That email sent me on a paper trail through some of the old contributions to the site, for anyone who mentioned the name. Spanish Fred'. They are as follows.

"I remember meeting Spanish Fred in the Black Lion, Salford. We were there when Kid Sheik played – it was so packed the floor actually moved up and down. I remember so many people, Dave Ball on the door, Rose downstairs!! Who could forget Rose and her singing downstairs? Trish, Big I and Greta who showed me how to stomp, Gabe, Les Moore, Dave with his braces from New Orleans, Chris Lucas, Ian Rose, Dave Wright with the Sousaphone, Brian Morrison, John Brunton, a young Larry Hurst, Derek Galloway, Tony and Margaret Smith, the Pendlebury brothers and Marcia, Charlie Bentley, Steve Fagg. The number of bands that played in Manchester at that time was amazing. I’d never heard jazz till I came to Manchester" - Viv Fisher

18/11/08 - Viv Fisher once wrote on the Reminiscing Page when referring to the jazz sessions at the Black Lion in Salford, "I remember meeting Spanish Fred there". Alan Lewis is doing some research work and would love to know more about "Spanish Fred". Did you know him or know who he was? Do you have any memories of him? Please contact me and I'll put you in touch with Allan.

19/02/15 - ......  By the way I didn't find any fame or fortune in London as I was recalled back to Manchester to join Shep's Banjo Boys. Spanish Fred never forgave me for this. - Charlie Bentley

22/02/15 - Just looking at the recent comments on your news page and noted the mention of Spanish Fred within Charlie Bentleys contribution, and Shep's banjo boys. During my Free trade hall days we would nip over to the Abercrombie pub next to Bootle street police station. Graham Shepherd, one of the Shep's, was the licensee. He had a good collection of photographs within the pub, and he moved on to the Swan with Two Nicks I believe, in Cheshire. Back to the amazing Spanish Fred. I followed the Dave Donohoe band around the corner from the Abercrombie, at the Nags Head. Mick Crighton with his old fedora hat also played there, the Midland hotel Didsbury with the wonderful Harlem Hot Stompers and Julie was anther regular haunt, however I remember Spanish Fred could be seen at both these venues, he would enter the room to huge applause even with the band in full flow. He was always dressed in some amazing outfits, sometimes in thirties gangster style pin stripe suits and trilby and spats, or he would have a cane in hand draped in cloak he would then toss these aside and shout "Give us a stomper boys", what a character, I believe he was chef from a leading hotel in Manchester. There must be more information or a photo of the man out there anyone? - Mark Mc Alister

22/02/15 - Hi Fred, Seeing the remarks by Mark McAlister asking if anyone has a photo of Spanish Fred, please let him know that he will find a photo of him on the front cover of "Give Us A Stomper, Kid" which was dedicated to Fred. We have great memories of him turning up at gigs dressed just as Mark described and his funeral was such an event that the TV cameras were there and it was on the late evening news that night on both BBC and Granada. Great times! Janet Rodger

24/02/15 - The message from Mart Rodger's wife Janet, reminded me of the recording his band made entitled, "Give us a Stomper Kid " (he always shouted this out ) a tribute to Spanish Fred which I completely forgot about, I remember it now as an LP issue complete with Spanish Fred on the cover I will now purchase it from Mart in CD format.

31/03/15 - ........  Back to Spanish Fred briefly.  As I was always the “baby” of the bands, he sort of took me under his wing. He used to drive me around in his cream? Austin Princess.   After a gig, he often used to take me for a curry. We usually ended up in rather “questionable” establishments, but fantastic curries. My favourite memories are Sunday afternoons after watching Pedro Legro & his Fat Five at the Warren Buckley. I also remember him saying he never had a driving licence because he didn’t believe in them. In later times, he used to carry pound notes, ten shilling notes and pre-decimal coins because he didn’t believe in decimal currency.  I also remember Accrington Stanley Jazz Club. We used to walk around the derelict football ground during the intervals. I met a local girl there and courted her for a while driving there a couple of time a week on my scooter (in winter) and having to thaw the seat out each way.   Happy days.  - Charlie Bentley

08/04/19 - Speaking of 'Guinness Plus' I will always remember the tipple of the late, much revered 'Spanish Fred' (John Basnett) who drank 'Poor Man's Black Velvet'. This was half Guinness and half cider. Glowing cigarette in holder (right hand), pint in left hand and right elbow on the mantel above the fireplace at the Warren and Bulkeley in Stockport listening to the jazz, 'Spanish' would pontificate the merits of New Orleans in contrast to 'modernist trash'. He had a rather narrow view of our music but he was a great source of encouragement to many a young musician, including me. - Ian Royle

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19/06/20 - ...........  I also Moe Green sitting in at The Sportsman's In Manchester when we had a weekly spot there. Joe Silmon, Ted Calvert, Spanish Fred also sat in with us a lot there too. As did many others. Good times! - Brenda Canty-Forrest

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12/05/23 - I had a call from Alan Dent on the 8th April asking for contact details for Chris Dodd as he had John Basnett's hat and wanted to pass it on to him. A meeting in Macclesfield was set to take place, but for health reasons Alan was unable to make it, and kindly posted it to John. Chris says, "Hat arrived safe and sound thank you for your assistance in making this happen for me. Quite poignant as today it's 4 years since my eldest son died at 33 .so I lost a lot of my future and regained a piece of my past on the same day.  I've included a picture of the hat (below), and the John Walter Basnett monogrammed hat band complete with Brylcreem stains lol"
 

The following information supplied by Chris Dodd in May 2023

CUTTINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS AT THE TIME

BASNETT, John Walter Died 29th November, 1984 John has gone to New Orleans to meet all the greats that he loved. Louis, Mugsy, and not forgetting Alex, he's there too. If you were to come back today you would walk into jazz with the same style as you went out, top hat and tails, not to forget your spats. surrounded by the friends who miss you. When I grow too old to stomp, if you have to have jazz explained then you will never know. I won't cry today, John, your slippers from the fireside I'll take away, put on a record and lift my glass to you who I love dearly. Ever-loving Doreen. Just a closer walk with thee. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, And may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Love is all I have to give

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Sad news is the death of John Basnett, probably the most colourful of all the region's fans whose white suits, patent shoes and distinctive hats earned him the nickname of Spanish Fred. John, who was 58, had a heart attack two years ago. He lived in Brinnington Road, Brinnington, Stockport, and had been a familiar figure at North-West traditional jazz haunts for more than 30 years.

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Jazzman John's last jam session By SARA WHITE JAZZMAN John Basnett's friends kept a promise made 20 years ago to give him a New Orleans-style funeral. Yesterday, 12 musicians led procession of 100 a mourners in farewell to the man who loved and lived for traditional jazz. They walked slowly to the graveside at Manchester's Gorton Cemetery, playing the blues as they followed John's hearse. Jazz fans from all parts of the North gathered to pay their respects to the man they knew as the greatest fan of them all. John Basnett, alias Spanish Fred', who had a collection of 10,000 records at home in Brinnington Road, Stockport. He died of a heart attack, aged 57, and was buried wearing his favourite outfit-white tie and tails. He took with him his top hat, silver-topped walking cane, and three treasured 78 records by trumpeter Muggsy Spanier. There was a short service, conducted by the Rev. Ashby Owens, Vicar of St. Luke's, Stockport, and a true 'ambassador of jazz' was laid to rest. Suddenly the sombre mood changed, the band switched to foot-tapping Dixieland swing, and 'Spanish Fred' got the jubilant send-off he had always wanted.

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By Linda Lamo HAYFIELD Jazz Festival, which starts on Friday night, will again bring fond memories of a special fan for Ged Hone and his fellow musicians. For "Spanish Fred"- Brinnington man Johnny Basnett- faithfully followed the stompers for years before he died of a heart attack three years ago at the age of 57. And to commemorate the passionate jazz lover, Ged will lead the "Spanish Fred Parade Band" through the village when they join the annual procession of musicians tomorrow morning. Explained Ged: "We nicknamed him 'Spanish Fred' because he always wore something Spanish-looking when he came to support us. "I now have a few items of his clothing and I make a point of wearing some of them at the festival. "Last year I wore his gangster hat and tie," added Ged, from Marple Bridge, who recently went professional ater 35 years as a semi-pro trumpeter. The event attracts jazz musicians from all over the world, and this week-end special guests include. from the USA, the Cun-ninghams, the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, and the Smoky City Jazz Band. And on Sunday there is a special gospel service from St Matthew's Church.