Drummer, Disc Jockey, Compare & MC. Stage Manager, Music Agency, Music Nut.Most know me as Rockin’ Lee, “ a tireless promoter of Rock & Roll!†(Steve Aynsley - Gene Vincent Fan Club) or “The Voice Of Rock & Roll!†(Dell Richardson - Radio Caroline)or "The Best Stage Manager In THE WORLD!" (Willie Jeffery - Hemsby Rock & Roll Weekenders), but my involvement in Rock And Roll started back in the early Seventies, with the influences of my Mother and Father, Listening to their Eddie Cochran, Ricky Nelson, and Hank Williams records. Also Charlie Gillett on Radio London’s Honky Tonk show.
I was always tapping out a beat on anything at hand, like knives and forks where parents nerves got frayed at dinner time. So eventually a drum kit was sort, and I joined my first band APACHE, my Father was the roadie and manager, we went on to be the warm up act for Crazy Cavan and Riot Rockers and Impalas. I would have been 12 or 13. At this point I desperately wanted a new Haymen drum kit (Saucers and Cavan had Haymen) Mum & Dad put up half the money, on the condition I lied about my age got a Paper round to pay for the other half, and practiced at least one hour every day!But looking back even before then I found Rock & Roll, with my Father at the Royal Albert Hall, at a Johnny Cash show, where Carl Perkins opened with a Rock & Roll show. Who could of guessed that years later I would Dj and Introduce Carl, I once at a festival in Scotland got Carl to step on my Blues suedes with his blue suedes. And before that, when I was 10 or 11, Dad took me to see Bill Haley, who actually shook my hand!After several bands, through the70’s & 80’s (like The Rockin’ 50’s were I did my apprenticeship at places like the Perrinporth festivals) I formed and managed SESSION ’57, we got around many Rock & Roll clubs throughout England and abroad, doing a total of 8 months in Norway, where we performed in front of the King at Oslo Palace Square.
Many people don’t realise I was ever in a band, but I have always been happiest behind a kit! Session highlighted with an album for Rockhouse Red Hot & Rollin’ Tracks on an album called THE BEST OF BRITISH ROCKABILLY, Winning the Elvis Fan Club Battle Of The Bands, performing at the famous Weymouth festivals, were often I was invited to Dj and ended up being one of the Compares.The last serious band I was in was the Rover Boys (Combo), we toured many R&R festivals and clubs, recorded an album in Spain for Welcome Records Rockabilly Blues, did a weeks residency in Istanbul. Been to over 20 Countries. Not bad for someone who when asked what he was going to do when he left school he replied I don’t mind really, as long as I don’t work nights or away from home!
When I did finally leave school, and before touring with bands, I become a qualified motor mechanic, that came in handy, on the road!
I had the huge pleasure of drumming behind, Sonny Burgess, Sid and Billy King, Johnny Carroll and Judy Lindsey, Ray Sharpe, Seymore Duncan, Jerry Donahue, Tony Claiden (CSA), Tony Claiden & Trevor Hawkins (Impalas), Darrel Higham, also for Matchbox, Flying Saucers, Bob & Bearcats, Mousey Zinn and Paul Ansel (Number Nine).When I wasn’t working the circuit, I supported it, crown at Lowestoft, Kingsway in Luton, Adam in London, Swan at Kingston, Royalty Southgate, Two J’s in Braintree, and and and.I went to most the early Caister’s, including the first one, you can catch a glimpse of me in the Film Blue Sued Shoes, also the Roger Daultry film, Buddy’sSong.
In various bands I performed for TV with The Rover Boys in Spain, and Turkey, also England The Clothes Show, with Session’57, and the Documentry Marquee as announcer at the Hemsby R&R Festival.I have run many R&R clubs over the years, notably Isleham, Cambridge, Wellingborough’s Thunderbird and more recently the Newmarket Rock & Roll Club.In the late 80’s slowly but surely my Drumming career was over, due to a motor bike accident, and a badly damaged arm. I got so depressed, not being able to perform, Mum & Dad (again) came up with the idea, that with all their records, Dad running me about in his 59 mark two consul, and a cheap set of decks from the club book, I could BE a Dj. The Record Machine was born.I have Deejayed at most all the big R&R festivals in England including The Teddyboy for 10 years, Weymouth, Brean Sands, Skegness, Cleethorpes, Ayr in Scotland, also in Switzerland, France and Germany, where I have met many of my idols. I think I must be the only person who has Djed, Drummed and Compared all on the same day the Hemsby R&R Festival. I first Djed Hemsby with my then partner Strollin’ Steve in October 1993 and I am very proud to say that I am now resident Compare for Hemsby and hold the all important job of being the stage manager, I could not begin to list the Rock & Roll icons I have met just there alone!Here are some of my greatest memories, I have set the PA for Jack Scott, had breakfast with Rose Maddox, had fun with Linda Gail Lewis, shared jokes with Lee Hazlewood, Jived on stage with Chuck Berry, I was shot by the Bobbettes, I got Janis Martin to sign a pair of shoes and throw then out in the audience, shook hands with Shaky, I have been thrown over the barriers with Crazy Cavan, in 1982 on the Isle Of Wight I won my first talent contest (drumming to Wipe Out), I helped Lavern Baker off with her petticoats, I drummed behind Paul Ansel and Pete Pritchard in front of Scotty Moore, I took Charlie Hodge to a truckers Café, spent a day with Paul Lamat (John Milner American Graffiti), spent a night with Country R&R icon Becky Hobbs, had personal phone calls from Narvel Felts, Wanda Feathers and Rocky Burnette, and I was the last person to announce on stage Merril E Moore. I have been asked to write sleeve notes for video’s, DVD’s and even for a Freddie Fingers Lee album.
My father and I wrote a song about my little sister Kerrie Jane, at a weekender in Yarmouth, a guy came to me and asked me if I would say hello to his wife, under their table was a small baby girl, they had just named Kerrie Jane after our song!
I have been lucky enough to have my introductions on Ray Campi, Darrel Higham and Avengers albums.For 9 years, twice a year I take three British bands to a Rock & Roll show in Evian.
And last year Chris & Bev Jackson asked me be one of the DJs on the main stage at the mighty Notts Americana festival in July.To say ALL my wildest dreams have come true, would be a huge understatement, don’t you think?
My sincere thanks go to all the Rock & Roll fans, promoters, my Mother and Father, and of course my wife Trixie Trish.Rock On and Ride Easy!
Lee
SESSION '57 Cherished Memories http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOsp-MHzUrc
Cherished Memories
James Intveld http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0OiRqk9t8Q
Introduced by Rockin' Lee At Hemsby
Matchbox- Wedding Bells 1979 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czNot5NQXN8
HUBBA the very first Caister, Just to prove I was there, with Carol's KNITWORK.
WOW!
