Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond

Subject: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From:
Date: 03 Dec 99 - 06:14 PM

Does anybody out there know what Peter Bond is doing these days? He wrote some great songs in the seventies and eighties such as "Birthday Cake City", "The Baron and the Busker" "Sticks and Stones" and recorded an album about the circus with Tim Laycock and Bill Caddick as well as his own albums "It's all right for some" "See me up see me down" and "Awkward Age" I'm trying to get in touch with him and nobody I know seems to know where he is. Any help would be gratefully received.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Trevor Bond
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 09:31 AM

Yes I do. He is fit and well and living near Rochdale.He teaches guitar and music for a living, and was fascinated and flattered to hear that people still remembered his songs

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: 53
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 10:55 AM

does he know bango bonnie? BOB

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 12:11 PM

Trevor, you sound as though you've seen him recently. It's good to know he's well. Has he written any more songs since he left the folk scene? There are some of us still performing some of his songs, and I'd love to hear any new ones of his. He was (and presumably still is) a very talented songwriter.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: alanabit
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 03:35 PM

There was a thread on this about a year or two back. Maybe someone more computer literate than me can dig it out for us. I admired Pete Bond when I saw him in the seventies. He was a nice bloke too.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 04:02 PM

Yeah! I remember Peter and what a fine songwriter he was I do have both of his albums: "See Me Up See Me Down" and "Awkward Age" and the one by the trio of Bond,Caddick & Laycock "A Duck On His Head".

We are going back to the 80's when he was doing the folk club circuit.

One of my favourites was "The Irish Girl".

I suppose that Peter like many other singer-guitarists have left the folk scene for reasons best known to themselves. For instance where is Dave Totterdell?

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 06:08 PM

Mea maxima culpa, in a thread going last week about "They don't write them like that any more" I momentarily got confused between Peter Bond and Pete Betts, but only to point out that Joe Peel is a great song too. If my memory is correct (which on occasion, as aforementioned it obviously isn't) I encountered Peter Bond, Les Barker and Mrs Ackroyd for the first time at the same festival (Potterne)in 1978, which was a quite overwhelming experience.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 04:38 AM

I can find two other threads about our Peter here and here.

And, Trevor, is your surname a coincidence or are you related to him?

Joan

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Trevor Bond
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 11:09 AM

Yes Joan, The truth is out. I am his brother.Also the brother of John and Nigel. I am he who is not mentioned. Referred to me ol'shipmate Lester Simpson as "Pete's Brother" Thanks to all who replied,I shall pass on your comments.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 02:45 PM

Fine singer/songwriter, I still do Category D, Baron & the Busker , and fondly recall many late nights chewing the fat with Peter, especially when he played a gig at Ruskin College Oxford for me. He also played at my last night of running the Red Lion at Patricroft after a very long stint away, but did it for all the right reasons, friendship, not least among them. Sadly our only contact these days is an exchange of Christmas cards. If he has written any songs not freely available I would like to hear them, I too have all the albums. Trevor please give him our kindest regards and if you could tempt him out of retirement.............

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 03:05 AM

Yes, oh for Peter to be gigging again! In days gone by when he had done a gig in Wigan for me, I would make him a "runny egg butty", apparently a taste he acquired in his engineering days. His gigs were magic, and he even once turned up on a singer's night and joined in the fun - something not too many professionals do.

Trevor, you are no longer "he who is not mentioned". A belated "Welcome to Mudcat", and do consider becoming a member - it's free and has many advantages (see the FAQ thread at the top of the Forum). I too "lurked" invisibly, reading threads, searching for songs, and occasionally posting as a 'Guest' before joining - I've never looked back. Click on the Membership link at the top of the page, and do come back and tell us something about yourself.

Joan

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: brother
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 12:08 PM

Have taken your advice Joan , and joined. Tell about myself . Where does one start, and if one starts where does one stop? But I will try one day soon, gosh that's almost the line from a song.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 12:40 PM

Welcome aboard! Will look forward to hearing more from you.

Joan

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From:
Date: 13 Jan 02 - 05:42 AM

Trevor

Thanks very much for replying to the original post - I can't believe it's over two years ago since I put the query on here! And thanks to Joan for making me aware of the replies that have come in recently. Peter signed one of his albums for me 'Keep doing the songs'. I'm still doing them and people still ask for them. Please give Peter my regards when you next contact him

Joan - I still have a tape of Peter doing a guest spot in the Park Hotel in 1984 - I think it was very close to the time when the Park was pulled down to make way for the modernisation of Wigan - The less said the better - Birthday cake city or what?

Mark Dowding

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: nutty
Date: 13 Jan 02 - 10:52 AM

Trevor ........ I remember Peter and Nigel from their "Blue Anchor" days ..... were you also part of the group??

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Les b (U.K.)
Date: 13 Jan 02 - 02:00 PM

Gosh! not having been to Wigan for ####??? years I didn't know the 'Park' had been pulled down.
We had a great night in Wigan many years ago when we did the club as the 'Southport Mummers'(apart from when we went on spec into this pub in the town center and an 'old dear' at the bar made a for me), well I was wearing red tights as Little Devil Doubt.
Ah happy days.
Les

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: brother
Date: 14 Jan 02 - 05:21 AM

Reference Blue anchor Nigel was in this group for many years. Peter as far as I know never was. I did sing for some time with my brothers when we first encountered folk music. We sang mainly in the cleveland area singing unaccompanied harmony, shanties, folk and even Buddy Holly and Bee Gees. I believe it is now called achepello or something very similar. We were known as Ye Comfee Travellers, though I seem to remember in Guisborough they struggled with the name, and we could be , The Country Lads, The Lads, the Company of Folk etc. Will certainly pass on messages to Pete.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 06:14 AM

Les, it was a sad day when the Park Hotel went. I brought our 21st birthday celebrations forward by 3 months so we could celebrate in the Park before it was knocked down. And just about everyone was there for the final night. To add insult to injury, Wigan Council, having got rid of the Park proper, had the nerve to erect the original bar and fittings, plus a wax model of Mrs Brown (the landlady) in "The Way We Were", at Wigan Pier.

Wigan Folk Club has led a nomadic existence since. We're currently meeting at the Fox & Goose, Wigan Lane on Tuesdays, and at the Seven Stars, Wallgate, on Thursdays (yes, twice a week). I don't book guest artistes these days, we just have singarounds, normally quite well attended, and very friendly - anyone welcome.

Memories of the Park... open fires where we used to make toast, roast potatoes and chestnuts...the old cinema seating...the hand-painted murals on the walls (done by folk club members)...the miners lamp hanging from the ceiling and candles on all the tables...the traditional finishing song, 'Wild Mountain Thyme', complete with actions...aah, happy days...

Joan

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 03:58 AM

I've come across this link to a photo of Peter Bond taken at the Black Lion "Song for Ethiopia" weekend in June 1985:Click here.

Joan

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: brother
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 09:34 AM

Thankyou for posting that picture, I shall pass this on to Pete as well. I didn't realise he was ever that young, I certainly wasn't. Trevor

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Raggytash
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 03:52 PM

Refresh this thread to go with the Act of God one

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: BeBop
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 08:56 PM

Another ancient thread I'd like to pick up: long, long ago (although post 1977) someone wrote (& recorded?) a song called The Wanderer about L.S.Lowry (the best song about him - closest to his spirit - I can recall in my opinion). It was broadcast on national radio (I presume the folk prog. on R2). I'd not heard of Peter Bond then and I'm not sure if it was him or not: I have this vague memory of the author's initials having a P among them; not much to go on, I know, but it seems to be a bit in PB's area (esp. as Lowry spent much of his latter years visiting Sunderland).
The Wanderer in search engines is too vague and of course there's a better-selling RocknRoll song under the same name.
Any offers, from you folk who obviously know so much about him?
Paul

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 10:16 PM

If its of any interest to any body,I sang Joe Peel tonight at Staines Folk and Blues Club and still have 'All Right For Some' in my rep. Is Pete still working for radio 4 in the North West ? Thats the last info I had for him. Best wishes to him any way.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 11:26 AM

Trevor, his brother and a Tall Ships acquaintance of mine, might tell us (if he still looks in here) ?

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Trevor Bond
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 11:05 AM

Peter is fit and well and living in Rochdale. As far as I know he has not written a song about Lowry, but I will ask him and let you know. Good to hear people are still singing his songs, and I know he is always glad to hear that.
Strollin' Johnny? Yes I still look in here.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 06:38 AM

Trevor - glad to see your post. I did the BOST training with you on SSN (Weymouth maybe four years ago), had just bought my first Lowden, our mutual friend is Lester - remember me now? Hope you're well and still sailing?

'Joe Peel' is a wonderful song and high in my repertoire. Is it still possible to get Peter's original version? Would need to be CD, can't play vinyl any more.

All the best,
JB

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 10:51 AM

Pete dropped in with Bill Caddick at last summer's Towersey Festival and did a few spots around. I only caught him once but he was in good form when I saw him.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Trevor Bond
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 10:24 AM

Have spoken to Pete and he confirms he has not written a song about Lowry, but said it might be someone else, he did give me a name , but I've forgotten it. I'll ask him again and post his thought.
Kevin, nice to see your comment about Towersey, I know he enjoyed doing it.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 11:29 AM

I hear from Peter occasionally and last saw him in March last year when he ventured to play nearly all night jamming along with other musicians at a "do" I have each year, here in Huddersfield, to raise money for the Runswick Bay Rescue Boat.
I know he was, for many years, very reluctant to play or sing in public, on the night in question he graced us yet again with some fine singing and wonderful playing.
This year fund raiser for the Rescue Boat will be in March, possibly the 13th ...........watch for thread, all welcome

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 12:26 PM

Would the song about Lowry be "Mr Lowry" written by Bernie Parry by any chance? Apart from the song "Matchstick Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" that got in the charts by Brian and Michael I can't think of any other songs about Lowry.

Bernie's song starts off

The door has closed behind me, gently through the library
And down the whispering galleries to where the great men lie
Rembrandt I pass him by, Salvador I let him lie
I know that they will never die and they don't need me today
The book I am seeking is here in my hand
A book full of pictures by a Lancashire Man
I stand here for ages turning the pages
And I'm lost in those images
And the room is fading away....

I must get that one back in my repertoire.

Good to hear that Peter still plays. Last time I saw him was at Four Fools a couple of years ago.

No doubt Peters Trailer records are part of Mr Bulmer's collection and will never see the light of day again for CD release but his third solo CD (Awkward Age) was an independant production...maybe there's an opportunity there.


Cheers

Mark

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Brother
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 09:55 AM

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,brother
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 09:57 AM

Am in discussions with Pete re possible cd availability but have no news as yet.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: LesB
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 06:17 PM

Pete turned up at our club Bothy Folk Club Southport. last Sunday and did a floor spot and went down a storm. He seemed to be enjoying himself. We all did.

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,watching and waiting
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 01:13 PM

Bernie Parry wrote a song about Lowry

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 06:47 AM

Trevor,

Peter attended our find raiser for the Runswick Bay Rescue Boat, but had to leave rather early as he was struggling with a migraine and a cold.
However he was part of a do that raised £500 for the Rescue Service, would you be kind enough to pass on my thanks

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Brother
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 05:19 AM

Consider your thanks passed on. Glad you raised all that money.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Dave |Totterdell
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 01:00 PM

Quit the road in 1989.I'm well and living in Bristol which has a brilliant Acoustic Roots music scene. Have just played at Priddy Fest 10 th Jul 04 and West Somerset Folk Fest Minehead in the evening. Have written 12 new songs in the last four years. More time as a semi pro. You can reach me at work on 0117 91 32467 0R e mail on [e-mail]. Look forward from hearing from anyone. Thanks for supporting me at gigs throughout the years,

kind regards,

Dave Totterdell

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: LesB
Date: 13 Jul 04 - 01:16 PM

Is this a hightjack? I saw Pete singing at Scarisbrick Village Hall last Thurs as part of the Ormskirk Fest. He didn't tell me he changed his name!

Les

Subject: RE: Song "Mr Lowry"
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 09:07 AM

Mark,
    Out of interest I wrote/recored a song on Cottage records "Whitby Bells"(1976)called "Mr Major" a painter from Wigan,
regards,
                                          
Dave Totterdell

e mail [e-mail]
or Tel [phone] Wk

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Dave |Totterdell
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 09:48 AM

Trevor,
       Perhaps the're thinking of a sond I wrote about Wigan painter Theadoe Major,sadly now passed away. I recorded it on Whitby Bells and it's called Mr Major hence the possible confusion about "Mr Lowry". Ironically it was confused with "Matchstick Men" at the time but is nothing like that song.You can still buy a copy under rare Vinyls.I am still singing part time and have just played at the Priddy Folk Festival and West Somerset Folk Festival at Minehead in the evening,

regards,

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 09:54 AM

A friend of my mother's used to live next door to Theodore Major in Appley Bridge near Wigan. He actually had two houses - one for living in and next door for keeping his paintings in when he filled the first house up. I gather he sold very few - if any - of his paintings hence the need for more storage space.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 10:23 AM

Dave .......... do us a favour .......... start your own thread ..:-)

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From:
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 05:08 AM

Does anybody have words and chords (and music?) for Baron and the Busker?
Can't find a recorded version anywhere and my vinyl copy was "borrowed" many years ago.
Tim Blythe

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 06:29 AM

The Baron and The Busker by Peter Bond

It's the longest running play of all
Expectant people line the wall
The busker's playing tunes he used to march to on parade
And high above the theatre queue
The rich man gazes at the view
And thanks his Gods that he has made the grade
Ladies chatter cheerily, brandy flows around
The rich man draws the velevet curtain shutting out the sound

Ch
Slowly, Slowly turns, Slow turns the wheel
Still it turns

Down below across the square
Down a thousand miles of love and care
The busker's bright but broken tune floats up the foggy street
Now and then he takes a rest
To cough the weather off his chest
And gather up the coins around his feet
His hands upon the clarinet too cold to feel the keys
Dance out their melancholy air of merry misery

I knew a man who used to care
He sat all day in the same old chair
His eyes were sunken in his face like pebbles in the snow
He remembers nineteen twenty six
And now we're in the same old fix
Good God he'd say by now you think they'd know
And like a spluttering gas lamp he slowly flickers down to die
His missis understood his moods and so at last do I


That has been written out from memory so I'll check it when I get home and I'll add some chords as well. I get funny looks when I start singing in the office and I haven't got my guitar with me!

Having chatted with Peter recently, he loves people doing his songs but he would like people to get the correct words. He says there are one or two songs of his being sung that do not have the right words. This one is from his LP called "It's all right for some" released about 1975/76 on the Trailer/Leader label and I gather it's the first song he wrote. The last verse is about his Grandad.

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 02:07 PM

After listening to the record there's a couple of very subtle changes
Basic chords added as well but there are runs going from one chord to another which is far too complicated to add here

The Baron and The Busker by Peter Bond

(G)It's the longest running (D)play of all
(C)Expectant people (Am)line the wall
(D7)The busker's playing tunes he used to (G)march to on par(D7)ade
And (G)high above the (D)theatre queue
The (C)rich man gazes (Am)at the view
And (D7)thanks his Gods that he has made the (G)grade
(C)Ladies chatter (Am)cheerily, (D)brandy goes around
(C)The rich man draws the (Am)velevet curtain (D)shutting out the sound

Ch
(G)Slow(D)ly, (G)Slowly (C)turns, (Am)Slow turns the (D7)wheel
Still it (G)turns

Down below across the square
Down a thousand miles of love and care
The busker's bright but broken tune floats up the foggy street
Now and then he takes a rest
To cough the weather off his chest
Or gather up the coins around his feet
His hands upon the clarinet too cold to feel the keys
Dance out their melancholy air of merry misery

I knew a man who used to care
He sat all day in the same old chair
His eyes were sunken in his face like pebbles in the snow
He remembers nineteen twenty six
And now we're in the same old fix
Good God he'd say by now you think they'd know
And like a spluttering gas lamp he slowly flickered down to die
His missis understood his moods and so at last do I

Hope this helps

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,notanirishgirl
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 05:19 PM

Hi,
I'm not sure how this forum works :-}
I was looking for the Lyrics to peter Bond's Irish Girl
and ended up here. Is he really making a come back ?

Anyone got the words or have I got to glue myself to
my headphones for a while.

Thanks,

notanirishgirl.

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,notanirishgirl
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 05:28 PM

Oh Blimey ..

sorry Peter/Dave I should have read all the posts before posting :-}

Well errr hello ... errr could I have the words for The Irish Girl ? The melody has haunted me for years and I thought I'd have a bash at singing it... if only for my own amusement :-}.

Do you have a "proper job " then ???

Linda. (Irish girl in previous life !)

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From:
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:40 AM

Mark Dowding very kindly posted words and chords for The Baron and the Busker, for which a big "thank you".
I wasn't able to contact you directly Mark so I hope you see this email.
Does anyone have a recording so I can remind myself of the exact melody?
Tim Blythe

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 12:16 PM

I do - I'm a bit busy just now, but I'll e-mail you an mp3 (or other format if you prefer) with the tune a bit later.

Mick

Subject: RE: Anybody know what happened to Peter Bond
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 01:04 PM

mp3 and wma files sent.

Mick