(Bothy regular since January 1978)

I was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, and live in Southport, Merseyside. That doesn't sound far, except I got from one to the other via Malaya, Aughton, Ceylon, Warrington, Java, and Bodmin.

When I was nine, my all-time favourite song was "She Loves You" by the Beatles, but if asked now, I wouldn't know what to answer.

My first guitar was a nylon-string guitar from the legendary Frank Hessey's in Liverpool, a Christmas present from my mother in 1969. My newest guitar is a Takemine Jacques Cousteau, bought jointly in 2002 by my mother and me, so it too is a present from her. My trusty old Antoria Dove, bought in 1976, is still in regular use, and always will be.

My first big influence was Al Stewart, who remains a favourite. I first saw him while I was still at school; he was playing in Central Hall, Liverpool, in a solo concert put on by Kirkby students, during which the amplifier kept breaking down, and Al kept taking the mickey, much to the embarrassment of the student organisers. Great concert, though. My first LP was the Bert Jansch Sampler.

My student record collection tended to include many of the usual suspects at the time: Joni Mitchell, Al Stewart, Steely Dan, Roxy Music, Thin Lizzy, Moody Blues, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Fairport Convention, Bert Jansch, Stones & Beatles, although not Led Zeppelin, for some reason. My record collection now ranges from Grace Notes to Black Sabbath (good idea for a collaboration, perhaps?). Most music lovers find their tastes become broader as time passes; I'm no exception.

My first public performance was in 1974/75 at my student folk club. I went to Padgate College of HE and studied English and History whenever the college bar was closed. Since then, I have been a resident at the Coronation Folk Club and its successors from 1978 to 1985, and the Bothy from 1988 to date.

I first came to the Bothy in January 1978, invited along by Jim James (a Bothy resident at the time) who had seen me play at the Coronation Folk Club. When I walked in slightly uncertainly (the Bothy's reputation could be quite daunting), Jim waved me over to sit next to him, thus banishing any nerves straight away.

I never know quite what to say when asked what I play, but my style is singer-guitarist. My repertoire includes singer-songwriter material (mostly covers, plus a few originals and collaborations), 50s & 60s pop and rock & roll and various other bits and pieces. Quite simply, if I like a song, I'll try to play it.

Whenever we can get our act (and our diaries) together, I sing with the Lunchtime Legends rock & roll band (with Alison Younger, Chris Harvey and Clive Pownceby), which began in 1992 as a jam session during Whitby Folk Week. We turn pubs into saunas. Born to rock ~ drink to roll.

Other collaborations have been with Rick Scott, Bernie Blaney and Pete Rimmer, although not all at once. I played in Nightfly, a rock & roll band in the 1980s, with my cousin John Power, a fine electric bassist. My newest collaboration is with Chris and Siobhan Nelson, who as a duo have made a big impact on the club over the last couple of years ~ but, of course, playing with me will soon destroy their cred. Their website is: www.cnelson.plus.com

As well as music, I like real ale, science fiction, reading, history, legends (lunchtime or otherwise), and am a member of the National Trust, CND, Greenpeace and PCS (my trade union).

I can't stand fish, seafood or lager ~ and cats make me sneeze.

Nev’s Real Ale & Music Blog REARM

DISCOGRAPHY

Lunchtime Legends

1. Liquid Diet

2. Alehouse Rock

3. Summertime Booze

4. Elsinore Rigby

Various artist albums of Geoff Parry songs

1. Mercy On Dale Street

2. Angel On The Wing

3. Walking On Stones

4. Sounds Like Freedom

5. May They Grow

6. Small Town Hero