In late summer 1990, the final version of The D.H.S.S. had withered, faded and died, and the Tamworth music scene was beginning to lose it's intense level of excitement and enthusiasm.

The Armchair and John Reeman had met at The Gate Inn, Amington for the first time since their version of The D.H.S.S. had split in late 1989. The meeting had been arranged as Reeman was keen to make a bit of cash printing t-shirts and the Armchair still had the equipment to do so. As an aside, Reeman mentioned that he had been writing a set of new songs and suggested they take the opportunity to listen to them. The Armchair was impressed and immediately suggested he have a go at singing them.

John Reeman had obviously been very busy over the preceding six months and had a full set of songs, including such numbers as Sunshine of Your Heart, Burn, Chime and Paris. They began practicing, and things went well. It was obvious a backing singer was required, it was time to call upon Anice Byfield again. The Foundation was formed.

The band continued to build a tight set of songs, mixing Reeman's new material with the 'best' of The D.H.S.S. including, Pennies from Heaven, Clarke Gable and 'til the Love Bites Fade. It was decided that a recording should be made and so a travelling recording studio was recruited and the songs recorded in John Reeman's spare bedroom. Unfortunately, the Armchair had a severe dose of the flu at the time, so the experience was not the most enjoyable.

In early 1991, the band decided it was time to show off their wares to the people of Tamworth and at the start of February the band played Tamworth Arts Centre. Coincidentally it was the Armchair's thirtieth birthday and the event became a minor celebration for the man himself. Support for the night were The Psychic Outlaws, a fine bunch of fellows. For the first time in his entire time as a performer, the Armchair was on stage minus alcohol and cigarettes, but the pills were a fine alternative.

The night was something of an anti-climax and for the Armchair it felt that it was maybe time to stop.

The excitement had gone, where was the thrill, lyrics had dried up, he hadn't written a new song or poem for probably six months since The Scandal of Billy Randall. When creativity becomes strained and a labour, it's time to hang up the cushion covers switch off the table-lamp, stroke the cat for one last time and shut the door quietly behind you as you leave.

The following week, a notice appeared in The Tamworth Herald, Births, Deaths and Marriages column:

Edward ian Armchair - sadly missed. All my love, Kevin xxx
I walked into a lonely room and saw the lonely people,
And suddenly…

Thankyou, goodnight.

The End

Read the lyrics, hear the songs of The Foundation here >