Stuart Cowell - Titus Groan

Whilst working on this piece for Cowell, the late bassist John Lee from Titus Groan unfortunately passed away. This is dedicated to him and his memory.

I was born on June the 3rd, 1945 in York. Father was at the Fulford Barracks until Demob. I went to choir school part time where I also took piano lessons. I lived in Croydon and my parents used to take me to Fairfield Halls. I saw people as diverse as Woody Herman, Segovia and Howlin Wolf. I had a friend who turned me onto Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Chet Atkins. I started going to folk clubs such as the Round House on Wardour St. I saw Alex Campbell and Ramblin’ Jack Eliot etc.

Cowell’s first group was called Torquay. (They have also been called The Druids.)

Another early band Cowell participated in called the The Gass.

Jon: Chris Simmons (vocals), Stuart Cowell (lead guitar), Tony Thierney (bass), Jim Toomey (drums), Ron Reynolds (hammond organ)

My early influences were Scotty Moore, James Burton, Broonzy, Chet Atkins, T bone Walker, Ray Charles, Bert Jansch, Davy Graham, Alber King and Junior Walker all come to mind. Band wise was The Fairports, Pentangle, The Byrds and Everly bros. I played in the Jerome Arnnold Band, he was formerly Paul Butterfield’s bass player. Jim Toomey was the drummer. After that folded, Jim and I formed a band which became Titus Groan.

Titus Groan.

I had a great fondness for reading Mervyn Peake. Titus groan was the central character in the Gormenghast trilogy. Our debut was at Hampstead country club. It wasn’t very good, but we made up for it at the Hollywood Music Festival, Newcastle-Under-lyme. Mungo Jerry and TG were labelled the best success. Mj and TG were represented by Red Bus and managed by Tony Baws. I played on one of MJ’s b-sides, but was never a member.

The death throes of Titus Groan were less than pleasant. It had become manifestly clear that none of us, musically speaking, had anything in common. General opinion amongst band and management was that I should be playing a Les Paul through a Marshall type stack and through lots of effects pedals. When my beloved Telecaster went missing, the pressure was even stronger. To everyones chagrin, I replaced it with another from the insurance money! I was, to say the least, unhappy in the band and said so and therefore not surprised when I found out I was to be replaced.

A freelance period followed, studio work with Al Stewart, demos for CBS/April music. I produced an album for Jaki Whitren and played with Paul Brett Sage and recorded two albums with them. I gigged with Cliff Aungier, then Ralph Mctell. I toured a good bit at first with Dave Pegg then Rick Kemp on bass. I did a few gigs with Val Doonican in the UK/Ireland and did Australia/NZ tour. Whilst out there I decided to emigrate.

Paul Brett’s Sage.

My farewell was a grand affair. My rhythm section for the night was Bert Jannchs', Nigel Portman Smith on bass and Luce Langridge on drums. I had Val Doonicans as a pedal steel player, Gus Yorke and Long John Balldry's piano player whose name I cant remember. Clff Aungier sat in, so did Maddie Prior, Rick Kemp and Richard Digence. We finished the show with ‘Good Night Irene.’ In the late 60s I played London night clubs. Mainly Flamingo, Cromwellian, etc.

Soul bands, rockhouse band. The Bass was still semi- pro. After playing at the Redcar Jazz Festival and driving home all night, I got changed and went straight to work at the BBC. While the department head was berating me for my perceived lack of attention to detail, I fell asleep. I figured it was time to give up the day job! I knew Jim Toomey socially, we decided to form a band with Jerome Arnold, Paul Butterfield's bass player. Kind of blues rock. When that split Jim and I formed a band that became Titus Groan. Always a big fan of Mervyn Peak’s work. Named after central character.

Having had two divorces, I would have to say in hindsight that band break ups can be even more traumatic! I kept a much lower profile for a while, just wine bars and pubs. Newly married to a hard working nursing sister. I had a mortgage and Daimler to support. I played mainly wine bars and pubs for a while and played with country bands. It felt nothing like the real thing! Started doing more studio work and managed and produced Jaki Whitren. I recorded with Al Stewart (modern times and eventually the year of the cat.) Worked with Alexis Mother, Paul Brett,Del Shannon and Bobby Vee. Joined Paul Brett Sage for gigs, TV etc. Worked with Cliff Aungier, Ralph McTell, Steve Tilston and Val Doonican. Did a tour of Australia/NZ in 1980 with Val and emigrated soon after.

Reg Lindsay.

Picked up work quickly and easily. Mostly country gigs. I was a house guitarist for the Reg Lindsay Country Show and toured with Mike McClellan, John Rowles, John Williamson, Lester Coombs and Allen Caswell. Jingles for 2Ky, Sydney. I played with Eureka and Pinchgutt. Moved to The Blue Mountains and was utterly burned out. I bought a beautiful old house, ran a b&b and became a small time promoter with local folk club acts that included Martin Cathy, Dave Swarbrick, Albert Lee, Andy Irvine, Dolores Keene and John Faulkner. The night John and Dolores stayed the latter had an early night. The former and I sat up playing all night after I had raided my wine cellar. He managed to persuade me to relocate to Ireland where I still am!

I took John Faulkner's advice and moved to Galway and stayed with JF and his wife Annie. I did quite a bit of studio work with John as well as folk club gigs. Played the Celtic Arts Festival in San Francisco followed by a quick tour of California. Living and playing in the west of Ireland was a dream come true. I got to play with people I enjoyed from afar. Sometimes they ended up playing in my kitchen until the small hours! I was involved with a song writers night at Winkles Pub which was demolished to make way for a supermarket! I got to play with a few guests like John Prime, Phil Donnelly (both deceased.) Still play Friday nights at Sextons with Ivan Gibson, John Roberts and Jean Michelle Denehy. Also enjoyed playing with the late Arty Mcglyn, Johnnie Moynihan, The late Bill Carson, Alec finn (RIP), Tommy Keane, Eamonn Croke, Frankie Lane, Eleanor Shanley etc.

Dakota Brown