Both David and Kevin have contributed to my recent books Back Street Genius, and about to be printed C-c-c-come ‘an ‘ave a listen. Many more details of the way Derek was involved with Bauhaus, and later Love and Rockets, can be found in the following books: Bauhaus Undead by Kevin Haskins, Who Killed Mister Moonlight by David J and Bauhaus and Beyond by Ian Shirley. Stuck to his lips) he was definitely on their page and knew exactly how to interpret their needs. I wasn’t present when they recorded Bela, but I gather it was a magical experience they were thrilled that even if Derek was a ‘father figure’ in his late fifties, and unconventional in his attire, (old carpet slippers and baggy trousers, cigarette butt I used to sit and sketch the farm buildings and David J was very kind in his criticism of my attempts. One time at Rockfield, they were sitting in our car, meditating and theorising on life with the help of certain substances, when smoke began to pour from below the seats. It was here that they decided to buy the hearse, and Derek was not pleased as they were tearing around the countryside in it while they were supposed to be recording. We dined each night with the boys in the farmhouse, together with much hilarity and wine. They liked to think of him as a kind of Guru, mentor, and father figure! We took our caravan, and it was a nightmare to negotiate the long and winding dirt road up to the farmhouse, with a very steep gradient. I remember when Derek went to Rockfield Studio’s in Monmouthshire, to engineer several of Bauhaus’s recordings. We became great friends of the group and I am still in touch with David and Kevin Haskins. It was my husband who recorded Bauhaus’ Bela Lugosis’s Dead in one take at Beck, and also several of their L.P.’s and singles, both at Beck and Rockfield. My name is Mrs Mavis Tompkins and I’m the widow of the late Derek Tompkins, who owned Shield Recording Studios in Kettering, and Beck studios in Wellingborough. In theatre, we always find our home for all. The scenes still etched in my mind with pride.Īnd now to learn the familiar, something new The portrait of a friendship takes shape.Īuntie Em always well-liked and with the young actorĪn acting career, learning lines, and visiting a home.Ī good friend with even a holiday to Scotland. Great Aunt Em at Northampton’s Royal Theatreįinding her work as an usher and dressmaker. In our hometown that now carefully reawakens.

You beam and recall the actor Errol Flynn Thanks to Kay Medway for submitting this poem recounting her memories of her Auntie Em working in the theatre in Northampton in the ’50s and making a famous friend along the way!Ī conversation calls on your memories & theīy a Great Aunt both Theatrical and respected.Īs if to awaken the unending family curiosities.Īs if to pique a young daughter’s interestsĪs quickly as if the words we will transcribe to pages.

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