Post by yerblues1968 on Dec 5, 2008 16:27:31 GMT -5
THE DRUMMER WHO REJECTED THE BEATLES TWICE
FAREWELL FROM DRUMMER WHO REJECTED THE BEATLES
hertfordshiremercury.co.uk
By Sara Black
Friday, December 5, 2008
The most-recorded drummer in the country who twice turned down the chance to be in The Beatles will be performing his final gig in Hertford.
Music & Dance - Bobby Graham and his fellow jazz artists will be playing at the free event at the Old Barge Pub in The Folly on Thursday (December 11) from 8.30pm.
The Old Barge Pub on Folly Island.
He told the Mercury: "I decided I've done my bit for England. My health isn't very good and I've been playing since I was 8 and I'm now 68, and 60 years is a long time.
"I'm not very happy about it. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it. We don't do it to make a living.
"I shall miss the lunacy of other musicians. Most musicians are a bit weird."
Bobby, of Temple Fields, Bengeo, has been onstage alongside many famous names in the industry, including The Kinks, Marty Wilde, Dusty Springfield, and Chas & Dave.
Some songs where Bobby Graham was session drummer.
Dusty Springfield "Stay Awhile." (1:58 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxy6-UYiAXY
Dusty Springfield "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me." (2:53 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7n0HJEMqjA
The Walker Brothers "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Any More." (3:04 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EORIyK66pM
The Kinks "Tired of Waiting." (2:09 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz64hWng2vM
The Kinks "You Really Got Me." (2:56 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgSAOeznMEc
He said: "The Kinks were one of my favourites. I've always had a great admiration for Ray Davies. He's a great writer and a great character to work with."
Brian Epstein
In 1962 he was asked by The Beatles manager Brian Epstein to replace original drummer Pete Best in the pop group, but Bobby had a hit record with fellow Joe Brown and The Bruvvers at the time and had doubts about joining a then unknown band.
A couple of years later, he was approached again to stand in for Ringo Starr, who had tonsillitis, but this time he had too much session work to do.
He said: "I don't think it would have worked anyway. That was very much a Liverpool-based band. I thought they were great though!"
Married with a son and two grandchildren, Bobby formed The Jazz Experience in 1991 after buying a drum kit he saw advertised in the Mercury.
He said: "I was going to do it up and sell it, but then I realised I missed playing so I decided to keep it."
He will be joined on Thursday by pianist Russell Williams, bassist Jim Rodford and tenor sax and flute player Angele Veltmeijer.
www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshiremercury-leisure-music/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=371749
Bobby Graham Official Website. Also, please read about his career and view his gallery of photos.
www.bobbygraham.co.uk/
Bobby Graham Discography - (Small) Listing of Songs Credited To His Drum Playing.
www.bobbygraham.co.uk/bobbygraham/discography.htm
FAREWELL FROM DRUMMER WHO REJECTED THE BEATLES
hertfordshiremercury.co.uk
By Sara Black
Friday, December 5, 2008
The most-recorded drummer in the country who twice turned down the chance to be in The Beatles will be performing his final gig in Hertford.
Music & Dance - Bobby Graham and his fellow jazz artists will be playing at the free event at the Old Barge Pub in The Folly on Thursday (December 11) from 8.30pm.
The Old Barge Pub on Folly Island.
He told the Mercury: "I decided I've done my bit for England. My health isn't very good and I've been playing since I was 8 and I'm now 68, and 60 years is a long time.
"I'm not very happy about it. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it. We don't do it to make a living.
"I shall miss the lunacy of other musicians. Most musicians are a bit weird."
Bobby, of Temple Fields, Bengeo, has been onstage alongside many famous names in the industry, including The Kinks, Marty Wilde, Dusty Springfield, and Chas & Dave.
Some songs where Bobby Graham was session drummer.
Dusty Springfield "Stay Awhile." (1:58 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxy6-UYiAXY
Dusty Springfield "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me." (2:53 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7n0HJEMqjA
The Walker Brothers "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Any More." (3:04 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EORIyK66pM
The Kinks "Tired of Waiting." (2:09 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz64hWng2vM
The Kinks "You Really Got Me." (2:56 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgSAOeznMEc
He said: "The Kinks were one of my favourites. I've always had a great admiration for Ray Davies. He's a great writer and a great character to work with."
Brian Epstein
In 1962 he was asked by The Beatles manager Brian Epstein to replace original drummer Pete Best in the pop group, but Bobby had a hit record with fellow Joe Brown and The Bruvvers at the time and had doubts about joining a then unknown band.
A couple of years later, he was approached again to stand in for Ringo Starr, who had tonsillitis, but this time he had too much session work to do.
He said: "I don't think it would have worked anyway. That was very much a Liverpool-based band. I thought they were great though!"
Married with a son and two grandchildren, Bobby formed The Jazz Experience in 1991 after buying a drum kit he saw advertised in the Mercury.
He said: "I was going to do it up and sell it, but then I realised I missed playing so I decided to keep it."
He will be joined on Thursday by pianist Russell Williams, bassist Jim Rodford and tenor sax and flute player Angele Veltmeijer.
www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshiremercury-leisure-music/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=371749
Bobby Graham Official Website. Also, please read about his career and view his gallery of photos.
www.bobbygraham.co.uk/
Bobby Graham Discography - (Small) Listing of Songs Credited To His Drum Playing.
www.bobbygraham.co.uk/bobbygraham/discography.htm