The story of Dave Wakeling & The English Beat

He starts this personal history recollecting his experiences as a young championship swimmer who, after matches, found himself waiting outside in his Father's car while his dad "Celebrated my victory in his own way in a bar, or a country pub." If Dave won a gold medal, his Dad would bring him an orange Fanta, and let him keep the radio on, and it was thus that he heard the first song that made him cry - followed by the very next song, which also made him cry. He also discusses the birth of house parties in his UK hometown (same as Bonzo and Plant) as a reaction to the (literal, not figurative) Puritan restraint imposed by the Cadbury family, chocolate barons who pretty much owned the town (and who face a takeover bid as we speak). If a club got good, it got shut down recalls Dave, the admirable sense of a promoters hustle over this struggle still evident in his calm voice. He also shares the secret to DJing for two totally different music camps; discusses the historical ghettoization and segregation of music by the music biz; waxes nostalgic on first concerts attended; speaks of the Ping! moment when The English Beat verbalized their philosophy of sound; expresses hope for the Obama administration; espouses his gritty view on human nature; marvels at how hes still doing this.

[@jms6959]

Thank You! this is a great artist, and a great performer!

[@rhpositive2002]

Dave, saw you last night at the Belly Up. The Beat goes on as they say. Great concert as always.