June 2008  A few drummers are being investigated... I'll let you know when I know...   

Now I know; the drummer for Beckett is Malcolm Bainbridge, from Tynemouth. Welcome to the band, Malcolm. Thank you to the others who auditioned; it was a difficult choice as you played so well.

May 2008   Colin has decided to move onto pastures new.  The rest of the band are sorry to see him go, and wish him well in his future endeavours.

April 2008 ...Kenny has been ill... very ill in hospital; but like the trooper he is, he is now home and on the mend, and I think there's a new twinkle in his eyes that's a joy to see. Meanwhile, Arthur, Bob, Colin & Michael are still playing the gigs, with lyrics sheets to remind them what to sing!

Jan., Feb., March 2008  New songs are being drip-fed into the sets. Let us know what you think of them... and if there are any old favourites that you really can't live without, then let us know that too!

October, November & December 2007  Michael must have been a good boy... Santa brought him a Roland RD-300SX digital piano which was put to work at The Hollymere gig, the last gig of 2007 for Beckett, but you can catch up with them in 2008; their first gig in January is on the 11th at Steels.

The turning of the seasons has brought us to Winter. Beckett's first gig for too many months at Whitburn Community Centre was a great success, and some new numbers are appearing at this season's gigs.

July, August & September 2007    Beckett have a drummer - Colin Scott; practices are taking place.  Colin has been the driving drum sound of Bon Jordi, Silver Machine, Deek the Juice, The Treatment, Prime Time, Feed the Bear, The Troubleshooters, and The Toy Dolls. Now he takes his place on the Beckett drum stool. A warm welcome and best wishes, Colin!

June 2007   The lads have begun their search for a drummer; there will be 'try-outs' and talks; when there is definite news you will get it here... hot off the press!

 Karen received a letter of thanks and a receipt from Heartcall, at South Tyneside hospital, for £617 donated by family and friends at Alan's funeral. The money will fund equipment to assist in heart-related emergencies. Thank you to all contributors.

The lads have cancelled all gigs at the moment. Thank you to all those pub owners, landlords and managers who have offered kind words and 'open' offers of gigs in the future; none of the lads know what the future holds. I will endeavour to keep you informed...

May 2007   On behalf of the band and Alan's family, thank you to all our friends who have sent messages of condolence. It was no surprise that there were so many... he made friends of everyone and he has touched so many lives.

April 2007  A terrible night; Alan died after the gig on Friday 27th April. The nicest guy you could ever hope to meet...  Rest in peace, Alan.

Arthur tried out a Marshall 100W 'plexi' on a packed-out Washington Football Club!

Good to hear from Dave in New Zealand (he sold his drum kit to Alan). He is visiting the UK this summer, and he hopes to catch up with the lads at one of their gigs. See you there, Dave!

The audience at The Jolly Stewart were  treated to a new addition to the set... Life's Been Good by Joe Walsh, with Michael taking the vocals. Nice to see Gordon (Arthur's brother) there too.

March 2007 The best drummer in Beckett had a Birthday on Tuesday 20th March. His surprise party was on the 17th, and we all had a ball. With lots of old friends turning up it was like 'Alan Craig - This is Your Life'! Can we say a big "Thank you" to everyone who came along... you helped to make it a very special occasion.

Two new songs appeared at the Seaview gig: Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) by Robert Palmer. Arthur has a Marshall 2x12 for his Crate Powerblock, too.

February 2007  Arthur now owns a Crate 150W amp. Jarrow Ex-servicemen's Club was a really good night,  with a welcoming crowd, a great atmosphere and money raised for a dance and creative arts group.

Arthur's still on a quest... he tried out a Marshall AVT150 (2x75W) at The Wolsey (where a good size crowd had a great time), though he's not convinced it's the answer he's looking for (other possibilities are the Crate '150W 'brick', or perhaps an old Marshall valve head would hit the mark).  The Bose P.A. bass cabs worked a treat again.

Hi to The Silkies, faithful and enthusiastic as ever! What would we do without you?

January 2007   Beckett's first time at Washington Footy Club, and a really good gig it was; with a bit of electrical fiddling Michael had some new Bose PA bass speakers to try as a replacement for the Zeck bins,, and the fantastic bass response was a hit with everyone. He's also added two more lights.

Albin from Sweden has been in touch... Hi, Albin; nice to hear from you; keep an eye on your postbox!

The first 2007 gig at Steels went well. Nice to see Big Bri and The Silkies there.  The PA has been sorted with a new amp; Arthur tried out a Fender Reissue Blues Deluxe combo, but wasn't happy with the sound, so it's still the Marshall mini-stack for the time being; he may trial a Marshall Valvestate nest.

December 2006 The last gigs of 2006 have now been played, so it is time to wish all of Beckett's supporters a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. See you in 2007.

Alan is now sharing his expertise on the drums as a volunteer tutor, teaching some local youngsters the techniques of rock drumming.

The PA has been causing problems over the last few gigs, so it's going for surgery during the holidays.

November 2006 A fantastic night was had by 400+ people at The Roker Hotel for The Derrick Watchman Memorial Concert. A warm and friendly atmosphere greeted an enthusiastic crowd who became more and more lively as the evening wore on. A whole wad of money was raised for an excellent cause - St Benedict's Hospice. If you weren't there then we won't rub it in, but you missed a real occasion; aahh, poor you. It was nice to see Terry Slesser (and his pal on saxophone... sorry, I've lost his name... can anyone tell me?), Ady Ferguson & Jimmy Smith; and Tommy & the Oddballs - what a great bunch of lads. I look forward to seeing them again.

Apologies for the cancellation (due to illness) of some November dates.

October 2006  We apologise for the late cancellation of the Seaview gig on 29th October... it was due to illness and couldn't be avoided.      

New tracks for this month are China Grove and Brown Sugar.

Tickets are on sale for the Derrick Watchman Memorial Concert. See any of the artists, or buy them from The Printcentre, Sunderland. £10 a ticket or £12 at the door.

September 2006  Both Bob and Kenny have September Birthdays! Many Happy Returns, boys.

Alan has heard from John Watchman, setting the date of the St. Benedicts charity fundraising event at The Roker Hotel, in memory of Derek Watchman, for the 24th November... ...should be a great night, so put the date in your diary; Tommy and the Oddballs, Ady Ferguson & Jimmy Smith, and Terry Slesser are also on the bill.

August 2006.  The lads have added a Stealers Wheel track to their set list.

July 2006. A great night was had by all last Sunday, when Beckett played Billy out of The Vane Arms.  The double good news is that Billy has already booked Beckett for his new venue (The Seaview Social Club, Ryhope),  and The Vane Arms will continue as a live music venue, with the new manager also booking Beckett.

At a party last Saturday, Alan had a caricature done by Paul Slattery (...the caricature of Karen cannot be reproduced on this 'family' site). Check out www.paulslattery.co.uk 

Here is Alan...    What do you think... should the whole band be done?

John Watchman (brother of the late Derrick) got in touch to ask the lads if they would play a charity gig in November. It will be at The Roker Hotel, and there will be, possibly, four acts. All money raised will be given to St. Benedicts Hospice. More details as soon as I get them!

Beckett have found 'a man with a van' to help them load, shift and unload their gear.   

Arthur's Digitech RP7 VALVE multi-effects pedal is now left at home, and his new pedalboard consists of a collection of single Boss effect units... see the equipment page.

June 2006.  Soon, you may be reading about Beckett in the local press, or hearing vintage Beckett on local radio, if plans by the very lovely Veronica  and the Beckettwebmaster work out... be patient...

May 2006.  'Hi!' to everyone at The Carville Hotel gig, especially Terry, and Tom (thanks for the mp3, Tom, it came through just fine), and the very lovely Veronica and family, who showed up, as promised, after Veronica had written to a local newspaper asking about Beckett. The boisterous and enthusiastic crowd made us feel very welcome, and a good time was had by all; we made several new friends tonight... great gig!

The boys were saddened to hear from John Watchman, of the death of his brother, Derrick.   Derrick was a close friend of the boys, a strong supporter of the band and a regular at Beckett gigs. He was a super bloke who will be greatly missed. Our most sincere condolences go to Derrick's family and friends. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

On a happier note, congratulations are due to a certain bass player, Robert William, who, after nine years, made an honest woman of Sharon!  Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to BillyBob and his beautiful bride. We all wish you a long and happy marriage. (and I'm sure that Florence will be glad, at last, to be free of the stigma of you two being unmarried!... BWM).

Who turned up at the Brogan's gig? Geoff Docherty, rock promoter, author, and Beckett's manager from the 70s! Sorry about the picture quality... they're mobile 'phone pics...

April 2006.  I've changed all the photos!  Brian Smith emailed... he was Alan's drum tech in the '80s. We met recently at a Beckett gig and exchanged 'notes'; nice bloke. Cheers, Brian.          An email from Anne revived memories of The Troubadours, a pre-Beckett band of Kenny's.  See you at a gig, soon, Anne.

March 2006. That Beckett album has surfaced again, this time being marketed in Japan! Some new venues added this month, too.

February 2006. Alan played me a tape that he's got from Arthur. It was d.j. Stuart Henry broadcasting on Radio 1, and the band he was raving about... Beckett !  The quality was remarkably good for a copy of a cassette tape that was recorded years ago. Now, moving back to the present, the lads are definitely working towards getting some tracks recorded, very soon, I hope. It seems ages that we have been waiting!  The Beckettwebmaster's Gibson bass has returned home from an extended Christmas holiday at Bob's place. Alan has been enlisted by a local organisation to lead some drum tuition sessions for aspiring drummers, so that's two of the band now teaching music to the masses.

January 2006. It's a New Year; let's make it a great one! The monitor amp blew up so a replacement has been bought... oh no... it's 400W per channel and it's heavy !  Maverick from the Iron Maiden Commentary has been in touch with info and questions about the Beckett/Iron Maiden link.

October 2005. Kenny's had dental problems; sorry about the gig cancellations. He's having some dental work this week, then he'll be back on top form. Bob has borrowed the Beckettwebmaster's 1964 Gibson EB'0'; and he still hankers after a Musicman bass. He has had to replace a blown speaker in his 4x10 cab.

August 2005.   It is with deep regret that we record the passing of one of rock 'n' roll's legendary drummers, Carlo Little.  Along with a host of friends from the London music circuit, and music personalities such as Nick Simper (ex Deep Purple, Johnny Kidd & the New Pirates, and more), Alan, Bill and I had the honour of attending Carlo's last ever gig at The Vane Arms, Silksworth a few months ago. We extend our sincere sympathies to Carlo's wife, Iris, and his family, at this sad time.   [pic]

August 2005. TerryVee has returned to Sunderland after years in the U.S.A. and emailed to say how much he enjoyed seeing Beckett again. Terry played the local music circuit in the 70's  (wrinklies might recall the band Charity Jones) and saw Beckett then... now he has introduced his son, Clinton, to the band's gigs.

July 2005. Beckett's trip to the studio to master some new tracks has been delayed... I'll keep you informed of progress.

20th March, 2005.  Alan's spring-cleaned his kit, and put Evans oil-filled heads on.

 Mick has his new keyboard... a Korg X5D!  Also, he has upgraded the lighting rig.

We've heard from ex-Becketteer Keith Fisher with info for the website. Nice to hear from you, Keith. Cheers, mate. Keith supplied this Beckett poster & sticker from 1974.

11th Feb. 2005.  John Lawton got in touch to say 'Hi!' Check out his websites through the links page.

The Beckettwebmaster has acquired a 'single' (round, black, flat and vinyl for those too young to know); it's Beckett's 'Little Girl'.

28th Dec. 2004.  Dave Johnston got in touch all the way from New Zealand after browsing the website!  He's an old friend of the boys from way back. Nice to hear from you, Dave.

Kenny played in a band with some guys who later became part of Iron Maiden...  Iron Maiden asked for three of Kenny's songs, and later recorded and released both a 7" single and a 12" EP with 'Rainbow's Gold' on the reverse of '2 minutes to midnight'. The record reached number 11.

North-East rock promoter Geoff Docherty managed a number of bands, including Beckett. He published a book 'A Promoter's Tale' with a section about Beckett. He has another book in the pipeline (could be more Beckett gossip, perhaps?)

Alan has a friend... here he is with Simon Kirke.    Click to enlarge

More of Alan

Question... who is the beckettwebmaster?