Why did you choose 2014 as the year to release ‘History’?
2014 chose me really.
Pete Haycock joined me along with Mel Collins, Charlie Morgan, Jax Williams and Charley Charlesworth to record ‘Cruel’ a great album which tragically has become Pete’s swan song. Climax Blues ‘Cruel’ features Pete at his best, which is absolutely superb slide guitar! A commemorative album for my close friend and brother in guitar, Pete Haycock.
When we lost Pete last October, my world rocked…we’d known each other for over thirty years, and to be with my friend and brother in guitar, with a superb band who were ready to tour, with a finished album and the next one on the way, stopped me in my tracks. I had to do something to keep my mind active, and so, I re-mastered History…lost in the vaults since 1982, so here it is, found in 2014.
Is it true that the songs were recorded over three years?
History was actually recorded over two years, we were all so busy gigging etc that I’m surprised it didn’t take longer. I toured with Roy Wood (The Move/ELO) and I was also forming The Byron Band with David Byron (Uriah Heep) as well as loads of production work including The Climax Blues Band, Daniel Boone, Raymond Froggat, Noddy Holder (Slade), et al, and also numerous guitar sessions. So lots going on in the background.
History was recorded in downtime, when the studio didn’t have paying clients. So, that could mean going in at midnight, and doing as much as we could until the next set of clients were due in, usually the next afternoon. What would happen was that I’d get a phone call, telling me the studio was free, and I’d phone around to see who was available, and then we’d go in and make music.
We were spread over a wide area, all across the Midlands and hours apart, so you have to factor in driving time and time in the pub!
How did the album come about?
I’d played in covers bands since I was fourteen…which was a good grounding, and a great way to learn lots of chords. I’ve always written songs and started sticking them in at gigs. The audience either didn’t notice the difference and/or loved them. So I formed my own band ‘Life’ playing all my material. The success of the gigs led to us recording at the Old Smithy studios, which is where I met the guys who became the Life band on the History album. They liked what they heard, and so it began.
Did you encounter many problems during the re-mastering process?
Re-mastering the album from many different sources, including half inch master tapes, cassettes and all in between was a challenge, so lots of editing to remove ‘wow and flutter’ speed fluctuations and so on. For me, it’s about the superb musician’s performances more than the sound sensibility, but it sounds well OK to me. So this is what you get. Play loud and enjoy!
What does the future hold for you? Can we expect to see a reformed Robin George band popping up at any festivals/tours or any new material to be released?
Yep. Both I hope. I’m ready to rock and so is the band!
Are there any messages that you would like to pass onto your fans?
As always, thanks for your interest and unfailing support. I so much appreciate it my friends. Most of you know who you are, and now, so do I.
Cheers Robin.
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