW DAYS BEFORE HE WAS DUE TO APPEAR . AM I CORRECT IN SAYING YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN BACKING HIM AT THAT TIME. ALL THE BEST MEL
Hi Des
Back in '65, when I was 15, I was on holiday in Blackpool, with my sister & parents. I was on the Pier every day, I was such a fan of Gerry Marsden. I still remember Gerry being so friendly & chatty to the fans. We must have been such pests ! I also remember you guys, up & down the pier. I met a girl called Elaine, from the Redcar area, in the North East. She was 'very friendly' with one of The Puppets, I think it was Don. Because she & I hung out together, I was hoping to get to know you a little better. Oh, the dreams of youth ! All harmless fun in those days. All my life I have considered it a privilage to be at a Gene Vincent gig, memories I will always treasure. It was a Sunday show and even then I felt sad that such a great star was at an 'End of The Pier Show' No disrespect intended. When I came out, I heard some stupid girl say, 'Didn't he stand funny'. I was so angry, I'm afraid I put her right, in a very positive way !
I have just been reading my Gene & Eddy book & thought I would look you up online. My life long regret is never getting to see Eddie, but I was 9 years old when he died. I now live in Bristol, part of the decision to move here was the Hippodrome. Did you know there is a commemorative plague for Eddie in the foyer.
You made the right decision to move to Australia, this country is awful. Earlier this year I met a lovely lady, from N.S.W. We were doing the Route 66 Tour. Fantastic experience.
All the best, Mags
Hi Uncle Des. I'm Dermots daughter Catherine. I have been looking at your site with interest. I loved reading about your childhood. I remember going to 144 Deepdale Road to visit grandma many times and there being big cardboard cutouts of famous people that you had worked with. Susan ( my sister ) will be seeing you soon on her visit to Australia so I hope she comes back with lots of stories from you about what you remember from your past and the exciting times you are having now. I see Aunty Pam and Uncle Jack regularly and saw Aunty June and Uncle Bob a couple of weeks ago when they were in Preston. Lots of love Catherine xx
Sorry to hear of the passing of 'Albie', Billy Fury's brother AKA as 'Jason Eddie' RIP Albie~~ Des
hi des and mos
have just been perusing your updated website again
great stuff and happy memories of the preston days
thanks again pam (still your big sister !)
I finally received the DVD of BUSH COUNTRY performance at "Big Draw Rock Club" aka "The Club Royal", Market Street, Preston in 1976.
The original was filmed by a good friend of mine, Barry Jackson.
It was filmed on pre-vhs equipment in black and white.
The Quality is as good as we can get seeing the age ALMOST 40 YEARS.
Line up is as follows :- BOB JOHNSON vocals
TONY WRIGHT Lead Guitar, backing vocals
ALEX LEYLAND Guitar,Mandolin,Violin, backing vocals
PETE MORRIS Drums
DAVE "DAZ" SMITH Steel Guitar and Bass Guitar
DAVE MORRIS Guitar and Bass Guitar
PADDY BROWN Keyboards
Many thanks to my buddy MICK JORDAN for posting on YOUTUBE
You can find them on tw28st
If you look closely you will see WALLY "the Roadie" and hear the voice of DARRYL EDWARDS ...D.J. and MC
hope y'all enjoy
P.S. I must admit to feeling quite emotional watching these especially now we have lost both BOB and PADDY. It was a pleasure to be in the band and you can see what fun we had. And MY GOODNESS didn't we ROCK
DAVE MORRIS
Found you!
And we didn't even meet until halfway through Chapter 13! Still missing those quiz nights - I think you only got me once on a 90s song 
PLEASE READ ONLINE MY STORY IN LANKYBEAT@ MANCHESTERBEAT> IT TELLS OF HOW I ALSO STARTED MY MUSIC PROMOTRION CARREER INPRESTON.
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