Queen: The Complete Works (3 page)

January 1965: Imperial College, London

January 15, 1966: Thames Rowing Club, Putney

January 29, 1966: Thames Rowing Club, Putney

February 5, 1966: Rowing Club, Shepperton

Spring 1966: Imperial College, London

Summer 1966: Boat Club, Molesey

Summer 1966: R&B Club, Putney

July 1/2, 1966: Boat Club, Henley-On-Thames

July 9, 1966: All Saints Church Hall, London

Autumn 1966: White Hart, Southall

May 13, 1967: Imperial College, London

September 1967: School Of Medicine, London

September 1967: Top Rank Club, Croydon

December 23, 1967: Olympia Theatre, London

Brian Harold May had been inspired to start playing music after hearing the likes of Lonnie Donegan and Buddy Holly, and by the late 1950s had befriended Dave Dilloway from Hampton Grammar School, who also had aspirations to be a guitarist. Brian had wanted a Fender or a Gibson, then all the rage, but was unable to afford such a luxurious instrument. Instead, Brian and his father Harold spent 18 months, starting in the autumn of 1963, constructing a guitar that would become Brian’s trademark for all his professional career.

The Red Special, as his axe was later dubbed, was a piecemeal construction formed from Brian’s own design. The neck and body were carved from an aged mahogany fireplace, the tension of the strings was balanced by motorcycle valve springs, the tremolo arm was a discarded knitting needle, the fretboard markers were mother-of-pearl buttons borrowed from his mother’s sewing box. Apart from three Burns pick-ups (which were modified by an epoxy resin), the guitar was entirely homemade and clearly a labour of love. Now all Brian needed was a band in which he could show off his accomplishment.

1984 was formed by Dave and Brian, with Bill Richards on vocals and guitar and John Sanger on piano. Bill left shortly after the band was formed because of his inferior guitar; Brian was chosen to diplomatically offer the ultimatum and Bill chose to leave since he couldn’t afford a new instrument. Malcolm Childs replaced him for nearly a week before being canned due to his unreliable nature. Finally, John ‘Jag’ Garnham joined on rhythm guitar and vocals, and 1984 (named after George Orwell’s novel and replacing earlier suggestions like Bod Chappie And The Beetles and The Mind Boggles) started the search for a drummer. An advertisement was placed in a music store window and answered by Richard Thompson; the only missing ingredient now was a vocalist. Dave and Brian had found Tim Staffell in the audience of a dance at Murray Park Hall, jamming along on mouth organ, and asked him up front if he would be interested in singing with them.

The band intended to write a futuristic mini-rock opera based loosely around Orwell’s novel, but instead focused on honing their chops through favourite rock and R&B tunes. On 28 October 1964, the band made their live debut at St Mary’s Church Hall in Twickenham, with the organiser, Chris Whittome-Knights, offering them a substantial (at the time) £10. From there, 1984 started building up their popularity by word of mouth and, soon enough, the band would be playing a gig a week. Sets usually included songs by The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones, The Spencer Davis Group and The Beatles, among many others. Tim was the designated lead singer, but Brian would take over the mike on ‘Yesterday’ (which drove the girls wild) and assist on harmonies on ‘Help!’ and ‘I’m A Loser’.

During the spring of 1966 at Imperial College London, where Brian had been a student since the previous October, the band were filmed on 8mm colour film, albeit lacking sound. The film, lasting around four minutes, focused mainly on the party at which 1984 were performing, but Brian and his guitar can be clearly seen in the background. On 31 March 1967, the band appeared at Broom Lane Studios by courtesy of some friends of Dave’s, performing twelve songs – ‘Hold On, I’m Coming!’, ‘Knock On Wood’, ‘N.S.U.’, ‘How Can It Be’, ‘Step On Me’, ‘Purple Haze’, ‘Our Love Is Driftin”, ‘Remember’, ‘Sweet Wine’, ‘Get Out Of My Life, Woman’, ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ and ‘My Girl’ – with one of them, ‘Step On Me’, an original written by Brian and Tim that was subsequently recorded by Smile.

After Bill Richards left 1984, he formed The Left Handed Marriage, and in the spring of 1967 Bill asked Brian if he would contribute guitar to a few recording sessions as he wanted a fuller sound. The band, with Bill, Jenny Hill, Henry Deval and Terry Goulds, had recorded the album
On The Right Side Of The Left Handed Marriage
, released in January 1967. Dave was also asked to contribute to the sessions at Brian’s request, and three sessions were recorded.

The first took place at Manor Road Studios in Twickenham on 4 April 1967, with four songs – ‘Give Me Time’, ‘She Was Once My Friend’, ‘Yours Sincerely’
and ‘Sugar Lump Girl’ – recorded. The second was at Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood on 28 June, though, sadly, Brian would not run into any of The Beatles, who had completed their latest single, ‘All You Need Is Love’, two days beforehand; at this session, ‘I Need Time’ (a retitled ‘Give Me Time’) and ‘She Was Once My Friend’ were re-recorded. The third and final session was held on 31 July at Regent Sound Studios, with ‘I Need Time’ and ‘She Was Once My Friend’ again re-recorded, along with a new song, ‘Appointment’. The three songs from the final session were due to be issued on the band’s sophomore album but it remained unreleased; they were, however, included as bonus tracks on the 1993 CD reissue of
On The Right Side Of The Left Handed Marriage
.

The last two (known) performances of 1984 during 1967 were the highest profile: in September, the band was entered into the Battle Of The Bands competition (later reported by
Melody Maker
, giving 1984 their first press coverage) and ended up winning with a twenty-minute set that included ‘Ain’t That Peculiar’ and ‘Crying In The Rain’. As a result, the band were invited to participate in the Christmas On Earth charity showcase on 23 December, which was an all-star affair involving most of the London ‘underground’, including Jimi Hendrix, Traffic, Pink Floyd, Herd and Tyrannosaurus Rex (later to become T. Rex). Many years later, Brian recalled that Hendrix walked up to the band and asked, “Which way to the stage, man?”

Unfortunately, this would mark the end of Brian’s interest in 1984, though he would fulfil his commitments with the band into the New Year. Finally, in February 1968 Brian announced he was leaving; the band continued with Tim taking over on lead guitar for eight months (though he too would soon jump ship and meet back up with Brian), continuing for a few more years with little success. 1984 remained a cover band through its final years, with a non-performing reunion in 1990 via the Queen International Fan Club when Brian, Dave, John and Richard met at Dave’s home for a chat and photo opportunity.

THE OPPOSITION / THE NEW OPPOSITION / THE ART

Spring 1965–Summer 1969

Musicians, The Opposition
(spring 1965–spring 1966): Nigel Bullen (
drums
), Clive Castledine (
bass guitar
), John Deacon (
guitar
), Richard Young (
vocals, guitar
)

Musicians, The New Opposition
(spring 1966–winter 1967): Pete ‘Pedro’ Bartholomew (
vocals
), Nigel Bullen (
drums
), Ronald Chester (
guitar
), John Deacon (
bass guitar
), David Williams (
guitar, vocals
), Richard Young (
vocals, guitar, keyboards
)

Musicians, The Opposition
(winter 1967–spring 1968) / The Art (spring 1968–summer 1969): Nigel Bullen (
drums
), Ronald Chester (
guitar
), John Deacon (
bass guitar
), David Williams (
vocals, guitar
), Richard Young (
keyboards
)

Repertoire included
: ‘You Don’t Know’, ‘Going To A Go-Go’, ‘Meeting Over Yonder’, ‘In The Midnight Hour’, ‘Heatwave’, ‘Knock On Wood’, ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’, ‘Something You Got’, ‘Something About You’, ‘I’ll Be Doggone’, ‘Can’t Help Myself’, ‘Dancing In The Street’, ‘Headline News’, ‘Ride Your Pony’, ‘Land Of 1,000 Dances’

Known itinerary, The Opposition
:

September 25, 1965: Clive Castledine’s house, Leicester

October 1965: Gartree School, Oadby

December 4, 1965: Co-operative Hall, Enderby

December 17, 1965: Gartree School, Leicester

December 31, 1965: Market Harborough Youth Club, Leicester

January 15, 1966: Co-operative Hall, Enderby

February 5, 1966: Village Institute, Countersthorpe

February 11, 1966: Youth Club, Narborough

March 5, 1966: Constitutional Hall, Wigston

March 11, 1966: Village Hall, Evington

April 30, 1966: Co-operative Hall, Enderby

January 1967: USAF Base, Molesworth

February 12, 1967: Boys Club, New Parks

February 25, 1967: Antiquity Club, Churchgate

March 10, 1967: Roundhills Youth Centre, Thurmaston, Leicester

March 18, 1967: Boys Club, New Parks

March 31, 1967: Kirby Lane Community Centre, Melton Mowbray

April 23, 1967: Beaumont Keys

April 30, 1967: Boys Club, New Parks

July 1, 1967: Royal Oak, Wigston

November 4, 1967: Club, Evington

November 10, 1967: Boys Club, Witterworth

November 11, 1967: Zodiac 67 Club, Leicester

December 21, 1967: Raven Youth Club, Thurby Lodge

January 6, 1968: Dog & Gun, Thurlaston

January 12, 1968: Casino Ballroom, Leicester

January 27, 1968: Country Arms, Blaby

February 9, 1968: Royal Oak, Wigston

February 16, 1968: Youth Club, Lutterworth

February 17, 1968: Dog & Gun, Thurlaston

February 23, 1968: Roundhills Youth Center, Thumaston

February 24, 1968: Youth Club Hall, Kibworth

March 1, 1968: Royal Oak, Wigston

March 2, 1968: Country Arms, Blaby

Known itinerary, The New Opposition
:

June 14, 1966: Co-operative Hall, Enderby

August 1966: Co-operative Hall, Enderby

October 1966: Casino Ballroom, Leicester

November 6, 1966: Monsell Youth Club, Eyres

November 11, 1966: Monsell Youth Club, Eyres

December 31, 1966: Market Harborough Youth Club, Leicester

January 13, 1967: Tennis Club, Leicester

Known itinerary, The Art
:

Spring 1968: venue unknown, St Neots

Spring 1968: venue unknown, Kettering

March 16, 1968: Gartree School, Oadby

March 29, 1968: Youth Club, Lutterworth

April 28, 1968: Village Hall, Billesden

May 11, 1968: Village Hall, Kibworth

Summer 1968: Kirby Lane Community Centre, Melton Mowbray

December 17, 1968: Gartree School, Oadby

January 11, 1969: West End Ballroom, Coalville

January 18, 1969: Rugby Club, Hinckley

January 25, 1969: Community Centre, Kirby Muxloe

February 1, 1969: Village Hall, Kibworth

February 8, 1969: Village Hall, Bedford

February 15, 1969: Rugby Club, Tyers

August 1969: Youth Clunob, Great Glen

John Richard Deacon and a handful of his classmates from Beauchamp Grammar School in Leicester had formed The Opposition in the spring of 1965, inspired by such acts as Herman’s Hermits, Peter & Gordon, The Hollies, The Rockin’ Berries, and, of course, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. John wasn’t even 14 by the time The Opposition became a semi-serious venture. Initially, John played guitar (having not even picked up a bass yet) alongside his best friend, drummer Nigel Bullen, and their friends Richard Young and Clive Castledine.

John had been playing guitar since the age of twelve and was already quite proficient when he joined The Opposition. Their first gig was at a party at Clive’s house, followed by a dance at Gartree School, though their first authentic, paying show was at the Enderby Co-operative Hall, soon becoming regulars at youth clubs around Oadby.

Clive was dismissed in the spring of 1966, and John took over on bass and local singer Peter ‘Pedro’ Bartholomew joined on vocals. The former bassist’s firing was instigated by Peter, who had agreed to sing with them on condition they get a better bass guitarist. David Williams joined on guitar and Richard moved to keyboards. With the personnel change, the band also switched their name to The New Opposition and would remain under that moniker until the beginning of 1967. Their set was comprised mostly of The Yardbirds, The Animals and various Tamla Motown singles, though their repertoire had expanded to include The Zombies and The Spencer Davis Group in the summer of 1966.

Ronald Chester joined later in 1966 and David Williams became the band’s full-time vocalist after the dismissal of Peter Bartholomew, and they reverted to their original name only to change it again in the spring of 1968, this time to The Art. (The logic behind this decision? “David Williams was arty.”) John left in August 1969 to concentrate on his electronics degree; the band had been solely a local group and had no aspirations to go any further. With constant pressure from his mother to focus on his education and not waste his time on music, John hung up his bass guitar for the better part of a year and worked diligently at Leicester University, though the desire to perform would soon prove too strong.

JOHNNY QUALE AND THE REACTION

Spring 1965–Autumn 1965

Musicians
: Jim Craven (
bass guitar
), Mike Dudley (
keyboards, guitar
), Johnny Quale (
vocals
), Graham Hankins (
guitar
), John ‘Acker’ Snell (
saxophone
), Roger ‘Splodge’ Taylor (
drums
)

Repertoire included
: ‘Game Of Love’, ‘Hey Mama (Keep Your Big Mouth Shut)’, ‘Whatcha Gonna Do ‘Bout It?’, ‘Slow Down’, ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T’, ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’, ‘It’s Gonna Work Out Fine’, ‘Land Of 1,000 Dances’

Known itinerary
:

March 15, 1965: City Hall, Truro

April 15, 1965: City Hall, Truro

Summer 1965: Blue Lagoon, Newquay

Summer 1965: Village Hall, St Just

Summer 1965: The Garden, Penzance

Summer 1965: Princess Pavilion, Falmouth