Other
White Lightnin'
1981

“THIS was why we seriously needed a name change after Brian's departure! I was never comfortable with the name and the 'thunderbolt' thing all looked very dodgy in a right-wing sort of way! (Not that I was ever totally comfortable with The Rhythmaires as a name either really - that's democracy I suppose - but it was a slight improvement)”

“Hi Stuart, Good to hear from you, hope you are keeping well. Though I agree the name probably needed changing, I have to state quite categorically, for the record, that the choice of name was purely on a musical basis by (I think) me after the George Jones / Big Bopper song White Lightning. The logo, designed by Paul and me likewise was purely a band logo with no hidden agenda - you have to remember I was 13 at the time we formed the band and Paul was 14 - the only right wingers we knew of back then were Steve Coppell and Dennis Tueart. Being a tad older than us I guess you were more sensitive to the possible connotations. The Fall released a version of the song in 1990 as a single, with a not disimilar sleeve and I don't think anyone accused them of having right wing influences. I thought the Rythmaires was your choice of name though? Oh how the memory twists and fades!”