One day in Germany he was setting up one of his explosions for a desired stage effect. In those days, to do this, you poured powder into a small tray and lit it. On this particular day, while pouring out the powder into the small tray, there was one thing he had overlooked: the   cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Whoosh! The whole lot went up. He went into a German hospital with ten toasted digits, but a couple of nights later he came out with a new pair of hands. He was fine. His new hands were as good as his old ones, but I  don't believe he's done a days work since!

In those days we used to have a 40 foot trailer, now it's bigger: it's a 45 foot trailer. Even though the size of equipment has diminished over the decade, we've got more kit now than ever.

Recently we've been completing a national tour. A nostalgia package with Shawaddywaddy topping the tour, complimented by Alvin Stardust and Rubettes.  

A Roadies Tale  
(Edited from a chance encounter with Mike Stainton)

I was employed as a member of  Shawaddywaddy's road crew from 1978 to 1979, together with another seven or eight technicians. Shawaddywaddy owned a 40 foot trailer, where they stored their 

equipment. (In those days the lighting rig impressed me with its 120 bulbs). A pick up would be hired to haul it all to the gigs.  

Our itinery:  

One night the band did a gig (at the Alex Palley) for the 18-30 C.lub. Was it wild? After the second number, a can of larger hit Dave on the head. The band finished the number and walked out.

I almost remember my Birthday. Dave got me drunk (in Baileys at Watford) on pernod and lemonade and I ended up drinking three pints of the stuff!  In the morning Dave gave me a glass of water and I collapsed.

I eventually left the band after an argument with sound man Do Dah Day.