THE TONY MEEHAN COMBO

[cockroach]

I think John Mac was only in the Jet/Tony backing group for a short while, playing rhythm while Joe Moretti playing lead.

I don't think he was in Jet's backing group on the 1964 NME concert..although I can't remember whether that group was the Jet Blacks or the Innocents

(Joe Moretti evidently played on the recordings of Scarlett, Applejack, and possibly Song of Mexico after Jet left. He maintained he stepped in upon request when Jet was indisposed at that time, and that the money offered to substitute (and to say nothing!) was needed by him at the time.)

John Mac was evidently playing with quite a few groups as well as sessions back then, and he also worked in a London music shop, selling guitars- and practicing like mad when business was quiet...building up his amazing technique.

All of the top session guitarists on the scene at that time (Jim Sullivan, Joe Moretti etc) were in awe of him, evidently, and they all said he was THE best of all of them. some said they couldn't believe he was only playing rhythm when he was so talented- but I suppose he was scratching for any work to make money to survive back then...

[GoldenStreet]

Some interesting internet reminiscences (amongst others) by session sax player, Chris Hughes...

http://www.epicure.me.uk/randrpage2.html

Bill

[JimN]

I think John Mac was only in the Jet/Tony backing group for a short while, playing rhythm while Joe Moretti playing lead. I don't think he was in Jet's backing group on the 1964 NME concert..although I can't remember whether that group was the Jet Blacks or the Innocents

Correct on both counts. The group with Jet at the 1964 NME concert was The Innocents, with Billy Kuy on guitar and Don Groome (one time auxiliary Cricket) on drums.

(Joe Moretti evidently played on the recordings of Scarlett, Applejack, and possibly Song of Mexico after Jet left. He maintained he stepped in upon request when Jet was indisposed at that time, and that the money offered to substitute (and to say nothing!) was needed by him at the time.)

Again, correct. I believe that Joe also played the guitar solo on Freddy and The Dreamers' I'm Telling You Now. The style and tone are near-identical on Scarlett O'hara, I'm Telling You Now and Song Of Mexico (a semi-acoustic Guild with Bisgby and flatwounds, apparently).

John Mac was evidently playing with quite a few groups as well as sessions back then, and he also worked in a London music shop, selling guitars- and practicing like mad when business was quiet...building up his amazing technique. All of the top session guitarists on the scene at that time (Jim Sullivan, Joe Moretti etc) were in awe of him, evidently, and they all said he was THE best of all of them. some said they couldn't believe he was only playing rhythm when he was so talented- but I suppose he was scratching for any work to make money to survive back then...

In 1969, John advertised his Gibson L4-C (acoustic) for sale in the classified pages of the Melody Maker. He mentioned his name in the ad, presumably because that gave it a certain amount of cachet. He (years) later revealed that he had sold it "to keep body and soul together".

[anniv 63]

I think that John Weider replaced John Mclaughlin as 2nd guitarist in early 1964.
I am sure I read somewhere, that Weider claimed to have played on the Decca Diamonds session
which is probably not correct fact.
Brian Parker and John Rogers of the Hunters have also been mentioned in some quarters as being
booked at the Diamonds session as well as a certain Mr James Page on acoustic rythm!!
Probably it will always be guesswork as to who actually played the recorded session takes that particular
day?

Mike

[cockroach]

JimN,

There were photos of Joe Moretti around back then (1962/3)with a Guild Stratford - top of the range model, blonde finish, deep body single cutaway archtop with three single coil pickups and the six push buttons giving all pickup combinations- the unique sound on those recordings (including Scarlett and I'm telling you now) suggest that he had two of the pickups on at once. Not sure which two though! I think Ivor Mairants or another London dealer may have had the distribution for Guild about then (1960/61 on), as Bert Weedon had his Starfire by 1961 (superseding his Golden Hofner), and the lead player guy with Karl Denver had a sunburst Stratford.

I know that shops like Sound City had pretty much all USA brands available by late 62/early 63- on a visit to London we saw Fenders (Fiesta red Strat, sunburst Bass VI etc ) Gibsons (all semis and solids including a single cutaway 3 p.u.Les Paul Custom) Guilds and Gretsches(including the solid bodies)

[GoldenStreet]

There were photos of Joe Moretti around back then (1962/3)with a Guild Stratford - top of the range model, blonde finish, deep body single cutaway archtop with three single coil pickups and the six push buttons giving all pickup combinations- the unique sound on those recordings (including Scarlett and I'm telling you now) suggest that he had two of the pickups on at once. Not sure which two though! I think Ivor Mairants or another London dealer may have had the distribution for Guild about then (1960/61 on), as Bert Weedon had his Starfire by 1961 (superseding his Golden Hofner), and the lead player guy with Karl Denver had a sunburst Stratford.

Kevin Neill with his Stratford.

KN.JPG

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Bill

[cockroach]

Thanks Bill!

I remember seeing the Karl Denver trio on TV in late 62/early 63, playing 'Sleepy Lagoon' and Kevin played a lovely guitar solo on that Guild.

The US singer Charlie Gracie also used that model- and he played the hell out of it!

[JimN]

Thanks Bill!

I remember seeing the Karl Denver trio on TV in late 62/early 63, playing 'Sleepy Lagoon' and Kevin played a lovely guitar solo on that Guild.

The US singer Charlie Gracie also used that model- and he played the hell out of it!

Kevin was a nice melodic player.

I'm sure I remember the Trio on TV once doing a bit of business where Kevin hit a high note a semitone flat (for effect, deliberately during a comedy routine) and said "Missed it!".

[StuartD]

Kevin was a lovely guy. He lived in Manchester. Used to see him at the Country gigs over there. He sadly died in 2010.

[George Geddes]

Just picked up the new issue of Guitar and Bass magazine, which has a main feature on the late Joe Moretti.

George