RodBee
RodBee
Vic Briggs RIP
An unknown to many, but celebrity Brentford fan, Vic Briggs has passed away aged 76.
Vic was one of the intrepid fans of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s who travelled on the supporters coaches to far flung places like Bradford, Halifax, etc, travelling overnight each way as there were no motorways of note at that time.
Arriving around 7.00 am we would find a cafe for breakfast then play football until kick off time approached when we would go to the ground to let the locals know that the Bees had vociferous fans ready for the game.
Vic arranged a team ‘Feltham Bees’ to play in the Hanworth Carnival 6-a-side tournament in 1962. Sadly, like the team at the time, success eluded us!
Vic Briggs attended Hampton Grammar School, where his contemporaries included Paul Samwell-Smith and Jim McCarty, both of The Yardbirds, Brian May, of Queen and singer-actor Murray Head.
In 1961, at the age of 16 he performed with The Echoes at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Briggs continued playing with semi-professional bands upon his return to school, and also was asked to rejoin as the backing band for Jerry Lee Lewis.
At that time, The Echoes had become the backup band to Dusty Springfield.
Because of his burgeoning musical career Vic was ‘asked’ to leave school and had to forego following ‘his’ Bees around the country.
For older members Vic’s career included many well known 1960’s groups including The Steampacket, with Long John Baldry, other members were Rod Stewart and Julie Driscoll on vocals. Briggs also participated in the recording of a Johnny Hallyday album.
Briggs joined Eric Burdon and The Animals in 1966 and was described by one biographer as being "the most musically adept musician ever to pass through the ranks of the Animals".
Subsequently Vic moved to Los Angeles and developed a reputation as an independent arranger and producer. In 1993 Briggs and his family relocated to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Then in 2008, Briggs and his family relocated to New Zealand, the country of his wife's early years, where Briggs and his wife of over forty years were yoga instructors.
Vic was one of the intrepid fans of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s who travelled on the supporters coaches to far flung places like Bradford, Halifax, etc, travelling overnight each way as there were no motorways of note at that time.
Arriving around 7.00 am we would find a cafe for breakfast then play football until kick off time approached when we would go to the ground to let the locals know that the Bees had vociferous fans ready for the game.
Vic arranged a team ‘Feltham Bees’ to play in the Hanworth Carnival 6-a-side tournament in 1962. Sadly, like the team at the time, success eluded us!
Vic Briggs attended Hampton Grammar School, where his contemporaries included Paul Samwell-Smith and Jim McCarty, both of The Yardbirds, Brian May, of Queen and singer-actor Murray Head.
In 1961, at the age of 16 he performed with The Echoes at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Briggs continued playing with semi-professional bands upon his return to school, and also was asked to rejoin as the backing band for Jerry Lee Lewis.
At that time, The Echoes had become the backup band to Dusty Springfield.
Because of his burgeoning musical career Vic was ‘asked’ to leave school and had to forego following ‘his’ Bees around the country.
For older members Vic’s career included many well known 1960’s groups including The Steampacket, with Long John Baldry, other members were Rod Stewart and Julie Driscoll on vocals. Briggs also participated in the recording of a Johnny Hallyday album.
Briggs joined Eric Burdon and The Animals in 1966 and was described by one biographer as being "the most musically adept musician ever to pass through the ranks of the Animals".
Subsequently Vic moved to Los Angeles and developed a reputation as an independent arranger and producer. In 1993 Briggs and his family relocated to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Then in 2008, Briggs and his family relocated to New Zealand, the country of his wife's early years, where Briggs and his wife of over forty years were yoga instructors.
