The Jones Boys:- My Start
Towards the end of the 70’s I’d had a real bellyfull of gigging, travelling & all the associated hassles.
I’d already given up on the “Rock” scene & was doing freelance work backing Cabaret .
Don’t get me wrong...some of these acts were musically outstanding & others were really good entertainers, but I simply didn’t want to do this full-time any more.
Time for a change.
December 1978
I arrived at the Vale to visit my cousin Charlotte.
Charlotte took me to see the Jones Boys playing at the Bingo Lounge.
Donny had just left to join Midge, & by coincidence the guys needed a replacement.
(Of course Charlotte had bummed the guys up, so I loaded my Marshall Stack in the car.)
The Bingo Lounge
We had many great nights at the Bingo Lounge.
Eventually it got so busy that they had to bring in a doorman in a futile attempt at restricting the crowd…...Nae Chance!
Pat was the unfortunate doorman. A real gentleman, but he was on to a loser.
Here’s the scenario…..
The Bingo players would come up to the lounge for a “pre-session” refreshment.
( ONE quick drink,Bingo & away home)
That changed.They would have their one drink,but they left the glasses at their tables to keep their places after the Bingo.
They more or less filled the lounge,but the place became so popular that more members were queueing up to get in.This queue went down the back stairs & round the side of the building.
Pat stood guard at the door checking membership cards.
If he turned his back for a second, another three or four would slip into the lounge.
We had a good run in the Bingo Lounge, but as always happens, a change of management brought it to an end.
We “flitted” to the Black Bull.
..to be continued
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