HITCHING lifts in hotdog vans and supporting Status Quo - it was all part of the rock and roll lifestyle for Worcester band Aquarius.
Rhythm guitarist Chris Mann's eyes light up when asked about his memories of the Worcester band, which formed in 1974 and played gigs across the country until they split in 1982.
"It was marvellously good fun but a lot of it you can't print!" said Mann. "The memories are the various situations we found ourselves in and the camaraderie was the main thing."
Meanwhile drummer Steve Thomas speaks fondly of the time their tour bus broke down outside a hotel and they went in dressed scruffily in jeans to ask for water - only for a waiter to return with some in a champagne bucket.
Together with lead guitarist Norman Lewis and Peter Bishop - who started as the roadie before being 'promoted' to bass guitar and then also lead vocalist - Aquarius packed venues nationwide including Malvern's former aircraft hanger of a hall that was the Winter Gardens.
Playing disco and dance-based tunes from the likes of the Tavares, Four Seasons and The Bee Gees, they supported acts including Status Quo and Edison Lighthouse.
Last year - 22 years later - they organised a jam session for old time's sake following a chance meeting at Peter Bishop's 25th wedding anniversary.
And the members, now all in their 50s and from Worcester, enjoyed it so much they arranged a gig at the Coppertops in Oldbury Road, St John's, which raised £700 for charity. Another city gig followed shortly after, raising almost the same amount. Now, with their hedonistic days behind them, they want to put their bit back into the community by continuing to provide their services for free for charities.
Steve said: "We were really amazed because people remembered us and what we used to do but it really taxes the mind when someone requests a song you haven't done for 22 years," said Thomas.
"We've been there, seen it, done it, got the t-shirt and the deaf-aid and we can't repeat that - we wouldn't want to. "However we enjoy playing together and we thought we might as well do something that other people will benefit from."
Any charities interested in getting in touch can contact Chris Mann on 01905 451257 or 07906 874252. The band can also be caught at Heenan's Social Club in Worcester's Sansome Walk tonight.
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