Moldy Warp

Brian Bailey. (An early recollection)

I first met Brian in the very early sixties. I think it was classed as the ‘Beatnik’ era. Baggy sweaters were all the rage and Brian had one of the baggiest in town which in my book made him a bit of a fashion icon. Along with a few others we started a youth club newspaper, his articles always keenly anticipated were usually completely off the wall but quite brilliant influenced greatly by his love of the popular Goon Show.
I recall that Brian was a good classical singer and competed successfully in the Wharfedale Music Festival although the classical side seemed to be at odds with his musical taste.
Originally he was a mate of my brother who had started playing the guitar. They met in my parents kitchen and played much Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. I was introduced into the Combo on biscuit tin and a pair of drum brushes found at a jumble sale. I never did master ‘Peggy Sue’.
A couple of years later I joined the Tarantulas. We decided a singer was required and Brian immediately came to mind. His audition piece was Buddy Holly’s ‘Heartbeat’. This number was chosen based on the fact that I knew the riff and Brian knew the words. He passed with flying colours and the rest is history. 

Pete Dickinson 2016