The Big Time was formed in 1992. Since a considerable number of years has passed since then, any historical inaccuracies due to failing memories are apologised for in advance.
At the time, Ian and Alan were playing in a band called Bigfoot, a straightahead hard rock band notable for their annual Thin Lizzy tribute nights in the Fleece and Firkin.
Nick and Phil had enjoyed local success in the mid to late eighties with Sting In The Tail and then with Eleventh Hour.
All four knew each other, some had even played together before in other bands. Ian and Phil had played together in Cold Sweat, the predessessor of Bigfoot - Alan replaced Phil on bass when he left to join Eleventh Hour.
It all started off as a bit of a laugh. At some point, someone bet that the four of us could work out a set of songs, turn up at a venue and, without rehearsal, play a gig. Total madness. But it happened, at the Farriers Arms and it was a (reasonable) success.
So followed much discussion between the four and, after some cajoling and convincing of some that it really would be a good idea to quit our respective bands and put this band together properly, The Big Time was born.
The following year, someone said "Bigfoot did a Thin Lizzy tribute. We ought to do a tribute night too." But which band to pick? November 1993 saw the first Big Time Annual Queen Tribute, which has run in the Fleece every year since (except 1995 - the Fleece was badly damaged by fire that year). We've been fortunate in calling on the expert services of Baz, our very own 'Spike Edney', to provide keyboards and general enthusiasm for these nights.
The band was dealt a huge blow in April 2005 with the sudden and untimely death of Phil Morris. After playing Phil's tribute gig at the Fleece in November 2005 and covering the Queen gig the following year, bass player and vocalist Mike Wilton agreed to join the band full time in early 2007. The Queen tribute nights continue and the band took on a new venture in May 2008 - an 80's night at the Fleece, which duly returned the following year.
But, alas, nothing lasts forever and following a lot of soul searching, we've decided to call it a day at the end of 2009. It's been a hell of a ride over these last seventeen years and we'd like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way. There's talk of maybe keeping the Queen Tribute Night going as a one-off gig during the year, so watch this space. As it stands, our last regular gig is at the Reckless Engineer in Bristol on Saturday 19th December so it would be great to see you for our last hurrah before we disappear into the sunset.
