No, I don't understand it either but for some reason I have recently been getting a fair few visits to my blog via people looking for images on google search of Shakin' Stevens and Emily Lloyd.
Okay, at a push I may know the Emily Lloyd connection - she tried to sign a petition once when we were doing a stall somewhere in East London, and I may have mentioned it in a blog. What is it with people and petitions? If I thought that was all it took to salve a troubled conscience, I would be on six a day years ago. It is definitely time to put the plan into action of turning up at Marxism this year with a roll of bog roll, and ask people to sign our petition. Now that would be a petition that would actually be put to use for a change.*
What's the hell with Shakin' Stevens connection though? Somebody once told me that he used to be a member of the Communist Party as a youth in South Wales, but maybe I've got him confused with Green Gartside of Scritti Politti fame? In a certain light, they do look kind of similar.
Of course this rush of traffic never results in people staying for longer than a nano-second.
Tasteless sods.
* Yes, I have the nefarious past as the seasoned petitioner. It's a great way to sell papers. Place the pre-paid for magazines behind the petition board, put on your most pained and ingratiating expression (sounds contradictory, but try it), and then do your spiel like you are doing a karaoke version of Del Boy in an old episode of 'Fools and Horses.' Once a person signs the petition, with a deftness of hand that would put Jerry Sadowitz to shame, slowly reveal the papers and the cut down price.
You'd be surprised how successful you can be.
3 comments:
Don't know if Shakin' Stevens ever was a member, but I know from what people tell me that he played Young Communist League benifits in Wales in the '70s - and good for him, I say.
Green from Scritti Polliti not only supported the CPGB but was a member of the party - in Camden, if I'm not mistaken. And I'm sure he wouldn't deny it ... well,why would one?
Petitions - ggggrrrrrhhhhhhhh. Hate them!
Hello Reidski,
aye I knew that Green was a YCLer in his youth, and hence the wee sideway reference to him.
From 'Skanc Bologna' (wrongly spelt) and 'Jacques Derrida' on Rough Trade records to 'Wood Beez (I Pray Like Aretha Franklin)' in seven years: if that isn't the musical soundtrack to the transformation of Marxism Today under the editorship of Martin Jacques, then I don't know what is. ;-)
Hi Darren--
It was the same in the WRP in the early 80s. Take one spotty student (me), give him a bunch of Young Socialists to hawk around the estate, and hide copies of the Newsline behind them for sudden proferring and suggestion that a subscription might be a bargain!
It's where I learnt my poker face.
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