Firm friends at St. Mary’s, Russell Road primary school, Tom McGuinness and I went up to Wimbledon College together and gradually drifted apart because our adolescent interests were so different.
We spent many happy hours in each other’s homes, often swapping gruesome American horror comics. We made forbidden trips such as once when, still in primary school we got lost on Wimbledon Common. We couldn’t find our way home, and I did not return until 9 p.m., by which time my parents had involved the police in a search. Had we had a dog then my dinner would have been in it. I was sent straight to bed without a meal, but fortunately Mum relented and brought me a delicious tray of home-cooked food. Somehow that beats breakfast in bed.
We swam in the public swimming baths in Latimer Road. In many ways we were inseparable.
On my 69th birthday 1n 2011 a small party gathered for a meal at the home of Andy and Keith at Saint Aubin de Cadaleche, not far from Sigoules. We had a spontaneous U tube game. Each, in turn would choose a song or piece of music. Keith would then bring it up on U tube and we would all listen or sing along. One of my selections was a Manfred Mann number. Up it came, and there he was, Tom in all his ’60s black and white glory, complete with Hank Marvin specs. This reminded me of my discovery that my old friend, so soon after leaving school, had become a pop star. Turning on the television one day in 1964, that very same number was playing. Tom was a member of the group. His own website and that of The Blues Band or The Manfreds can tell you far more about him than I can. I will confine myself to my own memories.
It was thirty years before we were, thanks to Jessica, to meet again. He was then playing in The Blues Band. This was a group got together by Paul Jones for a one-off blues gig. Several decades on, they are still going strong. On stage Paul and Tom continue to defy their years. This group made an annual trip to the Newark Palace Theatre. Jessica got in touch with their agent, told him I lived in Newark, and Tom came up early and spent the day with us, providing tickets for the show. As Paul thought Tom rather skittish during the performance, he told the audience that they would have to excuse him because he had just met up with an old friend after many years. On another occasion, reminiscing on stage about his time at Wimbledon College, looking straight up at me in Malcolm Anderton’s box, Tom said: ‘Where else can you get an A level in guilt?’.
A talented guitarist, lyricist, and composer, Tom is also the author of a book, still regarded as essential reading for would-be popular musicians, entitled: ‘So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star’, a copy of which he gave me.
Elizabeth gave me another for Christmas 2021.
On 26th March 2022 Tom and I were to meet again when he performed with The Manfreds at Christchurch’s Regent Theatre.
It is pleasing that you were able to meet up again (and again) after so many years apart.
Thank you very much, Anne
What a fun story! Nice that you could get together after so many years.
It was, Laurie. Thank you very much
It is amazing how time can go by and you can pickup a friendship.
Absolutely, Mrs W. Thank you very much
Your welcome.
What an incredible tale of friendship! I enjoyed it a great deal.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
A great story of friendship over the years, Derrick! It is also wonderful the Manfreds are still touring and sounding great!
Thank you so much, Lavinia
As well as playing with the Manfreds and the Blues Band, Tom also featured on a couple of albums with Hughie Flint, Dennis Coulson and ‘Dixie’ Dean, which I have in my collection. One of them *Lo And Behold* comprised all previously unpublished Bob Dylan songs.Thanks for reminding me of this: I shall dig out the L.P. and play some of the tracks on my radio show.
Awesome!
Thanks very much, Geoff. McGuinness Flint was, of course, Tom’s first band after Manfred Mann broke up.
It’s so wonderful that you could meet up again after so many year–and share each other’s company, too. It’s lovely that he’s still performing and that you got to see him in concert.
Thank you very much, Merril
How wonderful!
Thanks very much, Sheree
This is so exciting and wonderful, Derrick! Your friendship with Tom…and getting to reconnect through the years! I’m so glad he is still performing. His music has positively impacted people all over the world! YAY Tom!!! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Performers never retire from show business, eventually, it retires them. Or so my husband always told me. I’m delighted Tom is still working and so pleased that you were able to meet up again.
Thanks very much, Sue
This is the perfect “Knight’s Tale” for today. Thanks for the additional background. So clever of Becky to have figured out how to let Tom know you were going to be in the audience yesterday. Very cool.
Thanks very much, Jodie
xo
Gosh, what fun. I love stories like this.
Thank you so much, Alys
Quite an exciting friend you have, Derrick. I can imagine reuniting with him after many years.
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
This is wonderful!
Thank you very much, Becky
You’re very welcome!
For a moment there, I thought the header photo might have been your own illustration.
Thank you so much, Gwen 🙂
I seem to remember about your friendship with Tom (including about the incident when you were sent to bed without food only to be served a delicious dish latter on by your mother) from your earlier writing. It was pleasant to read about it, and to learn of your recent rendezvous.
This kind of friendships are priceless!
Indeed, Ribana. Thank you very much
How lovely to be able to meet again and again with your childhood friend and especially good that he did not become a snob
Amazing! Thanks for this heart-warming story, Derrick.
Much appreciated, Helen