Guitar Gods in Beds. (Bedfordshire: A Heavenly County). Mike Buchanan
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Guitar Gods in Beds.
(BEDFORDSHIRE: A Heavenly County)
Mike Buchanan
LPS PUBLISHING
Publisher’s note
Every possible effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is an accurate representation of some of the details of the contributors’ life stories, and the publisher and author cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions, however caused. No responsibility for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting, or refraining from action, as a result of the material in this publication, can be accepted by the publisher or author.
First published in Great Britain in 2008 by LPS Publishing. This ebook edition was first published in 2014.
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms and licences issued by the CLA. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside these terms should be sent to the publisher at the following address:
LPS Publishing
PO Box 2220
Bath BA1 1AA
Copyright © Mike Buchanan, 2014
The original paperback edition of this book was published in 2008.
The right of Mike Buchanan to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 2008.
ISBN 9780957168831
This ebook edition is distributed by the good people at http://ebookit.com.
Guitar Gods in Beds.
This book relates the life stories of eight guitarists living in the Bedford area, in their own words. In turns funny, shocking, and moving, the stories give some insights into Bedford’s guitar-based live music scene which has so far lasted about 50 years, and remains in fine shape.
Mike Buchanan is a 50-year-old businessman and author, whose work brought him to Bedford in 1995. He was delighted to discover a vibrant live guitar-based music scene in the Bedford area, mainly centred on the town’s public houses. The scene may be traced back to the early 1960s, and continues to this day.
The author doesn’t have the patience to learn to play the guitar well, and the two guitars in his living room are strictly ornamental. But he greatly admires people who do have the patience – including ‘Guitar Gods’ – and this book is a tribute to all of them, for the pleasure they bring to mere mortals.
Cover photograph: Amazin’ Max Milligan with his 1967 Fender Telecaster, and Finger Pickin’ Good Paul Bonas with his 1952 Gibson LG2, above Bedford, Bedfordshire, 26 August 2008.
Other books by Mike Buchanan, published by LPS publishing:
Two Men in a Car (a businessman, a chauffeur, and their holidays in France) (2008)
The Marriage Delusion: the fraud of the rings? (2009)
Buchanan’s Dictionary of Quotations for right-minded people (2010)
The Joy of Self-Publishing (2010)
David and Goliatha: David Cameron – heir to Harman? (2010)
The Glass Ceiling Delusion (2011)
Feminism: the ugly truth (2012)
For all guitarists, everywhere. Thank you.
Thunderin’ Paul Carrington with his 2003 Yamaha Dreadnought DWX-8C outside The White Horse, Bedford, 26 February 2008. © Mike Buchanan.
Finger Pickin’ Good Paul Bonas and Fiddlin’ Nick Edwards set off for another gig on Paul’s Honda CD175, 1974.
Finger Pickin’ Good Paul Bonas with his 1978 Martin D41 at the legendary Guitar Gods in Beds. (and a Goddess) gig, The Red Lion, Stevington, 8 December 2007.
Gondolin’s last gig, in a field off Cardington Road, Bedford, 1974. Rockin’ Rob Felton (Wilson bass), Thrashin’ Trevor Riddy, and Amazin’ Max Milligan (Antoria Les Paul copy).
Amazin’ Max Milligan with his 1996 Martin 00028EC at a Tim Buckley tribute concert, 10 May 2008, at The Cockpit theatre, London.
Foley’s Follies. Peter Thorburn Walling, Hollerin’ Bob Foley with his 1942 Gibson J45, and Diana Strange, performing at the London Hospital Autumn Ball, 1965. Hollerin’ Bob reports that Peter is now a ‘gas man’ (an anaesthetist) in Dallas, Texas, and Diana a ‘gas bag’ (a lady anaesthetist, hopefully) in Queensland, Australia.
Hollerin’ Bob Foley with his 1998 Gibson Mastertone banjo, Pete Bonas and Patrick Knight, at The Bedford Arms, Oakley, 16 July 2006. © Mike Buchanan.
The Painful Truth, later to become Soft Touch after a few personnel changes. This is the band which came second in the Saffron Walden ‘Battle of the Bands’, a self-declared crowning moment in Lightnin’ Hands Pete Rose’s musical career. Martyn Atkins (bass), Steve Godden (drums), ‘some kid that sometimes played the saxophone’, Don Musto (guitar), Stan the Man (vocals), and Lightnin’ Hands Pete Rose (1989 blonde US Fender Stratocaster Plus).
Lightnin’ Hands Pete Rose with his 1997 Fender Roadhouse Stratocaster at The Ship, Bedford, summer 2006.
Thunderin’ Paul Carrington flies through the air with the greatest of ease and breaks a 4" thick breeze block with his foot. As you do. Bedford College, 1990.
Mumblin’ Cliff Hanson with his 1998 Taylor CE310K at The Ship, Bedford, summer 2006.
Cookin’ Neil Cook, Blindin’ Dave King with his Fender Telecaster, and another bloke with another guitar. The Crown in Kempston, 1985.
Blindin’ Dave King with his Stagg jazz guitar at Danny’s Bar, Bedford, 13 April 2008. © Mike Buchanan.
Laughin’ John Verity leading Phoenix with his 1961 Gibson Les Paul Custom, Zurich, 1976. Photograph © Ueli Frey.