Steve Harley Jean Paul
Crocker Milton Reame - James Paul Jeffreys Stuart
Elliott
A special commemorative
poster was brought out because of the effect of the band on Friars in 1974
Steve Harley, writing
for the Friars Aylesbury
website in 2008 said:
"In
the 70s, Friars was the gig of gigs. We could play 40-date tours of the
UK, to all towns and cities, and still carry that air of anticipation
throughout the bus, waiting especially for Aylesbury.Dave Stopps was a
sensational 'spotter and Promoter; finger on the pulse, hip to his
fingertips to all that was happening out of everywhere that boasted new
bands. In 1974, Cockney Rebel played Friars four times - in January, in
May, in June and again in August. All sold out and all buzzing.
Unforgettable. Good luck with your site. The old place was unique and
deserves such an accolade."
Steve Harley, writing
on his official website in
2004 said:
"Have
heard they're tearing down Aylesbury Civic Hall, the legendary Friars'
replacement.
What a shame. What a drag. can it be true? No rock venue of that type and
size in amiable Aylesbury for the first time in ages?
Unbelievable.
The immortal Dave Stopps was the 70's promoter who brought many good names
to Bucks. He tapped a source there. The London-based music mag critics
would get out to Aylesbury, because it was only a short hop from The
Smoke.
Out of Friars, thanks mostly to the eagle-eye and sound judgment of Dave
Stopps, broke the careers of David Bowie, Genesis, Mott The Hoople, Roxy
Music, many many more and even yours truly.
The first front cover the first Cockney Rebel received from either the NME
or Melody Maker was after a show, early on, at Friars, Aylesbury.
There is an important rock audience in that general vicinity, and so a new
hall must be found/built pretty damn soon.
But why? The place can't be more than 20 years old. What on earth could
have happened to it, that it needs demolishing? The mind boggles and the
hackles rise"
Milton Reame - James,
writing for the Friars Aylesbury website in 2007 said:
"
My memories of Friars: Wonderful, it was after our first gig (January 5th
1974) we knew then Cockney Rebel would break in the UK. Our first taste
of success. I forget exactly how many times we played and all good gigs.
By the time we did the final tour as you said it was a wonderful
reception. After Bowie had had his initial success there, Steve and our
agents/ management knew how vital it was for us to succeed there. Fans
also travelled to local gigs ( Luton and Dunstable as I recall ) and
brought the Friars effect with them. Wonderful times and before the
difficulties which led to the band breaking up mid tour."
Jean Paul Crocker, writing
for the Friars Aylesbury website in 2008 said:
"I
do recall the excellent receptions at Friars, but that is about all I'm
afraid (a lot of water etc)"
This original incarnation of
Cockney Rebel had imploded by the summer on 1974 after much internal strife. Only
Steve Harley and Stuart Elliott from the classic line up were left by the
time they made their fourth appearance at Friars in August 1974. Steve
Harley continues to record and tour, sometimes using the Cockney Rebel
moniker. Stuart Elliott apart from continuing in Cockney Rebel became an
in demand drummer, playing on many Kate Bush records and with the Alan
Parsons Project (as well as other artistes such as Deacon Blue). Milton
remained in the music business working with Modern Romance (who had hits
in the 1980s) and worked in his own studio providing with voice overs and
commercials. He did make a new album under the name Banana Rebel.
Milton Reame James is
involved in a new multi media
project The Rainbow Ride which is an interactive journey through the
colours of the rainbow and will be at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival
John (Jean Paul) Crocker
runs a company producing specialised award winning mousemats and also
plays in The Crocker Brothers. Paul Jeffreys died in the Lockerbie
disaster in December 1988
BeBop Deluxe went on to headline
Friars a year later.
