The Portsmouth Music Experience at Portsmouth Guildhall

Ken at the Marina Club, Portsmouth

Higher and Higher (Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, and Carl Smith) featuring the Mustard Seed Soul Band from the album His Story recorded and produced by Ross Gill

Last blog I explained that in addition to music, I simply love dance. I was so fortunate growing up in the 60s and being able to dance in loads of clubs including the one in the pic – The Marina in Fratton, Portsmouth. There were loads of others including the indigo Vat and Kimbells Ballroom in Southsea, the Soul Parlour in North End and by far the best – the Birdcage in Eastney.
I have recently been reminiscing on those days as Nigel Grundy, the creator and curator of the Portsmouth Music Experience Exhibition, located in the Guildhall, took me and a few of my friends on a personal tour of the exhibition, which is absolutely amazing and thoroughly recommended.
Somehow Nigel had read my blog accounts on how I knew the musician, Ray Shulman (Simon Dupree’s Big Sound and Gentle Giant) Blog July 28th Ray Shulman Part Two | Risen He is to use those accounts for a book on Portsmouth in the 60s which he is writing. Nigel also hooked me up with someone from my school days – Rick Fudge. Rick Fudge was a very close friend of Ray’s and remained so until Ray died last year. In my story of Ray, I tell of when I was riding my Lambretta Li 150 with Ray on the back and how we were stopped by the police. Now I was a learner and so someone riding pillion had to have passed their own driving test. The problem was that Ray had not passed his test. In my story I explain that we got away with it but do not explain how. In fact in those days if you did not have your driving licence with you then you had, I think it was 5 days, to present it in person at the local police station. So when we got stopped, Ray said his name was Richard Fudge and later borrowed Rick Fudge’s licence to take to the Police.
Rick now lives in America and we emailed one another last week and reminisced on that story. Rick plays in a band himself called the Prannies.
By the way, three of my favourite songs from back then were “In the midnight hour” by Wilson Pickett, “You don’t know like I know” by Sam and Dave and “Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson. Today’s featured song is a great version of “Higher and Higher” by the Mustard Seed Soul Band.

Quote for the week.