Music page 2

Sandalwood

Freeway ( Bideford ) Clockwise from front: Arthur, Maurice, Tony, Neil, & Me.

After arriving in Bideford, Devon in 1977 I was approached by a local group called Freeway. They needed a lead guitarist, and with my comprehensive range and experience I was just what they needed. I spent about 18 months with them. At the same time I did a few gigs with a keyboard player named Jonathon Brown and collaborated with him to write the backing music for a commercial for Colt 45 Lager.

One of the ex Hy-kells/Phoenix 4 drummers, Adrian Basketfield, my then brother-in-law, came to stay in Bideford and together we formed a 4 piece outfit by the name of ''Harvest'' However it was short lived as the lead vocalist left after a few months and although we found a girl with an amazing voice ( Janet Loosemoore ) we could'nt get her to sing the standards.

''Harvest''

Top left: Early Touch of Amber. Chris, Arthur, Myself, Pete, & Kevin on drums. Top Right: With Richard on drums & Paul lead Vocs. Bottom left: With new Vocalist Laura.  Bottom right: As ''Shades of White'' with Tony Hallett fronting.

I moved to Exmouth in 1980 and it was'nt long before I was approached by a well known Devon band called Touch of Amber, who needed a lead guitarist. I spent several years with them on and off although the music was never as tight as my Birmingham days. Still, it was quite interesting as the venues included Cow-sheds and the back of a trailer !!

After a few years away from it due to my work commitments, I eventually got together with Peter White and we re-formed as Shades of White. Gigs were few and far between and when Arthur just 'disappeared' on the night of a gig Jean offered to step in and sing rather than let people down. It was her very first time singing with a band in public, and unfortunately all our keys were male. We overcame this, and Jean became our vocalist.

Above: Jean started with Shades of White (formerly Touch of Amber)