Doctor & the Medics
'Stayin Alive' with The Doctor.
SPIRIT IN THE BOWL!
It was thirty-nine years ago this month that British band Doctor & the Medics had a number one hit with Norman Greenbaum’s song, ‘Spirit in the Sky’. I recently met up with Clive Jackson, lead singer of Doctor and the Medics, in Central London at a music and entertainment lunch gathering organised by the legendary Steve Blacknall. It was at his famous Waffle Club Lunch in Covent Garden. Doctor & the Medics are very busy in the UK at the moment, performing at numerous summer festivals.
Whilst Clive and I were chatting over lunch and reminiscing about the glory days in the music business, Clive stunned me with his claim that ‘Porridge saved his Life.’ He went on to tell me that life back in those heady days, when his band hit the top of the charts in June 1986, was pure Rock n Roll. I knew what he meant as I have been in the music business since I left school at fifteen. He said he now has porridge every day. He prepares it every night and pops it in the fridge to rest. In the morning, he takes it out and pops it in the microwave; a few minutes later, he has the perfect Porridge.
Clive, who is originally from Liverpool, told me he often has this healthy breakfast whilst looking out across the Brecon Beacons in South Wales, where he now lives. He said, “The combination of Porridge and living in Wales has saved my life. Back then, in the 1980s, it was all about living the Rock n Roll life of excess. Now it’s about extending my life. After all, he doesn’t want to end up like a ‘Spirit in the Sky’, any time soon.
I have photographed them over the years. These live shots were a couple of years ago at Rock the Moor, in Cookham, Buckinghamshire. Only about 20 20-minute drive from my house, which was nice.
Doctor and the Medics are releasing a new album in the very near future. I wonder if Porridge will feature in any of the songs.
I would like to leave you with this little story, which involves porridge.
A man goes to join an order of monks.
The head Monk says to the man, "This is a silent order. You will only be allowed to speak once every 15 years."
The man says, "Ok," and so begins his time with the silent order.
15 years pass, and the man is sitting in the refectory when the head monk approaches and says to the man, "It has been fifteen years. What would you like to say, brother?".
The man responds, "The porridge could do with a little more sugar." The head monk nods in acknowledgement and walks away.
Another 15 years pass, and the head monk finds the man in the dormitory and says, "Brother, it has been another 15 years. What is it that you wish to say?".
"The bed sheets are a bit thin." The man replies. Again, the head monk nods in acknowledgement.
Yet another 15 years pass, and the head monk sees the man and asks, "15 years have passed. Have you anything to say?".
"Well, actually, I've been thinking about it, and I'm leaving the order. It's not really for me," says the man.
"Yes, yes", sighs the head monk ", I think that's for the best. You've done nothing but fucking complain since you got here."
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