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Maybe I Should'Ve Stayed in Bed : The Flip Side of the Rock 'N' Roll Dream
A new edition of this much loved and remarkable book, first published in 2000 (ISBN 9781900711098) Deke, paralysed by pre-performance nerves on the day of his first gig, refused to get out of bed. He was dragged out, frog-marched to the venue and forced to perform. This proved to be the first reluctant step in a lifetime spent in pursuit of the rock'n'roll dream. He didn't regret a moment, but now and again, sitting in the freezing cold, broken-down van o some god-forsaken motorway at three o'clock in the morning, he sometimes asked himself - 'Maybe I should've stayed in bed?' A prequel to Rhinos, Winos and Lunatics this book charts the origins of the legendary Welsh band Man. It is the story of Welsh tearaways saved from a life of crime by the benign influence of rock'n'roll - they bought guitars and formed a band, Encounters with Gene Vincent and Johnny Kidd fuelled their ambition and off they went in search of the rock'n'roll dream. They found it in the murky coal towns of South Wales. They found it in the fleshpots of Hamburg. They found it in the car park of Sandown Racecourse. It wasn't quite like they'd imagined it but, as Deke said, 'it'll do until something better comes along.' The book will be an inspiration for those who wish to become rock'n'roll stars, but have no musical talent to speak of.
- GenresMusic
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 10, 2019
Maybe I Should’ve Stayed In Bed?
The Flip Side Of The Rock’n’Roll Dream.
Deke Leonard.
Northdown Publishing. 240pp. £12.99
It’s 1967 and Deke’s band has just latched on to the flower power movement, leading to a name change. They were formerly The Corncrackers. Well-known in their native South Wales, they were having trouble convincing promoters:
“The Dream?” they’d say. You could almost hear them frowning.
“Not ‘The Dream,’ Tony would say patiently. It’s ‘Dream’. There’s no ‘The’. It’s not a noun, it’s a verb. It’s a command.”
Only one of the hundreds of anecdotes that go to make up this account of the quest for rock n roll stardom that was being played out all over the UK in the early 1960s.
This is Deke’s second volume about his life as a travelling minstrel, and is marketed as a prequel to Rhinos Winos and Lunatics, the madcap account of his escapades with Welsh heads Man.
Deke (really Roger, he’s kept that quiet) Leonard is a wonderful raconteur. His story, and those of a wide range of contemporaries is told with warmth, glee, affection and jaw-cracking humour. We’ve all been there. The publicity blurb accompanying the volume claims that the book “is sure to strike a chord with anyone who ever picked up a guitar or banged a drum”. For once, this publisher’s boast does not ring hollow.
A perfect main course to the starter that is Mo Foster’s 17 Watts.
As a chronological account of 1960s rock n roll awakenings, it’s second to none and includes no holds barred details of trips to Germany in the wake of The Beatles, residencies at a series of bizarre but believable working men’s clubs and US airbases, and showdowns with inebriated pugilistic youth at rural dance halls:
“There were only about thirty in when we started, but at least twenty nine of them were looking for trouble. The girls were worse than the boys. Farmers’ daughters were terrifying creatures. Strong-limbed and disgustingly healthy, they were more than a match for a soft townie like me and even a friendly pat on the shoulder from one of them could result in serious muscular damage. And if you f***** one, her cries of ecstasy were in Welsh.”
And so it goes on. Page after page of authentic road experience recounted in Deke’s forthright, hilarious style. And he’s not slow to put the boot in either. The monarchy, the unthinking right wing, school contemporary Michael Howard, religion and English rugby, along with individuals who have upset him over the years all feel the rough edge of Leonard’s nib.
Maybe I Should’ve Stayed In Bed is essential reading matter for anyone who has memories of those more innocent times. If you’re too young or were studying for the priesthood from 61-68, or if your parents refused to let you out to play with those bad boys with guitars, making you stay in to learn those irregular French verbs or study classical oboe, read this and find out what you missed.
You can almost smell the dust singeing on those AC30 valves.
(Originally published in Songbook magazine 2002)
The Flip Side Of The Rock’n’Roll Dream.
Deke Leonard.
Northdown Publishing. 240pp. £12.99
It’s 1967 and Deke’s band has just latched on to the flower power movement, leading to a name change. They were formerly The Corncrackers. Well-known in their native South Wales, they were having trouble convincing promoters:
“The Dream?” they’d say. You could almost hear them frowning.
“Not ‘The Dream,’ Tony would say patiently. It’s ‘Dream’. There’s no ‘The’. It’s not a noun, it’s a verb. It’s a command.”
Only one of the hundreds of anecdotes that go to make up this account of the quest for rock n roll stardom that was being played out all over the UK in the early 1960s.
This is Deke’s second volume about his life as a travelling minstrel, and is marketed as a prequel to Rhinos Winos and Lunatics, the madcap account of his escapades with Welsh heads Man.
Deke (really Roger, he’s kept that quiet) Leonard is a wonderful raconteur. His story, and those of a wide range of contemporaries is told with warmth, glee, affection and jaw-cracking humour. We’ve all been there. The publicity blurb accompanying the volume claims that the book “is sure to strike a chord with anyone who ever picked up a guitar or banged a drum”. For once, this publisher’s boast does not ring hollow.
A perfect main course to the starter that is Mo Foster’s 17 Watts.
As a chronological account of 1960s rock n roll awakenings, it’s second to none and includes no holds barred details of trips to Germany in the wake of The Beatles, residencies at a series of bizarre but believable working men’s clubs and US airbases, and showdowns with inebriated pugilistic youth at rural dance halls:
“There were only about thirty in when we started, but at least twenty nine of them were looking for trouble. The girls were worse than the boys. Farmers’ daughters were terrifying creatures. Strong-limbed and disgustingly healthy, they were more than a match for a soft townie like me and even a friendly pat on the shoulder from one of them could result in serious muscular damage. And if you f***** one, her cries of ecstasy were in Welsh.”
And so it goes on. Page after page of authentic road experience recounted in Deke’s forthright, hilarious style. And he’s not slow to put the boot in either. The monarchy, the unthinking right wing, school contemporary Michael Howard, religion and English rugby, along with individuals who have upset him over the years all feel the rough edge of Leonard’s nib.
Maybe I Should’ve Stayed In Bed is essential reading matter for anyone who has memories of those more innocent times. If you’re too young or were studying for the priesthood from 61-68, or if your parents refused to let you out to play with those bad boys with guitars, making you stay in to learn those irregular French verbs or study classical oboe, read this and find out what you missed.
You can almost smell the dust singeing on those AC30 valves.
(Originally published in Songbook magazine 2002)
August 15, 2011
A must-read for any self-respecting music fan, whether you lived through the 1960s or not. A much superior book to Rhinos Winos & Lunatics, with the added advantage of being more accessible to those unfamiliar with the Manband. Engrossing to the point that it became my bible for a time; that book that I'd take everywhere, and once I finished it, I'd just start again.
March 10, 2023
Deke Leanard's prose is just plain FUN to read! Unfortunately I discovered his writing/ playing after he had passed away.He comes across as a very likable guy and I would have loved to have corresponded with him.I have read both MAYBE I SHOULD'VE STAYED IN BED & RHINOS,WINOS & LUNATICS.MAYBE being about his early musical endeavors prior to joining the Bystanders & RHINOS is about his time with The Bystanders and MAN. .VERY ENTERTAINING with stories ANY musician can enjoy & relate with.I'm starting a 3RD book by Deke...petty sure I'll be reading everything he has written.
October 5, 2020
The greatest music book ever written. Funny, provocative, gripping, plus all the other book reading associated emotions in abundance. If your Welsh, a music fan or simply enjoy a funny tale or 10 this is the only one to read. The authors writing style is infectious - I read the first 21 chapters in a single sitting only stopping due to tears caused by laughter blurring my vision and the need for my asthma pump!!!!! This is grassroots music played by local heroes battling to make a living on the pub and club scene not a whiff of superstardom or world tours and just at the point of breaking into something good???? read the book to find out "what happens next"!!!!!. If you only get a chance to read 1 book this year or in your lifetime this is the one.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews