Back in the old routine

Morgan’s Every Which Way

HISTORY will repeat itself for one of Oldham’s best-loved pub acts as they reunite for the first time in 15 years.

Morgan’s Every Which Way are back and are staging three nights of comeback gigs at the Royton Conservative Club, in Byron Street, for loyal fans.

The last time the six members of the band were on stage together was in 1996 at Watersheddings, the former home of Oldham Rugby League, before they decided to disband.

Frontman Morgan Fletcher, who turns 60 this month, journeyed to Tenerife to be a resident compere as well as staging countless solo gigs across the UK ever since.

He said: “We haven’t all been in the same room in the last 15 years but whenever we speak it’s like nothing has changed. We’ve been talking about doing a gig for ages.

“The banter and the camaraderie was always fantastic and we made an impact and got a really loyal following.

“So many people come up to me and tell me how they met each other at one of our gigs and we’re the reason they’re together.

“Some of them are bringing their kids, who are now grown up, along to the gigs.

“It makes you realise your own mortality, I keep saying we need to get the gigs done before I pop my clogs.”

Drummer Alan Cunningham is making the long trip from his home in Dubai especially for the shows, while keyboard player Paul Shaw went on to become a music teacher.

Lead guitarist Gareth Malton will take a break from touring with Cutting Crew — who had a hit with “Died In Your Arms Tonight” — and Craig Fletcher, who plays with Barclay James Harvest, is also on board for the reunion.

Jonny Sax, who now performs solo, will complete the line-up.

The collective formed in 1984 and gained fame locally staging gigs at pubs including the Grotton Hotel and the Blue Bell pub, which has since been demolished and replaced with apartments.

The hairstyles may have changed but the songs certainly haven’t, they’ll be belting out covers of classics from the likes of Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy during the gigs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Morgan said: “Fans have come out of the woodwork and we were so inundated for tickets we had to put three nights on.

“So many pubs and clubs have closed down now in Oldham, it’s great to be able to put these gigs on and give locals a good night out.”

It’ll be a family affair for the frontman as nephew Jake Fletcher and Halo, his daughter’s band, will support the reunited crew.

Just a handful of tickets are left and can be bought from the Conservative club.