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Decap Robot Bands in the United Kingdom
By Nicholas Simons

Peter Clarke mentions Norman Kendall's self-built organ, which is
a good looking and fun instrument that is built into a trailer so
it can be seen by a wide range of enthusiasts.  It is certainly
a very good modern reproduction of the classic Decap machines.

I can remember three real Decap robot organs that appeared at one
time or another around Great Britain:

1. A three-robot organ at Turners Musical Merry-go-round, with the
drummer in the centre.  This is featured on the record GRS 1132 by
Grosvenor Records of Birmingham, B20 3NP.  Turners closed down many
years ago and I do not know where this organ is now.

2. The "Blue Angel" robot organ was owned for a few years by Graham
Whitehead and was presented at his Ashorne Hall establishment.  This
has the drummer to the left.  I believe he imported it from mainland
Europe.  After Graham's unfortunate early death the organ was sold to
the Krughoff collection, where I believe it still is.

3. The well known Glasgow shop owner Alex Duman had a two-robot organ
which made its public appearance in the foyer of John Gresham's Penny
Arcadia museum at Pocklington in Yorkshire.  After John's death and
the closure of the museum, I believe this organ went to Australia.

Best wishes from the UK,
Nicholas Simons


(Message sent Mon 17 Nov 2014, 09:34:53 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bands, Decap, Kingdom, Robot, United

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