TRIBUTE 2 TROJAN 

Carl Edwardes, born 1947 real name David S.J.Cook, commenced working as a Professional Disc Jockey in 1964, where he and three other friends started a sound system called The TM Sound, this included Ronnie Payne, and David Keeble.(His brother in law)

 

The equipment used was very basic. The home record players were stripped of their turntables and linked to a small valve amplifier (50 watts). Playing at mostly YMCA and other Youth Clubs in the London area. Small pubs, and society parties.

 

In 1966, Carl, and David Keeble broke away and started their own sound system. Carl became the Mc and David concentrated on the choice of the records to play, and mixing the discs, whilst Carl interacted with the audiences.

(Developing his inter personel skills)

 

Carl was expected to appear under a number of different names becuse the promoters wouldn't change their posters and other advertising.

 

During the 1967 Summer of Love, they played at the Ship Hotel, in New Romney, replacing a local lad that put money into a Juke Box.

 

Their reputation of playing new Imported records from America made the venue the place to go!. A frequent visitor to the venue was Jimmy Hendrix, whom along with other band members stayed at a small house at Greatstone. Carl became very friendly with Jimmy, and he was to go on and appear with Hendrix at a number of Venues in the UK. Including the Bromel Club. The California Ballroom and Sgt Peppers in Majorca. Carl also visited America and made the trip to Woodstock, where he stood backstage when Hendrix made his unannouched appearance at the show.

 

Carl broke away on his own in early 1968, and built a 5000 watt public address system that was most popular with the larger venues, American Airforce Bases and the Universities. Appearing with hundreds of established artistes, Bands and small groups. Using the following amplification, Vox, Vamp and WEM. Speakers Vamp, WEM and SELMER Goliaths. 

http://www.california-ballroom.info

 

Appearing at:

The Top Rank Ballroom, Croydon, The Scene Hot Croydon, The Star Hotel Croydon, The Tigers Head Lee, The Bull East Sheen, The Crystal Palace Hotel, The Bromel Club Bromley, Chislehurst Caves, The Wellcome Inn Eltham, The Dutch House Sidcup, The Black Prince Bexley, The Swan Crystal Palace, Hatchets London, The Val Bon London, The St Moritz Club London, The London Appolo North London, The Bon Bonne Brixton, The Tigers Head Bellingham, The Northover Downham, The Southover Bellingham, The Fox Palmers Green, The Drum Club Penge, The Bal Tabrin Downham. The California Ballroom Dunstable, and hundreds of other smaller veneues throughout the UK.

Music Genre.Originally playing hits of the day.

 

After travelling around the UK watching the Motown review and befriending Florance Ballard of the Supremes the choice of music to play and promote Motown and the Soul Sound.

 

Becoming a great influence in introducing Bluebeat and Reggae to a number of UK clubs working closely with the Trojan, Island, Bell and Pama record ompanies. Contributed to B&C record companies monthly newsletter ( The Bugle)

 

 

 

Married in 1972 and was asked by his father in law to get a proper Job. albeit Carl had successfuly passed a number of radio auditions. Worked in the City of London for International Trading Houses, and a Merchant Bank, where he was promoted to A-dir'

Travelling the world nd mixing with the rich and famous, also spent a period of time in Asia (Cambodia) acting as a engineering consultant in an humanitarian  capacity, where he was injured. in 1975.

 

Divorded in 1983, he spent a number of years travelling the world, where he met with recording artists and developed relationships where he encouraged them to visit the UK.

 

Celebrated his 40th anniversay show in 2004 at Jumping Jaks in Dunstable. (Which proved to be a finacial loss for him as Edwin Starr was to be booked well in advance to appear, however, Edwin died the previous year, the date was to be covered by Edwin's son; whom at short notice pulled out because of other commercial advatage.)

 

The celebration for Carl continued with a number of well known DJ's turned up to apper with Carl. the DJs ranged from Club to Radio, including Roger Twiggy Day an old Caroline Radio DJ.

 

The Band was the original backing for Edwin Starr, on this occassion was fronted by Roy Hemmings (The Drifters).

 

The venue ofered the show as an alldayer which was held on the May bank holiday.(which turned out to be the hottest day of the year, affecting attendance, however, the show still went ahead)

 

It was reported that (unfortunately unsubstantiated) people were turned away by some local rumours that the event had been cancelled. 

 

Carl is still working and his style has become more orinentated towards the Northern Soul Scene, however, other show styles include the Club Classics, Trojan Tribute, Back to the 60's, One of the few DJ's that still uses the original Vinyl formats. But prefering the more modern digital formats