From Williams ‘Billy’ Jones Rockabilly Underground (2007)
The Wild Wax Show (DJs)
I asked Roy Williams how Wild Wax started.
‘I started with Tongue Tied Danny. Then my brother-in-law Stuart took over and Jailhouse John came
in later.’
Wild Wax were the god’s of the 70s Rock and Roll revival. They held a residency at the Lyceum!
‘My pal Graham Fenton (Houseshakers / Hellraisers / Matchbox) got a gig there and invited me. I
persuaded the management to employ us on a more regular basis.’
This was before my time, but I did get a chance to go to ‘The Royalty’ just before it closed in 1982.
I asked Roy the story behind The Royalty.
‘This was a private family-owned ballroom in Southgate. After the demise of the Lyceum rock’n’roll
nights, the owner searched for us (The Wild Wax Show) in order to run something similar.
‘In as much as they were prepared to spend more money on acts (US acts, etc.), it was better. It was
also steeped in ‘DJ culture’ and had respect for us as DJs, which was nice. ‘
Wild Wax’s ambition did not stop at club DJing and they secured a slot on a London’s Capitol Radio.
The show was called ‘American Dream Show’ and ran for 3 years from 1977. Roy Williams chose
and provided the music, but Mike Allen DJed. An awkward set-up. Roy left for Radio City (a rockin
pirate radio station, run by Beeza Bill) due to ‘restrictions’ placed on him by Capitol.
Roy Williams has remained extremely ambitious and now owns Europe’s biggest and best Rockabilly
and Psychobilly label ‘Nervous Records’. Roy has signed some of the best bands in the scene,
including The Polecats, The Jets, Nekromantix, The Quakes and many, many others.
There was no scene like this in the 50s, No one had ever collated these songs, these fashions and these
young people together before.
Flash started DJing in the 1960s at ‘The 6-5 Rock and Roll club, which was part of the YMCA. It was a
Rockers club. I got booked out at Railway Harrow, 6-5 Special organised it.’
Flash Continues:
‘Then I bought my own gear. Rock and Roll Cellar was the first gig of my own.
It was more Rock and Roll then. The Roxborough was another club in Harrow.’
Flash ran ‘Bumbles’ for 5 years in the early 1980s. Flash recalls the 80s:
‘It was damned hard work for a decade. 13 shows a month. Bumbles was a great audience’ ‘Bumbles
was my favourite’.
Flash is not alone in that opinion
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