Dave Walker Q&A Session, October 2000

Dave Walker, October 12 - 25, 2000

Hello Dave, it's a pleasure to have this opportunity. Can you fill us in on your whereabouts and doings recently? Are you playing still? The Penguin album has always been a favorite Fleetwood Mac album for me. What other recordings have you worked on? Thank you very much. (Timothy Kee, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, USA)

Hello Tim,
Thanks for your e-mail. At present, I am living and working and recording in Montana. I rejoined Savoy Brown in 87 til 91 and recorded Make Me Sweat, Kings of Boogie and Live and Kicking albums on the GNP Crescendo labels with them. At present, I am working with a Montana musician on original material with a chance to record in the near future. Stay in touch.
Regards, Dave Walker

Hi, Dave-- Let me start by saying thank you for taking your time & energy to do this Q&A; and, its nice to hear that you're still active in the music industry. A few questions come to mind off the bat:

Did you actually get to record any of the material that ended up on "Mystery To Me"? For instance, IS there a take of Welch's "Hypnotized" with you singing it, somewhere in the vaults? (Steve Denison, Long Beach, California, USA)

Dear Steve,
Thanks for your e-mail and sensible questions. With regard to the album, Mystery to Me, there were two tracks that I originally recorded vocals on, one was Christine's song and I think one was Bob Welch's, but after so long, the titles escape me. I would doubt that my tracks were keep although if my memory serves me well, my performances were good.

Being that you joined Savoy Brown right after the exodus of almost the whole band (off to form Foghat) was there an identity crisis for "Savoy Brown" to regain an audience, or keep credibility? Or, were the audiences fairly supportive? It seemed from this side of the "pond" that your incarnation of Savoy Brown was basically "Chicken Shack" with you & Kim Simmonds replacing Stan Webb. (I mean that in a GOOD way) (Steve Denison)

Good observation on the Savoy Brown reformation. Chicken Shack et.al With regards to identity crisis, there was none, as the band had been in a state of flux for one tour before Andy Sylvester, Dave Bidwell and I joined. The first tour that we did together promoted the Street Corner Talking album, which was very successful and served well to establish the new bands character.

During your Fleetwood Mac tenure, its assumed, since you were the front man, that you did most of the lead vocals, but were the leads still divided up between you, Bob Welch & Christine McVie? Were there tunes that you did in concert that weren't part of the basic Fleetwood Mac repetoire? (meaning, did you do cover material along the lines of "Roadrunner", etc, that never got recorded?) Were any of the shows you did with Fleetwood Mac ever get "officially" recorded for any potential live album? Admittedly, it took a while for me to get into "The Derelict" on the Penguin album, but it became one of my favorites after a while. How much more material did you have to present to the band? And, was it along those same lines? (Steve Denison)

Becoming the front man for Fleetwood Mac was kind of redundant as Christine and Bob Welch were already performing that function and so I was never used as that. There were no other covers other then Road Runners ever performed by me with the band and I think we only played that song a few times live. To my knowledge there are no sanctioned live recordings of the Penguin band.
With regard to the Derelict, the song on the album was never finished, as there was no bass track and there was no real production. With fairness to the other band members my contributions were minimal at best.

I was surprised when I heard that you took Ozzy's spot for that time in Black Sabbath. You & he have very different vocal styles. Did you basically adapt the tunes to YOU, or did you try to copy Ozzy's "riffs"? (Steve Denison)

As for Black Sabbath, we were friends from the same city and they felt that I could do the job. While I was with them for a short time I wrote a large amount of lyrics which were never used, probably because they were not Ozzie licks.
Hope I have answered your questions satisfactorily and I appreciate your interest.
Respectfully, David Walker

Hi Dave-- Really like your vocal work with Savoy Brown, especially on "Street Corner Talking". I have several questions for you. It has been said that your tenure with Fleetwood Mac was cut short because you made the band sound too much like Savoy Brown. Do you feel like you were treated as a full member of Fleetwood Mac or just brought in as quick replacement? What work have you done with music since departing both Savoy Brown and Fleetwood Mac? Any solo material ? Thanks for comming on line with The Penguin. (John Litrenta, Kewadin, Michigan, USA)

Dear John,
Thank you for your e-mail. It is highly unlikely that I could make Fleetwood Mac sound like Savoy Brown, although I heard that said somewhere myself. The bands were totally different and the addition of one musican would certainly not alter the character of one or the other. I didn't feel like a full member of Fleetwood Mac, although that may have been just my own paranoia. As Bob Weston said, in Bob Brunning's book on Fleetwood Mac, I did feel like a fish out of water, more like a fish in beer.
Since Fleetwood Mac, I have played extensively in the Bay area with some of it's leading musicans almost securing record contracts on two occasions. There has been no solo material released, although, I do perform and record here in Montana, where I now live. I rejoined Savoy Brown and toured and recorded with them between 1987 and 1991 and there are three albums from that period on the GNP Crescendo label. The titles are, Make Me Sweat, Kings of Boogie and Live and Kicking. Many thanks for your interest. Please stay in touch.

Hi Dave, First of all, thanks for taking the time to do a Q&A session with us! I was hoping we'd get an opportunity to talk with you. How do you like Montanna? During the Penquin sessions, did you personally find it difficult to write songs for the album? After Penquin was finished, how did you feel about the album in general? It has been said to be a commercial flop but, I really love that album! All the songs are really good I think. And finally, the photo of you and the band by the water on a tree branch, where was that taken? Well, glad you are still playing music! Take care. (Sharon Bos, Sterling, Virginia, USA)

Dear Sharon,
Thanks for the e-mail. First of all, I like Montana a lot. I have lived over the last 26 years in Northern California, New Mexico and now Montana.
Yes, I did have difficulty writing for the Penguin album, as the bulk of the writing was being done by Christine and Bob Welch. Also, they were better at it. But I found it frustrating not really feeling like a part of the creative process. How did I feel about the finished album? As I had very little contribution on the finished product I must admit that I was at best, ambivalent about it. The songs that I sang on the album I didn't do very well, but I felt that those tunes were just added as an afterthought. I do not want you to think that there is any bitterness present but my thoughts on the album are just a personal matter of fact.
The album photograph was taken at a place called, Waggoners Wells in Hampshire, England, an area used extensivly for English movies, etc. Many thanks for your interest, if any other questions come to mind, please feel free to ask.
Respectfully, Dave Walker

Hello Dave! Let me begin by commending you on your performance at one of the greatest shows I've ever seen! It must have been around 1985 at the Detroit Blues & Jazz Festival. It featured Savoy Brown, Robie Kreiger and the Doors with Eric Burdon on vocal, and Albert King. Do you remember that show? Any comments? (Joe Panackia, Macomb, Michigan, USA)

Hello Joe,
Thanks for the e-mail. We always had fun in Detroit, whether it was the festivals or the old East Town Theater, so lets just say that all of the Detroit gigs are just one big happy memory. Of course if the opportunity ever arose for me to play in Detroit again, I'd be one first plan.

My first question is: Was it difficult to come into Savoy Brown as a replacement for Chris Youlden and continue on with the Boogie and Blues when they were at the height of their popularity with that music? Did you know Chris? (Joe Panackia)

Chris Youlden was a hard act to follow but about a week before my first American tour, I met Chris in a bar in London and having not been to America before I asked his advice as to what I should do, and he said just be yourself and have fun. I did my best to do just that.
Chris' and my styles were so different that there was never any reason for people to think that Kim Simmonds was trying to replace Chris with a Chris, sound alike and with the Street Corner Talking album being preformed by an almost totally reformed Savoy Brown, it was easier for all us to take it a step further, no pun intended.

How did the Black Sabbath gig come about? I thought you were a bluesman. Were you at the Fleetwood Mac-Black Sabath tour in the early 1970's? Might that be how you originaly got involved with the two groups? (Joe Panackia)

The Black Sabbath gig came about purely because of friendship and the fact that we were from the same city, of course as you point out the clash of styles between their music and mine made it pretty much unworkable. And that's all I can say about that.

Bob Welch said that the creative sessions with FM during his tenure were somewhat draining with the different personalities involved. Did you find that to be the case? Did you think it would be like a partying jam the way most people imaging it was with the original group? By the way did you know Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, and Danny Kirwan? Would you give some comments on your take of their individual contributions to the group? (Joe Panackia)

With regard to Peter Green, I met him a few times after his Fleetwood Mac days and his emotional health was not too good and he was not playing guitar except for one memorable evening when he came to a Fleetwood Mac session at Air Studios in London and played for about 5 incredible seconds on one of the tracks we were recording. The title of which escapes me now. Jeremy Spencer I did not know although apparently we only lived about 10 miles apart. Danny Kirwan, Andy Sylvester, and Paul Raymond and I tried to put a band together after our years with Savoy Brown and Fleetwood Mac were over but unfortunatly Danny who was an incredible talent was already sinking into his own personal problems and nothing ever came of the project.

Finally, what were the differences in working with Kim Simmonds and FM? (Joe Panackia)

The main differences with working with Savoy Brown and Fleetwood Mac was that Savoy Brown was a much more structured and disciplined operation where my role was very clearly defined and I was able to focus much more effectively. With Fleetwood Mac the opposite was true and so ultimately I foundered and failed.

I know there are a lot of questions here, but I didn't know if anybody else would ask them and I think you have the answers. Thank you and good luck. I hope you will return to Detroit and perform here again. Great job on Wang Dang Doodle! (Joe Panackia)

Glad you liked Wang Dang Doodle, although I always thought Koko Taylors version was superior. Many thanks for writing.
Best wishes, Dave Walker

Dave Walker in Savoy Brown

Hi Dave,

I have a couple of questions that, I hope you're not asked too much. Forgive me; if they are.

Did you want to be more involved than what you were on the "Penguin" album ? When you joined Fleetwood Mac, in your mind, what did you see that you were going to be bringing to the band ? Were you planning on being involved with the "Mystery to Me" album ? If so, what did you want to do on that album ? What was your experience of joining Black Sabbath like for you? I can't imagine it being an easy job coming in and taking Ozzy's place and then he returns back to the band? (Steve Elliott, Arlington, Virginia, USA)

Dear Steve, Thanks for your e-mail. I would love to have been more involved in the whole Fleetwood Mac, Penguin experience and in fact if we could combine this question and your second question as to how I foresaw my role with Fleetwood Mac, I thought that joining them after fronting Savoy Brown, which was a much more successful band in the U.S. at the time, I would be allowed to impress my style and personality on the band to greater effect. In fairness to Fleetwood Mac, I was pretty burned out and was having problems of my own at the time which restricted my effectiveness in all areas of my life, both professional and personal and so, as history has shown my involvement with Fleetwood Mac was never what it could have been.
The Black Sabbath experience was something that I look back upon with some amazement. I was given the job on a purely friendship basis as Tony Iommi and I were pals but as so often happens, friendship and business do not always go together, hand and hand. Toward the end of my short stay with the band it was obvious that there was a clash of styles and Ozzie had already started coming around again and I think that everything happens for a reason, even though at the time we may not understand it.
I was involved on the Mystery To Me album, singing two songs. These tracks were deleated after I was dismissed from the band. The titles of these songs I cannot remember, although I think one was Chris' and one was Bob Welch's.
Thank you very much for getting in touch, if anything else that you wish to know crosses your mind, feel free to ask.
Regards, Dave Walker

Hey Mr. Walker. I have several questions. Please answer them. What were you thinking when it was proposed that you join Fleetwood Mac? What was it like in Fleetwood Mac and with their members? Did you know much about the group and their history at that point What would you say was your role and impact in the group? Do you stay close with the other members? If these questions are too personal I'm sorry. (Timothy Lewis, Trumbull, Connecticut, USA)

Hey. Mr Lewis, how are you?
At the time I was pleased to be joining Fleetwood Mac. We had them touring with us when I was with Savoy Brown. We had become friends and their whole manner seemed much more relaxed than the Savoy Brown organization. As it turned out, when I did join the band my role was never that clearly defined. With Savoy Brown, basically I did all the singing. With Fleetwood Mac, suddenly I was singing with two other people. Maybe there were just too many singers, but they remain extremely nice people. The last time I bumped into them was in L.A. when they were making the Rumours album, but I have not had any contact with them since. Thanks for your questions, it's been a pleasure to answer them.
Best wishes, Dave Walker

Hi Dave, thanks for doing this Q & A. What can you remember of Peter Green recording "Nightwatch" for the Penguin album? Thanks. (Mario Pirrone, Acqui Terme, Italy)

Dear Mario,
We were in Air London Studios, doing over-dubs for the Penguin album and Peter Green showed up with his guitar which was surprising because at the time he was refusing to play with anyone and was going through a difficult period in his life. There was one part in the tune that needed something special and with no disrespect to Bob Welch or Weston, it was not happening musically. Who persuaded him or how he was persuaded to play I do not clearly remember, but I think he nailed the track on the second take. Truely magical.
Hope this reply answers your question.
Respecfully, David Walker

Hi Dave, Do you ever see Flyaway or Maureen Hillback now. Keep Rockin! (Brian Meacham, Cannock, Staffordshire, England)

Dear Brian,
Thank you for your deep question, last I heard was, Flyaway was living with two Dobermans in Darlaston, and Maureen Hillback had a miniature horse ranch down in Idaho. Hope this clears things up.
Your friend, Dave Walker

[ Note from MEA: Thanks to Brian for making this whole Q&A possible! ]

First off I just wanted to say it's good to hear your still making music. My questions to you are about the Penguin album. What was it like working with Fleetwood Mac? And I've always been curious about your setlists during that time. Did you sing Peter Green songs or did you do covers? And how did you get along with the rest of the band? Do you keep in touch with any of the members of Fleetwood Mac? Any chance that you'll tour in Southern California? That's all for now. All the best to you in your future endeavors. Cheers. (David Gaines, Norwalk, California, USA)

Dear David, thank you for your e-mail. Although my contributions to Fleetwood Mac were sort of minimal, I must say that being involved with them was very enjoyable as they were a really nice group of people. The set lists around that time I am a little vague about now as it's been many years, but I do recall that Chris and Bob Welch did some songs from Future Games and Bare Trees and I personally sang Peter Green's Rattlesnake Shake and Oh Well. In some respects I thought that perhaps I would be able to perform songs of that type with the band, but with Bob Welch and Christine doing the bulk of the writing and with their unique styles that was not to be.
At the time of writing, I am living in Montana and am writing and recording here on a very modest level, but my girfriend is from So. California, so who knows, one day I may see you there.
Many thanks for your correspondence.
Regards, David Walker

I have been a fan of yours since you were with Savoy Brown. As a matter of fact I grew up listening to Hellbound Train. I have a couple of questions for you. When exactly did you join Fleetwood Mac? What were the circumstances behind your depature? What doyou remember about the Penguin recording sessions? Thanks for you participation in the Q & A!!!! (Tom Kirby, Roswell, New Mexico, USA)

Dear Tom,
How are things in New Mexico ? You may not know this but I lived in Gallup for 11 years between 1987 and 1998. I had a little band I called The Pleasure Chorizos. Disgusting, huh!? I joined Fleetwood Mac at the end of 1972 and the circumstances behide my leaving were due to the fact that I did not contribute enough musically and also I had a bit of a drinking problem which on occasion made me a little ill tempered.
The Penguin sessions were recorded at Fleetwood Mac's house south of London, using the Rolling Stones mobile studio. Much of the time I spent in the local bar practicing in my own way at that time, but seriously, the two songs that I did on the album were in my opinion somewhat of an afterthought and with no disrespect to the other band members, I never really felt very comfortable. The most vivid memory I have of those sessions is the night that Peter Green came to Air London Studios and overdubbed an incredible few seconds of guitar, when at the time he was refusing to play again and was completely disinterested in his own ability and standing as one of the most acclaimed guitarist in the world. A truly magical moment.
Hope that this has been of some value to you and I appreciate your correspondence.
Many thanks, David Walker

You seem to have co-written "High on the Ride" for the Mistress album and it sounds like you on uncredited backing vocals but were you on any other songs on this record? Also what songs on the John Cipolena's Raven album were you on? (It sounds like it might be "Clouds" but I wanted to make sure). In addition to the "Time Is" album it seems as though Idle Race had recorded the "In the Summertime" / "Told You Twice" single after Jeff Lynne had left. I can't tell if you are on either of these songs. Are you? (It sounds more likely on "In the Summertime" but I don't know) When you look at the Penguin discography, do you know of any other recordings you have been on that don't seem to be listed? Of so what are they and what songs are you on? Sorry, I've just always wanted to know about all this. Finally, I like the Savoy Brown cd just put out by mooncrest called "Jack the Toad Live '70/'72 which has you singing "Hellbound Train" & "All I Can Do" Do you like this disc? Thanks for you help. (John, Aberdeen, Scotland)

Dear John,
Thanks for your e-mail. You have really dug up the past, haven't you ? With regard to Mistress, yes I did co-write, High on the Ride, but it is unlikely that I actually performed on the finished product, although, I think we did demo the tune and perhaps some of the demo tracks may have been used. I had no other credits on the record. I have not heard the John Cippolina record but did do some performances with him and Raven at the Keystone in Berkley Ca. in 1976 and some of this may have been released somewhere, and at some time. The songs would be Rattlesnakes and Razorblades and The Grass is Greener. I have not heard the Savoy Brown album that you mentioned, but if it were from the period 1970-1972 then it would be me singing Hell Bound Train and All I Can Do. On the Idle Race songs mentioned you were right in surmising that these recordings were made after Jeff Lynne left the band and in fact on both songs the leads were sung by Dave Pritchard and I was singing back-ups.
And finally, there are no other recordings of me with Fleetwood Mac except for two tracks that I did on the Mystery To Me album that were deleted when I was dismissed from the band. Thank you for your interest, if there is anything else I can help you with, please let me know.
Regards, Dave Walker

Hello Dave Walker! Being able to communicate with you on line is a rare opportunity indeed! I've had the "Penguin" album in my possession since 1981. I was 11 when I bought it--and always thought it went underrated. Anyway, I have two questions:

From all the literature I've read about your leaving Savoy Brown to sing for Mac in 1973, I learned that, at the time, Savoy Brown was a much higher profile act in America than FM. So, why did you leave that band to join the fledgling Mac?

What were your impressions of FM's approach to making music while you sang with them?

Thanks so much for doing this. The photo of you at the the top of the Q& A page (with tambourine in hand) is great! (Tony Leuzzi, Rochester, New York, USA)

Dear Tony,
Thanks for your e-mail, it's a rare opportunity to talk with you as well and I appreciate your interest.
You were right in thinking that at the time of my leaving Savoy Brown for Fleetwood Mac, Savoy Brown did have a much higher profile in the U.S. but with the exception of Kim Simmonds the rest of us were just regarded and paid as side musicians, even though our contributions to fill out some of Mr. Simmonds musical ideas made the songs work. After strenuous touring and recording schedules with Savoy Brown yielded very little in the way of financial reward and having to deal with Mr. Simmonds disrespect for our efforts, a gig with Fleetwood Mac appealed to me greatly. So basically that's what happened.
You are a little off base in thinking that Fleetwood Mac were a fledging band as they had already had in earlier years, great success in England and Europe and had also had two critically acclaimed albums, Future Games and Bare Trees in the U.S. in the early 70's.
The Fleetwood Mac approach to writing songs and making records differed greatly from that of Savoy Brown in so much that Fleetwood Macs' methods were more flexible. Hope this has answered your questions. It was a pleasure to correspond with you.
Regards, Dave Walker

What is your opinion on Fleetwood Mac's induction into the rock and roll hall of fame? Though you weren't with them for long, do you thing you deserved to be on that stage? Last, what was it like during the many incarnations of Black Sabbath after Ozzy left? Was the band into an entire different direction after his departure? (Jeff Baer, Thorofare, New Jersey, USA)

Dear Jeff,
Thanks for your e-mail. I think it was inevitable that Fleetwood Mac would be inducted into the Hall of Fame considering their huge commercial appeal in the mid 70's to 80's. As, much of the reasons for induction are about record sales, not simply about being great musicians or good guys, although they are nice people. I do not consider myself worthy of being included, as I had nothing at all to do with their huge success.
With regard to Black Sabbath's direction after Ozzie, I don't think they had one. I flew over to England from California to join the band and was confronted with reel after reel of multi-track recording tape that I was suppose to add lyrics to that had not one complete idea on them. Never the less, I wrote several sets of words that were never used and of course the rest is history.
Many thanks for your interest, hope I've been able to answer your questions.
Regards, Dave Walker

Penguin - Fleetwood Mac

Dave- I fear you must get fed up answering questions like this as your departure from Fleetwood Mac must have been really painful, but what did you think of "Hypnotised" on the "Mystery to Me" album as sung by Bob Welch. I seem to remember reading in Mick Fleetwood's autobiography that the song was originally written as a "screamer" for you to perform. Did you ever sing it, and if not, how would you have interpreted it? PS. I really liked "The Derelict"! (Mike Hancox, Brixton, London, UK)

Dear Mike,
Thanks for your e-mail. I also read somewhere where Hypnotised was supposed to have been a screamer written for me. The problem was, that nobody told me. I don't know how I would have approached the tune, as I never sang it and I honestly don't recall it ever being presented to me, at any time. Bob Welch did a great job singing it himself, anyway.
Hope this has helped to answer your question. I appreciate your interest.
Regards, Dave Walker

Hi, Dave:

1. Your participation in "Penguin" was pretty minimal. When recording for the album was under way, did you want to participate more? For example, had you written any more songs besides "The Derelict" (I love that song, by the way) thinking that Mac would record them?

2. Can you tell us a little more about the Europe & America tours in '73? Do you remember the setlists? From what fans have heard, the shows were well-received and a lot of fun, but how were things within the band at that point?

3. Were you fairly good friends with John Courage behind Fleetwood Mac hired him? What was John like as a twentysomething? What did he do with Savoy Brown? I'm assuming he wasn't really a musician. (David, Los Angeles, California, USA)

Dear David,
Thanks for your e-mail. I certainly did wish to become more involved in the Penguin album, but in hind sight I think that the band may have already given up on me, before recording started. There was very little opportunity to be that involved in the creative proccess, as the writing and singing was pretty much monopolised by Christine and Bob Welch. With regard to gigs we did in England and Europe at that time, I remember them as non-events, as the band in my opinion really had no focus and I don't think that changed until Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined them.
John Courage and I had one argument and that was the night that I was fired from the band, but we had taken him to America for his first time as road crew with Savoy Brown. He always tended to be a little hot-headed and in my opinion was inclined to exceed his authority. Nevertheless, he was very good at cultivating relationships with the right people.
He is certainly no musician. Hope this has helped.
Regards, Dave Walker

Hi dave-- I had the pleasure of seeing you several times in the early seventies in the Long Island NYC area while you were with Savoy Brown. I read that Savoy Brown toured with Fleetwood Mac often in this period. If so, did Kim ever jam with Fleetwood Mac or did the two bands ever hook up onstage? Also, what was your Black Sabbath experience like? I have to say how much I enjoyed your contributions to Savoy and Mac and was sorry to see you depart. All the best and I hope to hear from you soon! (Greg Lewis, Succasunna, New Jersey, USA)

Dear Greg,
Thanks for your e-mail. It is nice to be remembered and I am glad that you appreciated my involvment with Savoy Brown and Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac opened for Savoy Brown for many shows in the U.S. in 1971 and 1972, but to the best of my knowledge Kim Simmonds never jammed with them and there was no jamming between the bands. I don't think that it was ever even considered.
The Black Sabbath experience was extremely disappointing as nothing at all was achieved and I was only offered the gig, really out of friendship, as we were all from the same area in England. I have not seen or heard from any of the members from that day to this. Some of the thoughts that I have regarding my career as a rock and roll musician are very painful but I do not mind answering your questions as I was obviously able to bring a little enjoyment into people's lives.
Regards, Dave Walker

Dave...I just have a few questions for you...

1) Did you experience any negative reaction from Black Sabbath fans when you were named lead singer in the late '70s?

2) What is your favourite memory about making the Penguin album or the ensuing tour? It's one of my favourite albums and also wonder if you recorded anything besides "Roadrunner" during the sessions.

3)How can I get an autographed photo? I'm trying to get signatures of every Fleetwood Mac member and hope you can accomodate me. Thank you, and best of luck. (Stephen Laroche, Toronto, Canada, USA)

Dear Stephen,
Thanks for your e-mail. I really have no recollection of any adverse reaction from any Ozzie Ozborn fans, on my joining Black Sabbath, but in reality I wasn't really with them long enough or did any live performances, except for one T.V. show, that I could piss anybody off.
With regard to the whole Fleetwood Mac experience, most of the memories are sad as I realized very early on that I just did not fit in but was afraid to admit it to them or to myself. I am sorry that my reply may appear brief but I have little to say about these experiences. I would just like to add that Toronto is one of my favorite cities and that one day I'd like to play there again in some capacity.
I will do what I can to figure out how to get a signed photograph off to you. Please be patient.
Kind regards, Dave Walker

Hello Dave:

Thanks for participating in the Q and A, it's great to ask historical questions of the people who made the history. Did the project you referred to earlier with Kirwan, Sylvester, Raymond and yourself ever amount to any demoed material or live playing. Also, after it broke down, did Danny just make his first solo record with the rest of the guys. Thanks so much for your time. (Terry, Avon, Colorado, USA)

Dear Terry,
Thanks for the e-mail. The band you speak of with Kirwan, Sylvester and Raymond also included on drums a guy named Mac Poole who was a friend of mine from Birmingham, England. The bands name was Hungry Fighter and played just one gig at the University of Surrey at Guilford, England. Danny later released two solo albums with other musicans on the sessions. On the first album, he recorded a song of mine called, Look Around You. Hope this answers your questions.
With regards, Dave Walker

Hey Dave! I noticed that you don't have any solo albums out. Was there ever any thought to doing a solo album or will you do one in the near future? Also, did you ever have contact with Danny Kirwan over the years? The last thing I heard was that he's in a homeless shelter. It's really depressing to hear he's not doing well. (Sharon Bos, Sterling, Virginia, USA)

Dear Sharon,
Thanks again for your e-mail. I have no solo albums released but I have been recording at home extensively, and who knows what the future nay bring. Regarding Danny Kirwan, I did see the article and photogragh dealing with his demise and was as saddened as you were as you were to hear of his condition. Because of his circumstances I don't think that he corresponded with anyone and can only speculate as to where he finds himself now. A great loss to music.
With kind regards, Dave Walker

[ Quote from Jet Martin Celmins Q & A Session, July 2000: "Good news: I met Danny's ex-wife Clare recently who kindly helped me with liner notes for a Kirwan compilation called 'Ram Jam City' which Mooncrest recently released. Danny turned 50 this May and Clare showed me photos taken of him on his birthday. I was really pleased to notice him looking a lot fitter than was the case five years ago when I interviewed him. His hair is now short and he looks stronger and more together. Best news of all, perhaps, is that he keeps a guitar in his room and plays quite often for his own pleasure." ]