On Tuesday this week I’m walking up Carmichael Street about to turn into Lamaha, and a man comes running out of the business on the corner and hails me: “Boy, I’m glad I ran into you. I am Clifford Fogenay. I was in the GDF when you came to Kimbia to play with Tradewinds. I have a picture from that time, and I want to send it to you; you will enjoy it.” I was stunned. He was talking about something that happened in 1976, but I instantly remembered the occasion and the fervour of National Service and GDF personnel that day: they were encamped far from the city and couldn’t get to hear the band, so we had gone up there to give them a free show. GDF flew us up, there was an impressive amount to eat, they treated us royally – we were even garlanded; a first for me – and we came back to town uplifted from the experience. The picture, when it came, showed the passage of time – it was taken 41 years ago – but it was as
