Pip Williams

Hi John. I could write a book on my time with Bloodstone and Mike Vernon- when I have time I'll try to recall a few of the best bits! Hey Michael. Yep, the same Sovereigns! Fun, it's only now when reminiscing that I really realise just how amazing those times were, and how privileged we were to be part of it all. Soul music was were I started really, even though I went on to produce so many rock and pop acts. Funny how I have no interest in Hip-Hop or all these records that are produced these days using samples and programmed tracks. I was listening to some old James Carr and Howard Tate stuff at the weekend- it still sounds wonderful!

Hi David Well we certainly played "I'll Take Good Care of You" at every show. Obviously, Jerry Ragovoy's team played on the recording. The Senate were the first of Roy Tempest's bands to back Garnett. I think we did two short tours with him. We had an idea of his set list and were able to get copies of his records and learn them as best we could. As with most of the acts, we got about 2 hours in the afternoon at the gig before the first show to rehearse. I know we did a couple of dates at the Mojo in Sheffield, as well as The Place Hanley and a few of the classic soul venues. Garnett was superb and I was a big fan before we even got to back him. He was the ultimate professional and one thing I'd never seen before or since- his stage patter and announcements were completely scripted. e.g. for "Cry Baby" he always announced "Gee you're wonderful, I think you're grand. You bought over a million copies and made my life quite complete!" Which was a bit ironic as that song wasn't previously well known at all in the UK! I do remember stopping at the famous Blue Boar services at Watford Gap on the M1 and Garnett getting hooked on beans on toast!

I'm fascinated by these posts about Alvin Robinson. I can widen the conversation even more! My band The Sovereigns used to back many US acts for dubious agent Roy Tempest, who was renown for bringing over unknown black artists and passing them off as well known acts, such as The Fabulous Temptations, The Fabulous Isley Brothers etc. etc. We did however back a few of the genuine artists he brought over- The Soul Sisters, Clyde McPhatter, Garnett Mimms....and Alvin Robinson! I can't remember if The Motivation backed him before or after our stint. Roy used to move all his backing bands from act to act. However, I vividly remember that Roy wasn't known for giving his artists much in the way of expenses, so Alvin had to travel in our notoriously unreliable Commer van from gig to gig. He even had to help us push it to jump start it once! I can't even remember exactly how many shows we did with him. He also arrived without a guitar. Luckily, I had two, a '62 rosewood fingerboard Fender Strat and a Gibson Melody Maker. Alvin chose to play my strat, although he mentioned that he wasn't usually a strat player. Furthermore , in those pics that Mickey Finn has posted, that is definitely my strat Alvin is playing. I can even see my old Marshall JTM 45 amp behind him! I've no idea where these pics were taken- quite possibly at the old Whisky a Go Go, above the Flamingo in Wardour Street. It looks like it and we did do a gig there. I just had to post this message after stumbling onto this wonderful site. Aww the joy of nostalgia! Those indeed were the days!