Bandstand Stories

Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow
Frank Osborne, ConChord Big Band, West Sussex, UK

Some years ago soon after our group was formed (the ConChord Big Band) we had a drummer (since left), who, despite being in his mid 50`s, decided to grow his hair long.

Now this can look very good on a younger bloke, and even an older guy with the right shaped face and hairstyle can get away with it. " Eddie" however had none of these advantages and with his glasses and slight physique took on a strange appearance.

His hairstyle was more Jane Wyman than Bill Wyman and occasionally, on a bad hair day, from behind the casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that Glenn Miller's screen wife, June Allyson, was making a guest appearance.

This went on for some time, with other players continually inventing new names for our reborn drummer who was blissfully unaware that others did not see him as he saw himself, that is until one fateful day we played in a shopping mall. It was a horrible gig - a long march with the gear to set up, terrible acoustics and overcrowded, however we started to play and soon built up an audience and I noticed an elderly couple had stayed to listen right to the end.

When we finished and started to pack up the old pair came over and told us how much they had enjoyed the music and where were we playing next? etc etc. "It's great to hear all the old favourites and what a nice smart band" the old boy said to the assembled players. "It's especially nice to see a middle aged woman playing the drums!"

At the next rehearsal "Eddie" turned up looking like a raw marine recruit!

The ConChord Big Band in located in West Sussex, UK where they are ably carrying on the Big Band tradition! They are newfound friends of the SJO, and we hope you will visit their website also. Just click here, for a painless trip through cyberspace to the southern part of England!

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