About Racey

Clive was so determined not to fail knowing the talent the group had, he persisted until he got another recording deal with E.M.I. Records. A single ‘Jerusalem’ was recorded and released but again sadly ‘Phoenix Press’ seemed fated, the single was deemed as inappropriate for radio air play due to the 7 day Arab Israeli war in the Middle East.
After these disappointments the band members went in different musical directions but Clive and Phil stayed faithful to ‘Phoenix Press’. They were later joined by Harvey Coles on bass and Gary Coombes on keyboards. Times were hard for the band, Gary Coombes eventually left to work on a cruise liner so auditions were held and thus Keyboard player Gary was replaced by Richard Gower.

After Richard Gower joined the group, Harvey Coles only stayed for a short while, more auditions were held resulting in Pete Miller’s arrival. The band had evolved through many band members and band name changes but eventually the four-some settled with the new name of ‘Alive ‘n’ Kicking’.

‘Alive ‘n’ Kicking’ built up an excellent reputation Country wide, they also successfully toured Germany & Denmark on a number of occasions; but were best known for making the Three Queens in Weston-Super-Mare into the most popular pub in the South West.

With their Beach Boy style harmonies and playing cover songs of Eagles, Steely Dan & The Beatles, ‘Alive ‘n’ Kicking’ were in great demand attracting audiences from as far away as Taunton, Bath & London; they packed the pub 5 nights a week; night after night for over a year.

During this time the band was not only working by night but by day they were writing and rehearsing their own material. Using their hard earnt money they hired Recording Studio’s to record their songs; the main aim was to get a recording deal.

It was at this time a fan decided to take a demo tape to London to try to track down Mickey Most, who was a judge on a TV Talent Show.

To cut a long story short, he found Mickey Most’s house & presented the bands tape to Mickey’s wife. The very next day a phone call was received from Mickey Most requesting to see ‘Alive ‘n’ Kicking’ play live.