On 12 July 2021, Watford Writers welcomed David Stark as our guest speaker.

Originally from Stanmore and Edgware in north London, David Stark started work for Premier Drums after leaving school, before joining Dick James Music, Decca Records and MAM Records as international press officer. He later moved over to the print side of the business, working for Billboard/Music & Media and editing such magazines as Sound Engineer & Producer before launching his own title, SongLink International, for songwriters and music publishers in 1993, which he still publishes today online.

"IT'S ALL TOO MUCH" features David's memories of growing up in the 1960s as a dedicated Beatles fan who was lucky enough to meet his musical heroes on various memorable occasions. From gate-crashing the Yellow Submarine film premiere in 1968 (aged just fifteen) and ending up sitting directly behind the group, to meeting all of them individually in some extraordinary circumstances, David has some highly entertaining stories about his many Beatles encounters which have never been told before.

As he says, “I was extremely lucky to have been in the right time and place to witness some of pop music’s most iconic moments during the late ’60s. Apart from gate-crashing the Yellow Submarine premiere (aged 15) in 1968, I was also at the Rolling Stones’ legendary Rock And Roll Circus film shoot where John Lennon played; watched Jimi Hendrix supporting The Who at the Saville Theatre in early 1967 with all the Beatles present; and was also there when Hendrix famously opened another legendary show in June ’67 with his sensational version of ‘Sgt. Pepper’.

“I was also present (and photographed) at John and Yoko’s court appearance following their infamous drug bust in 1968, and met them right up until they left for New York in 1971. I’ve also met Paul McCartney many times up to the present day, of which I have some great stories. I once introduced George Harrison to my mum at the Albert Hall, while another time I cheekily visited Ringo Starr with a pal to ask him out for a drink one Saturday night. By a mix of chutzpah, sheer nerve and luck I got to meet all the Beatles in person on many other occasions, and even received letters from them a couple of times.”

However, David’s stories don’t end with the 1960s, as he continued to encounter all the individual Beatles into the 1970s and beyond. He also knew the late Sir George Martin, who has his own chapter in the book, as does John Lennon’s legendary Aunt Mimi, whom David visited and became friends with just months after Lennon’s senseless murder in 1980. There are many other people associated with The Beatles who David has known or met over the years, including Dick James, Klaus Voormann, Bill Harry, Clive Epstein, Pete Shotton, Geoff Emerick, Tony Bramwell, Allen Klein, Alastair Taylor, Leslie Cavendish and others.

David is also a life-long drummer who plays with the Trembling Wilburys tribute band, as well as having played drums for The Quarrymen on one occasion. He was also responsible for the erection of an official Blue Plaque for the late Brian Epstein outside the old NEMS offices in London’s Argyll Street in 2014; and was one of a small group of fellow supporters who, in 2019, achieved the placing of a long-awaited Blue Plaque at 3 Savile Row to mark the Beatles’ final live appearance on the roof of Apple in 1969.

He is the recipient of a prestigious BASCA Gold Badge Award for services to the music industry, and in 2006 was inducted as a "Companion of LIPA", the performing arts school of which Sir Paul McCartney is Lead Patron.  "It’s All Too Much" is David’s second book after co-writing "Inspirations - Original Lyrics and the Stories Behind The Greatest Songs" with Mike Read and Michael Randolfi in 1997.

Signed copies of It's All Too Much can be purchased from David - details on his website.

Website:

www.itsalltoomuch.net

Finding Your Funny - with Pauline Eyre

Stand Up Comedian, Writer and Educator Pauline Eyre joined us for a very special evening on 1 March 2021. 

Pauline presented an overview of her career and how she entered the world of "stand up comedy" through a combination of training and self determination. 

She then led us through a couple of exercises that brought out our light hearted side as well as showing us the way of actually writing comedy. This included a ten-minute "limerick" exercise! Working in teams, the results were hilarious.

A great evening all round!

@yespaulineeyre

https://paulineeyre.home.blog/bloggy/

About Pauline

Pauline is a stand-up comedian, writer and educator.  Her first solo hour-long show, ‘All Change Pauline Eyre’ was supposed to tour in person in 2020 but is now online in 2021, because what else are we to do??  She’ll be leading an interactive workshop on comedy writing, giving you the chance to find your funny. In addition Pauline Eyre is a continuity announcer, actor, voiceover, antenatal teacher, fitness instructor, quiz producer/presenter, parent, tennis coach, arts administrator… basically she doesn’t like to stand still!  After years of being a freelance butterfly, juggling all those skills, she added stand-up to the mix in 2015 and fell in love.  It was as though everything had been leading to this.

SEMI-FINALIST Funny Women Awards 2019, 2018 

BBC New Comedian of the Year nominee 2018 

FINALIST Yellow Comedy Golden Comedian of the Year 2018 

FINALIST Colchester New Comedian of the Year 2016 

SEMI-FINALIST Amused Moose Awards 2017 (quarter finalist 2016, 2018) 

SEMI-FINALIST Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2016  

"Pauline's warm wit and honest charm has made her a favourite with our audiences.” 

The Poodle Club “10 out of 10” Giles Brandreth (THE Giles Brandreth!!)  

Tickets for Pauline’s own online comedy show on the 11 March can be purchased  here

 Our sincere thanks to Pauline for her time - a splendid evening indeed.