Jeff Dexter to Write His Memoirs

There is one book on the Sixties I can't wait to readwith acts like Pink Floyd. Dexter also took up
when it finally comes out. Jeff Dexter is in theresidency at Middle Earth Club in Covent Garden with
process of writing his memoirs and I predict this willJohn Peel but did not accept an offer to join BBC's
be the seminal book on the Sixties and SeventiesRadio One.
thriving music scene. Born Dexter Jeffery Bedwell onFrom 1968-73 Dexter promoted and presented rock
August 15th 1946 in Lambeth London, Dexter startedshows at the legendary Roundhouse in Chalk Farm,
out as a dancer and singer, progressing to be amainly under the Implosion banner. Dexter helped
well-known DJ, promoter, rock band manager, recordorganize and host nearly all the major festivals,
producer, club host and events organiser.including many of the free concerts in Hyde Park. He
Jeff Dexter has made almost every move in andalso re-branded Eric Clapton & Friends as Derek &
around the entertainment industry. Starting withThe Dominos. Dexter hosted and arranged most of
Mecca Dancing in 1961, he was a dancer & singerthe acts that appeared at the 1971 Glastonbury
with Cyril Stapleton's Orchestra at London's LyceumFayre. He also Managed the band America, and also
Ballroom, where he was banned for obscenity afterco-produced their first album that made number one
doing The Twist on the dance floor. Dexter was alsoin the States, as did their first single for Warner
a band boy when on the road, which entailed lookingBrothers Records.
after all the props, extra instruments & sheet music.Between the years 1973-79, Dexter managed and
During his days at the Lyceum, Dexter became aproduced numerous artists, negotiated deals with
Disc Jockey and MC on the Record Hops, workingAtlantic Records (Isaac Guillory), Warner Brothers
with Ian "Sammy" Samwell, and also Jimmy Savile(Peter Sarstedt, BIM) and EMI (Alfalpha), and Sire
(then the Ballroom Manager at Leeds Locarno).Records (Hawkwind). Dexter also tour managed in
Dexter also worked with many other dance bands,the UK, USA and Europe, ran the merchandising
and in other London venues, began and presentingconcessions for many acts and his own music
the new beat bands.publishing company.
Dexter helped take Britain's first mobile record hopDuring 1979-81, Dexter moved between Milan and
on the road in February 1962, beginning at GreenwichNew York, worked with well-known Italian groups
Town Hall followed by other regular promotions inand made disco records, but also worked with some
Brighton and Croydon. He also became a partner in aof his favourite musicians.
record promotion company with Tony Calder. TheIn 1981-83, he moved back to the UK in order to
first record they promoted together was Love Memanage a hot new band called BIM (Cameron McVey
Do. Dexter gave up his singing career after he had towas on vocals, and Andy Harley on keyboards), and
follow Ike & Tina Turner at the Hammersmith Palais.signed them to Arista Records, then to Warner
Dexter and Samwell hosted many late night recordBrothers Records. Dexter then started promoting
shows at night clubs in London's West End, includingretro record shows in West End clubs, and during
The Flamingo in Wardour Street, The Roaring1983-89 he promoted a regular club, called The 2I's in
Twenties in Carnaby Street, and The Crazy ElephantTottenham Court Road at the Empire Rooms,
in Jermyn Street.worked with Time Out, organised music &
In 1966-7, Dexter worked as the host and DJ atentertainment at large corporate parties.
Tiles Club in Oxford Street presenting all the soul &In1990, Dexter began managing rock bands again,
pop acts including the late Otis Redding. He presentedtook on new partnerships, made several records, and
the lunch time record shows, immortalised in Tomspent far too much time & money! He Joined a
Wolfe's book Noonday Underground. Dexter thengroup of old friends to bid for a radio license, and
started The Jeff Dexter Light & Sound Show withjoined a consortium with the aim of re-launching
the emerging underground and psychedelic scene,shows at the Roundhouse.