I received a great email yesterday from reader David Danks relating to the great archive recordings of the Degville band and live music at The Crown pub in Brownhills in the 1970’s. I’m astounded at the huge level of interest shown in this topic, and the dedication of Peter Barker and others in preserving and recalling this hitherto forgotten scene deserves a much wider appreciation.
Please, if anyone else has any further recollections or ephemera from this fascinating period in Brownhills history, please don’t hesitate to contact me. BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.
Thanks to David for the photo and the lovely words.
Hi Bob.
Hope you are well.
I really enjoyed finding your web pages today. As a passionate jazz guitarist and lifelong friend of Paul Degville and his dear Dad and Mom, the information about the Crown was a joy to see (and hear)
I spent many many happy and musical times there in the mid to late 60s and before that at the Wheatsheaf in Walsall, which of course was the jazz guitar ‘mecca’ and where Paul ‘learned the trade’.
Quite a coincidence, it was only last year I came across an ancient photo of myself playing guitar with Paul at the Crown and a rare occasion when Fred played piano for a few numbers. I have attached the photo for you to see and what great musical times we all shared.
As often happens, I lost touch with Paul for many years but last year we contacted each other and spent a great day together going down memory lane and of course playing a few of the ‘old ‘uns’. I hope to see him again in the Summer at his new home in Malvern and knowing him and his Mom and Dad has always been very precious to me.
Take care and I send you my very kind regards
David Danks
Paul Degville and David Danks play together. Picture generously supplied by David Danks.