TONY FERNANDEZ:  Talks about the 50th…and more with Aaron Badgley & Judi Cuervo

TONY FERNANDEZ:  Talks about the 50^th…and more!

 

As the 50th Anniversary of the brilliant Strawbs fast approaches, we are very lucky to have the chance to ask some questions to drummer extraordinaire, Tony Fernandez. Tony first joined the Strawbs lineup in 1977 and drummed for the band until their hiatus in 1980. He returned to the fold in 2012, and then returned in 2014 and has been their drummer since.  Correspondents Judi Cuervo and Aaron Badgley were able to put some questions to Tony.

 

You appeared at Strawbs’ 40th Anniversary Weekend at Twickenham but I understand that while you attended the 30th Anniversary you were unable to play because there was no time to set up a left-handed drum kit!   What are you looking forward to for the 50th–aside from a left-handed drum kit, of course?

 

I was indeed present at the Strawbs 30th and for various reasons it was not possible to put up another kit for me or time between musical sets to switch the existing one around and back again. I did, however, get on stage during the encore and make my backing vocal debut!

 

The 40th Anniversary at Twickenham was an excellent weekend of music and socialising. Great to see and work with so many people from Strawbs, past and present. I played within various lineups but the personal highlight for me was the performance of the Heartbreak Hill album with the original personnel that made the album–probably the one and only time that it will ever be performed live. That album sadly never got the exposure it deserved for various reasons – which was a terrible shame given the input and creativity that went into its making. Some great writing and performances from all concerned!

 

The 50th is going to be a very special event. Not many bands survive that length of time to celebrate such a thing, and Strawbs have not only survived but have continued evolving through the years and still are! The music never stands still which is why it is such a joy to be involved in such a continually progressing musical project.

 

The 50th line up is looking like a “who’s who” of great performers and I look forward to working with nearly all of them – as at the moment I am the only drummer on board!!!

Lots of new songs for me to learn before the event and I have already started work on this. Many hours have been spent in my drum room charting out and playing along to the “Grave New World” album, various tracks from the Intergalactic Touring Band and other past Strawbs albums. I love a challenge!

 

 

Almost as much as your association with Strawbs, you’re known for your association with Rick Wakeman and have played with him since 1975, including on Six Wives of Henry VIII.  Rick left Strawbs in 1971 and you joined the band in 1977. How did you and Rick connect—with so much time between your Strawbs stints, I’m assuming it wasn’t through the band.

 

I started working with Rick in 1975 and by this time Rick had completed and released the Six Wives and Journey to the Centre of the Earth albums and was just doing the final mixing of the King Arthur album, so I did not play on these three original recordings. Since then however, we have made a remake of both Journey and King Arthur  – and the Six Wives was performed live at Hampton Court Palace complete with orchestra, choir and an eight piece band which is also available on CD and DVD!

 

Since those very early days I have been involved in countless tours and recordings with Rick – from studio albums to live albums, film scores and TV show music.  I met with Rick through an audition. I had been touring America with another English band and the keyboard player with us at the time was a good friend of the guys in Rick’s band. He knew that they were looking for another drummer and put my name forward. The audition was arranged and I did my “homework” before getting there, only for Rick to decide we would do one or two completely different pieces that I had not even listened to! Somehow I got through these and was offered the job immediately afterwards while we were all in the local pub. This is an association that has continued for a very, very long time and I really do look forward to working with him again at the 50th within a Strawbs line-up!

 

I love the fact that you’re a fan as well as a musician.  I recall you arriving at the Moody Blues Cruise in 2016 toting a few aging Vanilla Fudge LPs to have autographed by Carmine Appice since the band was appearing on the cruise.   I understand Carmine is among your all-time favorite drummers—what is it about his style that appeals to you?

 

I will always be a music fan, particularity of the music that all those years ago changed my way of thinking about how music could be. I was completely drawn to music that pushed the boundaries. We now call it “prog rock” but back then it was just different. Bands like Vanilla Fudge, Yes, Nice, Spooky Tooth and so many others. I was a regular at the “Middle Earth” club in Covent Garden in London and witnessed some fantastic shows there. Different bands would play all night from 11pm to 6am. Even now some of my favourite music is from bands that go off on a tangent – like “Avenged Sevenfold, Audioslave, System of a Down, 30 Seconds to Mars and Muse. Music is uplifting for the soul, particularly when played LOUD!

 

Back to the question though:  I heard the single “You Keep Me Hanging On” by Vanilla Fudge and was completely blown away by it. Fudge came to London shortly afterwards and played at one of the “Sunday Night at the Saville” shows in central London as support for The Who. I was there for that show and The Fudge made the evening their own–they were just brilliant! The Who did not have a chance. I left long before the end of The Who’s set and went to the late-night record store in London’s West End, bought the Fudge album, took it home and played it continuously throughout that night until daylight!

 

Carmine’s drumming was a revelation at the time–such power, speed and invention. I had never heard anyone play quite like it before and I remain a Carmine fan until this day! The album that I took with me for Vanilla Fudge to sign on the cruise is now framed and has a place on my living room wall alongside a picture of me and Carmine! It took all those years to finally meet one of my lifetime favourite bands.

 

 

You always have such a cheerful, optimistic attitude.  What’s the secret to remaining upbeat and positive in such a challenging profession?

 

It can be a challenging profession at times but as I said in an earlier answer, I just love a challenge! I feel very privileged to have been able to do something I love for all these years and actually make a career out of it. Music becomes a part of you and there is nothing you can do to change that and I would not want to! The answer to the rest of the question then becomes obvious doesn’t it? There is no secret, I enjoy what I do and gain great satisfaction from it, so why be anything else other than upbeat?

 

 

You and your lovely wife Jackie live in Portugal.  How on earth did that happen??  And does living outside of the UK present any problems in terms of touring and recording?

 

Portugal came about because we visited it on holiday way back in 1997 and fell in love with the place, particularly the Algarve. After that we would holiday once or twice a year there regularly. The seed was sown within us both that it would be wonderful place to spend more time and so we moved towards doing that. It does sometimes make things a bit awkward as I cannot just be available to do an odd gig or session here or there as I used to do. Things just need to be planned more! When I finally hang up my sticks in a frame on the wall and put the drum kit in a glass case never to be used again you will find me somewhere on the Algarve sipping a cold beer at a beach bar in the sunshine and warmth of an Algarve sunset. There is no better place to be–wonderful!

 

You are now part of the 50th anniversary of the Strawbs, what does that mean to you?

 

Once again the word “privileged” comes up, because that is how I will feel to be involved in this celebration. I have always enjoyed playing Strawbs’ music and to be such an active part in this 50th anniversary with so many members and collaborators from past line-ups will be very special for me.

 

I really feel this will be something to remember for all musicians involved and for everybody who can be there to witness the event.

Not long now!

 

 

You have toured with the Strawbs and recorded as part of the band, how have things changed since you have been with the Strawbs?

 

Many changes in personnel of course through the years, and with each change something fresh seems to arrive to keep the music alive! Other than that most of our operational, touring and recording methods remain the same, but the music progresses!

 

Favourite memory?

 

Wow………that is a difficult one – but a few moments spring to mind:

 

First time playing Madison Square Gardens with Rick Wakeman in 1975 to a full house and experiencing the standing ovation at the end with every member of the audience holding up a lighter as they used to do back in the day! It looked and sounded incredible! Absolutely spine tingling!!!

 

Playing to 45,000 people in the Buffalo Bills Stadium in 1974 as a 23 year old in a support band for the Eric Clapton tour. Massive outdoor event and until then I had never done anything bigger than a theatre!

 

Freddie King teaching me to drink Tequila–now that was fun!

 

Who do you look up to in terms of drumming?

 

I could write a long list, but certain ones stand out:   Buddy Rich, probably for me the finest drummer to ever grace the planet and I had the pleasure of meeting him on two separate occasions! Carmine, we have already discussed. Animal from the Muppets!!! He has my total respect for doing a drum battle with Buddy Rich–check it out on youtube! The Rev from Avenged Sevenfold (sadly no longer with us). From there the list goes on:  Vinnie Colaiuta, Max Roach, Joe Morello, Ed Shaughnessy, Jon Bonham for being so powerful and Keith Moon for being so different.   Stuart Copeland for being so inventive with Police, Phil Collins for just being so good, I could really go on and on but you get the picture I am sure.