'The Cannon Fires Again' (Man Cannon back together after 40 years)
Fans of heavier music who were around in the 1970's will remember Wakefield's first heavy rock group 'Man Canon''. The band, who originally were called 'The Strays' graduated from playing in Working Men's Clubs to the various pubs in Yorkshire who realised that having live music was a good draw for punters. Man Canon had various line ups, each of which featured Ossett's well known 'Mo Pickles' as vocalist. Mo has appeared in many different heavy rock outfits, over 55 years, having almost legendary status and runs an excellent disco / karaoke session every Friday night at Horbury Liberal Club. Other long standing members were Terry 'Sam' Robinson (on bass), Nat Sykes on lead guitar and a very young Martin Tagg (more recently the ScratchBand's long standing - or is it long 'sitting'- drummer). In the last incarnation, before a split of the band in 1975, the lead guitarist was the guitar virtuoso Steve Walker. Steve, as Yorkshire's leading guitar teacher, has taught many of the local guitar players that you have seen and heard since the 1970's. In a previous version the band had Martin Laycock, another well known local 'muso', on keyboards.
It is 40 years, this year, since the band split and they have re-formed for a special gig at Horbury Liberal Club on Saturday 8 August. This year is also Mo's 70th birthday. The line-up this time includes Mo, Steve, Martin T, Martin L and another local player Barry Newby on bass (Sam Robinson now lives in South Africa and could not make it for the gig). Barry, a superb player, was the sound engineer for Smokie for 18 years and travelled the world with them. You may notice the extra 'N' in the band name - this is to make it correct spellingwise by adding Barry 'N' as the new addition.
The gig will start at about 17:30 and will also feature 3 other local Bands - a re-formed Flyin' Seamen and Steamroller.
Those who know will appreciate that the venue is not large and an early seat will be necessary. Funds from the gig will go to McMillan Nurses.
Fans of heavier music who were around in the 1970's will remember Wakefield's first heavy rock group 'Man Canon''. The band, who originally were called 'The Strays' graduated from playing in Working Men's Clubs to the various pubs in Yorkshire who realised that having live music was a good draw for punters. Man Canon had various line ups, each of which featured Ossett's well known 'Mo Pickles' as vocalist. Mo has appeared in many different heavy rock outfits, over 55 years, having almost legendary status and runs an excellent disco / karaoke session every Friday night at Horbury Liberal Club. Other long standing members were Terry 'Sam' Robinson (on bass), Nat Sykes on lead guitar and a very young Martin Tagg (more recently the ScratchBand's long standing - or is it long 'sitting'- drummer). In the last incarnation, before a split of the band in 1975, the lead guitarist was the guitar virtuoso Steve Walker. Steve, as Yorkshire's leading guitar teacher, has taught many of the local guitar players that you have seen and heard since the 1970's. In a previous version the band had Martin Laycock, another well known local 'muso', on keyboards.
It is 40 years, this year, since the band split and they have re-formed for a special gig at Horbury Liberal Club on Saturday 8 August. This year is also Mo's 70th birthday. The line-up this time includes Mo, Steve, Martin T, Martin L and another local player Barry Newby on bass (Sam Robinson now lives in South Africa and could not make it for the gig). Barry, a superb player, was the sound engineer for Smokie for 18 years and travelled the world with them. You may notice the extra 'N' in the band name - this is to make it correct spellingwise by adding Barry 'N' as the new addition.
The gig will start at about 17:30 and will also feature 3 other local Bands - a re-formed Flyin' Seamen and Steamroller.
Those who know will appreciate that the venue is not large and an early seat will be necessary. Funds from the gig will go to McMillan Nurses.