It’s 1964 at school; bored during a ‘retreat’ (silent, religous day), a few of us sneak into the empty chapel. Tony O’Malley blasts out ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ on the organ whilst Joe, Dennis O’Connel and me sing a better (?) version of the song than Procol Harum!
Captured by prefects, we appear before Headmaster Father Groves (a more miserable, souless man it would be hard to meet).
After the usual severe bollocking, the threat of expulsion and issue of one week’s detention, he asks where we live.
Kilburn father said Tony.
Harlesden father said both Dennis and me.
Willesden father said Joe.
‘Ah, as I suspected’, he said ‘London Irish Scum’!
With that Joe bursts out laughing and Groves doubles our detention (the b*******d)! Thanks Tully.
A footnote to the story is that within 5 years, O’Malley was touring and playing keyboards with 10cc.
My wife Ardna and I will always be eternally grateful to Lee and Joe for many reasons; we spent so many great times with them, including holidays together in Ireland and once in the Far East. One memorable night in a Karoake bar in Penang, Malaysia (apart from us, the bar comprised solely of Japanese businness men and ‘ladies’); bored with endless versions of ‘My Way’ in broken English and after probably a few too many beers, Tully decided to again demonstrate his singing prowess.
After a robust version of ‘Hey Jude’, he sat down to rapturous applause, mainly from us.
Summoning the bill, we noted that we’d been charged five dollars for his song!
He explained (very loudly) that he usually charged establishments for the honour of hearing him perform, however they smiled politely and showed us out.
As sixteen yearold Mods, Joe and I did a pub crawl up the Old Kent Road (a notoriously tough London area – many miles from home).
‘I’ve heard that Rum and Blackcurrent is THE drink to have’ said Joe.
Many beers and R&Bs later, we were ejected from whichever pub we’d ended up in and staggered back to the rail station.
Our projectile vomiting cleared the tube compartment we were travelling in and we fell asleep and ended up miles from where we should have got off. At least the walk helped sober us up!
It was’nt till the next day that I realised that he’d managed to completely ‘plaster’ the back of my new raincoat. Try explaining that to your mom!
I’ve got so many great memories of knowing Joe; from school, through our ‘growing up’ phase, becoming men (well almost), knowing his family, meeting Lee and the Northvale folks, getting married in their home, great times and especially all his many kindnesses.
I cant begin to express what his passing means to me, but will always cherish our long friendship.
Remember Joe, until we meet again (and please God we surely will) Slante.
