Until two years ago, the Swinging Blue Jeans, the band which gave The Beatles their first chance at The Cavern, were a popular 60s act led by original front man Ray Ennis.
Then Ray announced he was to retire, but as is often the case, when an original retires things get complicated. There are now Alan Lovell's Blue Jeans, and a Ray Ennis's Blue Jeans are being billed at certain Warners events as I write!
I even joked to long standing SBJ drummer Phil Thompson (now retired) that maybe he should start a "Phil Thompson's Blue Jeans", but he wouldn't would he???

Reg Presley of The Troggs has sent us this letter, which is self explanatory -

As you all know I was taken ill whilst doing a gig in Germany in December. During my stay in hospital tests showed that in fact I have lung cancer. I am receiving chemotherapy treatment and at the moment not feeling too bad.

However I’ve had to call time on The Troggs and retire. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the cards and calls and for your love, loyalty and support over the years.

A big thank you to Jackie for running the fan club and keeping you all up to speed, and a huge and special thank you to Chris, Pete and Dave.

I shall miss you all.

Lots of Love

Reg.

I am sure he would be pleased to receive cards and know that we are all thinking of him. I will be happy to forward them.

Jacqueline Ryan
56 Waite Davies Rd., London SE12 OND

The Troggs Fan Club Secretary

The company Neil Young owns which converted his 1959 Lincoln Continental to an electric car has been sued by the insurance company for a San Carlos, California storage facility where the car was located. They're asking for nearly a half million dollars in damages from a 2010 blaze caused by the automobile.

Elton John is writing a book (his first) on the fight against AIDS. "Love Is The Cure: Ending The Global AIDS Epidemic" will be published in July.

Secrets of pop success revealed, scientists claim

Budding pop stars may fare better if they swap a piano keyboard for a PC, according to university researchers. University of Bristol scientists claim to have developed software that can spot whether a song has hit potential.

The program looks at 23 separate characteristics including loudness, danceability and harmonic simplicity. Trained using hit songs from the Top 40 over the last 50 years, the software can predict chart positions with about 60% accuracy, the scientists say.

VINTAGE RECORD LABELS...
We've revamped our UK record label pages. Its an ongoing task, but you may already find them of interest.

Vinyl Records
Some original UK vinyl for sale

UK Collectors Record Centre
A vast database of UK record shops selling everything from Roy Orbison to The Orb!