Vinegar Joe: Dream My Own Dreams

Interesting to compare solo careers. No offence meant but Palmer's demonstrates how a modest talent can be enormously successful given clever management and marketing. Elkie's career shows how even phenomenal talent can struggle without it. Still, whilst RP finally succumbed to the demons of the Rock n'Roll life, Elkie, a thoroughgoing, disciplined pro to her fingertips, is still packing them in and still fit as a butcher's dog.

Succumbed to the demons of Rock 'n' Roll life? As far as I know he wasn't a druggie or a particularly heavy drinker. He did smoke though and that is probably what caused his heart attack.

Brother, it's all media manipulation. Never heard of Elkie and never knew Robert was so damn good on the six strings also I would be around 6 years old at this time LOL

Now, is that a Rickenbacker that's with Mr. Palmer?  [cheeky]

I had that album when I was 20 orso. God knows where it is now, but boy it swept me of my feet back than. Elkie Brooks is one of the greatest singers of all times to me.

Totally agree with you. Saw Elkie in concert this year. Fantastic.

Skida, Bluetit, Franco & the rest of you guys. So flattered you care still after so long. Back then on just another TV show whooda guessed people would watch it 35 yrs later? I should have played better of I knew. OK I ran VJ - but we 'jammed'. Rob or I would write - then we all jammed the songs into existance. 'Calumet' I had the intro fixed & set melody for Elk - the rest was 'jam with these lyrics'. Everything was a blues without the 12 bar. Great that it still touches you guys. Thanks. PeteG

Thanks for joining in and giving us an insight to the workings of VJ, Pete. I saw VJ many times and thought you were one of the best live acts around, crikey! - I even saw Dada around 1970!

The songs still sound great now and that's what makes us care.

ps: I was at a bike rally a few years ago and Dr Feelgood were headlining. I got quite excited when I heard the singer was called Pete Gage, but alas I realised straight away it was a different PG. Two Pete Gages in Rock? Who'd have thunk it?

On this video there is Pete Gage (guitar), Steve York (bass), Mike Deacon (keyboards) and Pete Gavin (drums). This I believe to be the final lineup.

Previous musicians include: Tim Hinkley (keyboards), Rob Tait (drums), John Woods (drums), Conrad Isidore (drums on 1st album). There were others but I think they were mainly sessionists on the albums.

I saw Jim Mullen on guitar on stage,on french TV.