“The Lamp light was a venue in Chorlton, It was very popular at the time as it was one of the only places with a late licence that featured live music, I reckon most Manc bands around that time played at this place, If I remember right they had a resident band called "The Charlie Parkers" which was CP Lea and half of The Albeto's, The other half of the Alberto's got another band together called "Sons Of Charlie Parkers" who also played there, A bit of a seedy dive really, Just the way we liked it!!”
“Mr Planet - if this was 1985 the venue had recently re-opened as 'The Limit' - the original 'Lamplight' shut about '82 when the biggest band in there were 'Kid Khaki & the Karamojos' featuring none other than your mate Ronnie Poole on bass. Funny old world eh?”
“No, am not Ronnie Poole but read your historical website where he's mentioned! Karamojos drummer, Bert Pearson, (who's still a regular in Chorlton's hostelries), tried to reform the band for his 50th last year at Chorlton Con Club. Adam Rodgers made it, Ronnie couldn't so John Walsh stood in on bass and Chris Gill played rhythm, although they didn't play any Karamojos, just rock'n'roll covers, Top night tall the same and loads of old Lamplight/Limit faces present.
Got any more pics of The Ride? - sure I saw you at The Limit and vaguely remember you lot being quite good.”
“Hi Bert, I must have met you a few times then, in fact I thought I recorded you in Bootleg, I know I did a recording with Mike King and Adam called Cruise Missile Blues, dunno who it went out as but as I remember it was a single, wow Chris Gill,I know Chris really well but aint seen him in a while, (Paul Youngs funeral I think, great guitar man Chris, if you see him around in Chorlton ask him to get in touch with me please, I go over to Chorlton sometimes it would be nice to see him again, he can always mail me at my website, phil@philplanet.co.uk I have loads of other pics of Ride and other Manc bands which I will be uploading on here and my own site in the near future, Cheers Bert and thanks, Phil”
“Talk about 'rock n roll casualties' Mr Planet!!!!!
I am neither Bert Pearson, nor Ronnie Poole, and have never been in the Karamojos or any other band!
I've just always been a fan of live Manchester music and consequently know most of the old musos!”
“Hah, ok mr Ellis, I commend you for being a fan of Manc music for so long, in that case you must also know Mr Gammer of Chorlton, I used to also play in his band for a good while, it was me who introduced Ronnie to Norman, as you will know already if you been on my site Ron was in my Ride band and others, fuck me mr Ellis just say hello to Chorlton for me it would be quicker!!! hah regards, Mr P Planet ish”
“hi folks...
i was in a band called upside down inside outs!! and we used to play alternate weeks at the lamplight with the karamojos.. great days indeed, got acouple of pics somewhere which i'll upload if i can find them.
great site guys.
(i was also in playing at trains.. got a few bits from them to upload too.)”
“hiya.. i don't remember airschool, but i did have a stint with rus in the early 80's playing in the salford jets after sweeney left.. strange times!
keep em coming..... :-)”
“Hi Airschool used to rehearse at TJ's place in town, that was when I was with them and Salford Jets had next door room, other bands at the time there were V2, Buzzcocks, The Out, |Cheers, phil”
“cheers phil... if you want to see a couple of vids, type playing at trains, and cygnet ring into youtube, and you'll see rus warbling away! i'm the guitarist.
(must find those lamplight pics!).. & i'm loving this site...”
“Hi I remember going to the Lamplight Club in Chorlton late 70's I think. Whenever I think of this place its always accompanied by the track Cruise Missile Blues, was this ever recorded on vinyl? does anyone have a copy?
Also I went to see the Charlie Parkas (with strong brass section) and great fun, but not at the Lamplight I think. Did they ever record on vinyl their version of the Hawaii 5 0 theme or the Star Trek theme. If so does anyone have a copy?”
“Hi, Cruise Missike Blues was recorded in Bootleg Studios in the earlt eighties by Adam? (Kid Khaki)Mike King, I did the recording and if I remember right it was a 45rpm limited pressing, the sesioon was booked in by Bruce Mitchell of the Albertos, Charlie Parker were just another incarnation of Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoius anyway as were 'The Sons of Charlie Parker, (the other half of the Berts) in fact the same musicians had loads of different bands, Heavt Duty, CP Lee Mystery Guild, 48 Chairs, Bet Lynches Legs, The Smirks, The Good The Bad and the indifferent to name a few, all these bands were the same people in various formats! clever really, a band for all occasions!”
“Sorry to jump in on this conversation 8 years late (story of my life), but I saw the Karamojos probably 4/5 times at The dear, departed Gallery on Peter St. and thought they absolutely kicked bottom. Always thought they should have gone on to greater things as they were tight as a nun's chuff and had a great set of very original songs. The bassist was rock steady, the singer was cool and charismatic and the drummer was a Troglodyte John Bonham type who threatened to split his skins at every beat - man he was powerful and metronomic. Prehistoric Rhythms still pops up in my mental playlist all these years later.
If anyone has any of their recordings,particularly the above mentioned, I would really appreciate a share.
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