Rod Felton - The Creature with the Clockwork Brian
So read one of Rod Felton's posters in the early 1970's.
There was nothing clockwork about Rod Felton, he thrived on serendipity in his performances, responding to and interacting with his audiences, throwing in surprises, ad-libbing and even using a broken guitar string to deliver some instant repartee as he changed it! Sometimes he'd make time disappear completely as he performed!
Rod Felton was born Coventry on April 24th 1942. (Some articles have his birthdate as being in August 1942 but I've gone with the date on Rod's funeral notification - if this is wrong please let me know).
In 1942, the world was at war; Coventry lay in ruins after the blitz earlier in November 1940, the British forces defeated German troops at Tripoli; the Glenn Miller Orchestra were enjoying their popular hits; Italy surrendered and the Dambuster raids took place as TS Elliot published his Four Quartets.
In 1942, the world was at war; Coventry lay in ruins after the blitz earlier in November 1940, the British forces defeated German troops at Tripoli; the Glenn Miller Orchestra were enjoying their popular hits; Italy surrendered and the Dambuster raids took place as TS Elliot published his Four Quartets.
Rod would go on to form his own idiosyncratic orchestra,The New Modern Idiot Grunt Band, sing his own lyric poetry to four beats in the bar (or however many beats he felt like) and storm troop the folk clubs of England and elsewhere!
Rod, who went to Caludon Castle school in Coventry, a
school that produced many musicians who became prominent on the Coventry music scene, learnt to play guitar at 12. By 15 Rod was playing in clubs, learning his craft, honing his style!
However, Rod had to earn his crust and utilised another talent of his, graphic art, to become a Commercial Artist at Whitworth- Gloster Aircraft Ltd in Baginton from c1960, until he went professional as a folk-blues performer and songwriter when he was 22. Rod never abandoned his art though and there are plenty of examples of how he used it to promote his act and some of the folk clubs he ran.
In his article for Folks Magazine c 1979, Coventry folk singer Pete Willow wrote a history of the folk scene in Coventry which included an article on Rod Felton. Pete notes the role of the local press -
" Articles like the above were appearing in the local press and did much to bring the local folk scene to everyone’s notice. Not only did the people of Coventry know there was a growing movement of folk enthusiasm in the city, but they knew where to go to see it for themselves and who they could expect to see on stage. Local acts, like Rod Felton, were given particular encouragement."
In another article “Folk Wave Hits City Scene” Pete says
"It describes a particular evening at the Coventry Folk Club and then runs briefly through other Folk events in the area and mentions Rod’s popularity as a local singer. "
The article makes a note of the fact that one of the prominent new folk clubs in the city was packed out by 7.50 and with
artists like Tom Paxton,The Kerries,The Ian Campbell Folk Group, it's not surprising. Rod was playing American blues and also singing with Beverley Kutner, who a year later was discovered by Decca and made singles with musicians like Jimmy Page on board. Beverley Kutner, of course became Beverley Martyn, when she married John Martyn.
Beverley (Kutner) Martyn - 45 Deram promo single, b-side of Happy New Year circa 1966. Featuring Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass.
For a while Rob had also been in a duo with Deserie Meikle who simply called themselves Rob and Des.Rod, who went to Caludon Castle school in Coventry, a
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| Rod Felton |
However, Rod had to earn his crust and utilised another talent of his, graphic art, to become a Commercial Artist at Whitworth- Gloster Aircraft Ltd in Baginton from c1960, until he went professional as a folk-blues performer and songwriter when he was 22. Rod never abandoned his art though and there are plenty of examples of how he used it to promote his act and some of the folk clubs he ran.
Rod Felton - A Newcomer in the Bob Dylan Folk Tradition.
This is how the Coventry Standard announced Rod Felton's arrival as a professional musician on July 22nd 1965. It's become standard for the press to announce new singer songwriters thus but Rod must have been one of the first as Bob Dylan and Donovan were newly arrived themselves in 1965, at least in terms of the singles chart.
Rod, of course had been playing in clubs long before that but his redundancy, owing to the government's decision not to renew the HS 681 military freight aircraft, focused his mind on becoming a professional folksinger.
As can be seen for the article, Rod had established a reputation, was earning money in the evening performing and was covering the whole area around Coventry.
Rod, of course had been playing in clubs long before that but his redundancy, owing to the government's decision not to renew the HS 681 military freight aircraft, focused his mind on becoming a professional folksinger.
As can be seen for the article, Rod had established a reputation, was earning money in the evening performing and was covering the whole area around Coventry.
In his article for Folks Magazine c 1979, Coventry folk singer Pete Willow wrote a history of the folk scene in Coventry which included an article on Rod Felton. Pete notes the role of the local press -
" Articles like the above were appearing in the local press and did much to bring the local folk scene to everyone’s notice. Not only did the people of Coventry know there was a growing movement of folk enthusiasm in the city, but they knew where to go to see it for themselves and who they could expect to see on stage. Local acts, like Rod Felton, were given particular encouragement."
In another article “Folk Wave Hits City Scene” Pete says
"It describes a particular evening at the Coventry Folk Club and then runs briefly through other Folk events in the area and mentions Rod’s popularity as a local singer. "
The article makes a note of the fact that one of the prominent new folk clubs in the city was packed out by 7.50 and with
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| Rod and Bev (Kutner / Martyn) at the Cofa's Tree 1965 |
English Ritual Drama group, The Coventry Mummers, were formed in 1966. During 1967 The Mummers were invited over to Kiel in Germany for a series of plays. I am not sure what involvement they had exactly, maybe they were active Mummers for a while, but the invitation saw Rod and fellow Coventry folk musician, Geoff Smedley, travel over to Germany with the group.
1967 also saw the birth of 'The New Modern Idiot Grunt Band' who consisted of Rod and fellow fun loving musician Rob Armstrong. Rod and Rob had known each other well from the folk circuit. Rob had been performing as far back as 1963 and was equally well respected on the circuit. (More on the New Modern Idiot Grunt band in another post)
In the 70's and beyond, Rod forged a nationwide solo career. I was introduced to Rod Felton one night in 1970, while doing the door for Pete Waterman's Progressive music gigs at the Walsgrave in Coventry. Pete introduced Rod to me as "The only star that Coventry has produced". Pete was well aware of Rod's work and growing national reputation both with the grunt band and as a sol artist. In fact Pete put Rod on two months in a row, one with the Grunt band and with Rod doing a solo spot and one solo with 'Electric guitar', as seen here in the tickets.
Often I would arrive early at the Walsgrave to help Pete set up and we'd open the doors at 8pm but on some occasions we'd go walk about fetch equipment from his or his parents house but on one occasion we went up to the Earlsdon Cottage. Rod was playing at the Tuesday night folk club there and as it was early, the performers and their friends were sitting out on the grass at the back. Pete had gone to collect his flute which Rod had borrowed. Before we left, Pete Waterman played some beautiful flute to one of Rod's songs.Great pity we didn't have iphones then, it would have gone youtube straight way!
Despite touring the country in his camper van, Rod always found time to run folk clubs in Coventry or play gigs or floor spots.People have memories of different clubs he ran but I remember the Rude Bear Folk Club, which started off on a Tuesday night upstairs at The Three Tons, in the Bullyard 1972
and which continued at the The Boatyard, Hand in Heart in Gosford Street, co run with singer Dave Coburn, which ensured the club was open even if Rod had a paid gig elsewhere. Rod's wide contact with the folk world was a great asset as this advert, which, Rod designed and placed in my magazine Hobo (Coventry Music and Arts magazine) in February 1974, shows.
DANDO SHAFT - NEW PHASE. From Hobo magazine 1974
"Dando Shaft - may be reformed in the near future with some of the original members - Martin Jenkins on fiddle, flute and mandola and vocals; Ted Kaye on Congas and percussion, Polly Boulton on vocals, Rod Felton on Guitar and Baz Andruszko (of a Band Called George) on bass and accordion.
At the moment they are fulfilling other commitments. Martin, who recently wrote and played the music for the Belgrade's production Little Red Riding Hood, has another production in London. Rod Felton, meanwhile, is due for another tour of Germany I believe."
Further down on this website, Pete Clemons and Pete Willow fill in further details about Rod Felton's career as it developed.
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Rod Felton designed and paid for the advert in Hobo for the Rude Bear Folk club, utilising the skills
Often I would arrive early at the Walsgrave to help Pete set up and we'd open the doors at 8pm but on some occasions we'd go walk about fetch equipment from his or his parents house but on one occasion we went up to the Earlsdon Cottage. Rod was playing at the Tuesday night folk club there and as it was early, the performers and their friends were sitting out on the grass at the back. Pete had gone to collect his flute which Rod had borrowed. Before we left, Pete Waterman played some beautiful flute to one of Rod's songs.Great pity we didn't have iphones then, it would have gone youtube straight way!
Despite touring the country in his camper van, Rod always found time to run folk clubs in Coventry or play gigs or floor spots.People have memories of different clubs he ran but I remember the Rude Bear Folk Club, which started off on a Tuesday night upstairs at The Three Tons, in the Bullyard 1972
and which continued at the The Boatyard, Hand in Heart in Gosford Street, co run with singer Dave Coburn, which ensured the club was open even if Rod had a paid gig elsewhere. Rod's wide contact with the folk world was a great asset as this advert, which, Rod designed and placed in my magazine Hobo (Coventry Music and Arts magazine) in February 1974, shows.
ROD FELTON JOINS DANDO SHAFT!
DANDO SHAFT - NEW PHASE. From Hobo magazine 1974
"Dando Shaft - may be reformed in the near future with some of the original members - Martin Jenkins on fiddle, flute and mandola and vocals; Ted Kaye on Congas and percussion, Polly Boulton on vocals, Rod Felton on Guitar and Baz Andruszko (of a Band Called George) on bass and accordion.
At the moment they are fulfilling other commitments. Martin, who recently wrote and played the music for the Belgrade's production Little Red Riding Hood, has another production in London. Rod Felton, meanwhile, is due for another tour of Germany I believe."
Further down on this website, Pete Clemons and Pete Willow fill in further details about Rod Felton's career as it developed.
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Rod Felton designed and paid for the advert in Hobo for the Rude Bear Folk club, utilising the skills
Above, photo supplied by Steven Merry with Rod Felton and The Neutrons at the LSE 1974. The Neutrons were an offshoot of the band - Man.
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