FLYING OPTICIANS, THE

Vox, ASax: Ralph de Rijke

Gtr: Mark Illman

Bs: Mark Fletcher

Drums: Alex De Findlow

Described as funk jazz fusion, ?? student de Rijke came to Norwich to attend the UEA between 1977 and 1981 “This was the first band I was involved with," he states, “I had only been playing the alto sax for about six months at that time.” Findlow, who had been playing on the local music scene since leaving school in the early 70s added “Soon after forming we went into the studio to record 4 original tracks. Saturn Sound Studios was in Hellesdon, Norwich and run by Ashley Styles who I worked with at the time at BT. I later found out he was a distant cousin.” The tracks recorded were all instrumental and de Rijke adds. “I don’t recall playing live as The Flying Opticians it was at that time just a studio project.” Findlow points out that the band continued to evolve but changed its name to JuJu around 1981.

Discography:
SS Saturn Sound Studio
Sorry Accident / Down To Earth (deRijke) / Tesco Fever / You Gotta Watch It
PP [r] ??/??/77

Unplaced track: Song For My Father (recalled by DeRijke)