Category: Birmingham

Easy does it

Joey JonesLeave a comment

Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

Mr Grant my English teacher was given the honour, this time last year. He was cool, no doubt about it.

But today thinking about those days I can’t honestly remember a thing he taught me. I certainly wasn’t singled out.

What does come to mind are pictures. I can see him striding into class, all shoulder-length hair and long legs. A coudory jacket moleskin trousers, desert boots.

I also remember his presence very well.This steadiness I have been writing about recently. He was from a lifetime ago,but today I can finally see it was what he brought to the room. And this is something I’m appreciating in fellow humans right now. That calmness.

There is a degree of unhinged I like too. Not in a chronic way. Just a flash of it, now and then is fun. Creatives do that well. It’s the light getting in

So, thank you, Mr Grant, I’m sure you taught me plenty in the short time you were at my school. I was gutted when you left.

Once upon a time

Joey Jones2 Comments

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

Caitlin Moran is an English author, writer, and broadcaster.

It was a long time ago now, but she wrote something in one of her weekly columns, which resonated and has stayed with me.

‘shutting the door behind me and heading into the night’

I, too, was that young woman leaving the family home early evening to catch a bus into Birmingham (UK) with no idea how the night would unfold. The city night scene was busy in those days, lots going on. Vibrant, welcoming, exciting.

In hindsight, a kind of magical time.

Spinning the vinyl

Joey Jones6 Comments

What’s your all-time favorite album?

Growing up, there was always the radio on at a weekday breakfast, as we all sorted ourselves out for the day. Dinner times same radio but very beige tunes.

I doubt I heard the launch of Radio One as it was at 7 am, on a Saturday. (September 30th, 1967. Goodness, that was a long time ago! ) The Move, Flowers in the Rain. Oh, Birmingham, you make me so proud. Turning out some fine musos.

My dad had a carved oak box ( on legs) in the hallway, where he kept his records, but strangely, I don’t recall him ever playing them. Although he did teach himself the piano and would play by ear.

My eldest brother, R.I.P, was before his time, into his music, seeing bands, curious. He was generous with any albums or books he thought might interest or educate me. My other brother also very cool would play his electric guitar in his bedroom next to mine.

So, there was always music in the air and I grew up in a wonderful era for it.

My album of choice? Damn the Torpedoes  by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.