Profile - Born to be Wild

Profile

Born to be Wild…

Maurice McComb was a quiet man, he was shy and quietly spoken. Distinctive in the village by his long blonde hair. A man who you probably walked past, and maybe didn’t notice too much. But he actually lived a life that was far from quiet.

Maurice had an alter ego, he was also known as Mr Rock Club, he was the man who wore the Rock Club and Reaper Fest t-shirts. For over 30 years he had mastered the art of keeping music live. He was a man who promoted live bands locally, he was part of the beating pulse of the local music scene. His want was not quiet gentle music, his ability was to promote music that was fast, furious and loud. He was the true essence of rock promotion. He was a Rock God!

Maurice had always loved listening to music but his real passion was seeing bands live. When he was younger he and his wife Drina would organise bus trips up to London to see bands such as Whitesnake, Iron Maiden and the Rolling Stones. There are many local people who can say that Maurice was the man who took them up to London to see their favourite band. He was a quiet man but he was well respected and he was trusted, what greater attributes could you give a person.

Melbourn Rock Club began approximately 32 years ago, at the now defunct Melbourn Sports and Social club. It was probably a drunken idea, dreamt up at a bar between three friends. With the help of his long-term friend Bob Manley, Maurice made that dream a reality. He promoted live rock bands every Friday night. Legends such as Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts, Engine and the Frigidaires graced the makeshift stage at the Sports and Social club. It became bigger and it became a family affair, his wife Drina supported him and was a regular face manning the door at every event. He used his passion to raise money for charity. During its time in residence at the social club, there were two very successful benefit nights, meaning that he enticed over ten local bands to play for free. A local PA system provided their services for nothing. A fun run was also held and all monies raised went to worthy charities including the local cub pack.

As he grew in expertise, he grew in confidence, he widened his choice of venue and began promoting bands in Letchworth at the Plinston Hall. People loved coming to see local bands, they enjoyed the rawness of the gigs. Many young people were inspired by the rock club and formed bands themselves. With the demise of the Sports and Social Club, Melbourn Rock Club needed to find a new and receptive home. He transferred the Rock club to the Sea Cadet Hall in Cambridge. It was here that he also held a very successful benefit night for Asthma UK and an Asbestosis charity. He then promoted the Pink Fairies at Cambridge Corn Exchange in the 1990’s and gave the well-known local band The Frigidaires the opportunity of supporting them.

Some people thought that his Rock club was too loud and too noisy, but he continued relentlessly to promote live music. He used to be a familiar sight in the village, he would cycle around and stick up posters in the most annoying places. The symbol of the little rock club man is one that many are familiar with and one of Maurice’s posters always held the promise of another rock gig. Until his untimely death in March this year Maurice was still actively running the rock club, booking new bands and inspiring people. His other success which was a joint venture with close friends Bob Manley, Mark Holland and Dave Milner, was Reaper Fest. He moved from single night events to festivals, he ran three very successful Reaper Fests, complete with custom bike shows. More sell out gigs, more live music and more pleasure brought to people. In his own way, he helped to put Melbourn on the map.

One of the hardest things we, his family and friends have had to do is to carry on with the Rock Club. In the summer, we held Mo Fest, it should have been Reaper Fest IIII. It was down to his hard work, he booked the bands, he did the organising and he had the vision. He may have been taken from this world but his energy and passion will live on. It lives on in his rock club which is being run by his daughter, his son in law and his granddaughter. This would not be possible without the unending support of Eternit Sports and Social Club and his friends. This along with his two grandchildren will be his legacy. The legacy of a quiet man, whose life was well lived and who was born to be wild. Rock in peace Dad Maurice McComb 30.04.50 – 08.03.18 Clare Goulden