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The Portsmouth Music Scene |
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Mick Cooperaka Mickey Morgan
As a member of the Gee Dee's. This name was derived from the initials of entertainer Geoff Davis who we also worked with for a time
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And just when you think it's all over, and performing retirement in 2007, a big surprise happened. As the Original Fortunes we as often as possible liked to do our own private recordings. and many years later I added them and many others to my web page. Cherry Red Records found thse ttracks and asked if they culd include them in a compilation 3 CD Albam and it was agreed. Here is te cover;-
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In February 2026 his ppearded om facebook much tpmy surpeisew,....... Le Pen's Post PORTSMOUTH Past And Present Le Pen MICK COOPER: PORTSMOUTH'S UNSUNG HERO OF MUSIC AND COMMUNITY As Portsmouth celebrates its 100th year as a city in 2026, we shine a spotlight on a man who has done more than most to preserve the musical soul of our island community Mick Cooper. For over six decades, Mick has been woven into the fabric of Portsmouth's cultural life. He has been a performer, a historian, a photographer, and the unofficial archivist of our city's rich musical heritage. From the dance halls of the 1940s to the psychedelic clubs of the 60s, from the punk explosion to the indie scenes of the 90s, Mick has documented it all. This is his story. ?? The Musician: From Local Gigs to Isle of Wight Legend Mick's musical journey began humbly at his aunt's piano when he was eight or nine years old. His parents hired one from Bennett's music shop, and though formal lessons never stuck, the seed was planted . After brief attempts at saxophone, Mick found his true calling in the early 1960s. "I got in with some local lads, music people and I said, 'Oh, I'll be your manager.' But of course, I was clueless," he recalled in a 2021 interview. "So, after about three or four years, Alan Price came out with 'I Put a Spell on You', and I went and bought a keyboard and joined up with the band, and it all started from there" . He joined the band Heaven, and in 1969, they played the legendary Isle of Wight Festival the second group on the first night, with Bob Dylan headlining the Saturday . They returned for the iconic 1970 festival, sharing a bill with Jimi Hendrix. It was a moment that cemented Mick's place in rock history, yet he remains characteristically modest about it. ??? The Archivist: Preserving Portsmouth's Musical Memory Mick's greatest contribution to Portsmouth began by chance in the local library. He bumped into fellow musician Dave Allen (of the bands Rosemary and Gilbey Twiss), and they discovered they were both researching the city's music scene. They decided to join forces . Mick took responsibility for the years 1944 to 1959, while Dave covered 1960 to 1969 . Together, they created the monumental Cooper Allen Music Archive a comprehensive timeline of Portsmouth's popular music, culled largely from the pages of The (Evening) News . The archive is a treasure trove. It documents not just the famous names who visited Portsmouth, but the local bands, the venues, the dances, and the everyday magic that made the city's music scene so vibrant. Mick's research is meticulous he records events date by date, building a picture of a city recovering from war and finding its voice through music . About seven or eight years ago, Mick had the foresight to move the archive online. "It started very small because I'm not wonderfully technical," he admits. "I have somebody that advises me and showed me how to do it just using notepad, so I've managed to do it myself, literally using notepad and adding photographs and whatever else necessary" . Every morning, Mick scours Facebook and other sites, picking out images to add to his growing digital collection . His website (michaelcooper.org.uk) is now a comprehensive record of over 100 years of Portsmouth music, with easy-to-navigate sections covering venues, bands, orchestras, and choirs . ?? The Photographer: Giving Local Bands a Face One of Mick's most important contributions has been his work preserving photographs of the countless bands that have played in Portsmouth over the decades. Working with Dave Allen, he compiled over 400 images many taken by local photographers Rod Taylor and Alan Williams into their landmark book, *Dave and Mick's Pompey Pop Pix *, first published in 2011 . The book covers the 1950s and 60s Portsmouth music scene in stunning detail: dance bands, skiffle groups, rockers, mods, folkies, and psychedelic bands. It includes unusual shots of international stars like Rod Stewart (photographed in Osborne Road, Southsea, and on Southsea Common before he shot to fame), Elton John, Pink Floyd, Bill Haley, and Sandie Shaw, all captured during their visits to the city . The original print run sold out in just 12 months a testament to how much the people of Portsmouth value their musical heritage. Such was the demand that Mick and Dave reprinted 50 copies, and they followed it with a sequel covering the Portsmouth music scene from 1970 to 1999 . All profits from the books go to local music charities . It's a perfect example of Mick's generosity: he pours his time and energy into preserving the city's history, and any money that comes back goes straight into supporting the next generation of musicians. The archive also includes photographs of posters, tickets, and fans, creating a complete picture of what it was like to be young and music-mad in post-war Portsmouth . Mick hopes that one day a local museum or institution will take on the collection for permanent exhibition . ?? The Chronicler of Portsmouth's Clubs and Venues Mick's research has brought to life the stories of dozens of Portsmouth venues many now long gone. His history of the Oddfellows Hall on Kingston Road, for example, makes fascinating reading . The building opened in 1926 and became a hub for music in the city. In the late 1950s, Reg Calvert promoted rock 'n' roll dances there on Saturday nights. It then became one of the city's most vibrant jazz clubs, The Rendezvous, run by Ernie Sears . Mick's research reveals that in February 1964, Ernie Sears reopened the Rendezvous at the Oddfellows and featured new-style R&B acts including The Animals, Long John Baldry, the Graham Bond Organisation, and local favourites Manfred Mann . Think about that some of the most influential British blues bands of the 1960s, playing in Kingston Road, Portsmouth.v The venue later hosted folk concerts in the mid-60s featuring visiting Americans like Bob Dylan's pal Carolyn Hester, the New Lost City Ramblers, and Paul Simon, as well as British artists Sandy Denny and the Strawberry Hill Boys (later the Strawbs) . In the 1980s, it found new life as the Hornpipe Arts Centre before closing around 1990 . Mick has also meticulously documented other lost venues: the Savoy Ballroom, the Birdcage, the Transport Hall, the Trades Club in Cosham, the Empress Ballroom at North End, and countless others . He has recorded the dance bands that played at South Parade Pier throughout the 1940s and 1950s Wally Fry and his Collegians, the Hampshire Dance Band Champions providing the soundtrack for a city recovering from war . When the Portsmouth Evening News asked readers if anyone remembered the Oddfellows Hall, it was Mick who stepped forward with the detailed history. He even put out a call for anyone who still had ticket stubs to come forward, hoping to pin down exact dates for later gigs by bands like Inspiral Carpets . That's the level of dedication he brings the small details matter, because they are what make history real. ?? The Community Man: Supporting Local Musicians Throughout his life, Mick has been a passionate supporter of Portsmouth's music community. His archive is not just a dusty collection of facts it's a living resource that connects people to their past. His website invites contributions from anyone with memories or photographs to share. He runs a Facebook group, "Pompey Pop," where people can post their own stories and images. He gives talks to local groups the Pompey Pensioners, historical societies, community gatherings sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm . Mick's own playing days may be behind him now he retired from regular gigging after his summers on South Parade Pier but he remains a familiar face at local venues. Before lockdown, he could regularly be found at the Barely Mow in Southsea, watching live music and supporting the next generation of performers . ?? The Author: Beyond Music Mick's contribution to Portsmouth's cultural record extends beyond music. He is also a respected football historian, having co-authored *Pompey: The History of Portsmouth Football Club * (1984) with Mike Neasom and Doug Robinson . The book is a detailed account of the club's first 85 years, packed with statistics, photographs, and player profiles . He also wrote solo works including *The Definitive Portsmouth FC * and *Pompey People * (2000). His research has been used in exhibitions, including the permanent Portsmouth Music Experience at the Guildhall, curated with Nigel and Audrie Grundy . He has contributed to the city museum's displays and taken part in oral history projects, recording musicians' memories for future generations. ?? A Legacy for Portsmouth 100 In this centenary year, as we celebrate 100 years of Portsmouth's city status, Mick Cooper stands as a living link to the sounds that have echoed through our streets, pubs, and clubs for generations. He has played the South Parade Pier stage, he has chronicled the Oddfellows Hall, he has photographed the bands and preserved their stories. He has given countless hours for free, with all profits going to charity to ensure that Portsmouth's musical heartbeat will never fade away. His archive is not just a record of the past; it is a gift to the future. Future generations of Portsmouth musicians will be able to look back and see the scene that came before them. They will know the names of the bands, the faces of the crowds, the venues where it all happened. And they will have Mick Cooper to thank. Dubbed "Pompey's Mr. Pop," Mick's work embodies the pride, resilience, and creativity of our island city. He has shown us that our parents and grandparents were not just spectators of history, but participants in a vibrant cultural revolution that happened right here on our doorstep. Thank you, Mick, for your dedication, your passion, and for making sure the music of Pompey will never be forgotten. Source: History in Portsmouth https://share.google/L52sQN2PLNIM2OZso Al Hazzard Hear, hear - a fine gentleman who has done an excellent job of recording all our misdeeds . . . ============================= Richard Martin Many thanks Mick for all that you have done over many years for the musicians of Portsmouth and surrounding areas. It would be great to see you at another event at St Cuthbert s in Baffins. ============================= Alan Fulford Thanks Mick, Your website is a brilliant record of all that was and still is a vibrant music scene in Portsmouth and surrounding areas such as Gosport. Being from Gosport myself I have many memories of nights at Thorngate Hall in the town, but mostly my memories are of the era of great bands and artists at Portsmouth Guildhall and also great memories of the Mecca, The Tricorn Club and many other great nights such as the Beat Cruises etc. Keep up the great work Mick, and a BIG Thank you from all the music fans in Portsmouth and beyond. ============================= Fran Harris Nice to see you again mick miss you at buckland club x ============================= Angela-Tom Marshall-King Pompey legend take a bow sir well done ?? ============================= Diana Shaw A wonderful read. Thank you. Bravo Thumbs Up GIF by Lucas and Friends by RV AppStudios, GIF may contain reaction, reactions, yay, thumbs up, awesome, bravo, good job, congrats, congratulations, smiley, you did it, congratulation, nice work, great work, felicitacion, you made it, smiley faces, rvappstudios, lucasandfriends and well deserved ============================= Martyn Neale A really nice man, ============================= Gary O'Donnell A true gentleman. ============================= Peter White Thanks Mick. It is great to see you recognized. Thanks to the work of Nigel, Audrie, Phil Freeman and Dave Allen, when visiting from Florida, my children and grandchildren have been able to visit the Portsmouth Music Experience in the Guildhall and see pictures of my band from the 60s. ============================= Jason Hill I am Jason Hill, "the guy on the autoharp"! =============================< |