Self Portrait

When I completed this self-portrait in oils on 13 February 2019, I felt I had finally managed to accomplish something. Previous self-portraits were certainly expressions, but they left me wanting to paint another, even though the last three were declared to be final. The latest portrait (oil on canvas) has been universally met with stunned silence. Absolutely no response. I am more than content with that. The trend everywhere to clap and applaud literally everything, including what should be a solemn occasion, eg a funeral, quite honestly appals me. It is so undignified and frequently sick-making. Art is sufficient unto itself if it has any merit. I have experienced concerts where there is no applause whatsoever at the performance's conclusion. This is the ultimate accolade. The self-portrait is shown in natural sunlight (above) and artificial light where it hangs.

The Other Keith

I was introduced to Keith Maclean by Elżbieta Wojdyla (mentioned in a 1975 contribution I made to an anthology, and a book published ten years later outlining supernatural disturbances at Highgate Cemetery). This was a time when the ethos of the Sixties was still evident at the turn of the Seventies. In my book, probably owing to his surname, he is referred to as "a young man of Scottish descent," despite his proclaimed Welsh connections and quintessential Englishness. The last time he appeared at my house (December last year), the tartan trousers he wore indicated my original deduction was on target. However, despite my urging him to don a midi-kilt, he has not done so.

This picture appears in the 1985 edition of the aforementioned book and is the first I took of him. 

The image below is the last photograph taken of Keith Maclean as he departed in December 2018.

Cousin Marianne — † Requiescat In Pace †

Cousin Keith — † Requiescat In Pace †

My first real pal whom I stayed in touch with even after relocating to London. The photograph of him on his Triumph motorbike in 1961 is the last I have of him before he died of a blood disorder.

The Saxophone Years

Yoss Baker

Yoss Baker, a school chum and member of the St Luke's boy's church group I attended, played lead guitar at my stage debut at a large Saturday night dance held in a hall in North London when I was fifteen. My first ever number on stage as a saxophonist was Rudy's Rock. It brought the house down.

Steve Howe (later a lead guitarist in his own right) was in the audience, and greatly impressed by what he saw. He would mimic some of the mannerisms of Yoss when performing as a world renowned musician in later years. Being a couple of years younger than Yoss and I, he was still learning chords on an inexpensive acoustic guitar, but went on to acquire a solid electric guitar from me, which I used as a second instrument. Eventually keyboards became my second instrument. Musicians back then had to be able to play at least two instruments. I played sax and three others.

You can listen to the original Rudy's Rock by clicking on any of the images. 

School Pals and Church Choir Chums