After searching through the loft in 1994 I came across my old diaries and hit on the idea of writing a book about the 1970’s music scenes on Merseyside in particular Liverpool, which I felt had been forgotten about, sandwiched between the fantastic 60’s - the Merseybeat era and the post-punk electro pop 80’s when Liverpool bands once again conquered the World. I started this 1994 then my wife became ill, I put the work I had started away until I resumed it again in 2003. I then endeavoured to research and interview many of the artists entered in my diaries, whilst at the University of Liverpool in 2006 I completed the book. It was a ‘labour of love’ which took a lot of research and patience, I self published this very large book with over three hundred pages which we launched at the Cavern where nine bands performed live including Colonel Bagshot, Rocking Horse, Joker, Gaz & the Groovers, Nutz, Splinter, Last Train, 29th & Dearborn and Fantasy.

We organised 'Plug Inn 2' at the Carling Academy in 2007 and this years event will be at Fogertys in Wavertree. The pub/rock scene in the 70's in Liverpool’s located at St John Precinct  were the Moonstone, the Star & Garter and the Sportsman, plus the many rock venues scattered all over Merseyside where the many signed bands performed at and whowent on to have success on the stadium/college circuit, bands like Nutz, Export, 29th & Dearborn, Strife and Pinnacle. Many of the bands are still around today such as Supercharge who were once signed to Virgin and Colonel Bagshot who were signed at one time to Parlophone and who recently had one of their tracks remixed by Dj Shadow which this used in two movies, the track was called ‘Six Day War’. There were also other vibrant mini scenes going on back in 70’s Liverpool on venues such as Alisons, the Wooky Hollow and the Montrose where top Cabaret bands played on a regular basis. There is also information on solo artists, Dj’s, setlists, cuttings, personal accounts and photos.

Volume two and three are on the way after the success 'Plug Inn' (the forgotten years). There is a Docu-soap version of the book on the horizon and currently photos from the book are in the ‘Beat Goes On’ exhibition in the World Museum William Brown Street Liverpool.

Tony Bolland

March 2009