Hi and welcome
The reason for setting up this site is twofold, Firstly, to tell you about the bands and artists I have played over the years and secondly to let people hear some of my songs.
Another reason is quite poignant as just before Christmas 2011 I suffered TGA (Transient Global Amnesia). My wife rushed me to hospital at 1.30am where it was decided I would stay for tests. On arriving home at 3.30am she wandered into my office/recording studio and thought, "What will I do with all his songs?"
Hence, when I recovered she insisted I should get them all on-line.
I hope you enjoy my story, photos and songs and the tracks of Karen-Ana, who has one of the loveliest voices I have ever heard , I have also published this song.
Here it is: created with the help of Opkar Hans on guitar and keyboard, 'My Woman Of The Night' just click below to take a listen
We have now been running a few years and still coming across old friends and new ones too. I welcome any stories, photos etc from you.
LATEST NEWS |
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January 2018"Wild Thing - A Rocky
Road" Now available to buy on-line from this
website. September 2017Wow! Thank you for the kind words and reviews of "Wild Thing - A Rocky Road", I really appreciate it. For those who have been asking where it can be purchased. It is available online from Waterstones and Amazon. It can also be ordered from Waterstones stores and most book shops. August 2017‘Wild Thing – A Rocky
Road’ gaining a lot of interest in USA after my
interview with Richard Johnson, top columnist on
Page 6 of The New York Post.’
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Wild Thing A Rocky Road This is a must-read memoir of a time when screaming teeny-boppers howled their way hysterically through 60's concerts. Pete Staples takes us behind the scenes of a life lived in the limelight as their hits reached the number 1 spot on the billboard in the UK and the US. In his own words, Pete tells you what it was like: "We had only been together for nine months when we recorded two songs in 45 minutes that became number one in the UK and America at the same time". "This was quite an achievement and catapulted four lads from Andover into an unfamiliar world of greed, High Court battles and the inevitable arguments about money, leading to acts of self preservation and betrayal. Life in a pop group opens many doors, none more bizarre than the door to our manager’s house, where we could have anything and anybody we wanted. It was also a period of great fun, hilarious antics and pride." Buy Wild Thing A Rocky Road E-book now from Amazon.com |
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Andover - A Musical History Introduction When the Andover History and Archaeology Society asked me if I would write an article about the Copper Kettle where The Troggs played in the sixties, I was pleased to do so. However, after thinking that the Copper Kettle and The Troggs were only a part of the history of that era, I decided to write a small booklet about all the venues and groups from that period. After advertising on social media requesting information, somebody commented “why only the sixties as some bands and musicians were also playing in the seventies” so I decided to include them, but again I came across the same problem with the eighties. To complicate matters, people were eager to tell me of their family and friends who also performed locally, some in dance bands and some as solo artists. It then became obvious that I could not ignore their enthusiasm to share their stories and memories. Hence, I decided to take on the task of compiling a book about the music in Andover from the late 1800s’ to the present day. So, from the idea of a small booklet, eighteen months later, I have ended up with a musical history of Andover. This has been a most enjoyable project, meeting so many people after the pandemic, some old friends I haven’t seen for years and making some new ones as well. I would like to thank everybody that has contributed, especially my friend John Walker who has helped out with his knowledge and memories of the sixties and taking over a lot of the drudge, also Hilary, my wife, helping with her secretarial skills. Taking on a project like this has enabled me to become aware of the large number of musicians from all musical genres that Andover has produced. Every effort has been made to keep their stories ‘as told’ and be true to their characters. I am also very grateful to all contributors who have supplied photographs. This book is a dedication to those who, throughout the years, have made Andover such a special place for music and entertainment. Pete Staples Buy Andover - A Musical History Hardback version - £22. Dispatch usually 2 - 3 working days |
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