Jerome Marcus, who left Plymstock Comprehensive in the early 70s, was an aspiring musician from a very young age.
“I felt naturally drawn by anything expressional on many levels and grateful for the support from the staff especially music teacher John Kember who allowed me to express and innovate unashamedly,” said Jerome.
He joined the school big band and had his own pop band performing for local charities.
Rich in spirit, determined and passionate he began performing on the Plymouth pub circuit performing with bands such as Crazy Feeling, Badger and The Luncheon Vultures in the mid 70s at music venues Breakwater (Coxside), The Ark Royal (Devonport) and Good Companions (City Centre) for five years before leaving for London in 1980 to start a career as a musician and in the music business.
“I made the bold decision to move out of Plymouth to the hub of the music industry. It was a risk I had to take,” he said.
“It was tough going and challenging but I soldiered on to test my worth as a musician and getting used to a completely new way of life. I had nothing to lose but to give it my best shot.
“I consider myself very lucky that over 45 years later I am still performing on stage and still involved in music thanks to my early days at Plymstock School and Plymouth musicians”.
He has performed with many great musicians including Rory Gallagher, Paul Jones, Imelda May, has had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Tom Jones, Joss Stone and has toured with Uriah Heep, Kool & The Gang, and Slade among many others.
In the early 90s he became artist relations manager at Arbiter Distribution and in early 2000 was made European artist relations manager for the Sabian cymbal company looking after high profile drummers such as Phil Collins, Billy Cobham, Dave Weckl and being part of building the brand for the company.
This was an important learning curve enabling him to navigate the change into the business side of the industry.
He is currently touring the UK with one of London’s top R&B bands Sam Kelly’s Station House who will be performing in the West Country at Acorn Arts Centre in Penzance and Ashburton Arts Centre.
Photo: Haydn Hart
The band will be promoting their new CD ‘No Barricades’ and Jerome will be celebrating his 10th year with the band.
He added:
“I consider myself very lucky to still be recording, touring and performing in my 60s although I must say it doesn’t get easier the older I get, but driven by an inbuilt passion it makes it all worth my while.”.
Plymouth is rich in musical talent and his concern is the lack of support for upcoming new musicians who are struggling to support and develop their talent.
Jerome added:
“As the music industry experiences continued changes, music venues are having to cope with new social challenges, meanig that it becomes much harder to ‘Keep Music Live’.
“It is a sign of the times but I urge all musicians to work together and support each other to bring new music to the masses rather than to engage in competition”.
He has donated musical equipment to the charitable organisation ‘Livewire’ responsible for guiding young kids through their adolescence and has been involved with a new community radio station Radio Radford in Hooe with founder Steve Anniss and interviewed by radio presenters Alan Inglis-Faulkner and Graham Faulkner.
“It’s been a long and fruitful journey and I’ve always believed in seizing the day and creating opportunity rather than waiting for it.”
