Back in the early 60’s, my Dad managed a musical instrument shop in the town centre. I was around 10 at the time and would often hang out there after school and on Saturdays.
The local band looking to make the big time were called The Naturals. Rumour has it that they were invited to appear on the Royal Variety Performance but couldn’t get transport.
One thing that was true was that they’d made a demo of the song Concrete and Clay. It was ready for release when, a couple of weeks before a (known) group, Unit 4 + 2, released their version, making release of The Naturals version pointless.
Anyway, to the reason for this post, wandering through YouTube I came across this. The first guy to get into the van looked familiar. As I ran the film back, I noticed ‘The Naturals’ sign in the window. Memories came flooding back, I remember going round to one of the member’s houses one Sunday morning with my Dad. The Commer van was stuck in the mud on the piece of wasteland it’d been parked on after the previous night’s gig. Took ages to get it over the kerb against which the front wheels were wedged.
Another time I went to the shop on my brand new pedal bike, a Royal Enfield Revelation. It was blue and white and Roy, the drummer, was in the shop talking to my Dad. He was wearing a blue and white stripe jumper. He had fun riding in circles on the pavement between the shop and bank opposite.
Sorry to go on but, well, I’m just a little overcome.
The local band looking to make the big time were called The Naturals. Rumour has it that they were invited to appear on the Royal Variety Performance but couldn’t get transport.
One thing that was true was that they’d made a demo of the song Concrete and Clay. It was ready for release when, a couple of weeks before a (known) group, Unit 4 + 2, released their version, making release of The Naturals version pointless.
Anyway, to the reason for this post, wandering through YouTube I came across this. The first guy to get into the van looked familiar. As I ran the film back, I noticed ‘The Naturals’ sign in the window. Memories came flooding back, I remember going round to one of the member’s houses one Sunday morning with my Dad. The Commer van was stuck in the mud on the piece of wasteland it’d been parked on after the previous night’s gig. Took ages to get it over the kerb against which the front wheels were wedged.
Another time I went to the shop on my brand new pedal bike, a Royal Enfield Revelation. It was blue and white and Roy, the drummer, was in the shop talking to my Dad. He was wearing a blue and white stripe jumper. He had fun riding in circles on the pavement between the shop and bank opposite.
Sorry to go on but, well, I’m just a little overcome.
