Joe Morretti

Joe and I go back to the 2 I's days. The 2 I's was the centre of the rock scene in London in the Mid 50's. I was with a group called the 'Soho Skiffle Group' and played in London a lot. I would go to the 2 I's every weekend and sometimes in the week. Joe used to play down there with various artists but mostly with Vince Taylor. Joe was in his group 'The Playboys'. You can hear him on Vince's chart entry 'Brand New Cadillac'. Joe's driving guitar was a great part of that record. Joe went on to join Johnny Kid and the Pirates. His contribution to 'Shakin' All Over' helped make that record a top ten hit. Joe and I were good buddies for years and he was also a Johnny Mac fan. We used to play together in Joe's front room at Swiss Cottage. We were jazz fans and John was the leader. Joe's session career reads a bit like mine, he played with everybody. It was Joe who played the guitar lead on Tom Jones  first hit 'Its Not Unusual'. I was on rhythm guitar for that one. I remember it well he came in and nicked the lead seat, I had already been asked if I would play lead but Joe got there first and he played it. There was a lot of competition amongst us players, but never any real nastiness. Nobody got a smack in the mouth for jumping the gun and taking the lead seat.