The Incredible Kidda Band

The Kidda Band -The early days- 18 September 1976
The line up of the Kidda Band as most people know it was starting to come together following the departure of Dean ????? on lead guitar after the first live gig.
"The Friary Live Rock" show featured Gordon "Charlie" Smith on bass guitar, Dave Lister, having replaced Dean, on lead guitar with Kidder and Alan continuing with the vocal duties as before.
The missing drummer was Les ???????, whose time with the band was to be short lived as, unbeknown to most members of the band, discussion were already underway between Alan and Kidder and two members of rival local band Vertigo as to their willingness to join the band.
Vertigo
18 September 1976
Support act for "The Friary Live Rock" show were rival local band Vertigo.
Vertigo featured Ian "Ash" Ashby on vocals, John Rollason on guitar, some other geezer on bass and finally Chris Statham on drums.
Alan and Kidder had already held discussions with John about joining the Kidda Band to take on rhythm guitar duties, and they were also looking for Chris to take over from Les on drums.
They both did so shortly after. Chris Stathams stay in the band was also short lived, finally being replaced by Graham " Dick " Millington
16th April 1978
The main Kidda Band line up was now in place and live shows became a regular part of everyday life which had a big impact on the day job.
During the day Alan worked for Sketchley Dry Cleaners (the inspiration for the song Don't take me to the cleaners) along with Johnny, Kidder worked as an underground electrician at the National Coal Board, Dick worked at the local newspaper in Nuneaton (The Evening Tribune), Dave was a long distance lorry driver and Les was unemployed.
Eventually the band gave up work and concentrated on the music. Dick left at this time to be replaced on drums by Paul Gardner.