Phil relates that he played with Phil Ryan and the Crescents as the vocalist and with Gary B Goode and the Hot-rods as the drummer and guitar player. Both bands played at the Iron Door. He quipped
We were from Crewe, but were always welcomed as foreigners
He recalled, with perhaps a hint of reservation, that
Les Ackerley ran the club, I think.He also ran Crewe Town Hall, which is where he saw us play and booked us for Liverpool.
In reference to his days with the Hot-rods Phil recalled
"we did a few of the Allnighters in late 61 early 62 and the most interesting was
when pop singer Tommy Bruce came up north he used us as his Bruisers as a backing band. We did some good and big gigs that were way beyond our normal thing. One of these was a Saturday at Ashton in Makerfield Baths which was a big circuit gig. Straight after the gig we went on the the Iron Door to an Allnighter, arriving at about two o clock and Tommy went back to London. I can't remember who else was on but we did a lot there with The Searchers, Faron, The Big Three and Lee Curtis, as well as the Beatles. We were booked by Les to do every other Sunday with the Beatles in early 62, Billy Kramer doing the alternate Sunday. We only did one or two because our singer, Ray Jones was tragically killed in a shotgun accident.
It was with great nostalgia that Phil indicated that he would never forget
sitting in the upstairs dressing room with John, Paul and George sharing a can/bottle of Coke whilst Pete Best was chatting to many girls downstairs.
This is of great interest to those researching or reminiscing the old days of the Iron Door and the many colourful moments.
It is hoped that Geoff Hogarth will read this piece and perhaps comment on Phil's days at the Club.