I was in PPB from 1980 to 1982 when we played every Sunday night at the Who'd a Thought It in Grafty Green. We also did other gigs around Kent. PPB (Private Parts Band) had a number of line ups before I joined because it grew out of an informal session, possibly at The Harrow, but I'd like to think that the period I was in the band was the height of it's popularity! The line up was Richard Wight - lead vocal and guitar, Pete Hayward - bass, Pete (Mitch) Mitchell - drums and vocal, and myself Alan Cork lf on lead guitar and vocal. Jez Wyatt was on keyboards when I joined but left after a while. Prior to me joining, Eric Snowball of ESE music was the regular pedal steel player and Dave Bloss did a couple of gigs.
Others included John Bray who writes below
Thanks to Alan for the PPB entry. It may help for me to provide some information about the Band.
Richard Studholme was the founder member and for a time lived close to Grafty Green. He invited Richard Whyte to join him and shortly after started playing regularly at the Harrow pub, the new Landlord of the "Who'd have Thought it" liked what he heard and invited them to play regularly at his pub on a Sunday evening when music took precedence over the normal restaurant business he had been building. The two Richards developed an atmosphere of quality, semi acoustic/electric presentations that quickly built the name of the venue and subsequently its popular friendly and star-studded atmosphere. I am sure there are many who remember the musical variety and fun. Richard Studholme's love of blues music and his carefully researched sound and playing style was leading him to greater things. Opportunities beckoned and he moved to New York to play with a range of highly considered New York musicians at quality venues. A dream come true. In preparation of his moving he contacted John Bray a guitarist and singer from Maidstone who was well known to them both. John had started playing at school and co-formed the band Phase Five, later the Web Foundation band.
John worked well with Richard Whyte and the duo format continued. Encouragement was given to others to come up and play or sing and at this time Richard Whyte suggested the Private Parts Band name. Guest players became more of a formal process and lead to the creation of a larger group of regular musicians. The venue became very popular with people queuing to get inside on some occasions.
An outside concert in aid of the Trinity Trust was packed and the band comprising of Richard Whyte, John Bray, Eric Snowball, Pete Haywood and a Flutist and a drummer whose names escape me. (I have photos) I left the PPB shortly after Pete become a full time member and it is no doubt the time that Alan has referred.
I have some photos and a Kent Messenger article which I will send for inclusion at some point. Richard still lives in Kent and I have just moved back after 25 years away. After a successful career in design, Pete is now a successful dance DJ and producer. I think Mitch is still around. I believe Jez moved to the USA. I’ll update this as time goes on and my memory comes back! I moved to London in 1982 and played on the circuit in South East London for many years including stints with Steve Waller at the Half Moon Herne Hill on Sunday lunchtimes.
Other Kent bands I was in were Orpheus, Scapa Flow, Pipedream and Skintight Jackson (and the Do-Rons).
John Bray
Comments