Amazing to see this link. I discovered Hammersmith F.C. during my four year stay in London ('69 - '73) and STILL give credit to Don Shepheard for getting me involved in Folk Music - (as anyone who's seen us do a 'Meet the Wilsons' at various festivals would confirm).

I was chiefly into Heavy Rock and Blues music and politics at the time and stumbled into Hammersmith to see Long John Baldry.
Don always asked newcomers if they sang and, when he heard my North East accent he insisted that I MUST know a folksong. I didn't really, but I nervously got up and did 'The Blackleg Miner' which I'd never sung but, as a member of the WRP, was familiar with the words. I was slightly worse than crap but Don Insisted I come back and try the same thing the following week - I didn't!

Needless to say I thought it was a wierd sort of place that wanted someone as rubbish as me to sing but nevertheless did go back some weeks later and, at Don's insistance, did the song again (marginally better!).
Over subsequent weeks Hammersmith F.C. got my rendition of 'The Blackleg Miner' at least 1/2 a dozen times on the trot. As I was struggling on, I heard the likes of Y.T. and Dave & Toni singing the most wonderfull songs in harmony and without a Stratocaster in sight - I was hooked

When I moved back up North I found that, unbeknown to me, my younger brothers Chris & Steve had satrted to sing at a Folk Club up here. Thanks to Don, I was now of a standard that we started to sing in 3 part harmony and have never stopped since!! - Cheers Don

Tom Wilson