Revelling in the Mud-dy waters of seventies pop
IT was Billy Preston, a keyboard player for The Beatles and Rolling Stones, who gave Alan his first job in music.
Alan said: “In London, I did anything and everything. Mostly shifting equipment.
“I’ve always loved music and many of my best friends are bass players.”
His activities included work for the pop glam-rock band Mud, with Ray Stiles and Rob Davis.
Through the 1970s, Mud had a string of hits such as Tiger Feet, Dyna-Mite and Lonely This Christmas.
Alan’s other work included activity for the RAK record label, a key British label with big acts and multiple hits.
Alan also watched
up-and-coming bands at Lancashire clubs such as Blighty’s in Farnworth, Nevada in Bolton and Preston Guildhall.
Some went on to sign record deals and appear on BBC TV’s Top Of The Pops, he said.
He used to see Les
McKeowan from the Bay City Rollers in those years.
Today, Alan still takes a keen interest in music and gets some rightsrelated income.
He likes acts including Smokey, The Hollies, Olivia Newton John, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac and Robbie Williams and knows a number of musicians and managers.
His home has music memorabilia.
His said his daughters, Kimberley and Helen, and grandchildren all like music including Stormzy.
Some years ago, he flew 9,000 miles to South Africa for an Olivia Newton John album that was only available there.
The singer later sent Alan a birthday card on his 60th birthday.