BWR: Before we get into the whole story, please bring us up to date with yourself and the other members of the band. What are all of you doing today?

ROY: Sure; I have three children, (two daughters and a son). I'm a signwriter by trade and run a small sign business along with my son Leon, (just the two of us) called "Roy Anderson Signs". The industry has changed a bit since I first started. My work it is now produced largely by computer, (vinyl cut lettering) so you don't have to be a signwriter any more to produce a sign. We use a computer ourselves, of course, but I love the feel of brush and paint on the medium to be written - helps to quench the creative urge!

As an interesting note: In the Pete Ham Tribute booklet, Dave Franklin states that I painted the 'panther' on my bass drum. This is incorrect, as it was painted by the person who I started work with, and was to train me in signwriting. His name is Terry Rogers, who is still a very good friend of mine today.

ROY: David Franklin, unfortunately passed away last September. He was the Estates Officer at Singleton Hospital, Swansea - He leaves a wife Jean, and daughter Claire. While working at the hospital, Dave was greatly involved with the flower arrangements on the grounds of several Swansea Hospitals - which was over and above his normal job duties. Our hospitals became quite a spectacular sight under his guidance! Dave's work with the organizing of the flower beds at various hospitals in Swansea, led to them winning first, second and third prize in 'The Wales In Bloom' competition, ( Hospitals section) on several occasions. David was also a member of 'The Swansea In Bloom' committee. Flowers took great importance in his life - his own garden being his pride and joy. In fact my last meeting with Dave was August, Bank Holiday 2000, where we spent an hour or so chatting in his garden...

BWR: I too, was sorry to hear of the loss last year of your friend and bandmate, David Franklin...
What about the rest of the band members; what have they been up to?

ROY: After the Iveys, David Jenkins joined a group called Ruperts People. They had a few singles in the British charts, one was called "Prologue To A Magic World". They traveled around in an old bus which Dave said was very cold, as it had almost no heating. When he left London and came home to Swansea, he joined a group called Powerstop. They were very good, as most of the group had been around for some time, and had released records of their own under the name of the Fleetwoods. They played mainly in South Wales but sometimes did trips to London or the 'West Country'. Alwyne Jenkins became their road manager. They also had a live session on B.B.C's "Radio One Club" hosted by Tommy Vance. The group had a brass section: trumpet and sax. Dave played lead guitar and sang most of the numbers; he was quite good as well. They played Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears cover numbers very well. When the band went to play in London once, they played at "The Cromwe Club" on Cromwell Road. This is where Dave and Mike Gibbins used to 'hang out' when they were living at 7 Park Avenue. I wish Pete could have heard Dave play, he would have been impressed I'm sure.

Today, Dave's a school caretaker in Taunton, which is in the 'West Country'. He took redundancy from his job with British Telecom as a foreman motor mechanic. Up until quite recently he played football (soccer - round ball) for a local team. His main hobby is his garden with water features; quite nice. Oh!, and he 'works out' in the gym... _{(from Alwyne Jenkins)}

Alwyne Jenkins has taken retirement from the local Government offices, he was a senior building control officer. His hobbies are golf and following the Swansea rugby team 'The All Whites' and watching the local bands with myself.
Recently, Alwyne and David's mum died, and the house at 171 Oxford Street Swansea, where the Iveys started practicing, and also met before gigs, has been put up for sale. It is on the Internet under Dawsons.

John Horrell, who still lives nearby, has three children (two daughters and a son). He is employed as a Human Resources Trainer (Engineering) for EWS Railways.. He does a bit of cycling in his spare time. He often comes out with Alwyne Jenkins and myself on a Friday night for a drink and look at the local music scene...

BWR: That is really great that several of you are still good friends and still meeting together after all these years. What about playing together? Roy, are you still playing the drums? And what ever happened to the 'Panthers' logo from the drum head?

ROY: No!, I don't have a kit Rick, - I wish I did! - In fact Tony Harris, an old friend, has been trying to get me to start a 'Shadows' instrumental style band up with him - you know, doing those old numbers around the pubs. When I called at his house last Friday, he had all his 'gear' out ready for a gig on Saturday night with his mates - really makes me want to get the 'sticks' out again! I do play a little bit of guitar (badly in my bedroom hidden away). I got really skint for money once, and had to sell my drums to buy a set of tyres for my car - 'Panther' logo and all! - I have never seen them since...

John Horrell does still play a little for his own pleasure. But Dave Jenkins doesn't touch a guitar any more - according to Alwyne.

BWR: Roy, I hope that you do consider Tony's offer and become involved musically again! Good for your soul! What is your opinion of the current Friday night music scene that you, John and Alwyne attend? Does it have the same feeling for you now as it did back then? How about the younger people that are there? Can you see it in their faces and in their eyes?

ROY: Swansea has always had a high standard of bands and musicians i.e.: Terry Williams - ex drummer with Dire Straits, Brian Breeze, and many others, and there are some great youngsters about. The one thing that Alwyne and myself are amazed at is the expense and quality of some of the equipment they are using - Gibson guitars, good amps, etc. When we think back to how we had to struggle! - We never see a band using rubbish equipment today. We really enjoy our nights out watching the bands - some are good, some not so good - but who are we to judge music today; we're no 'spring chickens'!

BWR: Roy, please tell me about some of the photographs that you have provided me and are shown throughout these pages, some look 'professional'. Was that the case?

ROY: The photos of us which include Dave Jenkins were taken by a professional photographer at his studio in Swansea, (D.J. Photography). I don't know how true this is Rick, but the story he told us was that there was a contract available to photograph the Beatles, and photographers were being invited to submit portfolios of their work to win it. So he invited us to his studio for this purpose, promising us copies free of charge of all the photographs - which he honoured. I am very lucky that I have some of these today, although not all; as a whole load of them were stolen by a girl from my car some years later. I thought I would never see them again, but fortunately John Horrell had a few, and kindly gave me some. Trouble is these are very old photos which unfortunately have been kicked around a bit over the years.

BWR: What can you relate about the Pete Ham Tribute that was held at the Swansea Library, June 2000. I think what Keith James and the Library staff did for Pete was just terrific! It looked like it was a really excellent evening and exhibition. The 'Tribute' booklet that was part of the show was also tremendous! The short pieces that everyone wrote filled in so many of the gaps in knowledge of those early days. Luckily for me, Keith James, Dan Matovina and the Swansea Libraries all agreed to allow me to post that project on my BWR page. Thanks for your contribution to the 'Tribute' booklet too; a very fascinating read!

ROY: Yes!, what a fantastic event the 'Tribute' evening was. I had a great time Rick, it was nice to meet up with Dave Jenkins and Ron Griffiths again and many others. It was also nice that Dave Franklin made it to the function; as he passed away just several months later... (September 18th). All credit to Keith James and staff at Swansea Library. They did a tremendous job! It was a fantastic atmosphere - and the wine flowed freely! I think everyone had a really nice evening. I visited the exhibition on several occasions while it was on, and it was always well attended - The Library sent me a copy of the 'Visitors Book' - Fantastic!

David Franklin	Roy Anderson	John Horrell	David Jenkins	Alwyne Jenkins
( Photograph by Keith James )

BWR: Thanks Roy for bringing us up to date on what everyone has been doing. I know that the rest of this story is as fascinating as well... Shall we get started?

ROY: First Rick, what you have presented here is fantastic!.... I'm absolutely knocked out!... Everyone is going to be so surprised when they see this over here.. I can't thank you enough for all the thought and work you have put in. I really never expected anything like this... Tremendous Rick....

BWR: No problem Roy, my pleasure. I really enjoyed doing this. The story of the Panthers is so intrinsic to the formation of the Iveys and Badfinger that I am glad that you contacted me about it.

Well Roy, take us back to those early formative days; Swansea 1961...

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