Chronicles of Alan; Tribute to a Friend

I have mentioned in other posts that I am back staying in 3 Sage St. Florida Park , My Parent's first self-owned house. Built in 1960 to house 6 Children and themselves . At that time I attended Florida Park High School , which is half a block from this house , so "Missed the Bus" or the "Train was Late" did not work as excuses.( not for lack of trying) . It was at this School a few years later, that I met Greg P, and at this house that we bunked Cadets ( Wednesdays ,as I recall.) My Dad had also built a Home-Made HiFi System ( Valve of Course) which was really hard to find anything as good .
With our shared interest in Music we spent a lot of time putting this system through its paces. We often went to the local sessions together, and remained firm friends ,As we finished School , I started working prior to going to the army. ( see my Army Days blogs). On Weekends. with the few passes I got we would go to some or other club . One thing I never mentioned in my Army Days, was My Dad gave me a Nash Rambler Station-wagon , and Greg came back with me to Bloemfontein in it. I left the car with him ,in no time he was staying with some feminine types , and managed to drive the Nash into a pavement, altering the front suspension somewhat! I had blisters on my hands when I drove it back to JHB, everytime you hit a bump it would attempt to go up onto 2 wheels!

As soon as I got out the Army , Greg was called up to Potchefstroom , and on a Pass he introduced me to Kevin G. P, just getting out of the Army, who also turned out to be a real Good Guy , and like Greg , have been friends with through all these years.

Greg had been playing in several bands and joined an English band called the Upsetters as their Drummer, first time I had ever heard a fuzzbox. They stayed in a huge house in JHB with the A-Cads, another really good band.
I bought a Jaguar SS 3.5 Saloon 1948 Model , and Greg and I would take turns at being the Chauffeur .

We then decided to seek fame and fortune at the coast, and I, stupidly , swapped the Jaguar to a friend of My Dad's for an Ariel 250 to go on this adventure:-

https://steemit.com/rockstar/@gavvet/chronicles-of-alan-so-you-want-to-be-a-rockstar-bike-nut

We also worked together in a Record store located in the huge old OK Bazaars building in Eloff Street Johannesburg

When Chris and myself got engaged Greg was working at a Jewellery Store in Eloff Street and we obtained our rings from Him.
It is funny really, that when one gets married , there are more friends and family, life happens and one does not keep in touch near as regularly. Greg went to the coast, we made contact , when on holiday.

I remember Greg inviting me to Roxy's when Roots was in full swing , where he introduced me to Petro. Hi Alan, meet Piet ( unusual Girl's name) . When the Band hit the Stage , I asked why Piet?. I have never forgotten her answer, "How would you like to be called Petronella?"

Roots was one of the Best Bands I ever heard , playing all the old time Blues Classics, and youngsters asking them " Who writes your Material? " Go Figure!
Roots opened for Status Quo when they came to Sun City And Status were very impressed with them, asking where they performed?

End result , some of the Status members came to Roxy's, and said to the Lady at the Door , " Were from Status Quo , can we get in Please?" reply "And I'm Tina Turner, you're paying to get in" . Money can't buy stories like this.

We have stayed in contact erratically, I organised him monitor speakers for his Studio and later a Bass Guitar for his Son.

A few months ago Greg, very excited about his new project , asked if I would do the sound for them?, which I readily agreed to. In addition as I am booking the Acts for The Bohemian club discussed him performing there , which he was excited to do.
As I have had some bouts with Cancer, Greg called me and said they have found a growth in him, said he needed to get the results, and told him about a website that has a lot of useful info. Called me back to say it was non-cancerous , big relief.
Told me he was going into Hospital to have some polyps removed , minor operation.
Could not believe it when Petro called me on the 5th and told me that they had found a bigger mass and that he was not coming around.
I got on My Daughters Motorcycle , rode To Sunninghill Hospital , only to find he was in Trauma ICU, I stayed there quite a while before they would let me in. Walked up to him and said "Greg" , his eyes were open and I saw them go into focus for maybe, one second and then not really seeing anything. I was extremely upset to hear that he had gone the way of this world last Thursday Night . My Good , Honest, Big-Hearted Friend. Till we meet Again, Farewell!