Half Moon Putney - an unexpected journey into the past!
Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band's Henri Harrison by Stella Tooth SOLD
Out of the blue Geoff Burkett contacted me a few days ago from Australia to let me know that he and his wife June, and his mum and dad Elsie and Charlie, used to manage the Half Moon Putney, where I'm now resident artist.
He was enquiring about purchasing a "beautiful" print of a drawing of the Half Moon Putney I had created for the pub's walls that had made an impression on him. He had seen it on a spring holiday to the UK this year when he had called in at the pub with his son, "for old times' sake".
He told me, "I have some very fond memories of the pub... and a print, if possible, would remind me of so many good times."
Geoff kindly agreed to tell me more about his recollections of the pub and music venue they managed from 1965 - just two years after it started as a music venue in the heady sixties - to 1973. They apparently managed it on behalf of Jack West, who also owned another pub in Wandsworth.
Half Moon Putney by Stella Tooth. Get in touch for your very own print!
Geoff said, "Those years at the Half Moon were very memorable. We did have some very interesting and varied performers. Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band was a regular act, very different, original and they had a great following.
"We had a regular DRAG act weekly. His name was Brian. He was a truck driver by day. He was a great singer and entertainer and he always had great supporting performers and always packed the music room each show. His costumes were amazing.
"A jazz band played weekly, very good, but only a small following. A weekly act was a swing big band, Glen Miller-style, full band, probably twenty members, always popular.
"Each Saturday and Sunday were normally regular talent nights. Singers etc. would come on stage and perform and some were good, some interesting, some not so good. Always popular nights. Our compare was a local artist, I can't remember his name, but his signature tune for opening and closing the shows was 'Ghost Riders in The Sky'.
"Another performer who appeared on numerous occasions was Long John Baldry. I always remember his rendition of 'Let The Heartaches begin', was awesome.
"This is about the extent of my music room memories, but I have numerous other personal memories of both customers and interesting events, which made our time, June & Geoff, so eventful and an important time in our lives."
I too have very fond memories of seeing and portraying Bob Kerr's Whooppee Band at the Half Moon Putney. What attracted me to them, as an artist, was the fun change of hats for every member after each song. It was both visually funny and exciting to capture.