Steve Harley Jean Paul
Crocker Milton Reame - James Paul Jeffreys Stuart
Elliott
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
Irony of ironies - The then
unknown BeBop Deluxe were ordered by their record company (well Bill
Nelson was) to change line up. Amongst those who are believed to have
auditioned and played a few gigs were the remainder of the 'old' Cockney
Rebel. Nelson had to split this band up because they were sounding too
much like Cockney Rebel !!
