Band Name No. 2 - Hayleys Comet
The 80’s with Hayleys Comet
It was during the ‘80s after gigging round England that I decided to do a Paul McCartney “Wings” format (destiny chose for us to meet some time later). Paul also wrote and composed a song called "Another Day" – which happens to be the name of a single off the debut album! I mention “Wings” because when Paul had formed this band following the Beatles split up he decided the only way to test the water (in my opinion a brilliant format) was to load up a van with his musicians and equipment and head up the motorway with no set venue booked. They stopped off at the first university they found. Paul walked in unannounced and asked if he could do a gig there. Being a bit surprised the university welcomed him. They set the equipment up, did a gig and that was the first the world heard of “Wings”! Anyway, it worked for him, so I thought I’d copy his idea and use the same format. Only I decided to do a mini tour in Europe. I managed to borrow my mate’s studios for free for a few months to get a good set list done.
Studio time gearing up for the tour
Although I didn’t have original material, apart from my new single, I decided that good cover songs that the crowd could sing along to would work well. I’d already hooked up with this singer/model called Hayley, hence the name of the band and we promoted ourselves doing the usual (photo shoots, studio work – see photos in gallery). I then chose a few musicians, up for the challenge and the fun, to go on this mini tour and to go to places unannounced – a bit like Paul did. I borrowed a camper van from another friend and we hit the road. We travelled through Europe going as far down as the Italian border.
Hayleys Comet on stage in Europe
Hayley looked great on stage and she was also a good singer – we were a bit like Paul and Linda only it goes without saying we didn’t have the fame. We stopped off unannounced at various venues and we were welcomed everywhere. Although the money wasn’t great the experience was. On our return through Europe I contacted a friend of mine who had a Gite in France who let us chill out there for a few weeks. Man, that was good.
During our break this mysterious film guy followed me
Moi chilling at the jit - France
It was a well-deserved break although when I went out one day to get some bread it was with great amusement a French guy decided to film me at random opportunities throughout our stay.
Signing autographs after gig
Over the next ten days the band and I decided to head back to England. We did one more gig in Paris where we parked the camper under the Eiffel Tower.
Sleeping under Eiffel tower
That you could actually park under the Eiffel Tower and leave your van there all night long would be unthinkable today. That’s why I’ve included these photos as proof. And I even managed to earn enough that night to crash out in a small hotel
Retreating to hotel bed - luxury!
On our return to England my thoughts went back to the numerous gigs we did and the fun we had but financially it didn’t really turn out that well and stardom didn’t come calling. Just a bunch of fun and great memories. I decided to call it a day with the band; it had run its course. It was all a bit strained but we all parted on good terms. It was then I decided that I would go back to following my solo career.
Having gone solo, I started gigging around England and I did quite a few private bashes in Stately Homes
A typical private 'A lister' gig - going solo again
as well as on the club circuit. It didn’t really come to much but when you are a musician you do it out of passion rather than for fame. My next amazing musical break would be in 1990 when I had a very important meeting with Phil Collins. More of this later. But first I had a very surreal phase in my life - my own ‘Downing Street Years’.
More revelations from the Downing Street years to follow.... click here