Johnny Kidd and The Pirates

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Hi Roger,

It sure could be interesting to find out when Mick changed from the Gibson to Tele. I agree with you that when you google the internet you'll find mostly pics of Mick with Johnny K. holding the red Gibson and very few with the white Tele. I'm sure I've read somewhere that the Gibson was nicked after the A shot Of Rhythm And blues 45s release, but I can't remember where??? I'll have a look in the Johnny Kidd book as soon as I get it back and let you know if anything interesting turns up. Anyone out there who knows about this, remember something or maybe have some pics of Johnny and the boys showing their instruments/gear.

Regards,

Søren Koch

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Pirates recordings on Spotify — Soren Koch, Wed Apr 18 10:07

Just stumbled over the compilation album "Heros of Rock And Roll" by Johnny Kidd And The Pirates on Spotify. I've googled it and found it released as a CD. The album contains the following 10 tracks: ... more
- Recordings — Keith Roberts, Wed Apr 18 19:49
  
  These recordings surfaced some years ago on i-tunes and all vocals except "Whole Lotta Woman" are definitely Johnny Spence.Pirate avids are not agreed on the backing musicians however.I think they... more
- - Pirates recordings on Spotify — Soren Koch, Thu Apr 19 15:19
    
    I totally agree with you, Keith. I'm sure you are right about the Green/Spence/Farley/Cooper constellation, except Whole Lotta Woman which I'm quite sure must be from a different/later session with... more
  - - Recordings — Keith Roberts, Thu Apr 19 15:42
      
      Yes - there's plenty of food for thought there ! One source of info re the amps is the many early photos usually showing Fender amps.My band "The Meteors" supported Johnny and the boys at a gig in... more
    - - Pirates recordings on Spotify — Soren Koch, Thu Apr 19 16:09
        
        Thanks, Keith. Funny to hear the story about the exchange of gear. I got the picture that that's how you often did back in those days. Great! These days, many musicians are so much up their own arse, ... more
      - Recordings etc. — Keith Roberts, Thu Apr 19 17:52
        
        Hi Soren.Interesting reply!Not so many groups would let you use their gear but Johnny Kidd and the boys were really matey.We spent most of the day with them having picked them up from the ferry.Frank ... more
        Recordings etc. — Soren Koch, Thu Apr 19 19:54
        
        Hi Keith. Terrible story with that red Precision!. I recognized from looking at pictures/film clips that the red Precision was replaced by a Music Man Stingray (and later a Jazz Bass) when The... more
        Instruments — Roger Morse, Fri Apr 20 08:51
        
        Hi All, Afraid I cant realy add much. As Ive said before I only saw Johnny Kidd and the Pirates live once in 1962 as Shot Of Rhythm and Blues came out. Johnny Spence had a Wallace Bass amp, Red... more
        Instruments — Soren Koch, Fri Apr 20 14:53
        
        Hi Roger. Sorry, I certainly remember that you mentioned the Wallace amp etc some months ago when we discussed this issue. Couldn't be fun to exactly nail down when Mick changed from the Gibson Les... more
        Instruments — Roger Morse, Fri Apr 20 19:52
        
        Hi Soren, Thanks for the interesting reply.I can't agree though on the Gibson / Tele recordings or when Mick changed over. The reason being, everytime I saw Johnny and the Pirates on tv it was always ... more
        Instruments — Soren Koch, Sat Apr 21 08:35
        GUITARS — CAPTAIN PUGWASH, Mon Apr 23 08:07
        
        MICK always had a wine red gibson les paul as a stand by guitar on the Pirates shows i attended!
        Guitars — Roger Morse, Tue Apr 24 08:52
        
        That maybe answers the question then. Mick changed to Tele in 63' and probably did all the recordings after "Shot of Rhythm & Blues" / "I Can Tell" on the Tele ? using the old Gibson as back up... more
        Instruments — Roger Morse, Sat Apr 21 09:49
        
        Hi Soren, I have the book and will have a look over the weekend time permitting.Dont think it could have got stolen after "Shot Of Rhythm and Blues" as "I'll Never Get Over You", "Allways and Ever"... more
        Instruments — Roger Morse, Mon Apr 23 21:36
        
        Hi Soren, Had a read through the Johnny Kidd book and spotted a few things. My memory of seeing Johnny Spence in 62'playing through a Wallace amp was correct. Article in the book say's "Johnny Spence ... more
        "Shakin all over" — Louie, Tue Apr 24 05:43
        
        Hi Roger, I have to agree, I wouldn,t be without my copy of "Shakin all over" The book is a must for all J K fans. Is it still in print do you know ?. Regards Louie.
        JK Book — Roger Morse, Tue Apr 24 12:53
        
        Hi Louie, I'd say probably not in print now . There is someone selling a copy on ebay at the moment for £62 plus £24 post in America Ridiculous price but great book although its not completely... more
        Mick's guitars — Keith Roberts, Tue Apr 24 20:54
        
        It was a good book but I remember reading that Johnny Spence was disappointed that he wasn't consulted by the author (Keith Hunt).That is really surprising seeing that Johnny was a great pal of... more
        guitars — Roger Morse, Wed Apr 25 00:08
        
        At least we have decided that then. Gibson until early 63' then Tele after.
        Re: guitars — David, Fri May 4 17:04
        
        Not sure Mick would have been bothered - bearing in mind his famous 'pieces of wood' quote. I remember how happy he was to get a freebie off Peavey when they gave him the blue cropper a few years ago ... more
        guitars — Roger Morse, Fri May 4 17:43
        
        Hi David, What was the "pieces of wood quote"?. Was he realy pleased to get a Peavey ?
        guitars — DAvid, Tue May 8 08:43
        
        wotcha, Rog. Mick said more than once that he wasn't interested in collecting guitars, having them hanging up in rooms etc. "they're just f#ckin' pieces of wood to me". But being Mick, he was pretty... more
        Guitars — Roger Morse, Tue May 8 09:49
        
        Hi David, Was the Strat he played at times his also ?
        Re: Guitars — David, Wed May 9 09:38
        
        absolutely no idea, Rog. I'd guess so since he also used it on Bryan Ferry tours. Absolutely nothing matched the old Tele sound though did it ? He'd had a 'few thou' wound on the pick-ups to give it... more

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