A Wandering Minstrel – My memoir of Huw Lloyd-Langton by Marion Lloyd Langton
Self-published June 2025 through Amazon
So, what involves thoughts if you hear point out of veteran freaksters Hawkwind? I’d enterprise a mix of strobe lights, psychedelic substances, free festivals, Silver Machine, and Stacia dancing bare on stage. Effectively, you’ll be exhausting pushed to seek out any of those in Marion Lloyd Langton’s mild and heartfelt memoir to her late husband Huw.
He’s in all probability finest identified in Hawkwind lore for his expertise on the 1970 Isle of Wight when the group performed a guerrilla/protest gig exterior the primary pageant in an inflatable tent, which quickly changed into a suffocating hell. Inflatables had been a giant deal then, as was “spiking”, now related to date rape crap like Rohypnol, however extra prone to be LSD again then. Huw suffered a large overdose, by some means performed nonstop for 12 hours after which had a breakdown, which took months to get well from. There’s an undercurrent by way of the guide that he was by no means fairly the identical afterwards.
Opposite to Hawkwind stereotypes – like a lot within the guide – Huw and Marion had been dedicated Christians. He appreciated a drink however wasn’t into medicine. He rejoined the group for some time across the time of the Levitation album and a few later stand ins. It’s fascinating to learn a special view of the group away from all of the Dave Brock vs Nik Turner points, or the disastrous massive reunion gig. It’s a pleasant illustration of the core theme of the guide, hinted at within the title – the way to make a dwelling as a musician.
Though finest identified for his work with Hawkwind, Huw Lloyd Langton was an inveterate collaborator along with his solo work, primarily with the Lloyd Langton Group. I used to be intrigued to seek out many references to an old style up to date of mine, Richard Gillespie, who went on to turn into a detailed pal of Huw’s and his bass participant of selection in quite a lot of dwell and recorded settings. Aside from his personal Lloyd Langton group’s ongoing work, he was concerned in Widowmaker with Spooky Tooth’s Luther Grosvenor and Steve Ellis (of Love Affair miming fame), The group was mainly a belated try to money in on the late 60s “supergroup” period, however break up up after two albums. There have been different collaborations with Leo Sayer and Budgie, a failed audition for Cliff Richard and a mass of different quick lived tasks. There are some fascinating insights from Richard Gillespie about my previous friends, the ill-fated Pure Wings, signed up by a report firm who didn’t perceive their music (shock horror, no lead guitar!) and despatched out gigging with heavy bands like Uriah Heep.
All of it goes to point out that it’s actually solely a small minority of musicians who’re a part of a long run settled line-up with a gradual circulate of gigs and royalties. Whether or not dwell or within the studio, Huw all the time saved working, even to the purpose of honouring one dedication by by some means taking part in with a damaged arm. I used to be actually impressed too by his dedication to musical schooling, being concerned in a number of tasks in addition to his personal educating work.
Along with the primary textual content, b/w photographs are liberally scattered by way of the guide, together with a few of Huw’s drawings and a mass of cuttings and gig opinions. There are additionally some poignant and detailed reminiscences from a few of his many associates and collaborators.
The place most Hawkwind associated books emphasise the counter-cultural drama and craziness that surrounded the group, notably with bigger than life psychedelic legends like Bob Calvert, Michael Moorcock, and Nik Turner. That is the exact opposite – a measured, mild recounting of how an idealistic musician made a dwelling with out compromising. There’s a really poignant feeling to the guide, too, because it information the well being points which led to his loss of life in 2012, all instructed with none sentimentality.
This guide will likely be important for Huw Lloyd Langton followers and for anybody open to a special angle on Hawkwind than the standard Psychedelic Warriors shtick. It might in all probability do with a bit extra enhancing – there’s a good quantity of repetition, together with an inclination to arrange a narrative solely to say “we’ll get again to that later”. There’s in all probability a gig listing or two too many, however that shouldn’t detract from one of the crucial authentic and delicate books I’ve learn shortly.
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Obtainable on Amazon right here.
All phrases by Den Browne, you’ll be able to learn extra on his creator profile right here:
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