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Pick Withers looks back with us on Dystopia Tonight to talk about his time spent in Italy that changed his life at 18, getting his first drum set, how his parents felt about him becoming a musician, the influence the Beatles had, his progression as a dru...
Pick Withers looks back with us on Dystopia Tonight to talk about his time spent in Italy that changed his life at 18, getting his first drum set, how his parents felt about him becoming a musician, the influence the Beatles had, his progression as a drummer, his first band, founding the Dire Straits, fame, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, James Brown, and more! Enjoy!
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Drummer / Founding Member of Dire Straits
He first played a drum in the Boy’s Brigade and was given a few rudimentary drum lessons by the band master, Barry Bond, who owned the local bicycle shop. He became a professional musician at the age of 17, joining a band called The Berkeley Squares when they went to Germany.
After six months of touring in Germany, the band returned to England, struggling to maintain their professional status, whence Pick jumped ship and joined a band called the Primitives, who went on to become very successful in Italy.
In 1969, Pick returned to London where he stayed with The Doc Thomas Group, whom he befriended in Italy. Unbeknown to Pick, they were now named Mott The Hoople and it was whilst staying with them, attending various auditions in London, they pointed out an advert in the Melody Maker which turned out to be a gig with a band called Spring.
He then became a member of Spring who secured a record contract with the RCA/Neon label. The band recorded and released one album, which became a collector’s item, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Monmouth. They had a cult following and Pick is very proud of the work he did with Spring to this day.
One funny anecdote: when Dire Straits were on their first American tour, a fan came into the dressing room clutching a Spring album, which he duly wanted signed, but only Pick as Dire Straits didn’t interest him!
Whilst at Rockfield Studios, Pick also recorded with the following: Michael Chapman – ‘Wrecked Again’, Andy Fairweather-Lowe, Nick Lowe, Del Shannon, Hobo, The Shortwave Band, Dave… Read More
