The Portsmouth Music Scene

Alan Clark

Mick Cooper;-- Alan Clark, electronics repairman supreme. I am so sorry to tell you that Alan died last night February 8th 2021 in QA having been there for only a week, they found he had lung cancer which he was unaware of. He was a very good friend and immense help to all local musicians in a time of crisis when amplifiers and the like stopped working. RIP Alan. David Martin;-- Oh so sorry to hear this sad news. Rock Therapy;-- That is sad news he used to regularly help with our equipment RIP mate Ray Bland;-- That's very dad a great sound engineer. RIP Alan Matt Little;-- He fixed my Roland Cube with Marshall chips! Steve Browning;-- What sad news. He was a very knowledgeable and lovely chap. Phil Freeman;-- sad news indeed. Rita and myself send condolences to family and friends , and on behalf of "IMAGE" i say a big thank you to our "ampman" of the day, Always happy to help and advise , and share a story or three... Stanby Des , i think there could be a heavenly tour on the way.....thanks for the memories...R I P dear friend Ron Hughes;-- Sorry to hear that Mick. Another local hero gone. Ann Clayton;-- so sorry to hear that Mick, i know he was a good friend of yours. Connie Kym Everard;-- Oh my word. Alan worked on everything I have ever used. An inventive and brilliant man. This is very close to my heart. Andy Emberson;-- Thats very sad,a great soundman RIP Dave Hart;-- Very sorry to hear that. Alan was the go to guy when we had PA or amp problems. Robin Vick;-- Alan was a real gentleman and a fine electrical/sound engineer. I always remember the day when he told me about working with a famous US singer at the Albert Hall. He described in words that may get me banned from Facebook that the singer did not have a clue regarding elements of sound technology. That US singer was Michael Mcdonald. So glad I got to meet Alan. Gren Mayes;-- Such a sad loss a very nice man . Gren Helen Goss;-- oh mick, lovely alan, i’m so sorry to hear this. Love and condolences to all his family and friends . . . oh that’s so sad, i will miss seeing his lovely smiley face at the big band jazz, we WILL go again, we’ll raise a glass Roy Slyfield So so sad to hear. He redesigned my wah wah pedal and it was so much better than the original sound. pompeypunks;-- lovely alan, he probably helped you all in someway at some point . . . RIP Pat Teasdale;-- Sad news. He fixed a number issues with my AC30 and had a real passion and knowledge. RIP Pete Cross TRICORN CLUB IN PORTSMOUTH;-- Just seen on Mick Cooper`s pages that the PA man to so many local acts ALAN CLARK has sadly died in QA hospital . Alan supplied us with our first `proper` amp (a Sound city) at the Tricorn way back in `68 and helped me out with equipment and drove me to gigs when I first went `on the road` 52 years ago. He was a regular at South Parade Pier supplying the PA for the Talent Shows and was Des O`Connor`s sound man for many years. He came on Angel Radio a few weeks back to chat about Des and was a great guest. Very sad news indeed and condolences to his family. Alan Phelan;-- Sad news Pete,we enjoyed your interview with him awhile back. Steve Campion;-- So sad to hear the sad news that Alan has past away, remember him so well not only fixing my equipment but also many years Alan put new lighting and pa equipment into Specs.. My condolences to his family. Jamie Cross;-- Sad news , enjoyed doing the odd Des gig with him when Joel was busy , always helped out when my gear broke Peter Mitchell;-- Such sad news. I also met Alan in early 70s and he remained a good friend ever since. He was my daughter Talya's Godfather. I spoke to him just before Christmas and we talked about the old days. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace my old friend. Tom Kingsley Cannell;-- Very sad news ?? Very nice man and will always remember him at the talent shows and helping dad out numerous times. Rest in peace Alan. Geoff Bearpark;-- A clever man RIP Mick Eveleigh;-- A good man, sad news indeed, R.I.P Alan! Angela Roberts;-- How sad.You had a great interview with him on angel radio Pete. condolences. Talya Mitchell;-- Rest In Peace Alan my Godfather x Gethyn Jones;-- Sorry to hear this news - Alan knew his stuff. Malcolm Drew;-- Thank you for sharing this sad news. A lovely man gone too soon. RIP Alan Vivienne Pierman Awww how sad RIP Alan xxoo John Neville A very sad loss, Alan was a lovely man and helped me many times with my gear. He was always friendly and loved a chat, having much to tell. He will be sorely missed. Martin Nevill used as sound man many times ,and fixed many an amp for me,real gent R.I.P Alan Howard Honey;-- RIP Angela Roberts How sad.You had a great interview with him on angel radio Pete. condolences. Martyn Gale;-- A true gent of the sound world. RIP Alan, dont let Des talk you into selling his merch during the interval. Going to miss you. Claire Gasson;-- RIP Alan, fond memories of you doing the sound at the talent show at Southparade Pier Thereza Gale;-- The world has lost a true gentleman. Alan always had a kind word and a pearl of wisdom to give. God bless you sir, you will be sorely missed. Much love to his family. X Michael Moon;-- He was a great man and a very nice one to. Rest in peace dude you can do the sound again now for Des Tracy Day;-- R I P love Ben x

I beleive he was born in the North East? Newcastle? and came down with the navy to HMS Collingwood. The early days of ex Naval man Alan Clark`s entry into the entertainment world began when he and a partner ran a small tv repair shop in Eastney and also did repairs on electrical items such as radios, instruments etc. Alan came to our notice when we hired a powerful 6 channell Sound City amp` from him to boost up the Tricorn`s system which before was only used for background music on cabaret nights, and as it changed into a `discotheque` required more oomp!. Alan supplied equipment for me to go on the road 52 years ago. Being in attendance at the Tricorn Alan came into contact with many local bands i.e, Image and Heaven and so many others who came to use his services for equipment hire and repairs. A London agent required a PA system for a local Des O`Connor show and Alan was recommended who was now operating solo from his home in Widley having closed down the shop. This was the beginning of a four decade association as sound engineer for the entertainer taking in theatres, cabaret venues and holiday centres across the UK. Alan would often `home sit` for Des and his wife Jodie whilst they were away and often mentioned seeing the guitar Buddy Holly had given Des as a thank you for compering his UK tour. Alan also provided the PA for hundreds of acts at the South Parade Pier Talent shows and his tiny shed next to his home would be the first point of call for scores of bands, cabaret acts and vocalists in need of either new equipment or repairs. Another string to his bow was as soundman for the Dave Pearson Big Band on their concerts. He is known to have fitted audio into Neros and Kingsley's and for the Arnetts at their Some Place Else Club in Southsea. Biography by Pete Cross