This section will be used for stories and memories involving Jon.
Please email me directly and I will ensure your tales are published.

Beer down your trousers
Notorious in the town of Portsmouth and the surrounding area Jon Isherwood was a much loved dreamer and folk comedian whose partnership with the late Pat Nelson has drifted into legend. Fame always just eluded Jon who had an incredible talent for making his audiences enjoy themselves.
Signed up by the Beatles to Apple Jon actually received a royalty cheque from George Harrison dated 19th March 1970 for 1/10d. (For those who don't remember the old currency that's just under 10p). Jon never cashed the
cheque. I wonder what happened to it? He was later signed by Decca and also recorded a live album on my own label which we recorded at Jasper Carrot's folk club (the Boggery) in Birmingham. I spent many enjoyable nights with Jon. I remember seeing him swallow a lighted cigarette in front of a stunned audience in Downe, just outside Bromley, only to declare afterwards that he
didn't quite know why he had done it - "Because it didn't half hurt". I remember another evening at the Railway Folk Club in Portsmouth ending an evening on stage with Jon and Pat when Jon poured a whole pint of beer down
the insides of my trousers. Why? Because it probably seemed like a good idea at the time. I then drove back to London with the car stinking like a brewery. Luckily I wasn't stopped by the police.
Joe Stead, www.joestead.com

<<top of page

Daffodil eating contests
I was trying to launch my carrier in music around 1970 and was doing the floor singing bit. Jon and Pat were the two biggest draws on the Pompey folk scene. Anyway my lasting memory of Jon, and his well known lunacy, was at the club he ran on Southsea pier (1972 I think).

I had moved to Birmingham and was playing in a band. One night, myself and Chico White (a blues harp player and lunatic), found ourselves in at a loose end in Pompey and decided to go to the pier. I remember that Mike Harding was the guest. Well after our floor spot, Jon came up with the idea of breaking the world record for eating daffodils. Chico volunteered and came second. We then found that daffodils are poisonous and Chico was sick all the way back to Brum
(I think that the winner ended up in St Mary's Hospital).
Gary Emms

<<top of page

The Den of Folk and The Railway
The bi-weekly visits to the Den of Folk, Gosport, the Thorngate Halls to those who may have forgotten, by the entire membership of the Gosport Labour Party Young Socialists was the highlight of this now aging Socialist’s social life.

Well it was 1969, and Gosport was not exactly the moving hub of youth culture. Oh, we had our discos, and a Night Club that once entertained Freddy and the Dreamers, but the Den of Folk was where the serious “thinking” youth of Gosport would gather.

We would gather as many members as possible around two tables and enjoy the Whitbread Tankard beer at 1/11 a pint (and that was expensive) and chat away about the next impending election defeat, illuminated by candles that had been placed on each table to provide the right ambiance for the Club.

And it was here, through the glow of the table candles, a compulsory feature of any self respecting Folk Club of the time, that I first came across the talents of Jon Isherwood.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Jon burst into our consciousness. Just as the Compare was about to inform us that Jon would not be appearing, the Hall doors burst open, and a long haired chap carrying bags and guitar cases rushed in.

If the entrance was high octane, then the performance that followed was propelled by rocket fuel, aided and abetted by frequent sips of ale and numerous cigarettes, that Jon would light take a couple of drags of and then screw the filter end onto a guitar string where it would glow, and slowly burn away throughout the duration of the of the song, requiring yet another cigarette to be lit at the song’s end.

By the end of the second of the forty minute spot that evening the audience were laughed and sung out of it, crawling home exhausted. Jon on the other hand would be slumped in a corner watching the audience break up looking drained.

I was to see Jon on many occasions after that. Jon was one of those local artists who never got too big for his boots, unlike a certain Mr Nelson (sorry Pat) and while clearly getting his kicks from taking centre stage, he would often make surprise singer spot appearances on the occasions that he wanted to see one of the “Big Name” artists who appeared at the Den of Folk. The cruel suggested that this was because he was too tight to pay the entrance fee.

By far the most vivid memory of Jon dates to Christmas 1972. The Railway Folk Club, Fratton, was at the time considered one of the best Clubs in the Portsmouth area. It met bi-weekly on a Monday night, not a good night for drinking. Arriving, visitors to the Club would have been disappointed by the exterior of the Club, for it was a Pub, and a Railwayman’s pub at that. By no means could anyone suggest that the décor was extravagant. What the Club did have was Committee that could draw big Folk names to the Club, and with that the Club’s reputation was made.

The Club met in the lounge Bar of the Pub. Not the biggest room anyone would have been in, and even on a quite night we would have to arrive a good hour before the start if a seat was going to be found. On Big nights, at least two hours would have to be allowed.

And so it was for this Christmas Party. The main artist for the night was to be the great jazz Guitarist Diz Dizley, (who later went onto work with Stephan Grappellli), the compare for the night, Pat Nelson, an up and coming local talent who would later go onto do Folk on Friday, and Folk on 2 for BBC Radio. The added extra being the rumoured appearance of Jon Isherwood.

Pat did his stuff, and Diz hypnotised us with his magical guitar playing. Then they entertained us with a jam session. The evening was taken into another dimension though when from what seemed to be no where Jon burst onto the platform – you really could not call it a stage – and took the music off in a totally different direction, making Diz join in the chord bashing as we were taken through a variety of Irish folk songs, and of course the Cucumber Song, a rendition which nearly took the roof off the Pub as we all joined in the Introduction and Chorus.

As the beer took it’s grip, even if it was Brickwoods, so the songs became rowdier, as did their delivery, with Jon, Pat and Diz dancing from table to table in game of musical tag, egged on by the punters.

But these were the days of 10:30pm pub closures the land lord was going ballistic trying to get folk to drink up and also stop asking him for more beer. At 11:00 the Party was still in full swing – indeed it was just warming up by 11:30, the Landlord had given up and gone to bed while his Wife diligently tried to hold back the tide of lack in specialists that had apparently descended on her pub drawn by these three world class performers did their full range of party pieces for our entertainment. By mid-night my mate and I knew that we had missed our last ferry back to Gosport and would have to walk via Porchester and Fareham back to our home base. A trip made longer by that need one has to use the whole of the footpath, when one has had that extra drop of beer too many. That night we walked on air.
Richard Millard

<<top of page

Joe Stead

Apple Pie
I remember meeting up with Jon after we recorded Apple Pie. We wanted to follow the song up and we got in touch with him to do just that. He arrived in Fulham where I was living at the time and we got on right away. He wanted to get to know me so he could write a song that would really suit me. Well the title was called "I Didn't Care."

Well fair enough, I thought it was a good song, but every thing was up to my manager at the time (John Salter.) I don't know why we did not record it? Still, he even rejected Vivian Stanshall, another guy who was hugely talented. What can you do!!

Jon was real fun, we went out had a good night and talked about everything. He asked me If I'd like to make love to the Queen. I said no and could not believe the question! Still, that was Jon. You never knew what he was going to come out with next!!!
Mike Quinn, www.themightyquinn.co.uk

To listen to Mike Quinn's singles click here

<<top of page

India Arms
I first met Jon in 1977 when I first started entertaining. He organised an "Artist and Agents" evening at the India Arms in Southsea where I met some local agents for the first time and have been working for ever since. I don't think people realise how influential Jon was in his day.

The last few times I saw Jasper Carrott at the Portsmouth Guildhall, his opening line would be: "Is Isherwood still about?” Jon is also featured in one of Jasper's books. I remember him being signed by The Beatles for their Apple label and eventually releasing an album on Decca- but particularly for his work with fellow folkie Pat Nelson.
Arnold Gutbucket, www.arnoldgutbucket.com

<<top of page

Climbing up Chimneys
Pat Nelson once told me that in the early 1960's he and Jon were the first guests at 'Chichester Folk Song Club' in the back room of The Hole in the Wall. They were heavily into Woody Guthrie at that time whilst the club was run by The Martlett Sword and Morris Dancers, so they weren't that stuffy?
We had a club in Petersfield which Jon and Pat always filled with their guest nights, I remember Jon taking his shirt off and climbing up the chimney.
Whenever he came back to Portsmouth, a network went into operation and all his friends from the past 50 years came out of the woodwork without fail.
I once had both their records but they were so prized both were stolen.
Paul Hawkins

<<top of page

A ticket from '65.
(Click image to enlarge.)

Folk in the Sixties
I was a frequent visitor to his various clubs in Portsmouth, sometimes to two clubs every week. I started going to the Talbot, I suppose in 1964, when I was still a schoolboy of 15 or 16. A very good friend of mine at the time, called
Philip Sibley, (with whom I lost touch many years ago) worked with Jon at an architect’s office in Cosham. I remember Phil telling me of this guy who brought his guitar to the office and had them all entertained one lunchtime - I seem to recall the occasion being that of Jon's 21st birthday. Anyway, Phil told me the guy ran a folk club at the Talbot (which was just around the corner from where we both lived). A group of us started going there regularly and I found the music really captivating. It made me want to start to learn to play guitar - although I didn't persevere until picking it up again in later life (around 15 years ago).

I remember not only the Talbot, but also the Oasis, the Railway and the Alma. I remember all the great names Jon had to his clubs, internationally renown people like Tom Paxton, Paul Simon, Diz Disley, Doc Watson- major UK talent such as the Spinners, Martin Carthy, Malcolm Price, etc. And of course, Jon and other local characters like Pat Nelson- and there was a guy called Phil Tree.

I also remember Jon's famous cigarette eating trick and his daffodil eating!

The songs of Jon and his guests have stayed with me all these years, and more recently now that I'm playing guitar myself (and have been known to occasionally sing out in a local pub or two) - guess what songs are my favourites ? Yes, the one's I enjoyed hearing Jon singing most weeks, for example, Wild Rover, Can't help but wonder where I'm Bound, Railroad Bill, Nobody Knows you when you're down and out (long before Eric Clapton started playing it!), San Francisco Bay Blues.... the list goes on.

I also remember the occasion that Jon showed up with his brand new Gibson guitar. It was a big talking point for several weeks after, being the
subject of much envy and also a few jokes! I seem to remember it cost the
incredibly high sum of around £200 - a lot of money in the mid 60's!

I have many fond memories of those enjoyable evenings, and of the music which, thanks to Jon, has stayed with me all my life.
Phil Pittman

<<top of page

Photo of the Jon's caricuture that hangs in 'The Elbow'.
(Click to enlarge.)

An American's Tale
I first met Jon late one night in Moate, County Westmeath, Ireland. It was near closing time and my wife and I were driving to Dublin to catch a morning flight out. As we drove through Moate, I heard music coming from Cochran's and we decided to take a break and go in. There we met Jon and Pat Claffey playing music. After closing time we sat and talked with them both for quite a while, and we made a note of who they were in hopes that sometime in the future we would cross paths again.

We were back two years later and dropped in on Jon while he was playing at a local pub. Jon told me stories of his time in England in the 1960s and of famous people he'd played music with or crossed paths with. He was an interesting character.

And the following year I brought my daughter, Shannon over to Ireland with me. She was only 14 at the time and alternately complaining about me dragging her off on this trip, and then having a great time in every town we went to.
It was our last night in Ireland and we heard that Jon was running a music session at Dr Cuppaige’s in the upstairs pub. We stopped in on Jon and I introduced Shannon to him. I wanted to leave to go to the Elbow, but Shannon saw people closer to her age at Cuppaige’s. Jon looked up from his seat and told me he'd keep an eye on her if I left her there. Now Jon had had a few pints by that point so I wasn't sure how good that offer would be, but I decided to leave her there for a while. I came back around closing time, but was locked out. It took a while to find a way in, but eventually I did get back in and went upstairs. There were people drinking and playing pool, and Jon and the musicians were still going strong. There must have been 10-12 musicians still playing and they were all in chairs arranged in a circle. Shannon was seated in a chair in the middle of that circle, and they were all playing songs for her. As I walked up, Jon looked up at me and said "I told you I'd keep an eye on her". We stayed there till past dawn as the crowd slowly dwindled throughout the night. It was a great finale to a great and memorable trip to Ireland. A few weeks later we received a copy of a Westmeath newspaper that Jon wrote a column for. In it he told of our visit to Moate. I sent Jon a stainless steel mug from my company, Chesapeake Bagel Bakery, with his name engraved on it.

I returned to Moate just last week (November, 2003). I had only heard a few days before about Jon's passing. Of course, I'd hoped to catch up with him on my visit. But I found plenty of old friends of his in the town. There was much talk about him. I went into the recently remodelled Elbow, and on the wall in one of the snugs was a caricature of Jon in a frame bolted to the wall. I took a photo of it with my digital camera. I suspect it will be there for a long time to come, as will the townspeople's memories of him.
Wayne Jordan
Fairfax Station, Virginia, USA
www.chesbagel.com

<<top of page

The Muddy Jug O' Punch
I remember joining a folk club in Chandler's Ford, guess it was around 65 - 68. The club was called The Jug o' Punch. To get to it you had to walk 200 yards up a muddy track, through a muddy farmyard, through a 'muddy' milking parlour and into a muddy old 17th C barn. The audience sat on bails of straw and, strangely there was a no smoking ban! And no booze - well only if you took your own.

One of the highlights of the year was the visit of Jon. I think he appeared with Diz Disley and perhaps Bob Ebden. I can't remember any of the material performed but do recall p***ing myself all night it was such good fun- the cider might have helped though.

I used to have the LP 'A Laughing Cry' but first wife won't let me have it back - Oh well.

Just wanted to say, wherever you are Jon, THANKYOU.

Phil Burner

<<top of page

A Change of Direction?
I can clearly remember my very first visit to a folk club. It was in 1969 or 1970, so I was 16 or 17 at the time, in fact I'm sure it was '69 so I was DEFINITELY underage for drinking (but "I didn't care, Oh no"). I eventually found the Railway Hotel, (we caught the bus from Portchester, The train would've been easier, think about it ... RAILWAY hotel??) Anyway, to cut to the chase, the man we ended up paying to see was, of course, Jon. I and my Companion for the evening, (my even younger cousin (female), from Lincolnshire), laughed our socks off all night, Jon really was a consummate entertainer in thse early days. I also remember Pete Quin playing that evening, and he actually inspired me to go on and learn to play the guitar PROPERLY, a talent which I still practise today, and for which I am still thankful for that first night in Portsmouth.

I remember taking my cousin home later that night, insisting that we hadn't had a drink, and being so "dis" to my father, who was rightly worried about his neice, that we exchanged blows - in a very small way- and for the next few months I had to sneak out of the house, not letting the parents know I was taking the guitar out, and pretending to be going to a friends' house, not the folk club!
All that because of Jon!!!

There may be a few people who remember those halcyon days and possibly me, and to them I say - Thank you all and thank you Jon!
Dave Barnett

<<top of page

The Dog's Party
I came across your website dedicated to Jon Isherwood, who I met several times at various folk clubs back in the 60's and 70's, when I used to play in a couple of folk groups, at the “Jug of Punch” and “The George” at East Meon.

In remembering the many gigs I saw him and Pat play, I remember they did a song called "The Dogs Party", which I always wanted to hear again but never did:

The dogs they had a party
They came from near and far
And some dogs came by taxi
And others they came by car
They went into the meeting hall
They signed the visitor’s book
And each dog hung his backside upon a separate hook.

One dog was not invited
And this aroused his ire
He went into the meeting hall
And loudly shouted “FIRE”
The dogs in their excitement
They didn’t pause to look
And each dog grabbed a backside from off a different hook

Now this is my sad story
And it is very sore
To wear another backside
You’ve never worn before
And that is why where where ere you roam
On land or sea or foam
You see dogs sniffing backsides
TO SEE IF IT’S THEIR OWN

I would be delighted to trace that song down if anybody had a record of it!

Ian Godden

<<top of page

Ann Gurd 1965

In and Around Portsmouth

The first thing that caught my eye on your site was
the Carolyn Hester ticket from 1965 by Phil Pittman's
tale. I still have my ticket and remember it well.
That venue (Oddfellows Kingston Road) also hosted top
1960s Rhythm & Blues acts like Graham Bond, Georgie
Fame, Long John Baldry etc. Visting Americans always
caused a great stir on the Pompey folk scene.
Favourite memories of mine are a concert at the
Guildhall with Josh White, Rev Gary Davis and Buffy
Sainte Marie plus the time that Doc Watson came to
town.

Jon was of course around all the time but I had a
closer contact. Around 1963 I started playing folk
blues stuff with a school friend Pete Gurd who was a
wonderful musician. His big sister Anne was Jon's
girlfriend at the time and he helped Pete to develop
his playing (especially finger picking and claw
hammer). He also enabled us in our early teens to do
occasional floor spots in places like the Railway,
Talbot and Star.

Fast forward to 1968 and Pete and I were playing in a
pop band. In July we released a single on Polydor in
the same week that Jon and Pat Nelson released their
single about Sir Alec Rose. The local paper did a
feature on the two singles which I still have. The
News thought fame and fortune were just around the
corner but I'm afraid they got it wrong!

Sadly Pete died just a couple of years later but I got
over my flirtation with pop and went back to the old
blues stuff in bands like Sky Is Cryin' and Reet
Petite and Gone so Jon's legacy lived on with me. In
the 1980s I also met up again with Anne (Gurd) Talbot
when we taught together at St Luke's School. I still
see her around Southsea.

Dave Allen

<<top of page

A poster painted by Jon for the festival.

Click the poster above to see larger image and more photos from the day. (Thank you to Nigel Grundy for suppying the images)

Grehound Gig

Find attached a scan of a flyer advertising Jon's 'Southern Polk Festival' at the stadium.  I knew Jon and was with him in the bar during the evening of the festival.  Very few people had turned up and he felt bitterly disappointed.

Here are some photos of the day.  A roadie from Gentle Giant (Who played at another festival at the stadium at the beginning of the month) used to stay at my house and began to roadie for Jon, but he didn't last long because on a couple of occasions he didn't pick Jon up, which brought Jon steaming round to my house demanding to know where he was!

Nigel Grundy

www.imagesafloat.com

<<top of page

Carrott at the Stadium

The smallest audience I ever played to was at a gig organized by Jon. He brought me down from the midlands to appear on his “folk festival” held at a greyhound stadium in Portsmouth. Hoping to attract a crowd of 15,000 he booked some big folk names, distributed 100,000 leaflets along the south coast, took out pages in local newspapers and built a huge stage with a paling fence to keep the crowd away.

When I went on, the first act, at three o'clock in the afternoon there were forty-six paying customers. Apart from six families picnicking around the bottom of the paling fence, everyone, including the acts, were in the bar. To Jon's credit, we all got paid and he was held affectionately in our minds forever after. The funniest thing to come out of Portsmouth. An alternative comic before they were fashionable, original, innovative and inspirational. He was much admired and will be sadly missed.

Jasper Carrott

www.jaspercarrott.com

<<top of page

Father, Mother & Son

Aah remember the three of them well! They used to (rarely) gig as a threesoem caalled 'Father, Mother & Son'

Aah wez lucky enough to have Pat & Jon as friends for a very short while before they left and when Pat wez diagnosed with his cancer it wez mooted to have his Memorial concert early with him as the headline - Pat thought it wez a brilliant idea but unfortunately it never transpired.

Colin Pearce (Half of 'The Pearce Brothers' who played extensively with the three of 'em) has remixed all of Jons songs onto one album and done the same with Pat's album too and aah am proud owner of both (vynil wore oot years ago)

When Jon wez 'musical director' at The Roundabout Hotel in Fareham he used to dee a spot and aah remember him singing "I'm being followed by a Brown Hatter", but it wez 'swallowed' not 'followed' and "I'm been followed by a warm ferret" - Never got him to explain that one

One week he did a gig there every night and was advertised daily as summat different....

Mon - Jon Isherwood
Tue - Jon I Sherwood
Wed - Jo Nisherwood
Thu - Joni Sherwood
Fri - J O'Nisherwood

Mrs P is an infant teacher and she's aalwez been able to play a bit of recorderbut one night at The Roondaboot........

Ish pulled a sopranino oot of his jacket pocket and played.... like an angel!!!!

Aah'd nivvor heard a recorder played that way - Like a REAL instrument - and Mrs P...? whey she wez speechless! She said afterwords that she'd nivvor imagined a recorder sounding like that - Absolute heaven! - It certainly lifted her game on the old pipe!!

Ish wez a mad, sweet, kind, lunatic, generous darlin' of a man !

Georgie Peorgie



<<top of page

Isherwood, Nelson, Disley

I have many memories of these three talented artistes.

Besides being a very popular turn in folk clubs Diz was a very fine jazz guitarist and a trumpeter. He also performed George Formby songs with a ukulele.

I once found myself washed up in London overnight and made my way to Ronnie Scott's where Stefan Grapelli was appearing. Already fairly advanced in years, Grapelli had performed at the London Palladium immediately before coming on to Ronnie Scott's, where his first set started at about midnight. I was delighted that Diz was accompanying the great man as he did so often in those days. I was by myself at the back of the crowded room and my evening was made when, at the end of the gig, Diz recognised me and went out of his way to engage me in conversation. He was a truly good friend and I should like to make contact with him again.

Who remembers the Jon Isherwood Arts and Music Centre at the end of Marmion Road, Southsea ("Free sherry to all our customers on Saturday mornings!")? Jon conceived the idea of bringing together his many talents, bespoke songwriting, cartoons, instrumental tuition etc to set up this business. He was also a competent (though not fully qualified, I believe) architect who was commissioned to design a luxury residence for businessman John Ladell. I believe the house still stands at Rowlands Castle.

While a teacher in an independent school I was given the task of publishing a new termly newsletter. Needing some entertaining material very quickly for my first issue I wrote to Jon in Ireland and suggested the caption for a cartoon. I also gave him the names of the school houses and various other names associated with the school suggesting that they could form the basis of a crossword. The task must have taken Jon's fancy because he sent me by return a super cartoon AND a good crossword using all the names I had given him.

Jon was hugely creative, multi-talented, a hilarious entertainer and very good company indeed. I later met him when by coincidence we had both returned to Portsmouth at the same time. We went on a tour of some of his old haunts and enjoyed a swift half in several pubs. The most memorable thing about this day was the very warm welcome he was given in every pub we visited. Everyone seemed to know him—even though he had been away for many years.

Going back a few years to 1968 I recall Alec Rose's single-handed circumnavigation of the globe. At this time Pat used to frequently write and sing calypsos based on the day's news and perform them on the local BBC television news "South Today" which was broadcast from Southampton. BBC telephoned Pat with the request that he produce a song to welcome Sir Alec home. Pat duly obliged. The following day Jon received a call from ITV asking him for a similar item. The two songs were later released back to back and sold nationwide. One lesser-known fact associated with this time was that both singers shared the same address—Jon was renting the upstairs flat in Pat's house.

On the question whether Pat was or was not a comic, I remember him as being very versatile. Much of his material, especially his patter, was comic, and he frequently reduced audiences to fits of helpless laughter. He also sang political songs and love songs, all of which were marked by his powerful sincerity. He varied pitch, pace and emotional impact to take control of his audience.

Diz, like Jon, was quite a capable cartoonist. The envelopes in which he sent his letters were sometimes lavishly decorated with artwork of good quality. I kept one such for many years and probably still have it somewhere amongst my papers. Diz was a carrot-juice enthusiast and urged Pat to include it in his diet during his final illness. Sadly as we know, the remedy was not sufficiently effective to save his life.
Pat accepted his fate with great courage and indeed telephoned me to say goodbye just before lapsing into unconsciousness for the last time. It was only this courage and good humour which made it possible for me to bear his loss without my world falling apart.

As has been mentioned elsewhere Jon was signed by the Beatles at about the same time as they made Mary Hopkins' name. For some reason Jon's dealings with the Beatles led nowhere, except to his composition and recording of the song 'Apple Pie in the Sky' which used a lot of typical Beatles effects. A footnote to this relationship is the cheque Jon received, signed by John Lennon—I believe for 7/6 (seven shillings and sixpence). I might be wrong about the amount though that is the figure I have in my mind. Of course the cheque was never paid in and for a time it was framed on the wall in the shop at the end of Marmion Road. I wonder where it is now—possibly with Toni or perhaps his sons if it has not been sold.

Mention has been made of Pat's radio performances. His later shows were broadcast nationally; unbelievably some were broadcast simultaneously on Radio 1 and Radio 2 from different venues in the West Country every fourth week. The one-hour programmes were compered by Pat who also sang two songs in each show. Immediately following 'Barn Dance' (as it was called) was a selection of recorded music hosted by the much-missed John Peel. One of Pat's memories was of John Peel starting his show with the words 'Well, there'll be no dosey-dohing on this programme—more's the pity, you might think.' Pat appreciated the way the great man softened what might have been seen as a put-down with the friendly conclusion.

How did I come to know all three? I am Pat's brother mentioned in another submission to this thread. I miss Jon and Pat greatly and would love to make contact with Diz again. I visited Derek Serjeant's club at Surbiton several times with Pat, Jon and Diz.

Michael Nelson



<<top of page

Jon & Dave Frampton circa 1955

The Skiffle Days and Beyond

I can't remember now how Jon and I first met up, but it was when we were both in our teens and had something to do with music and entertainment. We went to each other's homes and I met his father, who was a haematologist, and his mother, sister Mary and brothers Francis Jeremy and Nicholas. The early photos where Jon is clowning around with Pete Lloyd and me, and where we look as if we had hardly started shaving, were taken at my mother and stepfather's house in Lodge Avenue , Cosham. It started off as skiffle. This was probably the first group in which Jon performed for public audiences, and he doubled with singer and guitarist Wendy Coleman. The photo of us on stage with Dave Callas on the drums was quite a surprise, and I have no real recollection of where it was. We couldn't afford a double bass but had somehow come by a cello, which had to do. Jon moved on into folk music and I went on to play jazz and used to play regularly at Tina's Jazz Club (which then became the Bottle in the Wall Club.) I remember Jon's first business card was a bit congested, advertising him as a guitarist, singer, entertainer, architectural drawer, cartoonist and some…..

Sue and I have enjoyed reading the blogs. One story not told was that of ‘Isherwood of Arabia'. Somehow Jon took up a contract to work in Libya , I'm not sure in what connection but I think it was supposed to be for a year or two. All the clubs and pubs were told about it for weeks before he was due to leave, and farewell event piled on farewell event, complete with Bedouin paraphernalia. It didn't work out, we never quite found out why, but Jon was back in Portsmouth within about 6 weeks (I think), accompanied by a beautiful girl. Jon, bless him, never took time to worry about abstractions like ‘anti-climax'.

We migrated to Australia over 20 years ago and lost contact with him. It was interesting and moving to read the blog from Pat Nelson's brother Michael, because we knew Pat as well as Jon. I was at school with Michael (the Northern Grammar – Pat went there too) and for some years he lived a few houses down the road from ours. Michael, please get in touch with us if you read this on dsframpton@bigpond.com . We well remember Pat and Liz getting married and a fun time at the reception at the Queen's. You couldn't have had two more contrasting people than Pat and Jon but they had great respect for one another and were an amazing team, both being great showmen!

Dave Frampton


<<top of page

Here Comes The Bride

I was a teenager in Portsmouth in the 1960s and 1970s and have wonderfully fond memories of Jon and his black guitar, particularly at the Sunshine Inn, Farlington.

A small anecdote - I remember Jon coming in late for his regular spot on South Parade Pier when he used to play there and the resident organist struck up, most appropriately, "Here Comes the Bride" as Jon finally entered.

Please keep these memories alive.


David Finlay


<<top of page

The Apsley House, 2006

Fingerpicking

I got to know Jon quite well in the late 70s. I think his music shop had ceased trading then. Jon was doing a Sunday night spot in the Apsley, a drinking establishment I frequented at the time. I used to stick around for afters with Jon and the manager, John Ellison, whom I knew well. My word, those two could drink for England.

I used to do a few songs in the interval, just for fun. A little trick Jon and I used to do together was for one of us to fingerpick Freight Train. After a couple of verses, if he was playing it, I’d slide my right hand in and pick the strings while he played the left hand, then I’d take over the left hand too, then he’d take over the right hand as I played the left. I imagine it looked really impressive although we found it dead easy as we played it in exactly the same way.

Anyway, Jon told me about the Apple stuff and meeting John Lennon, who scrounged a ciggie from Jon and told him he’d be big one day – not as big as the Beatles, but big. The reason he wasn’t, according to Jon, came down to the demon booze, I suppose. He told me that he was playing a folk club – if I remember rightly I think he said it was in Woolston – and as usual he’d had a few drinks. A couple of people in the front row were talking while he was playing. He stopped and told them to talk later and got back into the song. Apparently they carried on talking, so he told them to shut up or he’ d piss on them. They carried on talking, so he pissed on them. It seems Jon invented punk about 10 years before punk. Apparently the next thing he knew he was bouncing off the pavement and his guitar came flying out after him. The next day his phone never stopped ringing with cancellations and that was the end of his folk club career.

I’ve never quite known if Jon was telling the truth – it seems so bizarre. But Jon was not your average bloke. Anyway, whether it’s true or not, it’s what he told me when I asked him why he was playing the Apsley on a Sunday night. And the Apple part of it was certainly true.

Later, Jon “managed” a hotel in Fareham – it was either the Roundabout or the Delme Arms, it seems so long ago now. I went to see him there a couple of times just for a beer and a chat. (I put managed in quotes because Jon wasn’t really the sort of person you’d hand over the keys to your cellar
to.) Shortly after that he went to Ireland, I think.

I’m sorry the last part was a bit vague – if I’d known I’d be writing history 30 years later I’d have paid more attention at the time - or maybe not!

I have to say I liked Jon Isherwood a lot. He was a talented folk club performer in the 60s/70s manner that made Billy Connolly and Jasper Carrott household names. He had many other talents too, for instance as an architect and in Chinese cooking - can you believe that? But most of all, he was a top bloke.

David Jordan


<<top of page