Graham, I'm sure you are correct about Kimono My House, as my best mate, also on the Scarborough trip had bought KMH at the same time I bought The Psychomodo. I can still remember it very vividly.

And you are right the excitement on getting a new album isn't the same at all, probably as I'm a lot older now!! But I remember the same feeling when purchasing Mott and Dark Side of the Moon, and probably lots of others if I start to think back.

Had a mate who listened to some "off beat" stuff and he played me Death Trip. I then listened to some more of the album and went straight out the following day and bought it and the rest is history.

could never get in to sparks myself,not after cockney rebel,still also love tamla/northern soul ,reggae, some r and b
and surprisingly for a 55 year old with six grandchildren
HIP HOP/RAP.!!!

I love listening to music more than ever. There is so much great music around and love searching out up and coming bands/artists that are never likely to have massive commercial success. Love pointing my 18 yr old son to bands he's not heard of!

As I say there's so much great music however it's drowned by the tidal wave of x-factor type crap pushed onto the public by the major record labels.

Rant over.

Having said that my favourite artists tend now to be in their 50s/60s so it's not all new stuff by any means.

I wish I could say I was there in the beginning, but it seems Human Menagerie passed me by. I also wish I could say I was at the Coventry Lanch, when CR played there as a support to Suzi Quatro, but again alas no.
I too was another of the Psychomodo 'band waggoners', but even then , if it wasn't for my mate Dave Baker this too might have passed me by.

The was my first post when this site originally opened;

Back in 74 I went with one of my mates (Dave Baker) to buy what I thought was going to be 'Band on the Run'. Once in HMV Dave picked up Psychomodo and despite my protests he insisted on buying it, instead of the aforementioned Wings Album.
I had never heard of Cockney Rebel, despite Dave trying to convince me otherwise by humming the tune to Mr Soft all the way home. I wasn't impressed, since 'Band on the Run' had to be better than this Cockney whatever.
However, once home and the album on my record deck, it was quickly apparent that Dave Baker had taste. The LP was played repeatedly for about 5 hours (especially Ritz, which was just mesmerizing). As a 13 year this was the best music I had ever heard. I was totally hooked and have been eversince.

It seems like yesterday, that I can still remember the screams of dismay from my mum when I felttipped the word 'Psychomodo' on the back of my brand new Wrangler jacket. Oh to be 13 again!

I quickly brought my own copy of Psychomodo and then Human Menagerie, which if possible, was even better. Even today, HM remains my favourite LP of all time and although my wife says it is inappropriate, I long for 'deathtrip' to be played at my funeral. Not that I'm dying but can you think of a more majestic song to go out to.
Mind you the wife will no doubt have the final say, as she did when vetoing my wish to call one of our kids 'Sebastian' as and when they were born. Calling them Emma and Lucy instead!

Cockney Rebel songs have seemingly become integrated with my life. I even once finished with a girlfriend by putting the receiver of the phone to the speaker, as the words 'I said get lost, disappear, get out of my life' (mad mad moonlight live) blasted out.

Sadly Dave Baker died a few years ago. The day after his death, I saw SH and Cockney Rebel in Leamington Spa, which in itself was poignant enough. However when they played Ritz (the first time I can ever remember them doing so in the many concerts I've seen), I can honestly say it brought a tear or two to my eyes.

Having had the music of SH & Cockney Rebel in my life for so long, it seems that every song evokes some sort of memory of days long gone.

Am I just a little obsessive or maybe a little sad or have Cockney Rebel actually gotten under the skin of anyone else?