CAN you imagine Howard Orange or Keith Duffy grappling with your stopcock?
Me neither. So when I read that Alan Longmuir, one-time Bay City Roller 'got used to the life of a plumber' a long time ago, it's pretty baffling.
When I was six, I dreamed of the day I'be 16. I imagined I would be living in a flat by then, with a boyfriend called Dave or Steve and he would be a builder.
We lived in a pub at the time. Another ambition, alongside moving in with Dave the brickie, was to one day run a pub. It's something I still hanker after now and again, if honest.
Anyway, when I think of myself at that age, two memories spring to mind first, one is of the time I wet my knickers at school and they had to get me a spare pair from the cupboard and the other is settling down to watch Shang A lang before tea. This was my favourite programme, my dad tried to get me more interested in Blue Peter but I used to protest I had been at school all day so didn't want to watch any more boring stuff.
To read how this 1970s boyband has fared since the heady days of Rollermania is mind-blowing. Why has nobody made a film about it? These young men had the world at their feet before it all disintegrated into court cases and sordid accusations. What a mess.
The six-year-old me loved them and for what it's worth, to the plumber up in Bannockburn, I'm very grateful for the happy memories of a TV programme I loved and records I treasured, well until The Wombles caught my eye. And before Jackie magazine made me think I'd like to start knitting ( I never managed it) so that I could make something like this:
* I've written this post as a response to Jen at Alphamummy who wanted me to share a childhood memory and to Emily at Brits in Bosnia who asked me to share a song that brought back memories of a time and place.
I'd like to now tag the following bloggers:
Now I wish I could knit so I too could create such an amazing ensemble
Posted by: Heather | January 30, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Darling, Linda. I did predict that even when tagged by the very respectable Times newspaper, you will still slip that word into your post.
*shakes head in disapproving manner*
*smirk*
You never let me down!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | January 30, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Hi Heather - I know, it's a belter!
Rosie, I don't know what you mean but thanks anyway.
Posted by: Linda | January 30, 2010 at 01:26 PM
I was a Donny Osmond fan myself - always a bit of a sap. But a BIG Jackie fan, had to have Cathy and Clare's permission before I did anything bar shake hands with a boy!
Thanks for the tag - will let you know when it's done.
Ps: I've typed this twice now so you may get a double comment or I will give up!
Posted by: Trish@ Mum's Gone to | January 30, 2010 at 02:38 PM
Bless you wetting your knickers at school, I hope it didn't scar you for life!
Proud moment when I was a kid - and the one that set me on my path to um... a 'career' in journalism was the moment Jackie published my name... as the winner of a competition to win an autographed photo of Dave Wakeling (from The Beat). Maybe someone should do an online version???!
Anyway I digress (!)... I loved Shang a lang, although I was a bit little when it came out to appreciate the BCR properly (although I did of course know the chant - B. A. Y. B . A. Y. B. A. Y. C. I. T. Y with an R. O. Double L E. R. S. Bay City Rollers are the best.'
You're right about that scandal being prime movie material... was all connected with the awful DJ whose name I won't write on your lovely blog, wasn't it.
You know who I liked also from around that time? The Rubettes. I don't know why.
Posted by: Liz (LivingwithKids) | January 30, 2010 at 03:03 PM
OMG I don't know what I like best, the outfit or the handbag! I think the handbag. Will you knit be one oh lovely LInda? Pleeeeease.
Posted by: Jo Beaufoix | January 30, 2010 at 11:16 PM
Have completed my task, Mistress Jones. New post over at mine, and no rude pics this time (pity...)
http://mumsgoneto.blogspot.com/2010/01/mums-gone-to-meet-matthew-kelly-nearly.html
Posted by: Trish@ Mum's Gone to | January 31, 2010 at 08:17 AM
No, no no to Donny Osmond.
Jo I'm afraid I made you one but I ate it.
Liz, I think I liked the Rubettes too and after that Racey...."Some girls will, oo oo some girls won't, some girls need a lot of loving and some girls don't'
Eh?
Posted by: Linda | January 31, 2010 at 09:04 AM
That song is annoyingly catchy. Of course I am FAR too young to remember it.
Posted by: Katie | January 31, 2010 at 11:45 AM
I have no idea who these Bay City Rollers are of which you speak. I am far too young.
That is all.
Although I'd quite like to grapple with Gary Barlow's stopcock, but that's another story.
Posted by: English Mum | January 31, 2010 at 01:21 PM
Gosh that is quite an ensemble. I trust you will be wearing it all next time we see you? xxx
Posted by: Dulwich Divorcee | January 31, 2010 at 02:23 PM
I'm old enough to remember Roller Mania (even older than you, Linda!) and I'm as baffled now as I was then by their appeal - they all looked hideous and they had terrible dress sense.
But you're right, Katie - Shang a Lang is horribly catchy and I am now going to be singing it for the rest of the day. Week, probably.
Posted by: Kim | January 31, 2010 at 04:36 PM
I can't believe I've done it, but after reading this I've posted a photo of myself in my BCR outfit. Don't laugh too much will you?
Posted by: notSupermum | January 31, 2010 at 06:02 PM
OMG!!! I completely remember that picture in Jackie but can't remember whether it was from the magazine or the annual. I wanted to knit it anyway and got as far as casting on about 10 stitches.
Posted by: Nickie | February 01, 2010 at 12:14 AM
NotSupermum - I am more than impressed! (And that's just the wallpaper)
Nickie - I saw the pic and thought Oh My God!
Kim - at least it's not Bye Bye Baby
DD - I can't, you never gave it me back.
Becky - are you having a laugh? I've heard you were there for Lonnie Donogan.
Posted by: Linda | February 01, 2010 at 10:31 AM