Welcome back, and thanks again for taking the time to read the latest from the Retrograde Show.
Last Friday’s show took on a slightly different approach. Rather than looking back to a specific genre of music we spent time talking to an artist, to be honest I hadn’t heard of.
Listen Again…
Retrograde
Dave Chitty
It was a chat with a friend of mine, a number of subjects were discussed – some of which cant be shared (!) but we came around to music. It was then out of nowhere he disclosed”my mate is in a ban”.
Now normally, these sorts of conversations dont continue much passed the usual, oh yeah whats their name, what sort of music, are they famous? But something told me from the tone of my mates bombshell that this was not your normal name drop.
“His name is Kevin Mann, he plays in The Creation”.
There was a slight blank look on my face.
I pride myself on possessing quite a wide range of music but due to my age this doesn’t really go any further back than the late 1980’s. My mate then goes onto say The Creation were big in the 1960’s – released quite a few singles.
My initial research then confirms previous band members included Ronnie Wood, John Dalton and Mick Avory. Presently, they consist of Eddie Philips (vocals/lead guitar), Tony Barber (vocals/bass), Simon Tourle (vocals) and Kevin Mann ( the drummer ). A quick look on-line also credits the band with one of the first, or the first time where on their first single, “Making Time”, the guitarist Phillips playing his electric guitar with a violin bow.
The bands early style, likened to The Who provided inspiration for artists such as Paul Weller, Ride, Pete Townsend, The Sex Pistols and others. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin imitated Phillips’ use of the violin bow, while Alan McGee named his massively successful record label Creation after them.
The band both originally and in its current form provide a musical who’s who of connections the members made prior to and established after they left The Creation. And it was this side of the story, we delved a little deeper into Kevin’s life – growing up on the wild streets of London, going to his first gig – Joy Division and The Buzzcocks ( what a start ), getting a gig with his first band from school at London music venue and his time within the world of music.
(Kevin Mann, Dubh Chapter. (C) Kevin Mann)
We spoke about his time in Dubh Chapter, Television Personalities and Alternative Television. His musical connections to Pink Floyd, MGMT, Pete Doherty, meeting Charlie Harper and we even squeezed a reference to Little Mix ( i wont spoil it, you’ll have to listen ).
There was also time to reflect on the stories and experiences from his time as an globe trotting drummer.
I am sure this was just the tip of the iceberg – there seems to be a lot more to tell.
We closed with what life is like is now. Art plays a part in his life now, work can be seen below. Drumming is still there – tours with The Creation are still possible.
https://www.instagram.com/kevinmannart/
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Take some time to have a look around the Phoenix FM website for news on other shows – where there is plenty of great music being played.
