The Type                                                                    1   

  The Blue House Pub, Walton. 1964  The Type were the first band I played in.   The line up was (left to right) :  Vinny  Volante (almost hidden, drums) : Chris Evans (bass guitar/vocals) : Bert Adams (rhythm guitar/ harmonica/ vocals) : Rob Sumner (lead guitar/ vocals). As is evident, we had only one microphone when we started. The lead guitar, rhythm guitar and mike we're all sharing the same 30 watt combination amplifier( visible in the photograph). We did allow ourselves the luxury of a 15 watt bass amplifier. Apart from that, the rest of our equipment was a second hand kit of drums and the three guitars seen. On at least one memorable occasion we carried all our equipment on the bus! 

Picture - C.Mitchell

 The Blue Ball Pub, Prescot St., Liverpool    The Blue Ball was a well known venue for live music. Situated in Prescot St, the name was derived from its closest neighbouring building, the local police station. Performance fee was £20.00 for four nights (Thursday - Sunday). This came to £1.00 a night per member of the group (van driver cost another £1.00). Considering my weekly wage was £5.00 per week, and Bert's apprentice wage was £2.00 per week, the extra money from the Blue Ball wasn't to be sneezed at. At the Blue Ball we also met our first agent ( Harry Ross) who persuaded us to audition for the social club circuit. Our first paying social club gig ( St Aloyicious Club, Huyton) paid twice as much as we were used to. When we first played the Blue Ball, we had to go upstairs between sets as we were too young to be in a public house. We later contrived to sit in this corner and hope that someone would buy us a drink. Bert's dad was the first person to do this. We look totally bored in the picture. Does this kind of life look interesting to you? Picture - C.Mitchell

Blue House Pub, Walton, Liverpool  The Blue House is located in the shadows of Everton Football Club and faces Stanley Park. We played there a number of times and it was a really busy boozer. I believe the pub has changed a lot internally, but from the outside it still looks like it always did. At closing time the crowd would go en masse to the nearby Country and Western club, Ozzie Wades (sadly long gone). There they could drink to the wee small hours to bands such as the Hillsiders, Hank Walters and the Dusty Road Ramblers etc. We preferred to make our way to the Rhythm 'n' Blues based Blue Angel Club in the city centre. There we would meet other groups for late drinks and partaking of other uplifting substances. There were many outstanding jam sessions as the musicians got higher and the night headed towards dawn. Picture - C.Mitchell

T.A. Barracks, Edge Lane, Liverpool  This gig was a night to remember. We were booked to play many times for the Territorial Army. Drinks were duty free and a meal was provided. I think the booking fee was above our norm also. This night was an extra special anniversary for the battalion. We had a good night and the crowd were shouting for more. We did our encores and left the stage. A group of squaddies insisted we get back up and play. An older friend of ours said he was our manager and there was no way we would be playing. A scuffle broke out between them and we became involved. Immediately everybody started fighting with each other, ceremonial glass cases were smashed, tables and chairs used as weapons. It was like a scene from the Wild West. We managed to retreat with our gear in tow. Vic, our driver was fighting with two squaddies but we managed to get all the gear in the back of the van. Eventually, Vic broke free and dived into the van and was away. We were left to make our way (we hadn't yet been paid) on foot back home. Picture - C.Mitchell