A CALL FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING
GUY STEVENS.....

I recently received the following message concerning Guy Stevens (Johnstons, possibly from 1957?). Perhaps some of you remember him...

Hello There....

Kosmo Vinyl is my name, although since I've been married my legal name is Kosmo Houlton-Vinyl. It is an unusual name for a New Yorker, as it was when I was a Londoner (1957-84).

With regard to your questions, I will do my best to answer but first let my try to explain "where I am coming from".

Guy Stevens was on of the key figures in the development of British rock music, and yet he is rarely mentioned. The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Small Faces, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood (Spencer Davis Group/Traffic) and many, many, others used Guy's knowledge and record collection as a source of material. He headed the hugely influential Sue Record label. He introduced numerous American Soul artists to Europe. Was very instrumental in the early success of Island Records. He was a key figure in the Blues Boom and revival of many a Blues musicians career. Produced the original version of Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade Of Pale". Produced The Clash, Mott The Hoople, Free and many others. Gave the Rolling Stone [album?] the title "Sticky Fingers". There is more but I'm sure you get the idea.

Why hasn't he received the credit he deserves? A combination of the vested interests of many of the people who exploited Guy's talent, Guy's own self destructive nature and the laziness of journalists and writers with regard to research. I have therefore come to the conclusion that if I do not tell Guy's story, it will not be told and he will become a minor figure of little significance.

1. I want to write the story of Guy's life and influence. I have no wish to make him any more or less likeable than he was. Neither do I want to exagerate his achievements. His knowledge, humour and enthusiasm were his great assets, but he also had pyschological problems and problems with his family. He became a drug addict (mostly amphetemines) and later a drunk. When he died he was in very bad shape.

2. I would like to learn as much as possible about Guy's time at Woolverstone as it was during this time that his passion for music developed. Who were his friends? What was he like? Were there people at Woolverstone that influenced him? Guy claims to have run a record club at school is this true? When he had success with The Clash in 1979 were there boys at Woolverstone aware Guy was an "old boy"? etc, etc.

Obvioulsy I could go on, but I do not wish to make this message too long. Hopefully, you now have an idea of what I am trying to do and wish to know. I'm not interested in being negative about Woolverstone. I am interested in Guy's time there, during which he developed from a boy into a very influential young man. Whether one likes it or not, Pop/Rock/Blues/Soul Music has had an undeniable influence on post war western culture and Guy Stevens was one of the key British people responsible.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards

KOSMO VINYL

Guy Stevens (Johns)... died 1980.. his Rock'n'Roll lifestyle outran him.. for those interested, Mojo magazine ran a feature article on Guy and his activities with Mott the Hoople et al, a couple of years ago.