Arty's 60s Dream

Dreams can come true..

Photo taken by Wes Paul Gerrard

NOW I HAVE LIVED MY DREAM

At the age of sixteen I used to attend the disabled employment office in St Thomas St, Liverpool.

After signing on I would then visit NEM's to buy my album of the week. One particular day I saw 'THE SHAKERS' LP on the rack: I checked it out and liked what I saw, however,  I didn't know the band - anyway I bought it on the strength of the numbers on it.

 On arriving home I went  straight to my old Dansette record player and put the LP on the turntable.  I was absolutely knocked out by the sounds - this was the music I always wanted to play.

 I found out later in 'The Merseybeat' paper that the Band was actually 'Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes'. I told my dad that this was a band I would love to play with: that was 39 years ago. Last Friday (13th of June 2003) I finally achieved my fondest wish, at the 'Woodside Ferry Terminal' - alongside

• Kingsize Taylor                vocals/guitar

• Sam Hardie                      keyboards/vocals

• John Frankland                rhythm guitar/vocals

• Billy Burton                       tenor sax

• Baz Davies                        lead guitar/vocals

• Wally Shepard                  bass guitar

• Gaz Gaskell                       tenor sax/vocals

• Arty Davies                        drums

as well as guest singers:

• Mike Byrne and Lee Curtis for the big finale.

For one night

I was a member of

 KINGSIZE TAYLOR AND THE DOMINOES

I would like to thank all the guys for their support, because I was shaking  like a leaf before we took to the stage. I would also like to thank Wes Paul, Ian Howe and John from Frodsham who I spoke to outside of the venue earlier in the night  for their encouragement. I would especially like to give thanks to Mesh Stevenson for his advice over the phone.

Of course a big influence in my style has been Faron  - who helped me adapt my style of drumming - enabling  me to become a more solid player - without him this would never been possible. Many thanks all those mentioned!

Arty Davies

Since Then I have repeated it playing  with Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes at the tsunami charity show in Ellesmere Port. I love playing with Ted and the boys, you get a special buzz on the stage.  For a report on that show click below

                      Tsunami charity show