JOHNNY ALDERSON'S STORY
Born in Coventry, I started to play guitar at the age of 13/14 whilst at Binley Park School. I started work at Rolls Royce at 16 in 1966 as a trainee apprentice and met John Westacott there. I joined my first band Interior War as slide second guitar with Rod Grant, during which time I met Ade Taylor. Through the 'Dive Bar' (Lady Godiva pub), a regular haunt for musos, I met John Gravenor and Al Walder – and we formed Wandering John.
We practised at Binley Junior School- other folks practising there too and included John and Ted Duggan and Pete Waterman! Also as an off shoot, came Last Fair Deal- an acoustic blues trio – with John Gravenor, John Westacott (violin and harp) and myself. We used to play regularly at the Umbrella Club in Cov.
After a couple of years, the band split and I met Martin Barter (keyboard player/vocals and formed Just Jake. In 1973, I left to live in Pembrokeshire where I played slide blues around folk clubs. I moved back in 1976 and met up with Martin Barter again and joined Ottoman- but we didn't conquer the world!
I retrained as a carpenter/joiner and taught woodwork to YTS students before going self-employed as a carpenter/joiner. Then formed Travelling Riverside Blues Band with Tony Morgan (bass), George Stevens (drums) and Trevor Jones (vocals). The band has had various line-ups but 'Johnny Slide' (John Alderson's other persona) now being the only original member.
My old friend Tim James (vocals/harp/sax) – previously in Ra Ho Tep - has been around all this time too!
I have made guitars on and off for 35 years now, but only full time for the last 10 years concentrating on my 'Delta resonator' guitars – but also electric guitars,
My main influences are old country bottleneck blues, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Free, Jeff beck and Jimi Hendrix.
PAUL HAYES STORY
Paul G. Hayes grew up in Eastern Green Coventry. Coming from a musical background with both parents having vast stage and concert experience, my musical experience started at junior school playing Violin and Trumpet finally achieving Grade 8 at the Coventry School of Music and a member of the Coventry School of Music Brass Ensamble. Also during this time i became a member of the Boys Brigade based in Tile Hill Initially playing Trumpet then took up the marching Side Drum.
In Sept 1981 at the age of 16 i joined Her Majesty`s Forces Army ROYAL CORPS OF TRANSPORT. During my time in the training Regiments as
In Sept 1981 at the age of 16 i joined Her Majesty`s Forces Army ROYAL CORPS OF TRANSPORT. During my time in the training Regiments as
well as basic and trade training i became the Lead Drummer in the Corps of Drums, with many Military Band demonstrations, Parades and shows including Marching through London on the Lord Mayor`s Parade in 1982 and also the Military Tattoo at Earls Court London.
After this i joined my permanent Regiment in Germany as a HGV driver duties including the supply and movement of stores, vehicles, and live ammunition and explosives to front line troops mainly attached to the Royal Artillery.
I left the forces at the end of 1988 and have mainly owned and driven HGV class1 trucks both UK and European Haulage. I changed careers four and a half years ago to work and operate Heavy Mobile Cranes, working in the Heavy Lifting industry with Cranes ranging from 25 to 1000tons.
My two previous bands were the Roadhogs Rock and Blues Band and Third Alert both from Coventry. I have played Drums Live at Pubs, Clubs,
Parties, Weddings and Charity Events and recording in two studios over the last Eight years since i started playing Drums again building up my Acoustic Kit to as it is today.
I play a Yamaha Stage Custom Kit, Zildjian Cymbals, Roland TD8 electronic Drums with AKG microphones and Wharfdale sound monitoring.
My musical influences are predominantly Heavy and Classic Rock and up tempo Blues. Artists admired are Iron Maiden, Metallica, Muse, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Rainbow, Black Sabbeth, Pink Floyd, Cream, Gary Moore.
I was only 5 or 6 years old when Wandering John were playing the music scene in the early 70`s in Coventry! After this i joined my permanent Regiment in Germany as a HGV driver duties including the supply and movement of stores, vehicles, and live ammunition and explosives to front line troops mainly attached to the Royal Artillery.
I left the forces at the end of 1988 and have mainly owned and driven HGV class1 trucks both UK and European Haulage. I changed careers four and a half years ago to work and operate Heavy Mobile Cranes, working in the Heavy Lifting industry with Cranes ranging from 25 to 1000tons.
My two previous bands were the Roadhogs Rock and Blues Band and Third Alert both from Coventry. I have played Drums Live at Pubs, Clubs,
Parties, Weddings and Charity Events and recording in two studios over the last Eight years since i started playing Drums again building up my Acoustic Kit to as it is today.
I play a Yamaha Stage Custom Kit, Zildjian Cymbals, Roland TD8 electronic Drums with AKG microphones and Wharfdale sound monitoring.
My musical influences are predominantly Heavy and Classic Rock and up tempo Blues. Artists admired are Iron Maiden, Metallica, Muse, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Rainbow, Black Sabbeth, Pink Floyd, Cream, Gary Moore.
JOHN GRAVENOR'S STORY
I started singing in a church choir in St Michaels when I was 9 until I was 12 - then bought a guitar and started writing my own songs. Played
with a couple of guys at school (Caludon Castle) including Al Walder. Al and I auditioned for John and Ade in Wandering John when we were 17 and joined the band. I think at the time we believed that we were going to be huge, but unfortunately I was still very young and things weren't moving fast enough for me so quit the band to try other things. I left Cov in 1971 for Brighton. Then went round Europe in 1972 with Neil O'Connor and Alex Murphy - mostly busking.
Looking back, we should have continued with Wandering John as the guys were and still are brilliant musicians. One of things I remember about WJ is the amount of times that we were paid off after one number for being too loud! I also well remember the Diggers Feast in the Old Cathedral.
I now live in Hastings, E Sussex - currently wholesaling beers, previously having owned and run clubs in Brighton.
Previous bands include Midnight Circus, Alicats and Downturn and pursued a solo caree
My main influences are various old blues mussos, John Mayall, Pretty Things, Who
WANDERING JOHN IN REHEARSAL - PHOTOGALLERY ( From photos by Peter Clemons and Cliff Wagstaff (I think)
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