Freelance roadie Paul Carter's random memories (part two).

Here are a few random memories from Paul, who has got back in touch, adding some interesting anecdotes to the history of our beloved band...

"TEB VCS3 synth... Glen originally bought it. I remember collecting the VCS3 from the guy who built them in Putney, Peter Zinovieff (https://www.electronicsound.co.uk/features/long-reads/the-birth-of-the-vcs-3/). I used to sit in the audience in front of the stage, facing the band and generate random noises from the VCS3. Paul Minns said his wife should 'play' the synth, as I had no musical skills, but Glen always resisted (I imagine he'd have to pay her...).

Paul Buckmaster, cellist, decided he wanted to also play electric bass guitar. He sent me off to buy him 'a bass guitar', me knowing as little about bass guitars as he did.
He referred to me anonymously in his interview as I arranged to get a guitar bridge fitted to his cello to electrify it. He thought it the first electric cello!

IOW Festival, 31-10-1969 (picture by Derek Halsal)

I was the guy who cheered Paul Minns by talking of our amps as family.

After, maybe the IOW 70 festival, I said to Glen that they rather disappeared visually on a large stage as all the other bands had masses of speakers etc. so he bought a modest, but effective WEM PA 2x10" folding columns + Audiomaster mixer."

IOW Festival, 31-10-1969 (picture by Barry Plummer/Repfoto)

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TEB's roadie PAUL CARTER tells something from the past! (part one?)

Paul Carter is someone who admits to remembering very little, but who truly lived through the 1960s. However, as a freelance roadie (1969-1971), he was an eyewitness to an important period in the history of the Third Ear Band and British rock, and he deserved to be recognized. In a letter to me—just "to let me know I exist”—he mentions a few scattered but important memories, such as the time he accompanied the band to the Northumberland on Polanski’s film set or to Germany for the recording of the "Abelard & Heloise" soundtrack.

It was only right to try to interview him anyway, but he preferred to gather his memories and write them down as they came to his mind... Here’s what he told me:

"I was TEBs (freelance) roadie, 1969-1971. I took over from Steve Pank. My memory is weak, but I remember visiting Polanski on set in Northumberland with Glen and Caroline, also Abelard & Heloise in Germany. I remember with affection Blackhill Enterprises with Peter Jenner, Andrew King,Sumi. I was the roadie Simon House recalled phoning him to tell him he had the gig with TEB. I will disappoint if you ask specifics, but thought I ought to let you know I exist.  Thanks so much for your site, Paul Carter,

PS Through Blackhill I was the untitled transport manager supplying trucks, buses and drivers for the UK end of (The Great) Medicine Ball Caravan (1971), a Warner Bros. film documenting a travelling rock festival. The UK leg culminated in a little-publicised free festival near Canterbury, Kent, on 31 August 1970, featuring Pink Floyd. My regards to any surviving TEB band members and Peter & Andrew."

Few days later, new memories came from Paul... 

"My time with TEB was a happy part of my life, and the band all friends, I have always been a very private person.
Re interview, Initially I prefer to compile some anecdotes as they come back to me, stimulated by your marvellous site, then send them on.

I don't have photos of me with the band and I made a point of staying invisible on stage.
I think they took photos of all of us on, was it Primrose Hill in London?, to celebrate a solstice with the Druids. They apparently were fully fledged members and I was designated an official novice Druid.

TEB appearing in "Macbeth" by Roman Polanski.

I was 18-20  at the time and left amicably as other full time gigs were offered.
I think I then moved to Osibisa, then Rare Bird, then five years with Ten Years After. I subsequently took an unrelated job in the Middle East, where I spent the next 30 years!

I'm so lucky to be able to message with you, and have my happy memories resurface,
Thanks so much, Paul.

PS I am so sad to have just missed Carolyn, she would have remembered me well. She was smart, elegant and funny.
PPS re Road Crew, like 'Guards Guards Guards' by Terry Pratchett, we're always in the background, out of shot." 

no©2026LucaChinoFerrari (unless you intend to make a profit. In which case, ask first). 

New Musical Express in 1969 on the Hyde Park festival.

 

A short piece by Nick Logan published in New Musical Express on July 12, 1969 recounts the Rolling Stones’ legendary performance at Hyde Park in 1969. Also appearing were the Third Ear Band, King Crimson (in their first live performance in open air) and Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated.
Given the scale of the event – organised by Blackhill Enterprises and having gone down in rock history in a big way – there is no need to say any more.

  no©2026LucaChinoFerrari (unless you intend to make a profit. In which case, ask first).