Purple Gang Newsletter

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"PURPLE GANG take up residence in The LOUNGE at POYNTON BRITISH LEGION  near Stockport Cheshire (George`s Road West near to
Poynton centre traffic lights) THIRD SATURDAY in the MONTH" free entry until further notice"

April 2009 - WELCOME back to HELEN McILVEEN-WILSON (Purple Gang vocals 1980) as Purple Gang's replacement lead volalist. Band now rehearsing 3rd Saturday in the month (live) at POYNTON BRITISH LEGION - All welcome to attend.

"Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?" programme on BBC Radio2 Saturday August 2nd...hosted by Bob Harris. A snatch of "Granny Takes A Trip" was played halfway through programme..only music used apart from Stones. The prog. was about the Redlands/ Stones/ News of the World drugbust in 1967, with the infamous tale of the naked girl in the fur coat with a Mars Bar etc.

At the Manchester City v Chelsea game on the 5th April 2008 they played "Granny Takes a Trip" in the half-time interval at The City of Manchester Stadium...approx 65,000 people there.

Coventry recordings now listenable on www.myspace.com/theoriginalpurplegang.
Five More Days, Boon Tune, Madam Judge & Going to Germany.
In attendance in the studios was a Red Admiral butterfly - all through the sessions in mid February

2007 welcome's PURPLES new manager, Alex Gunningham
from Golders Green, London.

Incidentally the 40th Anniversary of "Granny Takes a Trip" is in March 2007.
Watch out for P.G. appearances.

"Manchester`s NIGHT & DAY CAFE.. SYD BARRETT Tribute night on Thurs.28thSept
a great success. PURPLE GANG went down great with encores to finish the night
off (with "Madam Judge" and 8 other songs). PG did splendid version of "Boon
Tune" to a dancing audience. Congrats to Steve Trafford for a great night
with some films and great acts (10) from Liverpool and Manchester..some more
eccentric than others. The spririt of 1967 London Underground was present- as
was the spirit of Syd. It was filmed and recorded so watch out for it in
circulation soon folks...33 years since PG played Manchester..sorry for the
gap delay folks"

"BOON TUNE the song Syd Barrett gave to Purple Gang to learn as a possible
follow on single ( post "Granny Takes A Trip") has been recorded now as a
memorial tribute to Syd.It was on an old tape given to the band with just
Syd on acoustic guitar.This song was later re-recorded as "Here I Go" and
appeared on "Madcap Laughs" LP several years later.Two new and two old
members recorded this song as a tribute with a feel for the old days.It
swings. Hear a sample recording on www.myspace/theoriginalpurplegang . It can be
downloaded not as a commercial project but as a genuine tribute to Syd Barrett."

PURPLE GANG wish to pay tribute to a fallen comrade -in-arms / leader and
troubled genius..Roger (SYD) Barrett, who sadly passed away several days ago
at 60 years. Goodbye dear Syd- see you at "The Eternal Technicolour
Dream". Thanks for ALL your music and especially for  "Jugband Blues" and
"Boon Tune"

ARTHUR LEE of LOVE will also be missed by Purple Gang. Arthur died recently
but Joe managed a word witth him backstage at The Limelight Crewe last
year. Purples supported LOVE in 1970 in Manchester. ARTHUR LEE was a great
songwriter and performer who made the unforgettable album "Forever Changes"
A PG favourite (like Syd Barrett) gone forever."


" STRANGE MEETING . Purple Gang managers strange meeting. Ex PG managers
Gordon Aldred and Joe Boyd met by chance in a tiny Tuscan village last year
called Arganio. They were staynig in two houses close by called The Good
House and The Bad House and discussed the old days of UFO etc, in the
vineyard. Small world ?"

 

"Whispering Bob Harris plays "Granny" once more on his late night BBC Radio2
show 8th July" ("Granny" currently available on at least 7 compilations.) Notably, "White
Bicycles" CD/book by Joe Boyd (producer) selling well.Check out our homepage link.

"PURPLE GANG and "Granny" played on The Johnny Walker Show. BBC Radio2 -
Sunday June 11 at 6.40pm during interview with PG manager / producer Joe Boyd
interview- to promote his great book "White Bicycles-making music in the sixties"
(Link on PG Home Page and Links page).

"THE LOOK" book launch (also featuring Purple Gang ) in London`s "2Too much"
club attended in mid -May by Geoff Bowyer- who heard "Granny Takes A Trip"
played several times.Also met up again with old UFO club DJ Jeff Dexter"and
current DJ "Boy George".

JOE BOYD`S book "WHITE BICYCLES" launched now with accompanying CD featuring
"Granny Takes A Trip".Joe Beard and Geoff Bowyer attended booklaunch party
at Joe`s flat in London.Many luminaries from folk rock scene there.Special
"hello" again to Geoff Muldaur,Paul Jones,Julie Felix, Dave Swarbrick,Simon
Nicol, Ian A. Anderson and bluesman/ photographer Dave Peabody.Great
book.Great CD.watch out for forthcoming link to new Joe Boyd site.Purple
Gang mentioned in The Independant Mag review of CD "White Bicycles-making
music in the sixties"..they gave it 4 stars!

New Book "The Look Part 2" by Paul Gorman due out with CD contains photos of PG and "Granny".

Russian Radio Station ECKO Moscow gave a double 60th birthday tribute to Joe of Purple Gang and Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd on Friday November 26th playing both Floyd and Purple Gang tracks. Well received in 17 cities throughout Russia and Baltic region. Follow up interview with Joe and top Russian rock journal "In-Rock" now in progress due in New Year 06.

"GRANNY" Now on major comp CD "Hits of the Sixties" on Union Square Records Cat. No. METRDCD565 Release date 08/08/05. Great variety of legendary names and tracks.

"NAT JOSEPH (Nathan) of Transatlantic Records, the man who discovered Purple Gang and gave them their London start has died last August aged 66 .His Obituary was in The Guardian last Monday.Nat and Joe Beard did not always see eye to eye on Purple Gang matters, but there is no doubt that without Nat, Purple Gang would have struggled to get a recording deal.Nat was genuinely INTO the music scene (but had doubts about Purple Gang`s involvement with the psychedelic scene.) Transatlantic Records launched some legendary artists , but did not have the big money clout to promote like the major labels.They were unique though in their eclectic taste and the whole music scene was enriched by Nat`s contribution.So long NAT and thanks for the memories.Sympathetic best wishes to Sarah and the boys from PURPLE GANG .No longer will we be able to telephone Hunter 4353 and ask Sheila Dudgeon (also R.I.P.) to put Nat on the phone ."
Live Music and Gigs see Music & Recording page - click on same at bottom of this page.

"PURPLE GANG STRIKES LP now available in vynil again and with Original 1968 artwork/ cover-
from "GET BACK" Records ITALY."

PURPLE GANG mentioned in two new books- "RHINO`s Psychedelic Trip" by Alan Bisbont and Parke Puterbaugh
by Miller Freeman Books 600Harrison St. San Francisco California94107 ISBN 0-87930-626-2
and also "THE LOOK"-Adventures in Pop Rock and fashion by Malcolm McLaren and Paul Gorman  Sanctuary Publishing
ISBN 1-86074-30-1 COOL RARE photos

"PURPLE GANG CD "Strikes" now deleted by Sanctuary .Last 90 copies worldwide only availablebr
from this site .NB bonus tracks "Brown Shoes" and "The King Comes Riding" were recorded in
1971 in Chappell Music basement off Bond St. on the actual record machine used by Joe Meek
in his bedroom to record the pioneering hit "TELSTAR"

"JANUARY 05 RIC WAKEMAN of "YES" likes PURPLE GANG
On BBC Radio2 Mark Radcliffe Show at 11pm Weds12 Jan."Granny Takes A Trip"
was requested by a listener from Southampton as the first of "THE CRUCIAL
three 1967 the otherswere "Eight Miles High" The Byrds and "Lucy in the Sky
with Diamonds "The Beatles .Live guest Ric Wakeman asked if he remembered
The Purple Gang replied "I certainly DO..they were a good band" .Lucifer,
Ank , Joe Boyd Nic Drake and Stockport College were all mentioned plus a
suggestion that "Yes" might feature a kazoo sometime!!!

SATURDAY OCT.9 Brian Mathews read out part of letter from Joe giving news of Purple Gang
latest activities and played our lost second single "Kiss Me Goodnight Sally Green". He then
sent Joe a promo polo shirt in post. "Thank you Brian and it fits!"

SATURDAY OCT.9 Purple Gang filmed back at Stockport College, Art Dept. miming to
"Sunset Over The Mersey" in front of students for "Noon to Noon" Mencap charity arts bash.
Also on bill was Ex college student Badly Drawn Boy, Purple Gang and Damon welcomed nicely by students.

GREECE---Joe was interviewed live by telephone by The Three Time Lords for
Time Machine" prog. on TRIPOLIS RADIO last Friday, June 11 (for 35 mins.)
It went down really great apparantly and the audience loved it.
Purple Gang achieve second No 1 hit on Radio Junior, Budapest with "Empty Head".

HUNGARY. Purple Gang set the UK media ablaze by toppling Britney Spears off Radio Junior's playlist request
chart in Budapest. Joe and Gabor interviewed live on BBC Radio 5 'Drivetime' Article in The Sun, Daily Post
Guardian, UK-wide coverage full page in Metro Newspaper. UK-wide coverage of live interview on all Independent
Radio News. Manchester Evening News featured the band live in Hungary on their web site. Macclesfield and
Stockport Express also covered.

Purple Gang entertained 5000 who were already familiar with the music due to advance air play. Song
'Sunset Over The Mersey' was favourite and shot to number one beating Britney, George Michael, Blue
Lionel Richie and many others. 'Empty Head' also coming up.

"ITV PLUG FOR PURPLE GANG-(8 million viewers!) In mid -March 2004 , ITV`s "24 Hr Quiz" featured a question
" Who was the first band to be banned by BBC Radio 1 in early 1967"
.....a lady from Leicester phoned in with the £100 winning answer--THE PURPLE GANG"

SATURDAY NOV, 29 at 9.50am "Granny Takes a Trip" played by BRIAN MATHEWS on
"SOUNDS OF THE SIXTIES" BBC RADIO2 National radio..Brian mentioned how the band
chose their name and why the record was famous.Nice 58 th.present for JOE. Thanks again Brian."

"STOP PRESS--NATIONAL RADIO PEAK TIME PLAY FOR "GRANNY TAKES A TRIP"!
BBC Radio2 `s "Johnnie Walker Drive Time" played Purple Gang`s 1967 classic
at 6-30pm Friday 2 May."Granny" came over fresh and unique once more,
sounding great.
Johnnie replied to Joe`s "Thank you " e` mail personally ! Saying it
was"great news PG were playing gigs."

"Sounds of the Sixties- end of decade" ..new major compilation (with 116
tracks) out now by "Readers Digest " magazine.....contains "Granny Takes A Trip"
by The Purple Gang plus great tracks by major artists of the period.
CD and Cassette format." Granny " out on 4 major compilations currently.
Some great tracks.

The Purple Gang's "Granny Takes a Trip" began The Pink Floyd Story on BBC Radio 2 on Saturday
2nd February 2002 when Bob Harris played "Granny Takes a Trip" to start the program and gave
the band a broadcast.
"Joe was interviewed by top rock mag."Mojo" recently for a forthcoming edition
featuring The Beatles...in particular John Lennon`s visit to the 14hr Technicolour Dream
and any other PG/Beatles connections. It was a very amiable and entertaining interview
....let`s hope for no mis-quotes.The interviewer was one Joe Cushley, related to ex Beatles
PR man, the late Derek Taylor."

June 6th at 1 a.m. EKHO MOSCVY (Moscow Echo) Peter Kulesh, Russian Rock Writer and swinging 60s "London underground" fan presented "The Forgotten Band of the London Underground" and broadcast one hour of history of Purple Gang with nine music tracks including two new ones. July 19th at 1 a.m. EKHO MOSCVY (Moscow Echo) Peter Kulesh broadcast the second program on the history of The Purple Gang which was a one and a half hour show. Radio show great success - the third program was broadcast on February 14th.

STOP PRESS
Third program containing rare tracks and out-takes also received well and went out to 70 cities and towns across Russia. Russian Rock magazines now in the process of covering Purple Gang stories and information.

Peter Kulesh and Vladimir Ilinsky with 'Strikes' CD on broadcast night Contact Peter Kulesh at pdkulesh@yahoo.com

IMPORTANT
NEW COMPILATION EMI CD featuring Purple Gang out now
"Acid Drops, Spacedust and Flying Saucers: Psychedelic Confectionary from the UK underground 1965-69".
Seventy two track 4 CD 12 inch square package with booklet.
(EMI) £43 Tel: 0870 160 8080
Also includes Herd, Move, Traffic, Syd Barret, Yardbirds, Kinks, Pretty Things etc etc.
Purple Gang track 1 disc 3. This is s MOJO Magazine compiled compendium featured in September's MOJO page 116.
A RARE PHOTO OF PURPLE GANG 1968

Thanks to Martha Copeland of The Evergreen State University for informing us that some USA campuses are playing Purple Gang music now.
Martha has show called Music from the Underground and plays PG old CD and new CD and plays PG.

Ex Young European Jazz Drummer of the year, Martin France jams with Purple Gang at Knights in Macclesfield and offers to return. Martin later hired by Dave Gilmore of Pink Floyd as session drummer on his houseboat for new CD.

UK famous news broadcaster the glamorous Anna Ford supported Purple Gang on their 3rd gig in September 1965. Anna was a Manchester University folk club organiser.

At a memorial concert "GIG4PEV" at Poynton British Legion, NE Cheshire on Feb 14th £1,240.50p was raised for St Ann`s Hospice Stockport in the name of Stuart Pevitt,( lead vocalist of Purple Gang 1998-2009). Bands appearing were all ex music colleagues of Pev...Andy Stark Band, Crossfire and Purple Gang.Paul Jones sent  two raffle prizes and Bob Harris played a tribute same night. Previously Paul Jones had played a tribute on his radio show also.Many thanks guys.Pev will be sorely missed but band members have vowed to re-form and continue following the great reception received at the gig.

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