Pete's Autobiography - Eleven through Twenty

Sorry this is taking so long.

- Brian

Eleven

First six months of 1952, U.S. jets from nearby base roaring overhead constantly...imagines parents out having glamorous fun...mother still talks about Christian school Pete was attending while with Denny as a way to keep him safe from wild London...by Summer 1952, parents realize Denny mentally ill.

In note, Pete says he has not told his mother about what happened at Denny's because "I do not remember what happened there, apart from what I share here."

Twelve

While Pete with Denny, mother has affair...mother later recounts she rarely saw father in early years of marriage...neighbor in Kent tells mother of Denny's deteriorating state...July 1952, mother and lover pick up Pete and return him to home in Acton...Denny comes as well so mother can look after her...spend summer with father and mother during his band's residency on Isle of Man...parents squabble but reconcile...Jimpy Pete's closest childhood friend comes to stay for several weeks...they use leaves and petals to play war games...biggest treat was to see Squadronaires shows at the ballroom...on Sundays band plays with visiting artists like "young Shirley Bassey, Lita Rosa, Eartha Kitt, Frankie Vaughan, Dickie Henderson, The Morton Fraser Harmonica Gang and a string of comedians"...Jimpy and Pete look for girls to ogle...after summer Pete left under Denny's care for short time while mother breaks off affair with lover.

In note, Pete says his mother admitted to him her affair and the admission was "the one single gift she gave me that made me truly love her today."

Thirteen

Mother and Father try to restore marriage and have another child in Autumn 1952..."Unstable reproductive system" in mother reason brother Paul not born for five more years...abortions may have been to blame...mother gets taste of Denny's craziness...Sept. 1952 attend Berrymede Junior School in Osborne Road, South Acton...back with gang and feeling safe...Denny moves to Willesden...parents buy TV to watch Coronation of Elizabeth II...TV allowed parents to go out without babysitter.

Fourteen

Sept. 1953, second year of junior school...mannish teacher Miss Caitlin provides first positive image of woman for Pete...Pete makes friends with Uxbridge Road Gang...Pete becomes "something of a dreamer"...Miss Caitlin steers Pete toward using humour as way of being accepted...Pete blames same-sex school for some hang-ups about women...mother demands Pete's friends have good looks before acceptance...father preferred misfits...Pete learns from father that, unlike business, all you need to make friends is unconditional love.

Fifteen

Father's record released 31 July 1956...Pete enjoys seeing father's face on ads in local record store...dreams of becoming famous and marrying beautiful girl...that summer on Isle of Man two teenage girls tease Pete before deciding which member of The Squadronaires they fancy. One picks Cliff causing Pete to exclaim, "That's My Dad!"...parents think Pete has little musical talent other than a 'thin, nasal, soprano voice.'...practices on harmonica...denied access to father's musical instruments.

Sixteen

Friend encourages Pete to join Sea Scouts...signs up for 'bunkhouse weekend'...father suspicious...outboard motor sound on river trip sparks musical and vocal hallucinations in Pete...arrive at hut...made to take cold shower in front of adult men as part of 'initiation ceremony'..."What followed needs no description."...Pete never returns to Sea Scouts...experience on river "fundamental to the way I listen to music, indeed to the way I exist as an artist and experience all art."

In note, Pete adds that what happened in the Sea Scouts "could never be described in today's terms as 'sexual abuse'."

Seventeen

Pete attends museums and draws fantasy pictures "to enliven my mind"...concocts wild inventions...sings in church choir...parents still doubt musical talent...visiting grandparetns, allowed to play Aunt Trilby's piano...Trilby gives Pete palm and tarot card readings...says he will live a 'large life.'...Pete finds chords on piano that cause the same musical ecstasy as on the boat...Trilby becomes first person to praise Pete's musical ability.

Eighteen

Miss Caitlin invites Pete to tell stories to class...performing for audience feels natural...passes Eleven-Plus exam, proceeds to Acton County Grammar...Summer 1957 on Isle of Man Pete and friend Jimpy are taken by father to see 'Rock Around The Clock'...Pete and Jimpy mesmerized, father says it "had some swing."...Jimpy, Pete and Manx girl Eileen hang out singing Elvis...both boys in love with her...Pete doesn't get Elvis...'Love Me Tender' made him want to vomit although it was partly jealousy over Jimpy and Elaine singing it to each other...only likes Bill Haley "about three months"...Brother Paul born during second year at Acton County Grammar...move to flat above shop on Uxbridge Road...own room if not perfect privacy...bunk beds with Paul...Jimpy and Pete see Bill Haley...in back with older teenagers...rickety building scary with teens jumping up and down.

Nineteen

At twelve start riding underground to London...Jimpy's father makes a very primitive guitar...Pete manages to play it, surprising Jimpy and his dad...Pete's father not convinced, won't buy guitar for Pete...Denny buys him guitar used for decoration on an Italian restaurant's wall...Pete manages to get something out of it before it collapses...Pete's father still unconvinced.

Twenty

1958, Pete hears his first skiffle song, 'Freight Train' sung by Nancy Whiskey on BBC television...learns that with a guitar and a few chords you could have a hit record...Pete realizes skiffle and other youth music will replace his dad's style and hence career...Pete delays joining the other side by playing banjo in an after-school Dixieland jazz band, The Confederates...John Entwistle on trumpet...Pete attracted to militarism of C.S. Forester's book 'The Ship' and contrarily to the CND ('Ban The Bomb') movement...first gig with Confederates at Congregational Church in Acton 6 Dec. 1958...rest of band "jive" with girls...Pete too poor with social skills to try...Bertrand Russell's apocalyptic speeches in Leicester Square...Aldermaston anti-nuke march passes Pete's home...Pete feels too young to join in, practices his banjo.