In the deepest recesses of my memory I remembered a Melody Maker article back in 1976 about a band who had done a storming version of “Love potion no. 9” with a remarkable lead singer, but I could recall nothing else. A bit of Googling and YouTubing revealed what I think is probably the record (which I didn’t actually hear at the time) and it is indeed a stormer. Apparently the band is The Mad Hatters, possibly with a Chris Gent as lead singer. Mike Batt produced it. I can find nothing else out about them though though there is another single on YouTube.
Anyone out there know anything? Surely with our collective knowledge we can answer the question, who were The Mad Hatters and where are they now?
Twang says
Here’s the record!
Gatz says
Mike Batt is quite approachable on Twitter and might be glad his involvement is so fondly remembered if you ask (assuming he has any recollection – he’s been a busy lad).
Twang says
Good idea. I’ve tried him.
retropath2 says
I was your tweet and was well bemused.
Uncle Mick says
Chris Gent, That would be the former Autographs and Blue Meanies front man I guess…
Rigid Digit says
1976 you say … not the Tygers Of Pan Tang version from a few years later
Black Celebration says
In that period there was a rich seam of alt-rock that appeared on ITV children’s TV shows like Lift Off with Ayesha, Supersonic!, Get it Together, Marc! and the countless shows featuring a teenage Pauline Quirke. In this universe, hitless boy band Flintlock were ever-present and The Arrows and The Moondogs had their own shows.
In and among these shows were guest performances I remember well – Rufus, Jigsaw, Focus, Bowie, Funkadelic, Nick Lowe/Rockpile, pre-fame Chas & Dave, Shakin’ Stevens and the Sunsetz and of course Bernie Flint.
When remembering such performances it is tempting to think these were all big acts of the time but that wasn’t necessarily the case. Perhaps Love Potion No 9 was on Supersonic! ? That would be my guess.
Alias says
Sky Arts have a programme presented by Guy Garvey, I think it’s called From The Vaults. It’s a collection of performances from regional ITV and has some interesting stuff.
Rufus and Funkadelic? I think your memory is playing tricks. I would love to be proved wrong.
Moose the Mooche says
I remember seeing an Osibisa gig on YTV in about 1983-4 – late-night, mid-week. It was ace. (Evidently this was during the holidays, which possibly contributed to the aceness)
Black Celebration says
My Rufus-on-kids TV memory is very strong – it was before Chaka Khan was known in her own right. I thought they were fantastic. It was a show with bands performing and they started and ended the show. They were miles and miles better than anyone else.
The Funkadelic memory is a bit more hazy I admit.
niallb says
@Twang the only thing I can find so far is that Chris Spedding plays the guitars on it.
yorkio says
https://www.mediastorehouse.co.uk/memory-lane-prints/mirror/0000to0099-00024/wendy-wife-womble-king-mike-batt-gone-competition-21259801.html
Wendy wife of Womble king Mike Batt has gone into competition with her husband
Wendy wife of Womble king Mike Batt has gone into competition with her husband. Wendy now is manager of top group Mad Hatters, a very well known disco rock group, Wendy is the only woman top group manager, ex school teacher Wendy has two daughters. Wendys group the Mad Hatters have a single released next week called Love Potion Number Nine, a disco rock number, while in fierce competition is Mike Batt and the Wombles single called the Rain Maker. September 1976 P017114
WATFORD
Mirrorpix
Media ID 21259801
© Mirrorpix
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print from September 1976, we see Wendy, the talented wife of Womble king Mike Batt, stepping into the spotlight and venturing into competition with her husband. Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, Wendy has taken on the role of manager for the renowned disco rock group, Mad Hatters. As the only woman managing a top group at that time, she is truly a trailblazer. Before embarking on this exciting journey in music management, Wendy was an esteemed school teacher and loving mother to two daughters. Now fully immersed in the world of entertainment, she is ready to make her mark alongside Mad Hatters. The anticipation builds as both Wendy’s group and Mike Batt’s Wombles prepare to release their latest singles. “Love Potion Number Nine” a vibrant disco rock number by Mad Hatters promises to get everyone grooving on dance floors across the nation. Meanwhile, Mike Batt and his Wombles present “Rain Maker” another compelling track vying for chart success. This snapshot captures not just an iconic moment in music history but also showcases Wendy’s determination and talent as she fearlessly takes on new challenges within an ever-evolving industry.
yorkio says
yorkio says
I’m liking their rocked up version of The Humphrey Song (written by Mike Batt), which was used to flog milk in the 70s. I even had a pair of red and white Humphreys plimsouls myself.
“With slippers with pom poms for creeping about… Watch out, watch out, watch out, watch out, there’s a Humphrey about”
yorkio says
If you were really keen, @Twang, you could head over to eBay.de, where a copy of a 1977 Polish magazine – https://www.ebay.de/itm/165888207221 – has a feature about a night out in Eastbourne watching The Mad Hatters supporting Showaddywaddy and Mud. At least, I think that’s what the story’s about. Helpfully, the seller scanned the story, which reveals:
“After finishing our chatting in the club bar, I joined the dancing floor to listen to The Mad Hatters’ performances. Chris Gent, saxophone and lead vocalist Frank Brierley, bass guitar, Ian Evans, drums. Mick Flashman, lead guitar and Joe Gillingham, keyboards and vocalist.”
Twang says
Great finds lads. Keep it up. The eBay trail is interesting to follow and I have thought about where there might be digitised copies of Melody Maker which would resolve it but I haven’t managed to find a good resource yet. Rock’s Backpages is horrendously expensive though there’s a service for looking up one article so that might be a route. I must look through my teenage diaries and try to get a more exact date, though it would certainly have been August as we were on holiday at school age.
yorkio says
Every now and then, I forget just how expensive a subscription to Rock’s Backpages is and absent-mindedly wonder whether it’s worth signing up. And then recoil in horror when I check the prices!
niallb says
@Twang The British Library has a huge collection of physical copies of the music papers, which you can go and read. You just have to register for a free reader-pass on the website.
https://www.bl.uk/research/#reader-registration
Twang says
Oh excellent, I’ll investigate. Thanks!