Q
uadrophenia was arguably
the largest influence to
rekindle scooter interest. On
August 25 Gary Shail
(Spider) is holding a
celebration on Brighton pier to honour
Quad 40 andToyah, Leslie Ash,Trevor
Laird, Gary Cooper and Gary Shail will
unveil Brighton’s‘Walk of Fame’. Gary’s
told the cast that if they don’t turn up,
then he’ll get the fans to tell them exactly
what they think... and then he’ll be
God... forever! At some Quadrophenia
events, fans are like big-game hunters,
stalking their prey to get every signature,
and then whack it on eBay,itb eing a
barometer of fame. If your signature’s
worth £80, you are fashionable, but at
£6.50... you’re not. At this moment,
everything Quadrophenia is top dollar.It’s
never been bigger,but Idoemphasise, at
this moment.
No... sleep... ’til Brighton!
Jason Edge of The Electric Stars
introduced me to Gary and he spoke
about the upcoming event. “People kept
asking about the 40th and during a
coffee withamate Iended up here. From
musician/actor to event manager
overnight.Iwanted somewhere iconic,
hence, the pier.We’re not allowed on
site ’til midnight, so we’ll build all night.
No... sleep... ‘til Brighton! Last year it
peed down, so we’veaplan. It ’s no
hot- line toGod, but it’saplan. In reality,
it’saparty.Itj ust so happens to be the
biggest party I’ve ever done.
“The music was the easy part. The
Electric Stars, Who’sNext, The Highs
and The Regents, all bandsIcan 100%
rely on.Iwas amusician before acting,
drumming at age 12. I’d do Friday,
Saturday,Sunday,making £30 to £60, an
amazing amount of money back then.
Acting was accidental.Igot detention and
had to stand in the gym with the drama
teacher on duty.Hecalled me over...
“Read this...” He’d adaptedTomSawyer.
It’sbeen 40 years since
that film, you know...
THATone.Rik meets up
with actor Gary Shail, to
hear what's lined up.
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