Jack Hepplewhite AKA Mr Blind Pig presents...
Jack Hepplewhite • Published 31 May 2012 14:30
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I am currently in Leeds, on the road with the legendary DJ Derek; a debauched, bon vivant of unimaginable frivolous behaviour, poison liquor and girls of the night - what happens on tour, damn well stays on this tour. But let me recoil from the rule for one instance, out of public protection, and a willing avoidance of being pulled before Lord Leveson, I should divulge.
Last night, after successfully spiking Derek's London Pride with moonshined 20-20, he let me in on a long hidden secret, of epic dub-bass-line proportions. DEREK MORRIS IS NOT DEREK MORRIS AFTER ALL! I will allow you a moment to seat yourself before I parlay. Back in 1976, the entire 'Studio One' catalogue was thought to have perished in a suspected, yet never proven arson attack. Over 20,000 reels were lost. No evidence was found, but it was widely assumed. The truth until now, has not surfaced, and probably, as you read this, news agencies around the world will be scrambling to slap it onto their anchor, move 'em aside, Tony who?
One night, after sweeping up the used joint butts, beer bottle tops and broken lead from many a sketched musical chart that day, Studio One caretaker Leroy Stubbs, a native 30-year-old dreadlocked Jamaican, living with his extended family in a small shack in Trenchtown, bored of his meagre existence, and mounting debt concocted, what has been so far, a flawless plan. One which would change his life forever, and lay secret for 38 years.
Shortly after the fall of darkness, on a relatively mild evening for Jamaican standards; Leroy smuggled almost the entirety of the studio's original reel recording into a waiting get away vehicle. Next, setting the remainder of the highly flammable tape reels alight, he left, hinting evidence towards an electrical problem, burning Clement 'Coxsone' Dodds' famed building to the ground. Leroy then fled to the UK, under the then favourable immigration laws. After extensive plastic and vocal surgery he surfaced as a very English, caucasian, Bristolian ex-accountant and, with his arsenal of music set about becoming one of the most loved cult DJs of the next 40 years. He needed a name? The rest is history. Hear more on the story, and Derek, on BBC Radio 4 this Friday at 11am if you don't believe me.
Lively up yourself and catch him on his Reading stop on his birthday tour as he swings into the Oakford Social Club, Friday, June 15, with yours truly.
This article appeared in Local Berkshire 31 May 12
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