THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW - Excerpts from the life of Keith West

 

It was about time that some light was shed on Tomorrow and the consequence of their lead singer Keith Hopkins (a.k.a. Keith West) scoring big with an “Excerpt From A Teenage Opera” (“Grocer Jack”).  Tomorrow was one the most elegant and versatile psychedelic Pop bands of the UK who sported an ace lead guitarist (Steve Howe), a wild drummer (John Alder a.k.a. Twink), a creative bass guitarist (John ‘Junior’ Wood) and an excellent song-writing duo (Keith Hopkins and Ken Burgess) supplying them with outstanding songs. In “Thinking About Tomorrow – Excerpts from the life of Keith West” (Hawksmoor Publishing, London 2020, 281 pages ISBN 978-1-8380990-1-5) Ian L.  Clay focusses on the career of Keith Hopkins, but pays enough attention to the various band members, producers and sidemen. It’s an insightful book, although Clay was born only after Tomorrow had long dissolved. His writing is as fluent as the music composed by Keith Hopkins and his approach to his subject is adequately scientific. He draws from the relevant sources and interviewed the people involved as far as they were still available. In portraying Keith West’s life from his childhood days on into the world of Rock stardom, Clay is precise and detailed in his writing. From the rather low-key beginnings with Four + 1 via the R & B affiliation of The In Betweens the path almost inevitably leads to Tomorrow and “The 14 Hour Technicolour Dream”. Unfortunately, the band’s sole (and wonderful album) was delayed for many months and miserably promoted by their record company. At the same time their (German producer) Mark Wirtz had the idea of “A Teenage Opera” and thus together with Keith West composed and recorded a song titled “Grocer Jack” complete with orchestration and a children’s choir singing the chorus. The story is about a village grocer who “won’t come back” and thus his shop will no longer be the centre of the village. Wirtz tempted Keith West to sing lead on the demo to offer it to Parlophone for a proper release with a singer of their choice. They wouldn’t touch it. Clay reveals how John Peel, DJ at Radio Caroline, became influential in turning “Grocer Jack” into a hit record and – unintentionally – in the break-up of Tomorrow. Tomorrow soon were billed as Keith West & Tomorrow and the increasing number of teenyboppers in the audience shouted for “Grocer Jack” instead of “My White Bicycle” or “Revolution”. Clay also reveals what a rich and satisfying life as a Rock musician, songwriter, producer and family man Keith West has lived after the Teenage Opera episode to this very day. Little did I know, and to read about it made me drop my head in shame. Well, almost.