Kathleen Cecilia
ITR - Spokane, Washington USA
"A Birthday Celebration and a tribute to Michael Dixon,
founder of ITR"
A very young Michael!!!
Michael Dixon was born on Feb. 28th, in Burlington Avenue, Slough, but moved to Windsor 2 years later. His Grandfather was an Antique Dealer who specialized in Oak and Stamps (Philately) and was one of the first Antique Dealers to import Inlaid Turquoise. He was also an Archeologist (one of those who found "Edward the Confessors" Tomb in Old Windsor. He was also a great writer, he wrote many childrens' stories and the "Uncle Mac" stories on BBC radio back in the 1940s. He was also a great Poet, although nothing has been found since his untimely death of a Brain Hemorrhage in 1956. He also used to give Tarot readings and other using ordinary playing cards.
Michael grew up with his Grandfather who sometimes had difficulty getting out and about, so he and Michael would walk a hundred or so yards (metres) to the Post Office or the School. He acquired the name "Kennel Ride Ascot" after a road in Ascot. In those days he was known as "Ken" or "Kenny"... but that was only his
Christian name, not his registered name of Michael Kenneth
Michael at age 27!
Michael comes from a line of Psychics/Intuits with Spiritual family members on both sides. His Mother and her Mother, his Father and his Father. His Mum is a "Seer" and her Mother came from a background which is believed to be Romany or Gypsy, with the "Lewin" line from Epsom in Surrey. Michael himself is both a Clairsentient and Claircognisant. He first became aware of these gifts from the age of three. Some of us know him as "Michael-Psychic Soul Man."
He went to Dedworth Green Junior School near where his Mum still lives. Interestingly the Head Master, a Mr. Andrews, wrote in a Year Report around the age of 8 or 9, that Michael would become an Artist, Writer, or be involved in Sales. He has undertaken all three. There was no mention of music, that was yet to come. He later went on to Senior School, "The Royal Free Bachelor's acre, Windsor, the first free school in the UK. It is believed to have been founded during Queen Anne's Reign in 1705. George Reid the headmaster saw Michael's potential and his interest in music became an influence for the young future musician. Michael then went to East Berk's College, Windsor, with the idea of becoming a Journalist.
Michael's Childhood Home in Windsor
On the subject of music, Michael asked his Mum and Dad for a guitar at about the age of 12 and received a 6-String Acoustic Spanish style guitar. The first thing he did was dispatch the first 2 strings, he wanted to play Bass guitar. At about 14 or 15 he was asked to join a group called the "Blue Notes" based in Windsor and Slough. After College, Michael went into the Merchant Navy with P&O-Orient on the S.S. Canberra on a world cruise (which he is currently writing the story about) on his return he then went back to play with the "Blue Notes." They did lots of gigs, but changed the name to "Left Bank."
"Left Bank" (Originally "The Blue Notes")
Michael Centre Front
Michael put together a band called "Breakfast" which soon became "Giant Bird" with Dave Chadd on vocals, "Gee Tee" Moore (as he was called) on guitar and Vocals, Steve Jones on Keyboards, Tony Sloan on Drums, and Michael on Bass guitar. They worked as a band, which was mainly Folk/Rock in musical essence.
"Giant Bird" wrote a lot of self-penned songs including the group's name sake "Giant Bird" , "From a Minstrel And A King" and others. They also covered The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." They did the first '
upbeat' version (it took six weeks to perfect) along with The Band's "The Weight" and Bob Dylan's "From a Buick Six" and Arlo Guthries' "Motor Cycle" (pronounced "sickle") Song, all their own versions.
Michael & His Son Simon Outside "Touchwood" Stow on the Wold
Unfortunately, I am leaving out several names and details due to space, I do want to mention that Michael recorded with "Virgin Sound" Studios, Windsor. Giant Bird was picked up in London by the famous "Radio Caroline" then BBC Disc Jockey "Tony Blackburn" who loved their music. They did a session at the very famous London studio: "Olympic Studios" where they recorded: "Giant Bird", "From A Minstrel And A King" & "Goodbye".
After Michael left the band, the phone rang and he was invited to "stand in" for a group who were "Cousins of the Kinks" for a short period.
After this, Michael went Solo and went back to working on the River Thames in Windsor as a Skipper, writing Poetry/Prose and Songs. He sold his beloved Bass Guitar, then purchased an '
Eko Ranger' 12 String Acoustic Guitar.
Michael & Reg Try at St. Leonard's Mansion
Michael also met a gentleman by the name of Reg Try, the owner of Windsorian Coaches. Knowing about Michael's writing talent, he asked him to write the history St. Leonard's Mansion, in Poetic form.
While on the boats, Michael met a Post Office Engineer, who was working at the Thames Hotel. He saw Michael's guitar, the two struck up a friendship, and gave birth to "Sunrise." The man was named Roy Young, the duo co-wrote 21 songs in 3 weeks, and entered, what is now known to be, the first Slough Arts Festival. They did not "win" the competition, they came second to an American group called 'Atlantic Gap'. However; as Michael put it, "It was a win for us."
'Sunrise' - Michael & Roy at St. Leonard's Mansion
"Sunrise" played several gigs, this was not to last, however; Roy was getting married, Michael was already then married and he and his wife were expecting their first child.
The young family moved to Cornwall in 1975/6 and Michael started his own business "Old Mill Antiques." His Dad used to buy for him in the auctions in the Windsor and surrounding area and bring the items down to his home just outside of Bude in North Cornwall. The shop was in Boscastle near Tintagel (home of the legend of King Arthur & Merlin).
Michael gave up music from 1971 to 1981. He built up the business from a single stall in the Old Mill in Boscastle, to a shop above an Art Gallery.
By 1980 the business had grown and changed its name to 'Touchwood Antiques' and moved to the "Home of Antiques", the thriving Antiques centre of Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck. There were several deaths in the family including Michael's Father, and while they were at the funeral of his wife's Father, there was extensive water damage to all five floors of the Antique shop due to a roofing project, which made for a difficult start to a new area.
By the end of 1981, Michael became involved in CB radio. He and a friend Michael Annesley started up a group of CB'ers giving out information and looking after the elderly and lonely in their area. The group was known as the "Delta X-Ray" group.
Michael with "Hooker" '83~4 Tour
(With Laurie Keen & Dave Catling
Peter (Phred) Drums Out of Shot)
Winters in the Cotswolds could bring deep snow and the CB group provided a sort of "life line" for those who felt cut off, and of course a means to report any accidents or emergencies.
One day through the 'Delta X-Ray' experience, Michael met a man named Laurie Keen. He had heard that Michael had been in bands in the 60's and would he be interested in forming a band.
After a name and member changes they formed "Hooker."
"Hooker" was known as "The Rock n' Roll Band You'd Love To Hate To Meet." "Hooker" had a great following, more a family than a group and usually had 10 people or more, all dedicated.
"Hooker" did a 1983-84 tour, then finished a natural dying in 1985.
Michael with "Hooker"
Later years: Ian Bramble came to live with Michael for about 6 months and they started "Ten Moons Found" which was the beginning in 1985 of Touchwood Music Studios, which was supported by Touchwood Antiques.
Michael worked with his son Simon and his group (no name at that time) with Matt Bucher and others.
Then there was Chris Ongers as a studio singer, (MySpace Songs on ITR, "Living in A World of Your Own, City of Sin, Children of Nighttime etc. check out the new songs online now!)
Dave Catling (Hooker) and Michael got back together and co-wrote for 10 years.
Michael Going "Fender" Fretless
Heather Carter (nee Butcher) - ITR Mallorca) recorded and how they met in 1994.
There are so many other people, such as Duran Duran's Roger Taylor, who as a friend worked on some TWM projects through the 90's and bands and clients who came into the Touchwood Antiques/Music World, and so many adventures not shown, as there simply is not enough room, apologies if I have left anyone out.
Michael is still a talented writer, musician, Antiques expert, a psychic and healer, and hypnotherapist.
Michael is divorced, has 3 children, Simon, Seth, and Sophie, and resides with his companion Carol near Glastonbury, Somerset. Michael has many other wonderful attributes.
Michael is a Lover, of people, animals, the earth, peace, of the beautiful things here that matter. (As many know, he also has a wonderful sense of humor).
Above all, he is a wonderful friend.
From all of us Michael, we love you, and wish you a wonderful Birthday!!!!
K.C.
Michael with his band "Giant Bird" (extreme right)
Labels: In Touch Radio Update
