True story this one.
It was 1967 and I had just been to the swimming baths. It was cold and typically English weather.
I was in Silver Street at the Fish and Chip shop. Getting some nosh to stave off the hunger that swimming had brought on. Also - fish and chips are much better after you've had a swim - and it's a bit of a ritual anyway.
So, I bump into an old school friend out side the shop. He was a guitar player and getting involved in all of that. Guitars hadn't totally got me yet - but it was all around - and it was 1967 too!
I wasn't prepared for the statement that unfolded next. My friend told me that Jimi Hendrix was here last week in this very road, York Rd. a few paces from where we were standing. This place had the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Pink Floyd - you name it - all flooding through its doors since 1963. All had played there and the building itself was no bigger than the average pub to squeeze everyone into. Those really were the days apparently!
Jimi Hendrix wasn't playing there - but he was at the Ballroom - plus they were giving out free Coca Cola!
I was stunned - I couldn't believe it. I said to him "Wow, can you believe it - FREE Coca Cola!"
He immediately saw my dilemma and that I was not on his wavelength. However, the point he had failed to impress upon me was that it wasn't the Coke that was important - that was all well and good - nice - but not nice enough. The fact that Jimi Hendrix was in our village was the all important factor.
So, in the ensuing months and years I was to totally understand the gravity and immensity of that visitor to my world. A shame I never bumped into him of course. But to a 13 year old kid the fact that he had actually been in my part of the universe was good enough for me. . .
For the time being anyway . . .
Things would - as they always do - change.
I found several snippets of info that show Jimi Hendrix playing in the Midlands area, Birmingham, Worcester, Lincoln etc. A show in Birmingham at the Odeon cinema was in April that year. Maybe that time prompted a visit to the Ritz Ballroom. With all those bands and activity I wouldn't have been surprised.
