St Helens and Wigan still in perfect harmony after more than 40 years

Back in the early 1960’s when the Beatles were playing local clubs in Liverpool and St Helens, such as the Cavern and the Plaza, two teenage lads (one from Wigan and the other from St Helens) were developing musical skills that would take them through, some would say, the best years of ‘Clubland’ and see them still performing today. Dave Garnett and Steve Wood have been working together as musicians supporting ‘Clubland’s’ finest artists for over forty years and although from rival towns, with regard to sport, their music and sociability has been in perfect harmony throughout all of this time.

Both guys began their musical journey while still at school playing in ‘Beat Groups’ back in those early days – Dave playing guitar (later to move to organ/keyboards) and Steve on drums. Venues back then included youth clubs, pubs, social clubs and of course the occasional wedding reception (well before the days of discos and karaoke).

Steve with his first drum kit.

 

 

Dave playing guitar with 'The Terriers' St Theresa's Youth Club St Helens, around 1964.

 

 

 

It was the development of the ‘Clubland’ scene in the mid 60’s that brought Dave and Steve together as an organist and drummer duo. Workingmen’s clubs thrived when pub singers moved from the bars of local pubs onto the club stages and became artists (ask Johnny Meadows for confirmation). PA systems were affordable, bingo provided finance, committee men worked enthusiastically for nothing and audiences supported local clubs. Dave played the organ at the St Helens Town Football Club in Sutton (‘Town Ground’ to the regulars) on Wednesday nights in between the bingo just for fun and experience, while Steve was developing his competence with dance tempos at a local club in Golbourne.

 

Feeling confident in his performance skills, Dave took a gig at Newton-le-Willows Labour Club (deputising for Mike Callaghan’s mother on piano would you believe) where Steve had only recently taken the position of drummer. Since that date in 1966, the two have worked together in various venues in the region accompanying and supporting acts on the club scene - many of whom required live musical accompaniment. Following a period at Newton-le-Willows, Dave and Steve spent time at the ‘Town Ground’, Greenhalls Social Club in Warrington and Parr and Hardshaw Labour Club back in St Helens. I am assured that there is no connection, but all of these clubs have since been demolished!! Is this what they mean by ‘bringing the house down’?

 

Keeping fit is important for drummers - Steve in the London marathon 'some years' ago

 

 

 

During their times at the various clubs in St Helens  and Warrington, Dave and Steve have worked with many of the great ‘clubland’ acts who made it into television. Acts like Tom O’Connor, Dave Berry, Dustin Gee, (dare we mention) Bert Weedon, to name but a few. During this time the musicians formed friendships with local comperés Frankie Barrow, Derek Taylor and Pete Hassall.

                                                    

Playing music, and particularly accompanying artists, is still an important part of Dave and Steve’s life. As musicians and entertainers in their own right – singing and playing – they add a

Dave and Steve with comperé Pete Hassall at Greenhalls Social Club in Warrington (late 80's)

significant contribution to a successful night’s entertainment and find themselves not only deputising for resident musicians but also supporting acts who, like them, prefer to work ‘live’. In particular you will often find Dave and Steve working with Jamie, who as many people know, will only work with ‘live’ music.

 

 

Two guys supporting ‘live’ music and demonstrating that the skill of playing musical instruments, reading music and performing unrehearsed is still possible.

 

 

 

 

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