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"Hard Nights by Roy Adams
is a fascinating and atmospheric first hand account of a man with a zest for
life, that took him from his boyhood in the dark days of the blitz to
becoming the best known and most successful nightclub owner in The City of
Culture Liverpool.
Roy takes the reader on an epic journey describing in detail his days as a
physique enthusiast influenced by muscular stars like Spencer Churchill,
Hubert Thomas, Steve Reeves and the man who was Arnold Schwarzeneggers
inspiration, Reg Park. Becoming a Guardsman, describing his adventures and
dirty deeds at the Tower of London, also as a high diver attached to a
circus. Onward he presses from nightclub bouncer to owner and entrepeneur.
During his journey he meets and mixes with a calvacade of famous
personalities, Merseyside stars and recording artists.
Last man to own the famous Cavern Club, Roy has some untold stories about
the Fabulous Four and their mentor Brian Epstein.
With a talent for art Roy also knew many fledling musicians and
entertainers. Names like Jimmy Tarbuck, Freddie Star, Cilla Black etc., all
have tread the same path. By the mid Sixties Liverpool could boast amusic
group population of near 10,000 such was its popularity.
Be still for a moment and you can almost hear the scouse dialect and special
sense of humour. Take in the sounds, smells and excitement of the nights on
the door, the body builders, boxers, martial artists, the tough guys,
characters and gangsters in the casinos. laugh at incidents like when Father
Christmas had to take a knocking, or when the army dentist pulled out one of
Roys perfect teeth, as he needed one for a set he was making.
It is a story that had to be told and must be read. Settle down and enjoy
Hard Nights and relive the magic and excitement of the Mersey Beat. From
Presley, pop and punk to all that Jazz. Its a cracker."
Review by award winning journalist and physical
culture historian
David Gentle.
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