JOHN GRAHAM R.I.P.

[anniv 63]

Just read the Daily Mail article on the above late gentleman who was buried
in the Fender Coffin.
I had assumed he had been in the Ramrods U.S. band, but he was in a 60s
Gloucester band of the same name and was a guitarist and Shadows fan
as well.
I was wondering if this is the same John Graham that is listed on the
sleeve of the Jet Harris ANNIVERSARY ALBUM from 1989 (as an additional
musician on the reverse)
Anyone know?

Mike

[Arpeggio]

Could well be Mike. He had connections with Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud (all areas familiar to Jet during the 1980s). I discovered (purely by chance reading some online comments about the funeral - Daily Mail Online) - that a very young Brian Jones (who of course, lived in Cheltenham at the time) often played with the UK Ramrods before frequenting London and finding fame & fortune with the Rolling Stones.

Rob

[Arpeggio]

Well spotted Mike. Here's a pic of John Graham in his 1962 hey day. Then, a photograph taken during the recording of "The Anniversary Album". Pictured with Jet is the late Dave Wheatley on the right. On the left.....a guitarist who most defintely resembles the late John Graham.

Rob

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Anniversary Album 14 - 12 - 1987.jpg

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[anniv 63]

Yes Rob indeed that must be John E Graham as credited on the sleeve of the album.
Note he is playing Jet's guitar of the time a Tokai 400 series Strat I think , so it
is possible that as a lead guitarist he would no doubt have contributed to these
re recordings of Jets back catologue such as Nivram 36-24-36 . or a few others?

Mike

[Arpeggio]

Yes....that must be correct Mike. I've checked out al of the other musicians listed and none of them were guitarists - although doubtless they could probably play guitar (Muff Murfin and Colin Owen - both sound recording experts - were both keyboard players - but may have also played guitar). But, I would guess that John Graham played lead on the tracks where Jet usually played bass or his Fender VI (in which case the rhythm guitar would have been probably dubbed on by him too) and rhythm when Jet played lead (in which case Jet probably dubbed on the bass guitar on those tracks). Dave Wheatley (although he played guitar) did not play on the recording sessions (as he was not a professional player).

Bests....Rob

[anniv 63]

Having given Jet's Anniversary Album a play through for the first time in many
years, it is still good in terms of musicianship and sound recording but maybe
not having quite the dynamic impact of the originals.
In comparison with the Shadows Polydor At Their Very Best re-recordings I.M.H.O.
much better as a meaningful project.
Its a pity the Anniversary set didn't get wider distribution through retailers as I am
sure there were problems with the label or PRT the agents just after release?
Rob B , Dave Holbrook and many others will know this as well.

Mike

p.s. the dust remains on the Polydor vinyl!!!

[Arpeggio]

Hi Mike. I'm in 100% agreement with you. "Anniversary Album" was a fine offering. Jet did have some bad luck in his career. At this point, 1985 - 89, he'd begun to build up his reputation again and at least had his then drinking problem partly under control. "Anniversary Album" was due to be distributed nationally by PRT / Pinnacle - who were huge at the time. They had plenty of copies of the LP / CD in stock - all ready to go. Sadly for Jet....literally just days before the big launch PRT went bankrupt! Hence the whole project was doomed and all of the PRT stock was seized by liquidators & 'frozen in limbo' for a very long time. What became of the LPs / CDs - no - one knows. Tony Hoffman did discover, a year or two ago, that producer Muff Murfin still had some copies - but they're hard to find nowadays.

Bests....Rob

[anniv 63]

Don't know if Mr Murfin might still have the master tapes for the Anniversary
Album, but it might be worth a limited re-release as there are probably quite
a few fans who would welcome and buy this if they missed it at the time.
Some of proceeds could go to Jet's Charity Fund if the parties involved agreed?
Just a thought

Mike