Chuck HinsonThe DAVE CLARK DUPE
September 4th 2008 18:50
HUH?!?!?
Right ... and it's Dupe #1 on our list: Dave Clark didn't play the drums on their records! He used session musicians for that task, including Graham.
Another thing (Dupe #2): the songs I mentioned aren't theirs!! They were written by a man from whom Dave stole the rights, after promising royalties and on-label credits. My good friend, Ron Ryan, did the honors (and this has been verified!). His brother, Mick, was guitarist for the band before Lenny took over.
When Ron pushed Dave for the promised royalties, not only did Clark evade him but even ordered his band not to speak with him!
Ron had a band of his own that was quite popular in the London area, The Riot Squad (it introduced a young Mitch Mitchell to the rock stage. He went on to become drummer of the Jimi Hendrix Experience) During his time with the band, he penned the above songs (Anyway You Want It was written in about fifteen minutes on a train trip back from Blackpool!). Bits and Pieces was actually a mix of two of Ron's songs and (Your Ma Said) You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night. He let Mike Smith -- who remained a friend of Ron's until his untimely death from the effect of his tetraplegia -- take Pieces (originally meant to be a country song, btw) and make it his own, as such.
Getting back to Dave Clark: He finally paid Ron part of what was owed him, but retained the label credits. He's never "owned up" to what he did -- and he doesn't allow the surviving members to say anything about it. As far as his drumming's concerned: He DID drum in live shows -- so there's no denying his ability! And, honestly, session musicians were commonplace back then (even The Beatles used them occasionally!).
Now, for more on the story, why not go over to Ron's site (it's also got a lot of great music from the bands he formed!)? Find it at Ron Ryan Music.
I'll have more a little later this evening. Until then, remember:
Keep yer eyes on the skies, yer feet on the ground, yer heart with the music ....
and I'll see ya on the flip side.
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