Peter Boocock was born with his fingers tapping out rhythms- a habit he keeps to this day. So when he saw his first drum kit it was love at first sight.His earliest memories are of his mum playing the piano. His dad was a violinist and his granddad a conductor. Sadly, Peter's mother died when he was still very young. His father remarried and the family moved to Blackpool, where Peter established a lifetime friendship with the legendary Cairoli circus family, and was captivated by other stars of the day:
"Charlie (Cairoli Jnr) and I used to sneak into the Winter Gardens and hang over the balcony, watching people like Eric Delaney and the Ted Heath orchestra. That was how I was brought up. I was just a little lad of 10, but I met all these amazing people. That's how I got the showbiz bug, really."
As a teenager, Peter got himself a drum kit, and set up a Shadows-style band Terry and the Trackers which included Tony Williams, later of Stealers Wheel. Spotted by talent scouts, they went to London, and recorded their debut single in the same studio as the Rolling Stones. But before it could be released the song they had chosen was also covered by Bern Ellie and the Fenmen. Bern's version went straight to number one and Terry and the Trackers were left out in the cold.
Undaunted, Peter teamed up with brilliant Blackpool-based Hammond organist Bruce Hargreaves and they formed the duo Bruce and Peter Davies: "We both did vocals, including a lot of falsetto stuff. It was very popular - we covered material by Ricky Valance, the Four Seasons and the Pedallers."
The pair established an enthusiastic following, and landed a spot on television talent contest Opportunity Knocks. They won - thanks to hosts of votes from their devoted northern fans. Then they won again - and again. After three weeks of success, they were offered the ultimate TV spot - as guests on the Morecambe and Wise show.
"I thought it was a wind-up" laughs Peter.
But it wasn't. They performed on prime-time TV with the celebrated comedy duo, and other guests including Dusty Springfield and Kenny Ball's Jazzmen.
From then on Peter and Bruce toured practically non-stop for eighteen years. When they landed in a new town they would set up their two sets of gear at two different venues - usually a working mens club or concert venue and a nightclub. Then they would do two gigs every night. Other engagements included tours on the continent, work on luxury cruise ships like the QE2, and regular summer seasons in Blackpool.
In 1981 Peter abandoned the demanding life of a touring musician. He got married, got a day job, settled down in Lancaster and didn't play for ten years. But music hadn't finished with him yet. He met guitarist Sam Bracken - who invited him to audition for Les Bull's Festival Jazzmen, one of the most in-demand trad bands in the area, at that time needing a drummer. Peter went along and got the job. Even though he'd never played jazz before.
"It's just rhythm really" he says. "Some of the stuff I'd done with Bruce was very jazz-oriented anyway, so it wasn't much of a change."
After Les Bull's retirement Peter took the helm, and the band re-emerged as the Jubilee Jazz Band. The line-up featured the formidable musicianship of Dave Savill on trumpet, Mick Unthank on clarinet and baritone sax, Matthew Woodhouse on trombone, bassist Laurence Canty and guitarist Jon Moore. Plus, of course, Peter, leading from the back with his phenomenal command of the drumkit, and his no-nonsense approach to the repertoire:
"When it comes to jazz it's just happy, tappy music. I don't read a note, but I listen very carefully and respond with the drums."
The Jubilee are regulars at the popular OutGate Inn in Cumbria and also at the Bowerham Hotel sessions established by music-loving landlord John Cockerton. "John's support for the music scene has been tremendous." says Peter. "A landlord who believes in live music is a real star in my books".
Peter is a real star too. Catch up with him at the Bowerham or the Outgate sometime, and you'll find your fingers tapping. Just like Peter's have been doing ever since he was a little boy in Blackpool.