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I had a phone call from John Leyton's manager, Steve Etherington, yesterday. He was telling me about the 'Telstar' show at Epsom Playhouse Theatre on Thursday (26th) night. On the show were the Tornados, Mike Berry, John Leyton and the Flames. Steve was delighted when Jet and Janet (+ Audrey - I think) turned up during the soundcheck. It was great for Jet to be able to chat with Clem, John & Mike. Jet (I believe) was not long out of hospital having just completed his first course of treatment. Steve reported that Jet was a little frail (only to be expected) but was feeling better and stronger than he had done for a little while. Naturally - we all hope that Jet continues to improve. Best of all - Jet borrowed Roger Cover's bass guitar and the Flames backed Jet on a superb "Nivram" - during the soundcheck I might add! It's wonderful that Jet wants to get back to playing. Steve reckons that Jet would have loved to have done "Nivram" during the concert itself (when he was in the audience) - but, all things considered, didn't want to put any pressure on Jet - just in case anything went wrong. Jet has a show scheduled with John Leyton & the Rapiers for March 2010. Right - that gives him 3 complete months to recover his strength. Here's to you Jet...for 2010.

Rob

Hi Rob,

Yes it would be Audrey, our own Audrey K as she is on here.

It's great to hear that Jet is getting out and about.

I spoke to Clem Cattini at the Children in need do in Reading
- another rock legend!

Best wishes to you Jet as always from Mom and me!

Amanda

Yes, I was at that show and Jet was namechecked by John Burleigh (lead guitar with The Flames) during their opening set. If you get the chance to see the show, you'll find that there is a lot of Cliff and The Shadows material in it (The Flames opened the show with Apache) and John, Jeff Jeffery (rhythm) and Roger Cover (bass) have red Strats and a red Precision in true Shadows style. The Flames' drummer is Jeff Tuck, brother of John Tuck of Rapiers fame (and with a Tuck on the drums you get to see the increasingly rare sight of Conventional Grip (rather than Matched Grip), just like Tony Meehan used to play).

(On a note of personal satisfaction, I can't resist mentioning that as I walked into the auditorium The Secrets were playing! Not live, but over the PA system. The new instrumental CD Twangs For The Melody (which includes two tracks by The Secrets, Ginchy and Hit and Miss) was being used before curtain up. During the Interval I got a second 'Ahhhh!' moment as the CD reached Husky Team, one of two tracks by my other band, The Triumphs!)

Ray L

Hi Ray,

My friend is a "conventional grip" drummer as well.

I'll have to keep my eyes open for gigs in my area!

Amanda

Ray,
Where is the CD 'Twangs for the Melody' available?
Cheers,
JB

John

From Leo's Den
http://www.leosden.co.uk/othernews.htm
(first item on the list)
or from Bim-bam Records
http://www.rhis.co.uk/cgi-bin/cart.pl?d ... ant=bimbam
(scroll about half-way down)

It's on Lone Star Records LRR TWANG 001
so you should also be able to order it from stores that sell CDs

Ray L

Love these first-had sightings and reports.

Greg,

Specially for you, here's a couple of pics from my collection.
First, Jet before a gig at the Millfield Theatre, Edmonton, March 06


and John and Colin with Stuart, a young guitarist from Watford
at the Pipeline Convention, March 08

Ray

Thanks, Ray. I was at that 2008 Pipeline Convention, a most swell time.

Hi Rob and Everyone,

We had a great night and it was a fantastic show! I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to go. Yes..... Jet did play "Nivram" during the soundcheck which was a real treat!! He would have loved to have played it during the concert itself!! He is really looking forward to getting back to performing next year.

In the meantime, I thought you might like to know that Jet resumes his chemotherapy treatment on Wednesday. It must be horrible to have to go back for more treatment and I can't stress enough how brilliantly Jet is coping with all of this. It's been a long haul through the diagnostic procedures and the first two courses of treatment. Let's hope that he sails through the next lot of chemo with no problems.

Best wishes,
Audrey