Big stage for Islington musicians with mental health issues
A band of musicians with mental health issues played one of Islington’s top venues – following in the footsteps of pop heavyweights Bob Geldof and Tony Christie – to launch their debut album.
The RoadWorks group took to the hallowed Islington Assembly Hall stage in Upper Street – where Geldof played in June – to mark the release of their first ever record last Tuesday.
The 12-piece ensemble performed hits by the likes of Bob Marley, the Beatles and Elvis Presley as they rattled through their repertoire of covers.
David Oliver, 70, a trustee of the Islington Mental Health Forum, which brought the group together, said: “It was a great show and everyone was delighted as soon as they got their hands on the CD.
“When you have a breakdown, you lose your confidence completely. Performing and getting a round of applause does wonders for that. You can’t do better in terms of boosting confidence and self-esteem.
“Our motto is that a round of applause is worth a million anti-depressants.”
RoadWorks was formed in 2010 of people with a range of mental health struggles, from depression to more serious issues.
Most Read
- 1 Man arrested, cyclist seriously injured after alleged hit and run
- 2 Revealed: Your favourite fish and chip shop in north London
- 3 MP Claudia Webbe loses harassment conviction appeal - but sentence reduced
- 4 Explained: What the cost of living support package means for you
- 5 Jewish Heritage Trail project receives massive funding boost
- 6 New mayor to support Islington hospitals
- 7 Plaistow police officer to face GBH trial after man left paralysed
- 8 7 of the best Chinese restaurants with delivery in north London
- 9 Maskless passengers on London trains and buses fined 4,000 times
- 10 Woman harassed by Claudia Webbe wanted MP 'to be humiliated'
The band features guitar, mandolin, flute, bongos and a host of singers, including Elvis impersonator Dave ‘Elvis’ Holman. The CD also contains poetry recited by 92-year-old Jenny Cobbing.
Mr Oliver said: “It’s a very mixed group, with everyone from reggae specialists to the one-and-only Dave Elvis, who’s very popular.”
They meet every Sunday at the Isledon Road Resource Centre in Isledon Road, Holloway, and perform regular gigs at the Whittington Hospital in Magdala Avenue, Archway.
A professional sound engineer was recruited to help lay down the tracks on the album, titled RoadWorks One – and a second album of self-penned tunes is planned if it’s a success. The record is on sale for �3.50 at the Isledon Road Resource Centre and all proceeds go to Islington Mental Health Forum.
