Glad to have you back, Faithie! (are we/am I allowed to call you that?) I was worried you'd given up on Substack.
The acrimonious/harmonious thing made me chuckle because it reminds me of so many childhood memories where I did such similar things not wanting to offend anyone or show my ignorance.
I had a funny relationship with money growing up - I had an American military upbringing (this explains a lot, no doubt) mainly in the UK and Europe, but in a setting like this, it's pretty much like socialism. Even though money is tight, we're all on a pretty level playing field and taken care of, even if the money isn't great. It was comfortable. What I failed to appreciate enough growing up though, was the impact divorce had on my friends. I kind of took it for granted that this was a thing and never considered how tough it would be for so many.
Can't wait for tracks 2, 3, 4...and more - keep at it! I'll even stick around for the B-sides 😉
Thank you Daniel! Ah no I was just swamped with work over the festive period.
Thanks so much for your feedback - perhaps the fact that you and your friends just got on with things, and didn't treat divorce as stressful helped them?
Love the idea of B-sides - I might incorporate that!
There's potential in the B-sides idea. You could take the standard band approach where they toss demos and extra material on there. Or the Suede approach where they include some of their finest material.
Welcome back Faith, so nice to read your posts again. I don't have any stories to tell re Five Star but I meet Sister Sledge in the laundromat in Wembley when I was having a lunch break from school and they came in to do their own laundry ! can you believe that.
Money , we had none, single parent, mum worked 3 jobs, but we were all happy , didn't expect everything like kids today (well my kids) Haha. Look forward to your memoir
Thank you so much Francis! That's an amazing story! It seems so outlandish and yet so believable - things were so much more rough and ready then. Were they nice!?
My one memory of Five Star was when they appeared on Swap Shop and someone phoned it and said something rude to them. TBF they laughed harder than anyone and seemed to find it hilarious - live TV, eh?
The money thing is important. My background is definitely working class poor and we just didn't go on holiday and didn't have a colour TV for a long time - so much so, that I was shocked that The Sweeney was in colour...
I love that clip and play it at least once a year!!
That's a great anecdote - memories of these things are so powerful. Thanks so much for reading (and thank you for recommending me by the way - that's so kind!).
Five Star went used to live fairly close to me. I can remember at least two occasions where my mum took me and my sister to "go and look at Five Star's house" - probably during the last few days of the summer holidays before school kicked back in.
That's so interesting Lewis! I'm fascinated by how much of their story was about their conspicuous wealth - one of my friend's dads also lived near their house and she'd go and look at it. It was a big deal!!
It really was a big deal. Weird juxtaposition because they weren't a massive act really, burned bright for a year or so. I don't remember a similar level of interest in the Spice Girls' house a decade or so later, and they were a much bigger act. As you say, the difference is the conspicuous wealth.
Belatedly catching up here, Faith. This is very funny. I am an only child, though I do have two legs - it’s only one of the big terrible things that have happened to me 🤣 Seriously, love your writing and your pop culture references which are RIGHT in my era. Off to enjoy your next instalment now ♥️
I always thought Five Star were terrible, but always appreciated Rain or Shine. I love that we can hate a band and have a soft spot for one moment when the planets align to our tastes.
Financial issues were always a massive shadow on our family too. I think it was so much easier to fall through the cracks in those days.
I will watch the podcast in the next few days.
For what it's worth, the subject matter hardly matters, its how one tells the story, which you're really good at. So I look forward to your memoirs.
I remember hearing Rain or Shine for the first time and my thought was literally that I didn't think I'd ever hear anything better ever again. Not sure why I was so adamant about this but there's probably something about the notes that appeal to children may be? It's quite nursery rhymish.
I'm only two paragraphs in but I have to comment. My parents divorced when I was ten. It was a big deal for them and for me and definitely acrimonious (they never spoke to each other ever again) but it’s hard for me to look back and say it was an important event in my life.
I was never really comfortable at home after that though which is the reason I got out of there as fast as I could and joined the Navy at 16 but was that because of the divorce? I don't think so.
OK, done. Loved it. I love the tie in with the music in the background. We’ve talked before about how much the music of that era meant to us both and weaving it into your life story will be great.
You’ve made me think hard about two themes of my own life. I mentioned the divorce above but I never talked to anyone about the divorce (not even my mum and dad) until my sisters, brother and I discussed it a couple of years ago at my mother’s funeral. They were all a few years older than me and had a very different view of it. They all hated our stepfather and wanted nothing to do with hiI, even now. They all left home at 16ish too. One sister got married at 17 while the other moved in with a bloke 30 years older than her. My brother had a baby at 21.
Money is a weird one for me too. I grew up on a council estate with second-hand shoes and earned £21 a week at my first job but I never worried about money. I earned twice as much as my dad at 21 and ten times as much at 31. I ran out of money twice to the point where I couldn't afford to eat and I walked 3 miles to work because I couldn’t afford the bus. But I never worried. I always knew I would be OK and I was.
Lovely story and I look forward to more! I just created a second Substack for my memoirs but they are all over the place at the moment. I am saving my childhood until last!
Anyway. Well done. I look forward to the next installment.
Thank you so much Ragged, this is really lovely to read and very encouraging. I'm glad you like the music theme - I really can't separate my memories from 80s music, but then it's partly because it was so amazing and I was so young at the time I think.
So interesting that you and your siblings didn't discuss the divorce until then - I can really see this. Perhaps it was the reason for all of your early independence? The money comment you make about earning more than your dad chimes with this and is also hugely interesting to me - and an area I hope to explore myself.
I've been enjoying your memoir too and look forward to more - especially the Live Aid chapter!
I wrote this in record time this afternoon but then I spent hours looking for a photo. Oh, I paid tribute to your strategy of weaving in some songs to capture the mood 😊 I hope you don't mind!
Excellent! The Live Aid story actually has an interesting backstory about my first girlfriend. I’ll see what I can come up with.
I definitely believe that my family environment and my rush to get away from school helped give me the courage to get away from it all. And once I was free, there was no stopping me!
Glad to have you back, Faithie! (are we/am I allowed to call you that?) I was worried you'd given up on Substack.
The acrimonious/harmonious thing made me chuckle because it reminds me of so many childhood memories where I did such similar things not wanting to offend anyone or show my ignorance.
I had a funny relationship with money growing up - I had an American military upbringing (this explains a lot, no doubt) mainly in the UK and Europe, but in a setting like this, it's pretty much like socialism. Even though money is tight, we're all on a pretty level playing field and taken care of, even if the money isn't great. It was comfortable. What I failed to appreciate enough growing up though, was the impact divorce had on my friends. I kind of took it for granted that this was a thing and never considered how tough it would be for so many.
Can't wait for tracks 2, 3, 4...and more - keep at it! I'll even stick around for the B-sides 😉
Thank you Daniel! Ah no I was just swamped with work over the festive period.
Thanks so much for your feedback - perhaps the fact that you and your friends just got on with things, and didn't treat divorce as stressful helped them?
Love the idea of B-sides - I might incorporate that!
Faithie
There's potential in the B-sides idea. You could take the standard band approach where they toss demos and extra material on there. Or the Suede approach where they include some of their finest material.
Are B-sides still a thing?
I love that - behind the scenes, bonus tracks, collectors' edition - the list is endless. Suede's B-sides were incredible.
I literally have no idea if they're still a thing - but what a loss if they're not!
Welcome back Faith, so nice to read your posts again. I don't have any stories to tell re Five Star but I meet Sister Sledge in the laundromat in Wembley when I was having a lunch break from school and they came in to do their own laundry ! can you believe that.
Money , we had none, single parent, mum worked 3 jobs, but we were all happy , didn't expect everything like kids today (well my kids) Haha. Look forward to your memoir
Thank you so much Francis! That's an amazing story! It seems so outlandish and yet so believable - things were so much more rough and ready then. Were they nice!?
Lovely ! They were playing at Wembley stadium, so down to earth and signed my maths book , I wish I still had it !
This is amazing! What a lovely story 😍
I think you and I have similar money stories and/or blocks... Really enjoyed this and would love to read more👍
Thank you so much Stephanie, that's lovely to read. I hope you're well.
My one memory of Five Star was when they appeared on Swap Shop and someone phoned it and said something rude to them. TBF they laughed harder than anyone and seemed to find it hilarious - live TV, eh?
The money thing is important. My background is definitely working class poor and we just didn't go on holiday and didn't have a colour TV for a long time - so much so, that I was shocked that The Sweeney was in colour...
I love that clip and play it at least once a year!!
That's a great anecdote - memories of these things are so powerful. Thanks so much for reading (and thank you for recommending me by the way - that's so kind!).
Five Star went used to live fairly close to me. I can remember at least two occasions where my mum took me and my sister to "go and look at Five Star's house" - probably during the last few days of the summer holidays before school kicked back in.
That's so interesting Lewis! I'm fascinated by how much of their story was about their conspicuous wealth - one of my friend's dads also lived near their house and she'd go and look at it. It was a big deal!!
It really was a big deal. Weird juxtaposition because they weren't a massive act really, burned bright for a year or so. I don't remember a similar level of interest in the Spice Girls' house a decade or so later, and they were a much bigger act. As you say, the difference is the conspicuous wealth.
Exactly Lewis! I can't wait to delve into this further - you've motivated me!
Wonderful read and so thought provoking. I'd never thought of money in quite that way before - and you're right!
Thanks so much Mike! I hope you're well.
Very well thank you, Faith. Managing to survive January!
Glad to hear it!
Belatedly catching up here, Faith. This is very funny. I am an only child, though I do have two legs - it’s only one of the big terrible things that have happened to me 🤣 Seriously, love your writing and your pop culture references which are RIGHT in my era. Off to enjoy your next instalment now ♥️
Aww thank you so much Sara! 😊
I always thought Five Star were terrible, but always appreciated Rain or Shine. I love that we can hate a band and have a soft spot for one moment when the planets align to our tastes.
Financial issues were always a massive shadow on our family too. I think it was so much easier to fall through the cracks in those days.
I will watch the podcast in the next few days.
For what it's worth, the subject matter hardly matters, its how one tells the story, which you're really good at. So I look forward to your memoirs.
That's so lovely thank you Dean!
I remember hearing Rain or Shine for the first time and my thought was literally that I didn't think I'd ever hear anything better ever again. Not sure why I was so adamant about this but there's probably something about the notes that appeal to children may be? It's quite nursery rhymish.
It is a cracking song. Although I'm sure rose tinted ears are involved.
And you're most welcome :)
I'm only two paragraphs in but I have to comment. My parents divorced when I was ten. It was a big deal for them and for me and definitely acrimonious (they never spoke to each other ever again) but it’s hard for me to look back and say it was an important event in my life.
I was never really comfortable at home after that though which is the reason I got out of there as fast as I could and joined the Navy at 16 but was that because of the divorce? I don't think so.
OK, done. Loved it. I love the tie in with the music in the background. We’ve talked before about how much the music of that era meant to us both and weaving it into your life story will be great.
You’ve made me think hard about two themes of my own life. I mentioned the divorce above but I never talked to anyone about the divorce (not even my mum and dad) until my sisters, brother and I discussed it a couple of years ago at my mother’s funeral. They were all a few years older than me and had a very different view of it. They all hated our stepfather and wanted nothing to do with hiI, even now. They all left home at 16ish too. One sister got married at 17 while the other moved in with a bloke 30 years older than her. My brother had a baby at 21.
Money is a weird one for me too. I grew up on a council estate with second-hand shoes and earned £21 a week at my first job but I never worried about money. I earned twice as much as my dad at 21 and ten times as much at 31. I ran out of money twice to the point where I couldn't afford to eat and I walked 3 miles to work because I couldn’t afford the bus. But I never worried. I always knew I would be OK and I was.
Lovely story and I look forward to more! I just created a second Substack for my memoirs but they are all over the place at the moment. I am saving my childhood until last!
Anyway. Well done. I look forward to the next installment.
Thank you so much Ragged, this is really lovely to read and very encouraging. I'm glad you like the music theme - I really can't separate my memories from 80s music, but then it's partly because it was so amazing and I was so young at the time I think.
So interesting that you and your siblings didn't discuss the divorce until then - I can really see this. Perhaps it was the reason for all of your early independence? The money comment you make about earning more than your dad chimes with this and is also hugely interesting to me - and an area I hope to explore myself.
I've been enjoying your memoir too and look forward to more - especially the Live Aid chapter!
Here we go! Live Aid chapter!
https://scatteredmemories.substack.com/p/young-love
I wrote this in record time this afternoon but then I spent hours looking for a photo. Oh, I paid tribute to your strategy of weaving in some songs to capture the mood 😊 I hope you don't mind!
With a bit of luck, J*** will show up and leave me a comment :-) Maybe she'll tell me what I got wrong 🫢
Awww you never know! When did you last hear from her? Great piece and great song choices - love it!!
We talk fairly often online. We had lunch a couple of years ago.
Excellent! The Live Aid story actually has an interesting backstory about my first girlfriend. I’ll see what I can come up with.
I definitely believe that my family environment and my rush to get away from school helped give me the courage to get away from it all. And once I was free, there was no stopping me!