Invictus - 1975
At the age of seventeen I started a band with my friend Nigel Bradley. At the time I had no interest in learning to play an instrument but Nigel convinced me to learn the bass guitar. I promptly went to the nearest second hand shop (Bulmers on Lords Mayors Walk in York) and bought a bass guitar for £5:00.
Nigel knew plenty of people who were interested in playing in the group. Talent was not needed just equipment and enthusiasm.
When there was enough of us, we started rehearsing in a room above the Phoenix Working Men's Club where my dad was the club steward.
The line up for the Invictus first concert was:
Nigel Bradley: Drums
Mick Hardcastle: Drums
Ian Cole: Bass Guitar
Ossie Fisher: Bass Guitar
Ray Flintoff: Lead Guitar
Clive Hartley: Vocals and Guitar
Equiment Used:
A borrowed (from my dad) WEM 15watt guitar amp
My £5 unbranded bass guitar
The first Invictus concert was a dance at the school that Nigel and Ossie Fisher (the other bass player) went to.
I only knew about half of the songs the band played (that's why I'm playing tambourine in one of the photos).
I was told later that I played so badly that Ossie unplugged my amplifier.
On to 1976