Mike Atherton

Yes, Steve, I lived in the Fleetville area of St. Albans for some years. The label was designed by artist Carole Tate who was my girlfriend at the time that I started Fleetville Records. Financial backing came from a bloke from Bedford whom I remember only as Big Ray. The label's official address was 233, Canterbury St., Gillingham, Kent - I can't remember why, as I have never been to Gillingham in my life. Pursuing a hectic release schedule, we put three singles out in eight years: 301 (Eddie Riff), 303 (Ike Turner) and 304 (Harmonica Fats). Yes there should have been a 302 but it's a long story. All were legal and yes, Harmonica Fats got paid. By the time 304 came out I was busy as the U.K. importer for the Sunland blues label from Florida and Fleetville faded away. We sold out of the first and last issues but I still have copies of the Ike Turner, mint but water-damaged (they were stored in our garage and the roof developed a leak - the glamour of sho-biz, eh?)

There are a couple of copies of a reissue (legal, as the original came out in 1961) of the first issue on Cee Jay on eBay at the moment; also a couple of "keyhole" Chess copies, but both from the States.

Wanted: 'Barbara Lynn Story' and Wallace Bros. 'Soul Connection' on Sue. Will pay up to £100 each for nice copies.

Re Love Committee: I have a M- copy of the U.K. blank if that would be any good to you.