- Name: Gordon Clay.
- Occupation: Sales Representative.
- Instrument/Position in Band: Front Row Cornet.
- Previous Bands: Coventry Imperial Band.
- When did you start playing? What got you into banding?: Started playing at the age of 11 on cornet in the school band – I followed my brother (see Roy Clay – Eb Bass) into the band – I used to look up to him in those days!
- Funniest or Most Embarrassing Banding Moment: Playing ‘The Frogs of Aristophanes’ (Granville Bantock) at the Belle Vue Spring Festival in the late 1970’s. The band had engaged what at the time was a very young up and coming conductor (now a very well known brass band conductor and arranger) to take them to the contest. On the day, he changed the way he brought the band in and only half of the band started playing. After about 8 bars we had to stop and start again!
- Highlight of Banding Career: Going through all four of the old brass band contesting sections with Ash Green school Band (later renamed City of Coventry ‘B’ Band then Coventry Imperial Band) from Fourth to Championship, including winning the Fourth Section National Finals on the way.
- Other hobbies/interests: Golf and Gardening.
- Related to anyone else in the band? If so, who?: Roy Clay, my brother, plays Eb Bass.
Back to Players page
© Bedworth Brass 2002.