Whispers goes to the Wag
Hello, hello, what’s all this then? Pop stars looning about together, Marilyn going around kissing everybody… once upon a time we’d have called this a party. Now, of course, it’s a benefit.
Who’s this one for then? The Society for the Welfare of Steve Strange? Um… Christmas presents for striking miners’ kids actually.
A worthy cause which prompted a galaxy of stars to come out and express their solidarity and support.
And who’s behind it all? Well, we were. Or rather the chapel of the journalists’ union which includes No.1 and two other music papers. NME and Melody Maker.
Hence the heaving throng which assembled in London’s trendy Wag Club last Sunday to raise hell and a whole lot of money. Both ambitions achieved.
Live entertainment was provided by Roddy Frame, Edwyn Collins, Paul Quinn, Zeke Manyika’s Dr Love, and comedian Robbie Coltrane. Ace breaking crew The Sidewinders spun on their heads and jazz dancers IDJ twinkled their toes.
DJs were Jerry Dammers of The Special AKA, Paul Weller and Mick Talbot, Suggs and Bedders from Madness, and star club disc-spinner Jay Strongman.
Those propping up the bar included Frankie’s Paul Rutherford, Bananarama, Marilyn, Bronski Beat, The Flying Pickets, Cabaret Voltaire, Animal Nightlife, Working Week, D.C Lee and a coachload of miners and their families from the Kent coalfield.
The whole shebang raised some £1,500 and Paul Simper didn’t disgrace himself like he usually does at parties. In fact, he was the MC. Hmm, maybe these benefits aren’t a bad idea after all.
Mark Bedford of Madness demonstrated the famous headbanger’s hooked horns salute while Roddy Frame performs his manic Interpretation of Van Helen’s ‘Jump’ (not shown in picture)
“Who us? Gosh, OK, then.” Sarah and Keren Bananarama act surprised at having their photo taken
Suggs insists on keeping his sheepskin coat on despite the fact that the temperature in the Wag Club is now a sizzling 98 degrees
Animal Nightlifer Andy Polaris and Dee C Lee offer their definition of true love… squashing a Walkman
Paul Weller’s entry for weirdest hair-do of the year meets with a confident thumbs-up from Mick Talbot, who is also auditioning for the part of Paul McCartney in the film The Beatles’ 20 favourite Hand Gestures (MGM)
Gotcha!
Comedian Robbie Coltrane, sporting a devastatingly tasteless tie, is escorted out of the Wag Club bye ferocious bouncer