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Re-Stoned -
A 1990's Revival
 This
is how his situation had been up-to 1998: drumming every so often
with his friend's pub bands; giving interviews to journalists and
authors a couple of times a year, answering their questions
about the old days when he was the most admired drummer in the UK;
being a husband, father, and eventually grandfather in 1992, when
his eldest daughter Giselle got married and had Karis...until,
that is, in March 1998 when one of the biggest selling UK music
magazines Mojo printed an interview with Carlo about his days with
the Stones.
Carlo's
wife Iris with his first grandaughter Karis 
This led to
interviews with many more magazines and newspapers, including
Marie Claire, finally bringing Carlo the recognition he deserved. Then
in July 1998 a UK television company, who had seen one of the
printed articles, contacted him. They thought it would be great if
they could hook Carlo up with the Stones again. Unfortunately the
Stones' management didn't want to know, but the producers of the
show were sure that Keith Richards at least would be thrilled to
see the guy who's musicianship he had once so admired.  So they
took Carlo and his wife Iris to Paris the weekend the Stones took
their 'Bridges To Babylon' tour there. Carlo's interview with
France's biggest selling daily La Figaro did the trick. Someone in
the Stones' camp read it and showed it to Ron Wood, who went crazy
with excitement and demanded that someone get hold of Carlo and
bring him to their hotel.
The TV producers were
contacted, and they surprised Carlo and Iris with backstage passes
for the gig that night. When they walked into Keith and
Ronnie's dressing room the guys went crazy, hugging him and
recalling the old days. Keith introduced film star Johnny Depp,
who was also there: "come and meet Carlo Little, the best
rock 'n' roll drummer in the world!" Carlo and Iris also got
to watch the show, and attended Mick Jagger's 55th birthday party
back at the hotel. They had a great time, and Keith and Ronnie
have promised to keep in touch.
Left to right:
Ron Wood, Carlo, Keith Richards, Johnny Depp
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That same year, 1998, Carlo
was also immortilised in Tony Fletcher's biography about
Keith Moon, 'Dear Boy', almost covering one whole chapter.
Carlo attended the book launch party, where The Who's tour
manager John Wolf greeted Carlo like an old friend:
"Keith used to LOVE you, " he gushed.
Carlo with
John Wolf, The Who tour manager
 Carlo
had also been active with Screaming Lord Sutch
again, before his sad death in 1999. They had
performed in a benefit gig for Wee Willie Harris
with other Sixties stars Art Wood, The Lonegans, Diz
Dizzley, and others. James Phelge (famous loon of
Stones' folklore) and Pat Andrews (the mother of
Brian Jones' son) have been along to other gigs.
Being active in the music scene again had brought
Carlo into contact with many other old faces such as
Brian Knight (now deceased) when Carlo performed at
the Rolling Stones convention at the Brixton Academy
in June 1999, and finally his hero Lonnie Donegan
(also now deceased) when he attended a skiffle
concert at the Royal Albert Hall - see left picture. |
 Carlo,
Rick Brown and Phelge
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In
the 'Esther' Green Room at the BBC with Art Wood, Pete Best,
Miss UK and Lord Sutch. The show was about luck and fame.
Carlo was also
offered a presenting role in a German TV show called 'Swinging
London'. He was filmed touring all the legendary 1960's music
venues, explaining their importance, and was reunited with Art
Wood at the Ealing Club, now a nightclub. The Pretty Things and
Nick Simper also appeared in this show, which was broadcast on WDR,
and Carlo was also filmed drumming with Screaming Lord Sutch.
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| Carlo in
his German TV presenting role |
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With Lord
Sutch in the 'Swinging London' programme |
As the journalists,
publishers and TV companies continued to ensure Carlo Little
re-told
his tale of his involvement in the birth of British pop music, he
continued with his normal life. But Carlo Little, the great UK
drummer who missed out on fame and fortune, had no regrets:
"I have respect from other musicians, my memories and my
family...what more could I ask for!"
Carlo's
musician friends at his surprise 60th birthday party, Dec 1998,
left to right: TV presenter Doc Cox, bassist Rick Brown, singer
Danny Rivers, drummer Mick Richardson, Art Wood, guitarist John
Scholar, Screaming Lord Sutch, Neil Christian, guitarist Alex
Chanter, Carlo Little, saxophonist Tony Hall, bassist Nick Simper,
Brian Knight, saxophonist Pete Newman, singer/songwriter Ronnie
Harwood, and keyboardist Matthew Fisher.
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