MISSING . . .
THE DAILY MAIL offers the opportunity to re-establish contact with long-lost relatives and friends. Each week, MONICA PORTER features the story of someone trying to find
MUSICIAN Derek Atkinson is hoping to be reunited with two missing members from his first band in the 1960s.
‘Jerome was a four-piece band that practised in Handyside Arcade in Newcastle upon Tyne,’ says Derek, 75, from Washington, Tyne & Wear.
‘The famous Club A-Go-Go was nearby and we could hear Cream, Jimi Hendrix and The Animals playing their sets.
‘Our manager was colourful Brian Sandells, who owned the first shop to sell posters to hang on teenagers’ bedroom walls.
‘Jerome played the hits of the day plus more obscure material. Geoff Phillips and I alternated a missing loved one and a tale of people reunited. Produced in conjunction with the voluntary tracing service Searching For A Memory, run by Gill Whitley. playing lead and bass guitar, Jim Thewlis played drums and was lead vocalist, and John Waugh played rhythm guitar and also sang.
‘We performed in working men’s clubs — a rite of passage for fledgling bands — and recorded some vinyl records in Geoff’s garage. After we disbanded in 1967, I played in many other bands, the last being a Hollies tribute group called the Hollywood Bees.
‘I still enjoy composing and recording my own music, and my first vinyl album is on sale at HMV in Gateshead.
‘Sadly, Geoff has passed away. It would be terrific to reunite with Jim and John.’