Category Archives: music friends

Paul Williams

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Paul Williams

Paul Williams 1940-2019

One more Roller gone.
Again fate helps me to remember the truly pleasurable friendship I shared with the talented, funny, on-the-edge but charming with it … Paul Williams.
From the moment we met in ’63 when we both played in the Wes Minster Five right up until only two weeks before his ‘leaving’ I never stopped laughing in his presence.
My kindest thoughts go to Diane, Sam and Ashton of course. Wonderful voice, good bass player, excellent fake piano-player with a remarkable ear for harmony and absurd humour. An enormous loss to music and friends.
Rest in peace Squiblett … your memory will stay with me forever.

 

Remember He’s A Womble

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Remember he's a Womble

Remember he’s a Womble

Counting down with just ten days to go till the star studded benefit gig at the O2 Academy Islington on October 29th for former Big Roll Band bassist Paul McCallum, who is sadly in hospice care since his medical condition has worsened.

The popular bass player, diagnosed with an advanced form of Multiple System Atrophy some years ago, was not only the brains behind PLASA member company, Wembley Loudspeaker, but also bass player with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and a host of other major names, including Helen Shapiro and Billy Fury. Paul is affectionately known as ‘The Womble’ from his days as Uncle Bulgaria in Mike Batt’s original Wombles.

In addition to playing their own set Zoot and the boys will provide the rhythm section for guest musicians who will appear on the night.

All proceeds from the event will go towards funding Paul’s medical expenses.

 

1966 And All That…

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Alert! Rollers!

Out now on Repertoire Records #REP 5343

1966 AND ALL THAT: THE 90 TRACK BOX SET YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!

OUT YESTERDAY, JANUARY 26. DON’T DELAY, GET YOURS TODAY!!

    • Now this is the one to own!
    • Limited edition 2000 copies, signed by Zoot Money
    • The one you should add to your collection
    • Book-sized CD package. 54 page book including photos sourced from the legendary Jeremy Spencer archive.
    • Essay written by Chris Welch with foreword by Zoot Money and Andy Summers
    • All tracks remastered by Jon Astley and Eroc

read more… 

Oh! To live those days again

#blues #1966andallthat #boxset #1960s #swinging60s #60smusic #britishblues #zootmoney #andysummers #chriswelch #jeremyspencer #jonastley #eroc

Remembering Nick Newall

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Miss you so much already Nick ‘Noola’ Newall.
This one’s hard.
My many instrument talented tenor player and wise dignified friend of 60 yrs has passed into the ether last night.
Never a cross word or wrong note passed his lips in all the time we spent together, in vans, cars, buses, planes and smelly band rooms in all the towns we played.
The longest standing member of the Roll Band (Big or little) he always contributed more than his recompense.
His class continues to show in that he requested no funeral so all I can do to indicate my respect is to recommend you listen to the countless impeccable solos he provided on my and many others’ recordings.
Warm heartfelt memories of great intelligent humour to his dear Marilyn and their son that will no doubt carry them through this painful time. His quiet voice and laugh are with us still.

(ZM Oct 2, 2017)

Nick Newall, from Barcodes & Friends CD

Get booking now, because Thursday 26th of October …yes THIS month… Big Roll will be rolling into the Bulls Head, Barnes.

We will remember the late Nick Newall: replacing him on tenor will be the very able Nick Payne.
A celebration of Nick N’s life will be announced later on Facebook for friends and musicians to pay respects.

Meanwhile… see you on Oct 26th. Right?

BIG re-issue news! Live at Klook’s Kleek and Live At The BBC with Brian Matthew

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Out in May – a brand new VINYL  of “Live at Klooks Kleek”: a 50th anniversary re-issue of that iconic recording, which was produced by Gus Dudgeon. (Cos true fans will have worn their original copies to a wafer)…

 

Then in June, a three CD box set with a book of comments and pics of….

  • “Live At Klooks Kleek”
  • “Big Roll Band live at the Flamingo”. This is a repackaged re release of “Where you There”
    originally released on Sanctuary in 2008.
  • “Big Roll Band live at the BBC ” – various Light Program Saturday Club performances in
    65/66/67, with Brian Matthew interviewing Zoot before each track.

    Zoot Money's Big Roll Band - The Live Collection

    The Live Collection