Geoff, still rocking almost half a century later

Last month we published an article entitled, “Mondine, music, sausages and Christmas decorations” — now what kind of title to an article was that ? The regulars of Aristo’s bar in Barga Vecchia during the autumn months sit outside the bar in the piazza and roast chestnuts 2 or 3 times a year. It is a time for all the families to get together and join in preparing the nuts and fire, and then roasting and eating the chestnuts around the fire to the sound of music supplied by local musicians. – full article here

From then on, the locals in Aristo’s bar seemed to get the real taste for sitting outside around the fire as they continued to light it and keep it burning for weeks afterwards.
It was during one of those sessions outside with people sitting round telling “long” stories to each other, poking the fire and listening to the musicians jamming that the following video was shot, featuring Alessandro Rizzardi showing his prowess on the mandolin and Geoff Collins White with some sharp guitar playing and rough-tough-two-packs-a-day vocal skills. The fire reflecting in Geoff’s guitar looked uncannily as though his instrument was on fire (move over Jimi Hendrix)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8qp2PLi4wo

Now, probably what many people sitting round that fire that evening did not realise is that Geoff has a history of making music which stretches back right not just to his time with Jacks Pack, The Beagles or Grizzly   but in fact  to the start of the swinging sixties in London, UK with a band called the A-JAES.

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A compilation disc of music from that era featuring a track from the A-JAES has recently been released, and so …..

Ladies and Gentlemen for your delight and delectation, we present Geoff Colllins White leading the A-JAES with a song written by Trevor White – “I’m leaving you”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9H-XR70duU

THE A-JAES- I’M LEAVING YOU.
Recorded in 1964, written by Trevor White.

Formed in January 1964, Geoff White, vocal and harmonica,
Trevor White, lead guitar and backing vocals.
Bill Parlor, Bass.
Norman King, drums.
The photos show the band shortly after the recording with  Simon Stanbrooke on bass, and Julian Ferrari on drums. This line-up stayed together for three years, playing the South London circuit with great success.
Trevor later found fame with Jook, Sparks, and Radio Stars, plus a solo single “Crazy kids”