“Fred Flange”, Barry Cryer meets the Pretenders and what we’ve learnt about the Velvet Underground

This week’s trawl of the rock and roll outer limits alights, among others, on the following sizzling hot topics …

 

... a lost Beatles tape and the night they played Stowe School 60 years ago.

 

… the return of the Stackwaddy game: were there really ‘60s New Zealand pop groups called the Chapta, Hi-Revving Tongues and the Kal-Q-Lated Risk?

 

… Todd Haynes’ brilliant Velvet Underground documentary and how the band spawned pop’s greatest look- and sound-alike movement. And could Lou Reed have made it without Andy Warhol, John Cale or Nico?

 

… Tracie, Bowie, Bonnie Tyler, Tracey Ullman, the JoBoxers, Kenny Everett and other top-notch components of the singles chart in April ‘83.

 

… did A Hard Day’s Night invent the word “grotty” and Steely Dan the word “scam”?

 

… who was the mysterious “Fred Flange”? The story of the Goons, George Martin , Peter Sellers and Matt Monro.  

 

… … and birthday guest Al Hearton remembers records you’d heard about before you heard them – eg Don’t Fear the Reaper, Bat Out Of Hell, Mother’s Little Helper, Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite and Eve Of Destruction.

Tickets for Word In The Park in London on June 3rd here!: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-happy-return-of-word-in-the-park-tickets-576193870377

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