Yes, I remember the old Three Fishes Kingston, The Aberfan Hotel South Wales, The Thurlow Arms Norwood, The Kings Head West Norwood, Butlins, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, even The Applegarth Thornton Heath. AND meeting other bands on the Motorways. I remember them all. I remember the faithful fans who followed us round. I remember other group members and people we've Gigged with: Andy (Persuaders) Brad (Rapiers) Colin (Rapiers) Mo, Kevin, Bill, Kenny, Alan Peacock, Simon, Peter, Steve, John Carey, Larry, Martin, Lemmie, Marty Wilde, Brian Poole, Chas McDevit, Gerry Marsden, Derek Acorah, The Dreamers, Love Affair, Cuff Links, Mad Mark Peters, Jimmy Jones, Chas And Dave, The Spice Girls, Dave Berry, The Tornados, Showaddywaddy, Craig Douglas, The Fourmost (A member for a year with them) Paper Lace to name but a few. If YOU are not mentioned here drop me an E-Mail and I'll put you up with a mention, give me your website address and I'll even put that up here too.As for me... I finished playing with The Raiders one rainy Saturday night on April 10th 2009. It wasn't raining outside, but was raining in my heart...(Sorry Ray, one of those things I guess). I did the usual session stuff along with Dave on many CD tracks, and Karaoke tracks (Sunfly etc). But it Rained again in June 2009 so I stopped it all. Sold my Guitars (except for my Favourite Strat) Sold my Amps, Mixers the lot. Three times is NOT a charm, three times is a killer for anyone, so three times makes it a 'Never Going Back' amount I guess. Actually three times is a joke. I sit here most days (and nights) remembering those Halcyon days of love and Rock And Roll. They're gone, but never forgotten. Do I miss it (Sex, yes) Walking out on Stage with my Guitar, hearing the crowd applaud (yes), plugging in my Guitar, walking up to the Mic, (yes) John Playing the intro to MOVE IT (Wow, Yes) and away we go, YES I DO MISS ALL THAT VERY MUCH. What about all the motorway travel, what a crock of S***, what a Miserable, Grey, Wet, Boring Tiresome means to an end. Sometimes 7 hours in a Ford Transit Van to get there, Four blokes in a Van, farting most of the way, Gee Whiz It's Pooh! Do a One Hour show, then 7 hours home again afterwards, Farting all the way home, what a stink. Call that show business? I call it a pain in the Arse Literally. So I miss the playing and performing, but not the getting to the Gigs and Home again.
Every band member feels the same, especially at some of the Booking-fees we got (Petrol Money Included). But like all band members everywhere, we would probably have paid THEM to play these big Gigs. Famous names (Cliff Richard etc) just drive there in a Roller, get out the Car, walk on stage do 2 hours, back to the Hotel, Big wedge on the hip, then onto the next one. No humping the gear in (Roadies do it for them). No wonder these big names can stick it out for all those years (providing they're good enough and can last the course). But I don't have many gripes about many things. Regrets? I have a few, too few to mention. I did what I had to do at the time I did them. April, June and September are months I will remember all my life, of that I have no doubt. Do I wish some things had been different? Yes! Some I can mention, some I can't here. More Money per Gig for one. Less to Ray Martin. More reliable transport. Better Motorway CUPS OF TEA, Fresher Pasties, cheaper Petrol. But all in all, I wouldn't have missed the Gigs for the world, some things I DO wish I had missed. My most favourite song? The one that chokes me up? The one to bring tears to my eyes? The song I wish I had written? The song I love most of all? The song that means the MOST to me? Well you can click it, watch it and listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKQSlH-LLTQ It's 'Both Sides Now' by Joni Mitchell, (After watching and listening, Click your BACK BUTTON top LEFT corner of your browser to return here). this version was featured in the Movie 'Love Actually' and what a heartbreaking moment when they play it while Emma Thompson is breaking her heart...Wow. I know how she must have felt. Let me finish here by saying Thanks a million for looking. I've put up a lot of pictures here... IF YOU have any pictures you think may look ok for this site, please attach them to an e-mail and send them to me  HERE 
Thanks for looking.
 
                                               Have a great life. See you around, or 'On The Flip Side' Best wishes always:  Lance