BACKSTORY 1963-66
Almost everything in our story happened one way or the other.
Filled with potential conflicts, turning points, beats & hooks; these 1963-66 fact-based storylines serve as canvas & locations for our narrative.
My Generation remains the best 60's documentary on this subject.
â–º THE RAT HOLE
The Colony Room gathered a reputation as a wild and eccentric bohemian meeting place and private party for artists, poets, actors, dancers, designers and musicians. It had links with the then London underworld, elements of which then flourished in Soho.
Probably the best-known gangsters in British history, twins Ronald and Reginald Kray headed an underworld empire that ruled the East End of London. The Krays courted celebrity, regularly entertaining actors, pop stars and sportsmen in their Knightsbridge gambling club.
EPISODE â–º Sherrie and Max open their very own trendy club “The Rat-Hole”. The infamous Butcher Twins wants a piece of the action, but Sherrie builds an alliance with them when she saves one off their own opening night with a memorable Max performance.
â–º READY STEADY GOGO!
Ready Steady Go! was a British rock/pop music television programme broadcast every Friday evening from 1963 until 1966. It was notable for featuring the audience as dancers, and for the interaction of artists and audience. The producers chose the audience in London clubs, picking out the best or the most fashionably dressed dancers. This ensured a hip audience in tune with the artists.
EPISODE â–º As we witness the taping of the iconic show, Max’s clothing encounters resistance from the producers. Sherrie rises to the occasion in her own inimitable trickster way and shows them all how "The weekend starts here".
â–º VELVET MAFIA
The Velvet Mafia shows how gay professionals in the music industry were working together, supporting each other and changing history. Drawing on rare and unpublished archive material, personal diaries, and new interviews from some of the survivors of that turbulent decade.
EPISODE â–º Sherry gets an education on who runs the show in London as the Rat-Hole becomes THE place to be and to be seen.
â–º PIRATE RADIO
The first British pirate radio station was Radio Caroline, which started broadcasting from a ship off the Essex coast in 1964. By 1967, ten pirate radio stations were broadcasting to an estimated daily audience of 10-15 million.
EPISODE â–º Max and Sherrie go aboard Radio Caroline when Max’s song “Be Who U are” is censured by the BBC. The use of pirate radio to promote and defend his song creates a further scandal. Max’s Pied Piper status is established.
â–º WORLD CUP THIS
The 1966 World Cup was the first FIFA World Cup held in the English-speaking world. England defeated West Germany 4–2 in the final to win their first and so far only ever title.
EPISODE â–º When England is about to win the 1966 World Cup, Max’s songs 'Come On Down' & 'Go Britny Go' becomes anthems of the nation. Sherrie must negotiate one silly offer after another while Max scores his first #1 hit.
â–º CLUB A GOGO
During the heyday of the Swinging Sixties, Newcastle’s Club a Gogo was part of a thriving new scene. Iconic British and American blues, rock and soul acts regularly appeared there; acts such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, the Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis Group,
Wilson Pickett and John Lee Hooker.
EPISODE â–º Max’s triumphal return to Newcastle’s emblematic club is rockin' as everybody wants a piece of the native son. Max & Sherrie settles a few scores in their own inimitable way.
â–º SUGAR DOLL (prequel)
In the 50’s, Sherrie is the first women manager. Rocky Darling’s rise to stardom is made that much harder. Tension & conflicts abound as England heads out of war with US Rock & Roll as the new frontier.
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â–º MANY MORE STORIES & scandals related to rock stars can be adapted.
Sample these...
â–º LIKE A ROLLING STONE
Max gets caught between Bob Dylan and Keith Richards as they argue about the song “Like a Rolling Stone”. Argument turns into a shouting match and a Rolls-Royce of a chase in Soho for real. â–º FACT CHECK
â–º MAX, DICK & GINA
On tour, Max is asked by tour manager to find Dick Swagger to alert him that boyfriend Ike Tuna wants to kill him is pissed-off for his girlie Gina is giving him the eye. When Max trips on Swagger and Gina going at it “right and proper” under the stage, he gets an education in rock & roll lust. â–º FACT CHECK #2
â–º MAX’S PRAYER
Max release his first album "To the Max" to rave reviews. However, an ad promoting the album as a spoof of a prayer offends religious freaks who accuse Max and Sherrie of sacrilege. â–º FACT CHECK
â–º SPOOFS
Special episodes inspired by ‘classic’ 60’s TV shows like ‘The Avengers’
& James Bond (with Max & Ruby), The Champions (Ruby, Max & Booker), Sherlock Holmes (Max & Booker) and The Prisoner (Major Power & Sherrie as No1). These parodies would feature British humor & eccentricity at its best.
Sample : â–º MAGNA CARTA
In a Robin Hood spoof, Max’s clever song writing parallels the outlaw’s highly skilled archery. Sherrie ends up “taking to the rich to give to the poor” at the Rat-Hole as Max signs the best deal of any artist before him.
â–º FACT CHECK * The greatest constitutional document of all times Magna Carta is still cited, the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot. Robin Hood stands as the hero of the common people and yeomen and a symbol of "right against might", just as Max with the Wigs..