A
Tribute to
Raymond Jones
(20 Oktober 1940 - 20 January 2000)
the original
bass
player
in
Billy J. Kramer
with
The Dakotas
So......with all the
love and respect for Raymond Jones, the original bass player with Billy J. Kramer
with The Dakotas.
Raymond Jones has passed away. We'll miss you!
God Bless you Ray!
Wow! Look at me!!! Nice work,
Lasse!
Raymond in the swinging 60's
When I first went to Sweden, in the sixties, I
fell in love with the country and would return whenever I got the chance. If we
had a few days without any gigs, I'd be on the next plane to Arlanda. Sometimes
I'd only get back hours before the next gig. I'd turn up at the venue, to see
the boys panicking, frantically rehearsing a bassist from another band! I stayed
at one of two hotels. One was called (I think) The Grand and the other was
called, what? I can't remember. When I got married we had our honeymoon in
Sweden.
Mike and me in Southend, 1964...
I'll have a think about stories about the band -
I've a lot really, but you couldn't publish them! Sorting some pictures for you,
many never published.
Tony's drumming is much more jazz influenced than
Ringo's. Tony's idol was Buddy Rich. I remember Tony as being a first-class
drummer and we played well as a team, but sometimes he would get a little
enthusiastic and his tempos would start to vary.
I'm going to be interviewed by a guy on BBC
Radio Merseyside in January. I've contacted a couple of ladies I know from the
old days. We'll meet and go to the interview, then we'll have an evening out
together. I'm looking forward to it.
The interview with Spencer Leigh
wass set for Wednesday 2nd February 2000.
In The Abbey Road Studios with George Martin
At The London Palladium
I well remember my first encounter with Lulu.
She'd just released "Shout!" and we were on the same TV show. Robin
and I were watching her performance from behind her rostrum. Lovely bum!!! Wow!!!
Stockholm, May 1964...
This was taken by candlelight over dinner at the Hotel Appollonia - Stockholm, 1964...
1965...
Barbro, Mike, Ewa and Ray
Switzerland 1965...
That ice hotel is amazing. I've never seen
anything like it. Thanks for telling me about it.
Ray and Sylvia
Raymond's taking a nap, 1999
"Well, Lasse, I've retired from my job. I'm now
a pensioner. (I'm 60, by the way). I loved the job but it was becoming very
stressful. I was working with people who were very severely mentally ill. Some
were very dangerous indeed. I'll miss the job, my colleagues and the patients,
but I'm looking forward to loads of free time."
"And all the best to you as well - hope we
meet up again."
"Take care, Lasse,
Raymond"
OK Raymond,
we'll meet up again someday.
See you in heaven!
Lasse
* * *