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Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?

18 Mar 03 - 05:11 PM (#912915)
Subject: Origins or artist: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: Jim Colbert

I'm looking for an independent folkie from the U.K., a mate I believe of the band Press Gang, who did a song called Bikers of England, about the glory days of motorcycling in England.

Anyone?

jim


18 Mar 03 - 06:53 PM (#912973)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: GUEST,AArk


18 Mar 03 - 07:00 PM (#912979)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: GUEST,AArk

Not familiar with the song but I was around in the (reading-based)Pressgang days - could it have been Steve Hunt?? Do you know anything more about the singer?
Have recently seen Richard Thompson do 1952 Vincent Black Lightning which never fails to impress - I hope you are familiar with this song too.


18 Mar 03 - 07:49 PM (#913015)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: Leadfingers

Bikers of England was definately Steve Hunt- I have his Cassette stashed somewhere.A shame he stopped writing.Unless he has started again down in Cornwall.


19 Mar 03 - 08:15 AM (#913306)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: GUEST,Jon Dudley

Bikers of England...sounds fascinating although I've never heard of it. I wonder when the writer considers the glory days of British biking were? For me they were the mid 60's but that's only because it was when I first started and the roads were still relatively quiet. There seemed to be a devil of a lot of accidents though. Mind you most of us took ridiculous risks and rode in a totally bonkers fashion. Song lyrics anyone?

McGrath might recall some of the biking activities around his town at that time...we've discussed some of the more popular haunts.

Couldn't agree more about the Richard Thompson song 1952VBL. Still I believe his most requested piece.

The sun's starting to shine both sides of the hedges...time to get the 'bike out and get some miles under the wheels.

Sorry, not much Folkie content.


19 Mar 03 - 09:37 AM (#913354)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: Jim Colbert

YES- It was Steve Hunt. Seeing the name brought it back. So, uh, anyone got contact info for Steve? What's his story? I heard about the song several years back when I was writing a column for FSSNOC, a "thumper"-based motorcycle club here in the states. It's kind of odd that there aren't more good motorcycle songs, y'know? Thompson, Wilcox's Eye of the Hurricane and Gene Clark's Gypsy rider come to mind. I guess you can throw in Woody and Arlo too. I want Richard Shindell to write a motorcycle song!

And Jon, I think from the brief bit of lyrics I had read that he did consider that era the glory days- although admittedly that's my description, not his. Now, goal #2, to find Steve!

Thanks!

Jim
(75 CB400F, 78SR500E, 02ZR7s)


21 Mar 03 - 07:49 PM (#915746)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: GUEST,AArk

Might be a long shot but Damien Clarke of Pressgang also plays with The Myd Wynter Band who have a website of the same name (i cant do blue click things yet!!), and there is an e mail address. This may be worth a try as he could still be in touch with Steve.
Good Luck.


25 Mar 03 - 05:31 PM (#918299)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: Jim Colbert

Sadly, I found at least 3 people who know Steve whom forwarded my request and I've heard nothing back. So, anyone have a copy of Bikers of England they'd consider lending me to dub, or with one for sale?

Jim


16 Sep 03 - 08:23 AM (#1019790)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: Steve Hunt

Hi Jim. Many, many apologies for losing your e-mail (from months ago). If you still want a recording of the song, please send your address again and I'll gladly send you a copy. Although it's something that I never sing these days ('I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now,' as a much better song writer once said), I hope that you enjoy it.

Happy trails - Steve.


08 Jul 21 - 01:27 PM (#4112719)
Subject: RE: Origins: Bikers of England- who did it?
From: GUEST,Elvis Evans

Yes - Steve Hunt. Wrote "The Head, the Heart and the Hand".
Bikers starts "Remember the stories, how things used to be in the cafes and lay-bys along the M3. When helmets had goggles and Belstaffs were black and doing speed meant turning your throttle right back"