Enter Bill Collins: (Who would later become
our mentor manager.)
We were opening the show for the Mojos at the
Regal Ballroom, Amanford. The Mojos were famous and Bill was their roadie.
Bill was old and gray even then. He was a master shipwright and an
intellectual. Bill could talk a glass eye to sleep, or sell sand to an Arab.
Bill was perfect. Bill thought the Iveys could be perfect.
Bill Collins drove down from London to
Swansea armed with a Revox A77 and a couple of 7" reels. He recorded our
set and took one reel home to London for study...the other he gave to us. This
was the first time I'd "heard" myself recorded...and was horrified
to say the least! I think we all got a bit of a shock. The group sounded
sloppy and out of tune. We all decided it was rehearsal time and that's what
we did in all our spare time...REHEARSE.
A few months later...Bill was back in Swansea
and propositioned us to turn professional. With him at the helm as our manager
and musical director. Pete's Dad was really wary of Bill. Alwyn, our manager
and Dai's brother, took it like a man and said "Hey...move on up."
Ron's Dad was indifferent...almost invisible. Anyway, Bill drew up a
"contract" (Gentleman's agreement he called it) and we signed up. My
Dad, George Gibbins, signed on my behalf as I was still under age. Bill
assured him I would be safe and taken care of. Within a week the Iveys day
jobs were history. We were now going to a "professional beat
group."
7 Park Avenue, Golders Green, London N.W.ll.
Golders Green is a fairly rich Jewish suburb of North London, located just a
short walk from the famous "Old Bull and Bush" pub. Bill Collins
lived at no. 7 along with the Mojos. The house had one bathroom and five
bedrooms. There were four Mojos and one Bill. We, the Iveys, after much
mathematics and eye squinting, moved our stuff into the living room where for
the next year we would sleep on military style camp beds purchased at
"The Famous Army Stores." Bill, now being manager of both the Mojos
and the Iveys had his own personal phone in his office which also doubled as
bedroom. The bands had to make do with a pay phone located in the entrance
hallway. Hey, at least we were in London! Bright Lights, Big City...and lots a
cool Babes!
The first year at Park Avenue would find us
always hungry. We made use of an old apple tree in the back yard. Apples for
breakfast, stewed apples for lunch, and apple pie for dinner...and more
frequently...Apple Surprise (out of season). Five pounds a week was just
beer and smokes, maybe the odd meat pie up "The Old Bull and
Bush"...which became a luxury.
Next Month: "The Padded
Cell"
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