tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97018812011-04-22T03:01:52.035ZThe meanderings of a washed up '60s rock star. Fabled leader of Broom Cupboard. A legend in his own lunchtime.Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-64752985144727117182007-05-14T10:13:00.000Z2007-05-14T10:27:45.475Z

Now, I'm no expert but didn't the Brits use to rule the rock waves? Dressing up in WWI military uniforms worked perfectly well for us in the '60s so what went wrong with the EasyJet crew on Saturday? And how did half of Abbott and Costello win? Maybe instead of signing on at Westminster dole office, our nearly departed PM should put some effort into sorting out the Eastern bloc voting - the

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-57322460324196276212007-01-21T11:44:00.000Z2007-01-21T12:04:03.862Z

News of the debacle in the Big Brother house has even reached my ears in the bowels of my favourite gentleman's venue. As you will know, game shows are not my thing. My mum, on the other hand, is never happier than when she has back-to-back episodes of 'Deal or No Deal' and a pint of Baileys at her elbow. Whilst on the subject, how a bloke who appears to have been ironed all over, has turned

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1148558523012061252006-05-25T11:32:00.000Z2006-05-25T12:05:24.090Z

So, there was this bump and I found myself at the foot of a fig tree in next door's garden and it was 2006! Last I remember, illuminated reindeers were prancing across the roofs of the great unwashed and Tony Blair was running the country. Now there's some bloke called Dave cycling to work followed by motorised filing cabinet talking up the Tory massive.The other bad news was that my beloved

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1133256395296493392005-11-29T09:17:00.000Z2005-12-22T16:40:16.156Z

Festive word up!Having just returned from Dame Reg's nuptials, I'm not best placed write my annual Christmas message to my adoring fans but here goes.What a do that was. Having spent 3 hours in traffic on the way there only to find that it was the queue for Ikea, you can imagine that yours truly was not in the best frame of mind on arrival. Still, the old queen did us proud and I managed to put

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1132228353104982552005-11-17T11:25:00.000Z2005-11-17T11:52:33.130Z

Word up! So you thought VG was no more? Well let me tell you, he's back and he's better than ever. For those of you who are the tiniest bit interested, I've been on a bit a sabbatical 'oop north drying out writing my memoirs in a desperate bid to make some moolah for the forthcoming festive season. I decided to miss out all the childhood stuff - living in one room with 11 siblings ( mainly

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1122326184820914502005-07-25T21:16:00.000Z2005-07-25T21:16:24.826Z

His word up! Finally made contact with Quentin. I suggest we meet as I have some news to impart. He wants to go to one of the usual watering holes which will allow him to show off his tan to anyone who might be interested but I direct him the Christian Reading Room and Macrobiotic Food in Centre in Hoxton which throws him out somewhat. Slightly nonplussed, Q pitches up and has to hand his

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1121802353219285992005-07-19T19:42:00.000Z2005-07-19T19:45:53.226Z

As you can imagine the Grope mailbox has been groaning with messages from my massive fan base thirsty for more info about yours truly's spiritual conversion and , of course, my beloved - Gloria.First off, Gloria Goodbody is not her real name as she changed it early in her modelling career from Tamara Goodbody for obvious reasons. At the peak of her career she was the Face of Lard 1978 until the

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1121537055224684802005-07-16T17:44:00.000Z2005-07-16T18:10:23.550Z

You have no doubt been wondering where yours truly has been for the past few weeks. Well, I can reveal that I have been at the renowned Doris Mondeo Clinic on account of my rather enthusiastic lifestyle. I have now returned, revived and revitalised.I can also announce that during my stay I found God which I think was as much a shock to him as to me. I have renounced my former hedonistic life in

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1117556194139732472005-05-31T16:10:00.000Z2005-05-31T16:16:34.150Z

Full marks to soap-dodger Saint Bob for putting together the Live 8 concerts. Must admit to being slightly miffed for not being top of the bill but I suppose Dame Reg needs the publicity more than yours truly. A big up, however, for the non-appearance of the Spice Girls sparing us the sight of Ginger's gusset ten years on...

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1116489520409711252005-05-19T07:32:00.000Z2005-05-19T08:05:16.603Z

So I'm in Imaculada's Portuguese BBQ & Sauna having a private moment when the manager calls me on the mobile. After an ear-bending of gargantuan proportions I get the message that yours truly has to get out there and earn some serious dosh.Now you will recall that a Comeback Tour was mooted earlier in the year. Now that Cream has finished its gigs, I reckon the coast is clear for the some serious

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1116258618405661482005-05-16T15:29:00.000Z2005-05-16T15:50:18.410Z

As today is the first day of the rest of my post-political life, I was not best pleased to learn that we are now no longer allowed to have a hot bath for fear of upping the second degree burns statistics at No 10. Presumably there'll be an ESBO (Extremely Scalding Bath Order) in preparation as we speak.

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1116232321088335822005-05-14T08:02:00.000Z2005-05-16T08:32:01.106Z

Well, the post-election knives are out and yours truly's been asked to resign his leadership of In Vino Veritas. Officially, it's to spend more time with my family but if you'd lived with my mum as long as I have, that's the last reason you'd give.Truth is, there is a viper in our midst in the rather uneven shape of El Magnifico who has been waiting on the sidelines for VG to dig himself into a

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1115371576783209472005-05-06T09:04:00.000Z2005-05-06T09:26:16.826Z

Despite our best efforts Vino Veritas did not manage to win a seat in yesterday's election. There was a moment when we thought we might beat the Death Dungeons & Taxes party but I couldn't get my mum away from When Celebrity Nose Jobs Go Wrong in time to cast her vote.Undeterred, we held a post-ballot party at the Somalian Barbeque and Private Book shop (all you can eat for £2.99 with a

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1114158898002239772005-05-04T07:53:00.000Z2005-05-04T08:23:44.753Z

Well another week of canvassing has passed as the search for the elusive voter continues with only one day to go. I don't mind telling you that all this being nice to people malarky is beginning to wear a bit thin. I call a meeting of my campaign team at the Bigamist and Fancy Piece. According to the party treasurer, the battle fund, which consists mainly of a generous donation from my old mum's

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1113550213551528172005-04-15T07:07:00.000Z2005-04-15T07:30:13.553Z

Regular readers will have noticed that the old diary has been a bit thin of late. As you can imagine, it's been a bit a week what with the Wedding of the Year (I hope Ken and Deidre make it this time) and the big event in Rome. To top it all, yours truly has been out in the hustings in the Battle Datsun Sunny chivving up support for my In Vino Veritas party.It's been an endless round of kissing

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1112628996007965382005-04-04T15:22:00.000Z2005-04-05T11:24:01.080Z

I'm back from a few days away in my seaside retreat to find that all is not well at Camp Grope. For a start, the new web site and shopping experience is not online so I call up Quentin to get the latest. Apparently, there's been a big fall-out about how much to charge for the GROPE ROCKS! t-shirts and the web developer has had a hissy fit downing keyboards until everything has been sorted out.I

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1111656462942438352005-03-24T09:26:00.000Z2005-03-24T11:47:34.496Z

Now politics is not my thing. I only know the name of the prime minister because I was cornered by him at some drinks do at Number 10 when he was going through his cool phase. He's banging on about his Stratocaster and how half the cabinet are closet rockers while I'm trying to make a rapid exit. In the end, I fall over the drummer's guide dog and it all gets a bit unpleasant.Anyway, I'm in the

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1111080689348866962005-03-17T16:59:00.000Z2005-03-18T09:39:25.550Z

Given the unseasonably warm weather, I'm sitting outside Yoshi's Noodle Bar and Colonic Irrigation Centre enjoying a post all-nighter reviver. As I'm taking in the rays, I start to muse upon some of the big questions in life. Why are we all here? Do blue men sing the whites? Is Carol Vorderman really good at sums or do they stop the tape while she gets her calculator out? As all this is swimming

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1110882196893391112005-03-15T09:42:00.000Z2005-03-15T10:23:16.896Z

So I'm in Svetlana's Private Bookstore and Vodka bar having a quiet afternoon when the mobile starts vibrating nineteen to the dozen. It's my manager who's just back from the accountants and he's not a happy bunny. Apparently, the Grope net worth is travelling rapidly south and he tells me to drop everything and shoot over to the PR company pdq for a meeting. So I do, leaving Svetlana waving a

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1110533457959058512005-03-11T09:14:00.000Z2005-03-11T11:05:34.023Z

It's Red Nose day and I'm sitting in Grope Towers with mine which I didn't have to stump up a quid for because it's natural, acquired over 30 years of imbibing JD and coke. Be assured that I'll be doing my bit later at the 12 Bar in a sponsored Drinkathon when we'll be looking to raise a few bob for the cause.Anyway, news that the bearded fairy from LOTR has landed a gig on Cornonation Street

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1110464813386936172005-03-10T13:59:00.000Z2005-03-17T16:26:17.276Z

News that old codger Bill Wyman likes to spend his time waving a big wand in front of him comes as no surprise to anyone, I'd have thought. However, full marks to him for getting a book out on the subject. Never being slow in leaping on any passing bandwagon, I give ideas boy Quentin a bell and ask him over to the Hernia and Roadcrew for a brainstorm. First off, he puts me right on the

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1109960671402208612005-03-04T17:53:00.000Z2005-03-04T18:24:31.406Z

It's amazing what a honeymoon can do for the old karma, especially when you don't have to spend the rest your life with your holiday companion. Refreshed from the rigours of, erm, 'married life', the old Grope brain is swimming with new projects. On my return, I did manage to catch up with my old mates Crosby and Nash while they were in town and I swapped a few organ replacement stories with

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1109345548255225892005-02-25T15:10:00.000Z2005-02-25T15:36:53.773Z

That's it. I can take it no more and I've called the whole thing off. Apart from the meddling from Witchy Woman indoors, the extreme makeover defeated all the top men in the business so I'm bailing out. After all, a man of my age position needs his space - which was in short supply when my ex-beloved was in the room, I can tell you.So, yours truly's work/life balance is restored and it's on with

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1109163221539338022005-02-23T12:18:00.000Z2005-02-23T12:58:02.146Z

Word up! This wedding malarky is pissing me off no end. Latest is that my mum's decided that's she not going to turn up at the the town hall for the splicing ceremony. She says that it's because she thinks her presence will turn the whole thing into a three-ring circus but I know it's because there's an all-day 'Location, Location, Location Revisits the Mess They Left The Poor Sods In Last Time'

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1108715821531476532005-02-18T08:13:00.000Z2005-02-18T08:38:49.040Z

Plans for the impending Grope nuptials have hit a major snag. The idea was that we'd get hitched Chez Grope but the Thought Police have stepped in and ruled that we would have to get a license under some Act or other. This would mean that any chav dressed like a meringue could get spliced here for ever more. Naturally, my old mum's put her foot down with a heavy hand so we're forced to do the

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1108382976615188332005-02-14T12:09:00.000Z2005-02-14T12:09:36.616Z

So the Norman Wisdom of rock has been voted a gong for the best song in 25 years. No doubt Peelie's rotating at some speed in his grave at the news of this one. Mind you, this was voted for by the tone-deaf wrinklies who listen to Radio 2, the station where presenters only leave when they join the choir invisible. Like most other right-thinking people, the old Grope head has been spinning at

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1108115217189758732005-02-11T09:03:00.000Z2005-02-11T12:32:51.596Z

So, yours truly has finally decided to take the long walk after years of public speculation. Now, it is well known that I'm no stranger to the old marital ball and chain having had several shots at wedded bliss in the past - 5 to be precise (that's not counting the goat in Las Vegas). However, I have decided that the time has come to make a bit of an effort commitment-wise.As is evidenced in some

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1107970787954882532005-02-09T17:39:00.000Z2005-02-09T17:47:09.353Z

So I am in the Capo and Plectrum having a quiet libation with one of my 'associates' when the mobile start ringing off the hook. It's Quentin from the PR company all wet and giggly because he's had an idea (about time). Can I rush over to the agency now for a meet? Now I wasn't best pleased at this intrusion but as a responsible media star, I have do it. So I pitch up at the agency to find two

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1107866522429576012005-02-08T13:10:00.000Z2005-02-08T13:26:07.140Z

The web anorak has brought to my notice that some of the ex-colonials that read this diary seem to be having a bit of difficulty following the plot. Obviously there aren't enough references to Superbowl XXXXXVII and the like. As I see it the Patriots are like Chelsea * - 'nuff said. Time was in this glorious biz we call Rock (Rawk) that we Brits were ordered to sing like Yanks in order to sell

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1107853527841487172005-02-08T08:38:00.000Z2005-02-08T09:21:57.846Z

The burden of high office is already weighing heavily on yours truly. Since kicking off this In Vino Veritas malarky, I can't get a moment to myself. Not a day goes by without some hack ringing up and asking my opinion on something or other. Why can't they leave it alone? Anyway, this scribbler from one of the big papers asks me what my policy was on binge drinking. Well, I gave him both

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1107509418603301232005-02-04T08:40:00.000Z2005-02-04T09:33:05.756Z

The news that most of the middle-management of M&S Glasgow is on smack, comes as no surprise to yours truly. I thought all jocks were on something. I mean, have you heard them speak? Whenever that Alex Ferguson's on the goggle box, you might as well be listening to Klingon. There's probably hordes of drugged up scotch marketing executives heading over the border at this very moment, intent on

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1107361212928612962005-02-02T16:18:00.000Z2005-02-02T16:27:19.836Z

Reuters 2 Feb 2005 12:00 Britain's newest political party, In Vino Veritas, was launched today on a populist platform of "straight-talking" under global mega-star Vernon Grope. In a 15-minute debut speech to reporters in the Hanger and Flogger Wine Bar, Mr Grope lambasted all politicians as "liars" and said his new party would be looking for the votes of those who had previously been

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1106907885110664532005-01-28T10:24:00.000Z2005-01-28T16:47:31.303Z

The 2005 Comeback Tour looks as though it's on and so begins the painful process of - REHEARSAL. Now, to the uninitiated, this may seem like a simple process. It is not. The collision of massive egos combined with short term memory failure makes for a major pain in the Grope posterior. First off, we have have to have a planning session. Custom dictates that this occurs in the Banjo and G-String

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1106750458883069572005-01-26T14:40:00.000Z2005-01-26T15:56:37.376Z

All the great diarists - Pepys, Jonson, Adrian Mole, Mrs Dale - must have had a bit of difficulty at some time or other keeping the old creative juices flowing. Now I know you might find this hard to credit, but yours truly's hit a bit of a wall, blogwise. Le bloc de l'auteur est arrivé. Anyway, I was passing my latest oeuvre over to the spotty herbert that looks after the technical wotnots when

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1106670609170209322005-01-25T15:41:00.000Z2005-01-26T09:15:01.986Z

Now, the Grope coffers are looking a bit empty at the moment so a bit of entrepreneurial spirit is called for. So, after a copious amount of vino collapso I came up with ... The Win an Escort competition Before you start getting the wrong idea, we're not talking motor cars but genuine personal escorts of the rock 'n roll variety. It came to me in a flash - I know all these celebs, why not

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1106315080256975532005-01-21T13:29:00.000Z2005-01-21T14:45:16.186Z

Ahoy there! Due to the wonders of modern technology, for the past 10 days this diary has not been emanating from chez Grope but from the depths of that luxury liner Aurora because yours truly's been on his winter travels. Well, I don't mind telling you that this was the ultimate experience. As you can imagine, every one of the 12 bars was given the full-on Grope treatment. Nothing was too much

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1106240819793200892005-01-20T17:06:00.000Z2005-01-20T22:11:08.840Z

As you might imagine, yours truly is not best pleased to be overlooked yet again for a gong at the Brits. Matters were not improved by the news that soap-dodger Sir Bob is getting something for an outstanding contribution to music. What's all that about? When he last made a record, most people were listening to them on a Dansette. Even then it was with load of ragged-arsed Oirishmen who made the

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1105958785688697052005-01-17T10:40:00.000Z2005-01-17T10:46:25.686Z

From the desk of Vernon Grope For Immediate Release As manager of the Grope All Stars Soccer XI, I have decided to remove that antique-dealer turned cowboy, McShane, from the team for the unacceptable use of the mullet in a sporting context. That'll teach him to get above his station. ---- ends ----

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1105958373880736652005-01-17T10:12:00.000Z2005-01-17T10:48:47.376Z

There's a foul rumour circulating that this diary is not all my own work but is produced by a top ghost writer. Well, I'm here to assure you that these are mine own thoughts as written by me, in crayon on the back of a tax demand. However, all is not well in the publishing house of Grope. Apparently, there have been gremlins in the technical gubbins and a large portion of my adoring public have

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1105694528963947952005-01-14T08:56:00.000Z2005-01-16T18:35:43.813Z

It seems my little party visit in the Osama Bin Laden outfit didn't go unnoticed (Desperately Seeking Publicity) and I am now under some pressure to issue a public apology. Apparently, I am not deemed suitable to represent the world of rock and that I should behave more responsibly. Well, up yours! If I want to go to a private fancy dress party dressed as the scourge of the western world, then

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1105620157661265122005-01-13T13:42:00.000Z2005-01-13T12:50:16.646Z

I'm in the A&R Man and Plugger in Soho having a quiet libation with 2/5ths of Girls Aloud when the old mobile starts warbling. It turns out to be my accountant calling from Barbados who proceeds to give me a right ear-bashing. I listen to him whinging on about liquidising this and leveraging that for a few minutes and then I ask him what his point is. Apparently yours truly's down to his last few

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1105437694566434162005-01-11T10:01:00.000Z2005-01-16T18:36:32.276Z

Now I'm not a great fan of the haunted fishtank but I came home yesterday afternoon after a meeting with my creative team at the Roadie and Strumpet to find my old mum glued to the box. She'd turned it on to get her daily fix of Pimp My Ride and Countdown - two programmes that are easy to mix up if you're on medication. One is a kind of automotive Changing Rooms with a geezer called Xzibit

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1105202490825548312005-01-08T16:12:00.000Z2005-01-08T16:41:30.826Z

I suppose it had to come out eventually. Ever since Johnny Depp confessed that he used Keith Richards as the model for his part as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, the meejah has been curious to know where heart-throb Viggo gets his ideas. Well, I can be silent no longer and reveal that it is yours truly. If you think about it (and squint your eyes really hard) the resemblance between

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1104941627089802642005-01-05T15:30:00.000Z2005-01-05T16:16:32.216Z

So somewhat caught off guard in the slow bit after the New Year shindig, yours truly gets dragged off to Swan Lake. Now this is not normally my cup of Camellia sinensis but there was an offer of a few glasses of bubbly in the sundried tomato belt of N1. I don't mind telling you that I needed it after finding out that bloody Daltry's got a gong in the NYOL. Why he can't stick to fishing and leave

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1104851795512438472005-01-04T15:16:00.000Z2005-01-04T15:21:18.686Z

I well remember hearing Vernon Grope's seminal Magic ***** ** my *** it changed my life. It made me who I am today. And if I ever get hold of the bastard Grope I'll kill him. I could have been famous, I could have been rich, I could have been happy. But because of that bloody song I am emailing this to you from HMGs long term residential home known in the catering trade as The Scrubs. But I'll

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1104848481756287322005-01-04T13:42:00.000Z2005-01-11T10:11:29.560Z

You heard it first here. Grope the Musical will be hitting the West End in 2005. Makes sense, doesn't it? We've had We Will Rock You and Tonight's the Night so what better way to celebrate yours truly's illustrious career than a spanking new musical. So I get on the blower to Andrew Lloyd Webber who pretended he'd never heard of me for the first 5 minutes - he's a card isn't he? Anyway, he asks

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1104334369513309782004-12-29T15:32:00.000Z2004-12-29T15:32:49.513Z

Not much festive spirit around here as the Grope bid for No 1 was foiled again this year (cf previous post). Can't understand why Have a Bratz-tastic Bob the Builder Christmas wasn't flying off the shelves. Somebody even had the cheek say it was 'cynically cashing in on the spirit of Christmas'. Well, if it's good enough for Roy Wood, it's good enough for me. Needless to say your truly was

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1103706897838576272004-12-22T09:14:00.000Z2005-01-06T16:07:31.320Z

It's always tense Chez Grope around this time of year as the New Year's Honours list day approaches. I mean, look at the motley crew we've got representing the music biz: a plump fairy, a serial womaniser, an Irish scruff, a scouse brown-noser and a perma-tanned god-botherer. No wonder old Blairie picked them, they remind him of his cabinet. So I'm thinking that Sir Vernon has got to be

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1103619789157752662004-12-21T09:29:00.000Z2004-12-21T09:05:23.770Z

You wouldn't think it thanks to Sir Bob and that bog trotter sidekick of his. Yours truly turned up to Band Aid 20 recording to do his bit and was told in no uncertain terms that his contribution was not required. Apparently they preferred that long-haired poser from the Darkness because he had more 'target audience identity' - whatever that means. In my humble anyone can hit the high notes

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1103553255801091132004-12-20T14:13:00.000Z2004-12-22T22:38:01.086Z

So having read about Clapton's good works out in the Caribbean, I'm thinking this is a good way to get some cash flowing into the old VG coffers. As I understand it, he flogs a guitar and then stuffs the dosh into this Crossroads programme and Bob's your uncle - there's a load of Yanks with noses full of chemicals paying top dollar to be cleaned up. Neat, eh? I had a go at getting rid of one of

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1103541936497018212004-12-20T11:07:00.000Z2004-12-20T17:32:23.650Z

There is constant rumour in the media about a reunion concert in 2005 despite most of the original line-up's intense dislike of each other. Personally, I'm up for it because I could do with the fees to bolster my off-shore pension fund. El Magnifico's poetry hasn't been going too well either lately so he's relying on his part-time job in the offal factory (make THAT rhyme - you Iberian poser).

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9701881.post-1103540159650911892004-12-20T10:35:00.000Z2005-01-06T16:05:33.726Z

The Early Years The Buffalo Lounge story began in the 1971 in North London. Originally known as Smiley Road, the fledgling studio was home to a group of itinerant musicians and poets known collectively as Broom Cupboard led by the legendary Vernon Grope. It was here that the cult Bedroom Tapes were recorded. Many of the master tapes were lost or overwritten by Vernon's mum when she used them for

Vernon Gropehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12832189708047574461noreply@blogger.com4