Bill Legend |
|
.jpg) |
I was born on 8th May 1944 in East London. My Mum was a beautiful and kind woman and I have very fond
memories of her. My Father could be slightly more authoritarian at times, but I had
a happy childhood with no major problems to speak of.
|
 |
This is me at the age of four years old - ummm, nice hairstyle!
|
 |
Aged 14. This was when I began taking an interest in drums, firstly influenced by a friend at school
who played skiffle guitar. I began by simply playing with rulers on desks and then we started our first band together.
We spent many evenings in his parent's kitchen playing with brushes on an old Boys Brigade drum.
I had also joined a church group called 'Covenenters', and from the age of 12 had developed a faith and made
a commitment as a Christian
|
 |
You'll have to see if you can spot me. I am 20 years old in this photo attending
a church social gathering with friends. We played games and learnt about the Bible.
I always enjoyed these gatherings a lot. During this period I trained to be an illustrator and this was to be my intended career, but my interest in music and drumming was a big hobby. I was hugely influenced by early Blues and Rock 'n' Roll and didn't want to be left out, so I concentrated on the rythm - people like Booker T and the MG's, Elvis, Rick Nelson, Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, The Shadows. This was my big 'apprenticeship'. I actually saw Jimmy Page do one of his first ever gigs when I was 16 years old. By the way, I am the third in from the left in the front row - easy to spot!
|
 |
So here we are in 1968, a group of friends producing a one off vynal album of instrumental tracks.
We called ourselves 'The Romford Golden Sunshine Band'. I am on the far right in case you hadn't guessed. My drumming was always self taught. I applied all that I heard and saw and kept practicing to get it right. I went to see lots of live bands including 'Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps', Johnny Kidd, The Pirates, and 'Lord Such & The Savages'. |
 |
These are The 4 Zodiacs - my first proper band. We played in and around East London
as 'The Zodiacs' eventually changing our name to 'The Epics'. We made some recordings too.
One of which ('Blue Turns To Grey') I actually heard played on the radio recently on Brian Matthew's
'Sound of the Sixties' programme. Other bands I played in were 'Teen Beats' and 'Scorpians'. I also played in
backing bands for Billy Fury, Billie Davis and even for an early Freddie Starr.
|
 |
Then came 'Legend' which was lead by Micky Jubb and produced by Tony Visconti.
We enjoyed some success on the gig curcuit around Southend and London and on the national collage circuit.
We played at the original 'Marquee' club long before it bacame famous. Other gigs included the 100 Club, Revolution,
The Roundhouse and Ronnie Scott's. Tony Had offered to produce our first album known as the
'Red Boot' for Vertigo Records. We made a 2nd album called 'Mooonshine' and released five singles altogether.
Tony was also producing T. Rex and David Bowie at the time when he introduced me to Marc (Bolan) who was in
need of a drummer (having just had a hit with 'Ride A White Swan'). My first encounter and recording session
with Marc produced 'Hot Love' and 'Woodland Rock' at Air Studio's.
|