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Leicestershire's UnsignedYou are in: Leicester > Entertainment > Music > Leicestershire's Unsigned > The Radio Leicester All Star Band The Radio Leicester All Star Band The Radio Leicester All Star BandThe famous five from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Leicester revealed all before their infamous gig at the Birstall Social Club for the Ruby Appeal. Read on to find out about their influences, embarrassing musical moments and who is the romantic one of the group! Monica Winfield sings her heart out. Who are the Radio Leicester All Star Band?ÌýChris: Monica, Waddo, Daggers, Maskell, Wilco and me -the idea was Waddo's and Monica's 'cos they were in a Radio Leicester band in the last century!ÌýÌý Charles:Ìý A mixture of youth and experience, with questionable musical talent butÌý we make up for this with enthusiasm. We haven't smashed any instruments up yet. Monica: Founder members are me and Tony - and it was Tony who suggested restarting the band for the Ruby Rainbow gig. Tim: An odd collection of middle-aged folk who think they might have a little musical talent. Tony: Me and them.
When did you begin performing?Chris: Southall Grammar School in the summer of love 1967 - we were so loud doing Who numbers in the school hall the teachers had to rushed in to try an turn it down! Charles: If I say yesterday, then no-one will have any expectations. Monica:Ìý We started life as the entertainment at our staff Christmas parties - about 100 years ago! Tim: Err, we haven't yet! Tony: I joined my first band (Unit 6) in 1964. I was the drummer.Ìý Who or what are your greatest influences?ÌýChris: The drumming of Buddy Rich and the fantastic sound of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Charles:ÌýÌý Monica Winfield. We all do as she says. And my brother. Monica: Depends who you ask - I think Tony would say The Beatles - but there are rumblings of dissent - especially from the cricketing fraternity!ÌýHowever, we generally stick to the "something old, something new" motto. Tim: Margaret Thatcher, Peter Green, Dave Edmunds, Dave Gilmour Tony: The Fab Four - definitely. Unprecedented in every way. Describe your sound?Chris: Wild but tamed. Tony Wadsworth on Guitar What do you make of the music scene in Leicester?Chris: There is loads of talent out there that we play on Maynard's Bill of Fare. Charles: Excellent, although we drag it down a bit. Monica: I think we've got some great venues for new and live music - and musical talent and creativity has always been strong. Tim: I actually think we are very lucky to have venues like The Shed, The Musician and of course The Charlotte, and lots of talented bands to fill those places. Tony: The George Formby Society meet every second Wednesday in the month at the Priory, Nanpantan. Need I say more? Who are your favourite local artists at the moment and why?ÌýChris: Tempting Fate - Lovely open sound. Charles:ÌýÌý Kasabian obviously, and Banjo Dez. Monica: I still mourn the passing of 'Rocking Ronnie & the Bendy Ruperts' - a sad loss to the live scene in Leicester - and my social life took a dive when they stopped playing too!Ìý Currently I'm a big fan of Stevie Jones - who plays all over our area and will be at the Big Session Festival again this year. Tim: I quite like Banjo Dez... Tony:Ìý I second Banjo Dez! Do you have day jobs?ÌýChris: Yes at Radio Leicester. Charles Dagnall on the Bass. What has been your best musical moment so far?ÌýChris: Trying to keep a straight face during 'My Ding a Ling' with Waddo! Charles: For me personally, singing at the royal Albert Hall. Monica: I'm sure Birstall will be hard to match - the next one is always the best one! Tim: Any and every music festival I have ever been to... Tony: Playing De Montfort Hall before the Beatles! Worst gig?Chris: Had beer glasses thrown over our heads by drunkards at the White Hart as teenagers -they warned us about that pub! Charles: Tomorrow will be the best and worst because it's our first one. Monica: As if I would tell you! Tim: Yet to happen - I'll let you know... Tony:Ìý Playing Lancaster Fire Station in the 60's having written-off my dad's van earlier that day. Best live venue that you've played or been to?Chris: De Montfort Hall to see Dave Brubeck Quartet. Charles: Played - Royal Albert Hall. Been to - The old Wembley stadium to watch Queen. Monica: As a Leicester girl, I'm afraid De Montfort Hall has really special music memories for me.ÌýI saw my first ever concert there and it's such a versatile venue.Ìý I've since been to concerts in arenas and stadiums - but De Mont beats them all hands down. Tim: Wembley Stadium...been to, not played ther...yet Tony: See the Beatles at de Montfort Hall…but a close second was Elton John at Coventry. Chris "top ten" Highton on the Drums What's been your most embarrassing music-themed moment?Chris: Splitting my tom tom skin playing the Small Faces 'All or Nothing' at an audition- I didn't get the job. Charles:Ìý Every time I play the wrong note. As I play many I have many embarrassing moments. Monica: Truly deeply embarrassing - during a singing lesson many years ago, I took a big breath ready to start - and some air escaped.Ìý Noisily.Ìý Let's leave it at that. Tim: Realising that I am actually quite a bad guitar player... Tony: Allowing a drumstick to fly out of my hand as I began a drum solo. What’s your favourite track to perform?Chris: Wipe Out by the Safaris - I get a long solo! What is your karaoke song of choice?Chris: Oh oh it must be 'Agado'o!!! Which person from Leicester do you most admire?Chris: Bill Maynard. Red Leicester Cheese or Pork Pie?ÌýChris: Red Leicester please, with lovely rustic bread. The All Star Band perform for Birstall Most romantic gesture you've ever made?Chris: After my first son Marc was born I went back to work the next day and on myÌý radio show played three songs for my wife and the new babyÌý - one was by Andy Williams - it was so slushy and luvvy duvy! Charles: I'm sure I have done some thing romantic but I can't remember!!! Monica: Before we married, my Chris once borrowed my car and I left a CD in it, ready to play.Ìý I put a post it note over the slot, saying "play me" - and it was Anita Baker's "Sweet Love".Ìý I think he was impressed. Tim: Too many to pick out a single one - just ask my wife. Tony: I surprised my wife Julie by whisking her off to Paris for Valentine's Day and arranged for a limo to collect us from the airport. We spent part of Valentine's Day up the Eiffel Tower. Which three albums in your record collection could you never throw away and why?Chris: Beatles - 'Sgt Pepper' just wonderful.Ìý Beach Boys 'Good Vibrations' and greatest hits - such wonderful arrangements. Walker Brothers greatest hits with the wonderful drumming of Leicester's Dougie Wright. Charles:Ìý'Songs in the key of life' by Stevie wonder, 'Back on the streets' by Tower of Power and 'Head-hunters' by Herbie Hancock. The albums by Stevie and Herbie were amazing and pivotal in shaping what we listen to today, and 'Tower of Power' are my favourite band. Monica: Not just "never throw away" - I love these three so much, I'd rescue them if the house was on fire - 'Quadrophenia' by The Who, 'The Hired Man' soundtrack and my best of Oysterband collection. Is being based in Leicestershire a help or a hindrance?Chris: A great help – I can get to the folks in London in two hours - Carlisle is three and Swindon is two and a half hours away- easy peezy. last updated: 03/07/07 SEE ALSOYou are in: Leicester > Entertainment > Music > Leicestershire's Unsigned > The Radio Leicester All Star Band |
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