Wreckless Eric

1978 was a good year for music.

Street Hassle was released by Lou Reed as was Street Legal by Dylan. The sweeping and glorious Stage captured Bowie live. Eno unleashed Music for Films, I am not sure if 'unleashed' is exactly what I mean but it made its appearance on our shelves.

Kate Bush was featuring in lots of teenage boy's dreams......

Gary Moore joined Thin Lizzy - OK, perhaps not the best thing that happened in music that year but a progression in the excellent Mr Moore's development into one of the foremost guitarists of our time.

Following up the magnificent and ground breaking Horses (1975) and Radio Ethiopia (1976) Patti Smith gave us Easter.

1978 was a very good year for popular music.

And then there was the Stiff Tour in the UK.

The idea was a homage to the package tours of the past, different groups and artists all touring together. Not Hendrix opening for the Monkees this time, this was the recording artists on the Stiff label touring the universities of the UK.

Larry Wallis, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Ian Drury, and, of course, the wonderful Wreckless all on stage together. Chaotic, anarchic, often descending into the dismal but often reaching highs that remain unsurpassed this was a real rock and roll show.

The product 'Live Stiffs' remains ones of my favourite records. An unbelievable version of 'I just do not Know What to do with Myself' by Elvis Costello, it still brings tears to my eyes. (I often cry when I hear EC but generally for different reasons) The frenetic Nick Lowe playing 'I knew the Bride' supported by the minature but nearly perfect Dave Edmunds. The chaotic ensemble version of 'Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll'

Above all, the not entirely sober (was he ever) Wreckless with Ian D on drums playing 'Semaphore Signals' and 'Reconnez Cherie'. Where is 'Whole Wide World' you might ask. I have no idea, but when I saw the tour (twice) the live version was less than perfect.......

Now that was a rock and roll tour.

I am the president and founder of WAS. The aims of the society are simple, to ensure that Wreckless is appreciated as he should be and that everyone in the world owns at least one record by Wreckless. Does not seem too extreme to me.

The membership is rather exclusive, at the moment, I believe that the total membership stands at 2. That would be me and Mike who lives in New York. (Mike was a regular listener to my radio show that used to broadcast on a community radio station). We are looking to increase the membership. There is no cost to join.

The duties of members are vague but bearing the prime objectives of the society in mind here are a few suggestions;

1. Cajole, bribe or entreat all friends to buy one, just one Wreckless album.
2. When buying birthday and Christmas presents always give at least one Wreckless record to each person. My suggestion is to start with the first album (Wreckless Eric 1978) and then buy the next one the next year and so on. This means that you will not have to worry about what to buy as presents for 15 years (15 albums so far) and that is before the 11 compilation and various artist albums.
3. When meeting new people who may become friends or partners include qualifying questions in you initial conversations. Such as "How is Eric Goulden better known?" or "If your house was on fire and you could save either your infirm aged mother or your collection of albums which would you save?" (Note, this is a joke, of course, but do try it). Wreckless is not mentioned in this question. The main thing to establish is that the prospective friend has a proper regard for music. He or she may come from a deprived background and not ever heard Eric (yes there are poor souls like that out there).
4. Radio phone ins are a good way to spread the word. It does not matter what the subject of the phone in is you can always work Wreckless into your contribution. For example, if the subject of the phone in was fate the obviously quoting from Whole Wide World would be appropriate (There is a girl for you, she probably lives inTahiti). If the subject was, The Proclaimers, or Cliff Richard, or The Lightning Seeds, or Mental As Anything, or The Monkees, or The Prissteens, or Paul Westerberg then simply point out that they have all made covers of songs written by Wreckless. If the subject was relationship breakup and you have no experience of relationships (I believe that Mike has never had a relationship or indeed a friend since he came under the sway of WAS) then use 33s and 45s as you inspiration and let rip! The possibilities are endless.

I Sincerely hope that you will respond to my plea for you to join WAS.