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filipinadrummer · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:40 am Post subject: Strangest Gigs

In the early 70's the Cin C's band from Eastney travelled up to The Midlands to do The Worcester Show. After a few wets in the beer tent we were due to do a Beat Retreat.
There were several horse drawn carriages around the arena as they had just finished their display. We were on straight afterwards. Drummy Peever (Brian) brought the band to attention, about turned and after the announcement over the tannoy gave the order Quick March.
On the first three beat roll, all the horses bolted, frightened by the noise of the drums. In no time at all we were advancing into an oncoming charge as the horsemen couldn't control their beasts. The Horses and carriages were coming straight for us.
Brian turned to face the band marching backwards and was waving his staff above his head shouting Run!!
The Buglers were ok diving into the sides of the arena, but some of the band didn't see the onslought and kept going. Luckily no one was hurt but I remember having to console Jack Arberry and Barry Petit back in the beer tent who were shaking with shock.

euphless · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:38 pm Post subject:

One of the strangest gigs I ever did was when the band from HMS St Vincent got a foreign trip (wonder why no one else wanted it) on board HMS London/RFA Olyphus. We flew to Cape Town and then sailed for various ports in South America. We were chopper transfered to the island of Tritan De Cuna somewhere in the south atlantic to play for the presentation of the BEM to the local midwife who deliverd many hundred babies over the years. The only transportaion on the island was a Massey Fergason tractor and trailer, a sight to see of bandies in nos 1s. We did make a killing from first day Issues with the philatalists on board.

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I have decided to live forever..... so far, so good..................

styx · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject:

euphless · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject:

I think we were on board the RFA Olympus and the mail got screwed up with the submarine Olynthus.
Maybe us old farts are just losing it.........

Maybe mateloe Les can put us right!!
_________________
I have decided to live forever..... so far, so good..................

Pablo · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:25 am Post subject:

At least we are "Lanky" old farts Ray!

Eric Hayward · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:11 am Post subject:

Not the RMB I know but we in the RAAF Central band had some strange gigs. On one occasion we were tasked to perform as a Concert Band at the Royal Cairns Show in far North Queensland.
We arrived and set up on stage which was in the very middle of the arena. Of course when we started to play no one could hear a note that was produced so the powers to be asked us to relocate to an area in front of the members stand which we did. Now you realise just how long that can take. However we started once more to play but that was also the time for the cattle to parade around the arena. It was just as the cymbal gave a rather loud crash that the parade arrived just behind us, at the head of which was a 600 plus kilo bull being lead by a rather petite young lady. On hearing the crash of said cymbal the bull did a 180 and dashed back through the rest of the parade at a high rate of knots with poor petite young lady now in tow.' To finish off the event a very large irrate lady jumped up onto the rostrum and in a very loud voice 'politely' told the Director to "Shut The F--- Up".
There was quite a write up in the local press the next day.