Peter Scott – “Captain”

I was born in 1947, one of five boys. Well somebody had to be the eldest, it might as well be me.

My earliest musical experiences were guided by my Father who for a hobby used to play the piano in a dance band.
I couldn’t get a look in at the piano because of my brother, so at age 7 my Father bought me a Ukelele and taught me how to play it.

My earliest influence was Lonnie Donegan, and as skiffle was all the rage it wasn’t long before the ukulele was replaced with my first acoustic guitar at about age 9. I remember forming my first band at primary school called The Red Aces - with guitar, tea chest bass and washboard. We made a couple of public appearances at school.

Later at age 14 I got my first Electric guitar - a Rossetti (what a dog to play!) and with some of my youth club mates we formed a band called the Phantoms. Greatly influenced by the Shadows, this band took over my life and for the next 6 years we played all the hits of the 50s and 60s as often as possible at most venues in Lancashire and Yorkshire. We eventually ended up being semi-pro playing nearly every night, the equipment also got upgraded and I ended up with a Fender Stratocaster (cost 166 guineas) and a Vox AC30.  We were also greatly influenced by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones at this time, but copying other peoples’ music (however good you are) will not lead to fame and fortune, and at age 20 the dream fell apart and the band folded.

Shortly afterwards I married my childhood sweetheart Lynne and we had two children. I also had to get a proper job, and there followed 10 years at night school before I eventually passed my accountancy exams which allowed me to get a new career in business and Property.

The family and business became my life - consequently the guitar only put in an appearance at parties and occasionally in public, with my wife Lynne singing and playing duets.

At age 45 my band career was resurrected when I was invited to help form The All Stars Rock and Roll Band - a charity band which has raised loads of money for worthwhile causes and the old enthusiasm was rekindled. This lasted for a period of 10 years, but after a number of personnel changes the workload reduced to virtually nil.

I came across Andy Rayner and shortly afterwards I was invited to join “The Reactions”

It was like coming home after a long absence, Good musicians playing proper chords, everybody can sing and are mostly like minded on music. “I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”

I am really enjoying the experience and still rocking at 60 years old.

 

Andy          Martin          Brian          Peter