Lightning GIL-511, 1978.
01 - Let Go Of My Hand
02 - Shouldn't Do It
03 - Guitar In My Hand
04 - Gonna Quit
Cliff Cresswell - vocals, Henry Hartman - guitar, Rick Cresswell - bass, Nick 'Taff' Williams - drums.
In 1977, a then 17 year old Cliff Cresswell was photographed by Billy Russell of Bluebird Music in some rather provocative poses for the picture sleeve of Dirty Dog's only single. Those photographs were rejected by Lightning Records who went with the above face shot instead.
'Let Go Of My Hand' was inspired by a true story involving guitarist Henry Hartman, a park bench and a couple of policemen. Henry had fallen asleep and woke to be accused of all sorts, when his only crimes were being a punk and the colour of his skin (Henry was one of London's few black punk rockers).
Later sessions for an album which was never released saw drummer Taff play the guitar parts since Henry had disappeared off the scene. A change of name to Try with a more new wave sound followed but the band soon split when new guitarist Mosha Daboul was called up for national service by the Israeli army.
Later came drug abuse, time in prison, spells in rehab, Eurovision and yet more rehab (well who wouldn't need some therapy after Eurovision!) ...and that's just Cliff's story.
0 comments:
Post a Comment