"Thirty-seven years after the brilliant SMiLE album was hatched as a creative thought, you can see the music come to life in a two-disc DVD package featuring nearly four hours of material, including the documentary Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson And The Story of SMiLE, as well as an exclusive performance of SMiLE shot in its entirety in Los Angeles and nearly two hours of never-before-seen bonus footage."

For info on the Smile DVD, released June 13th, click on the sleeve photo, (left) for more info.

Brian Wilson completists can adorn their collection with the recently-published book 'Smile. The Story of Brian Wilson's Lost Masterpiece'. (Click on the jacket photo, right, for more info)

Birthdays Prompt Beer Festival Gathering

When it comes to birthday celebrations, what could be handier than a beer festival within staggering distance of home? Geminis, Jon Myer from the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame and Guy Hamilton, who enhanced a couple of Sixties offshore stations, decided a twin celebration was in order. We hear the pub had been drunk dry well before Monday, the final day of the festival.

Photo (from left): Phil Martin (Radio England/Britain Radio/Radio 355), Roger Scott/Arnold Layne (Essex, 270, 390, Caroline, RNI) – aka Greg Bance, Jon Myer, Guy Hamilton – aka Gerry Zierler (Essex, 270), Mary

New Tee Time!

We decided it was high time that Radio 270's Guy Hamilton had a replacement for the Big L teeshirt which he's shown wearing while aboard the Oceaan 7 (left). That was in 1967, so thirty-eight years later, Radio London presented Guy with a lovely new 'Fab at 40' tee. As you can see, he hasn't changed a bit and looks very fetching in his fab gear!

You can get yours here!

Close Encounter of the Florida kind!

We may look bronzed, but it was during a torrential downpour that Chris and I went with Willy Walker to a Greek restaurant run by an Armenian family in Pompano Beach, Florida! Yes, that is a bit of holly behind us. The restaurant still had Christmas decorations up!

We were pleased to be able to take Willy some personal items that had belonged to his good friend Tommy Vance, plus, of course, a 'Fab at 40' teeshirt, ideal for wearing for his job as a yacht captain!

Anything interesting happen in May while we were away?

A Reunion for the Sixties Club!

Here's one for your scrapbook.... me with the tan between DLT and Mark Sloane, in the check shirt, Keith Hampshire aka "Keefers" and JW. I was determined as we all turned sixty!!!!!!!!! this year we should have a meet. Unfortunately Roger Day couldn't make it as he was working.

I had not seen Keith for FORTY years and the same for DLT, whose birthday was on Wednesday 25th May. Keefers is the baby as he doesn't hit his 6th decade until November. A "spooky" re-union held at the Langham Hotel right opposite the BBC's BH... ironic eh?

I spent weeks trying to get all the "birthday boys" together and as I say, what a shame "Twiggy" Day couldn't make it but as he told me work is work and he called me during the evening and I put him on speaker phone so we could all chat to him.

Also in the shot is Duncan Johnson and he and I talked for a long, long time, for the first time too. What a nice man he is.

Lotsa love, Tom Edwards

Episode Six – Love Hate Revenge

Fab 40 afficionados will be pleased to know that a 2-CD, 23-track Episode Six compilation has been released. The band, considered the Big L group, contained future members of Deep Purple, Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. Episode Six recordings were unsuccessful in the Nationals, but the band probably spent as many weeks in the Fab 40 between April 1966 and June 1967, as a number of their big-name contemporaries. They made numerous appearances at Radio London on-shore events, such as the Brands Hatch motor racing.

Graham Carter Dimmock, interviewed by Brian Long in The London Sound, said, "As far as people in the Radio London area were concerned, we were a big chart band. Everything we brought out was always in the chart. People believe what they hear and if they are being told this record's number one or number two, they believe it!"

Click on the cover photo to purchase

From Beneath The Wizard's Gown – Marc Bolan Unglittered by Tony Stringfellow

"The father of glam rock, Marc Bolan, was renowned for glitter, make-up, camp clothes and performances... He died at a time when his persona was still engulfed in the commercialisation of the pop character he had created, leaving the full enigma of his mind untold.

Much has been written about Marc Bolan the 'Glam Rock King' but little has touched on the person below the make-up. This book aims to do just that, inspired by a large selection of previously unpublished poetry of Bolan's, reflecting his earlier works in 'The Warlock of Love'.... This book aspires to look into the eyes of Marc Bolan, unglittered."

Marc Bolan appeared only briefly in the Fab 40, right at the end of Radio London's life, as a member of John's Children. His song, 'Sara, Crazy Child' was first published by the Radlon-associated Pall Mall Music. However, author Tony Stringfellow has received information that Marc, while still Marc Feldt, appeared on stage at one of the earliest Radio London Club afternoons in April or May 1965.

Tony has delayed publication of his book in order to incorporate late-arriving vital information.

If anyone recalls seeing Marc at a Radio London Club afternoon, please would they get in touch, heading their message 'Marc Bolan' .

Webby in the News

Graham Webb sent a scan of a two-part feature about his broadcasting career, which appeared in the Coolum and North Shore News. He says:

This was in the local paper. It's the first time the story has been told with "no embellishments" and is as accurate as I could ever hope for!

Luv GRAHAM

 

Click on Part One (left) or Part 2, to read the story