King of the Rocket Men

01/04/2024

For those who missed it in the pages of Now Dig This, and on the fourth anniversary of the day we lost Cosmic Keith, an appreciation of the tribute gig that Dave Crozier and Little Carl ran for him appears on my blog. RIP fella xx

How do you commemorate a character like ‘Cosmic Keith’ Marples, taken from us at the start of the COVID lockdown? Only one way – put several hundred lovers of the big beat in a venue with which he’ll forever be associated and ply them with eight hours of the finest music on vinyl, topped off...

31/03/2024

My latest show for Rockabilly Radio is now available on MixCloud at the link below. Don't forget, you can listen to my shows alongside the wide variety of rockin' music of all genres live on Rockabilly Radio. I'm on every Wednesday at 10.00 am, Thursday and 2.00 pm and Saturday at 9.00 pm (your consolation if you're not going out - have a bop round the living room). All times UK.
https://www.mixcloud.com/KOTRM/king-of-the-rocket-men-spin-up-session-for-rockabilly-radio-41-new-in-the-box/

29/03/2024

For no other reason than I like it, a photo for the day...

25/03/2024

Hot on the heels of Friday night's storming session at Smokey Joe's Cafe Bar, Diner & Venue, let's get the next one in the diary! Looking forward to welcoming Carole Fortey as our guest DJ, bringing a selection from her own superb collection of original rhythm and blues.

24/03/2024

For those who couldn't make it - and those who did who want to hear it all over again - the sound file from our session at Smokey Joe's cafe featuring guest DJ Bryan Rookes can be found here:
https://www.mixcloud.com/KOTRM/smokin-at-smokeys-22-mar-24-featuring-guest-dj-bryan-rookes/
We'll be back on Friday 10 May with guest DJ Carole Fortey - can't wait!

Welcome to the sound file from our Smokin' at Smokey's session at Smokey Joe's cafe in downtown Cheltenham on Friday 22 March. As well as Jane and me on the decks, we were delighted to welcome Bryan Rookes of Catch My Drift and Jewels in the Crown, bringing his own fine collection of rhythm and blue...

17/03/2024

My most recent show for Rockabilly Radio is now available on MixCloud, featuring a selection of tracks from the compilation LPs that steered our musical education back in the late 70s and early 80s. If you miss any of the shows on radio and want to catch up, they're all there, plus a few specials. Enjoy...

Welcome to my show originally recorded for Rockabilly Radio featuring picks from our collection of rockabilly, rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues from the late 40s to early 60s, all spun on vinyl for your listening and dancing pleasure. This week's show features a real range of material, including som...

03/03/2024

For this month's MidCentury Chap outing, it's less about wild rock'n'roll, and more about knitwear...

Every so often, it’s nice to include a post that’s light on words and heavy on pictures, so here’s a collection of vintage knitting pattern covers rescued when my Mum was moving home – so these are all designs that were all a realistic proposition in the MidCentury home of the 1960s, but I.....

24/02/2024

A new date in the diary - Saturday 27 April playing a set of wild rock'n'roll records to warm up the crowd for our pals in Johnny Clash. Should be a great night!

18/02/2024

My latest Rockabilly Radio show, featuring picks from some of wonderful compilation LPs from the 70s and early 80s, is now available on my MixCloud page...

Welcome to my show originally recorded for Rockabilly Radio featuring picks from our collection of rockabilly, rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues from the late 40s to early 60s, all spun on vinyl for your listening and dancing pleasure. This week's show features another selection of tracks from some o...

12/02/2024

Delighted to announce that the Guest DJ for our 22 March gig at Smokey Joe's will be the one and only Bryan Rookes of Catch My Drift. Come and join us for the finest selection of rhythm & blues, rock'n'roll and gritty soul on original vinyl in Cheltenham's coolest evening cafe.

10/02/2024

It's official - having been sending across copies of my Spin Up Session shows for Rockabilly Radio, I've now joined the esteemed ranks of Rockin' Rhythm & Blues Radio DJs, giving me a new audience to share the music we love with. Thanks for having me aboard...

King of the Rocket Men DJ Name: King of the Rocket MenShow Name: Spin Up SessionLocation: UK Clive Montellier, aka King of the Rocket Men, spent his culturally dislocated teenage years in 1970s suburbia, before finding a home for his 1950s musical tastes in the local Rock n Roll clubs. He spent the....

04/02/2024

This month's delve into the world of the MidCentury Chap takes a look at the pulp world of the mythical Hank Janson tough guy. Enjoy and feel free to share...

This is another of my occasional image collections, by no means completist, but included just to share graphics that please my MidCentury eye and that I’ve been collecting in paperback since I was old enough to have disposable pocket money. This time the theme is Hank Janson novels. Although marke...

07/01/2024

Just posted my latest Rockabilly Radio show to MixCloud, featuring the third part of Steve Grinster's visit and a lovely selection of picks from the record box...

Welcome to my show originally recorded for Rockabilly Radio featuring picks from our collection of rockabilly, rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues from the late 40s to early 60s, all spun on vinyl for your listening and dancing pleasure. This week's show features the third part of a special guest appea...

24/12/2023

Many thanks to all those who have listened in to the Spin Up Session on Rockabilly Radio, Rockin' Rhythm & Blues Radio or MixCloud. For your Xmas listening, here's the lastest upload - guaranteed no cheesy Xmas songs!
https://www.mixcloud.com/KOTRM/king-of-the-rocket-men-spin-up-session-for-rockabilly-radio-32-from-the-playing-out-box/
We'll be back in the New Year, playing records on radio and out there in musicland - see you on the flip side in 2024 and, for now, have a Cool Yule...

Welcome to my show originally recorded for Rockabilly Radio featuring picks from our collection of rockabilly, rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues from the late 40s to early 60s, all spun on vinyl for your listening and dancing pleasure. This week's show features a selection of favourite spins from the...

12/12/2023

Just a month to go till we're back at Smokey Joe's Cafe Bar, Diner & Venue in Cheltenham, joined by guest DJ Lee Armitage to spin choice cuts of 50s and 60s rhythm & blues, wild rock'n'roll and gritty soul on delicious slices of original vinyl. Free entry, dance floor and a wide selection of food and drink to keep your feet moving. Come join us at Cheltenham's coolest crossover venue where the beer and cocktails are cold, and the chili, coffee and music are hot!

11/12/2023

The second part of Steve Grinster's guest appearance on my Rockabilly Radio show is now available on Mixcloud, with more of his finds from his Austin trip...

Welcome to my show originally recorded for Rockabilly Radio featuring picks from our collection of rockabilly, rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues from the late 40s to early 60s, all spun on vinyl for your listening and dancing pleasure. This week's show features the second part of a special guest appe...

01/12/2023

For anyone who missed it in last month's Now Dig This magazine, here's my review of September's gig by the Ichi-Bons at the Water Rats in King's Cross. Definitely a band to catch if you ever get the chance...

Every ten years or so, a band emerges on the rock’n’roll scene that ignites a rare sense of ‘must see’ excitement. Having missed out on the arrival of bands like Big Sandy, the Planet Rockers and the Bellfuries, I was keen to explore what the buzz was about around a trio from Toronto, Canada...

29/11/2023

Looking ahead to 2024 and we've got dates at Smokey Joe's Cafe Bar, Diner & Venue lined up already. First on the calendar is 12 January, with guest DJ Lee Armitage. Get it in your diary now and prepare for a New Year's treat of rhythm & blues, rock'n'roll and gritty soul from the 50s and 60s...

27/11/2023

The first of Steve Grinster's guest appearances on my Rockabilly Radio show featuring a selection of his finds from Austin is now available on MixCloud for your listening pleasure. The second one starts airing this Wednesday at 10.00, with repeats on Thursday at 2.00 pm and Saturday at 9.00 pm. Enjoy!

Welcome to my show originally recorded for Rockabilly Radio featuring picks from our collection of rockabilly, rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues from the late 40s to early 60s, all spun on vinyl for your listening and dancing pleasure. This week's show features a special guest appearance by Steve Gri...

24/11/2023

So proud to be kicking off the first half hour of this stunning slice of R&B goodness...
https://www.mixcloud.com/Rockaphonic50/catch-my-drift-weekender-bristol-2023-1/?fbclid=IwAR2jcbk7sXuVUakuaJJuPQFGAkDFj-FJEpkvaBYsVrzRS8hKnzDtSojnUlE

Catch My Drift Weekender Bristol 2023. After the massive success from our huge sell-out All-dayer, we raised the bar in 2023 even higher and put together an incredible weekender, simply one of the biggest and best Rhythm and Blues DJ line-ups ever assembled in the UK. Fonsoul MJ Parry Christopher St...

13/11/2023

This week's King of the Rocket Men spin-up on Rockabilly Radio features special guest Steve Grinster, treating us to a selection of his finds from his trip to Austin - what a treat! Catch the show at 10.00 am on Wednesday, 2.00 pm on Thursday and 9.00 pm on Saturday (UK times), with a repeat next week.

12/11/2023

Just uploaded another show to my MixCloud stream, featuring a bunch of picks from the playing out boxes, with a mix of originals and repros but all great dancers. Enjoy!
https://www.mixcloud.com/KOTRM/king-of-the-rocket-men-spin-up-session-for-rockabilly-radio-30-some-new-stuff-some-not/

27/10/2023

This time last week we were gearing up for the R&B treat that is Catch My Drift. If you were there, hopefully this will capture some of the magic and, if you weren't, hopefully it will persuade you to be there in 2024!

What do get if you combine 29 DJs and record collectors, 3 venues, 8 record decks, 31 hours of music and around 800 records? The answer, the Catch My Drift R&B weekender held on 20 and 21 October in the heart of Bristol. To review an event like that is a literal impossibility – you just can’t be...