SCREAMING LORD SUTCH - HISTORY & TIMELINE
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1940 DAVID EDWARD SUTCH BORN - At New end Hospital in Hampstead on 10th November, Annie Emily Sutch gives birth to a baby boy. Named after 'David Copperfield' from Charles Dicken's, an author which Annie's loves to read. William & Annie Sutch lived in Kilburn where they were caretakers in a large house, while Annie cleaned the house in lieu of rent. William Sutch was a War Reserve Policeman while Annie worked as a shop assistant in addition to her cleaning duties at the house. Annie had moved to London from the Yorkshire pit village of 'Woodhouse', where David's maternal grandfather, previously a miner and later gassed at the Somme, still resided. On his paternal side his father & grandfather were regular orators at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park Corner.

1941 WILLIAM SUTCH (DAVID'S FATHER) DIES - With David aged only nine months the first tragedy in his life is the death of his father. During a blackout in the London Blitz, William Sutch was riding his motorcycle to his shift as a war reserve policeman. Unfortunately the red warning light on an air raid shelter had gone out. PC William Sutch crashed into the unlit shelter and died of his injuries. The additional problems this caused was the loss of the caretaker's accommodation which went with his other job. Annie Sutch had to leave the house with David and move to an attic room of an elderly couple in Kilburn.

1943 DAVID AND HIS MOTHER MOVE TO CHATERIS ROAD, KILBURN - At the age of three David Sutch along with his mother move from the attic room they shared, into an upstairs flat in Chateris Rd, Kilburn. Although times would still not be easy and they shared the bathroom & garden with the downstairs flat, this would be his home for the next 12 years. As a bonus though the woman in the downstairs flat did keep chickens, so David did have an egg-cellent childhood.

1946 DAVID SUTCH'S FIRST BOOKED PERFORMANCE - As a young boy David Sutch was given a set of hand puppets for a present. He then began to enjoy entertaining friends with his puppet shows until one day the local newspaper wrote a small article on David. One reader of the newspaper decided David's amateur show was what she needed for her son's birthday party and contacted David's mother. Although he received no cash payment, he was chauffeured in a car (rare treat of the times) to the party and had an enjoyable evening.

1948 FROM HAND PUPPETS TO A PUNCH & JUDY SHOW - At the age of eight David had outgrown the use of simple hand puppets and had proceeded to make his own Punch & Judy set. He then continued to entertain friends and family with his new show featuring Mr & Mrs Punch, the baby and of course, the crocodile. This would be David's

1953 DAVID SUTCH'S FIRST STAGE PERFORMANCE - David's uncle from his family roots of Yorkshire came to visit and took David on a holiday to Butlins Holiday Camp in Clacton-on-Sea. Enthralled by the Red Coat shows, David entered the talent contest and won a clockwork mouse with his rendition of "How much is that doggy in the window". Unbeknown to even himself, this was to be the first of many many stage performances to come, both on the entertainment stage and the political hustings.

1956 DAVID AND HIS MOTHER MOVE TO HARROW - From the upstairs flat in Kilburn with shared facilities, David and his mother move into their first real flat above a shop in Harrow. David was by now leaving school and had developed a passion for Rock 'n Roll listening to Radio Luxembourg on his crystal set. In addition to this Bill Haley & his Comets came to Brixton which only increased David's love of music.
  DAVID SUTCH LEAVES SCHOOL TO FIND A JOB - After leaving school David had to find a job to support himself. Although he still lived with his mother he was an adult now and needed to contribute to the household budget. His first attempt met with disaster. After starting work at a sheet metal factory he received a pep talk about his promotion prospects in decades to come of being a supervisor or foreman. The thought of a lifetime in a factory wasn't David's idea of life and he walked out the same day. Other jobs David tried were plumber's apprentice and spanner boy for a garage mechanic.
  ROCK 'N' ROLL IS IN DAVID'S BLOOD - Resolved to be a rock 'n' roll singer one day David hopped onto his newly acquired BSA Bantum 125cc motorbike and headed to the Cannibal Pot Coffee Bar on Harrow Road. Additionally at this time in his life he was a frequenter at the Ace Cafe on North Circular Road, where he raced his BSA Bantum..
  WHEN HE'S CLEANING WINDOWS - It was in the Cannibal Pot Coffee Bar where David met a guy called 'Big Ginger Bill' who persuaded David to buy his window cleaning round. For £15 David acquired a cart, address book and cleaning rag, but the freedom of self employment meant he was free to develop his desire to be a rock 'n' roll singer.

1959 TWO I'S COFFE BAR, SOHO - At the age of 18 David Sutch decided to attend auditions at the Two I's Coffee Bar in Soho, London. Waiting to be called with many other prospective singers the auditioner gets fed up with all the Elvis Presley look-alikes and declares auditions are over for the day. On top of this he declares his displeasure with Elvis look-alikes and warns those returning the next day to think of something different.
  WILD MAN OF BORNEO LOOK - On the way home from the Two I's Coffee Bar David happened upon a place called "Jack's Second Hand Shop". There he saw a pair of old buffalo horns for sale at only 2/-. An idea came to him and he ditched his own Elvis look-alike apparel, glued the buffalo horns to his crash helmet, borrowed his aunt's leopard skin jacket, which he tore the sleeves off, and adopted what he called his 'wild man of Borneo' look.
  DAVID SUTCH IS HIRED TO PERFORM AT THE TWO I'S COFFEE BAR - With this new innovative wild man of Borneo look David is hired to perform at the Two I's Coffee Bar in Soho. All is not totally well though, the leopard skin coat his aunt had lent him was now sleeveless and she reminded David it was only a loan and not a gift. He therefore spent the proceeds of his first two gigs reimbursing her the cost of the coat.

1961 SCREAMING LORD SUTCH & THE RAVING SAVAGES - Building a rock horror act, David renames himself with the stage name Screaming Lord Sutch to compliment this. Still using his wild man of Borneo look, 18" of hair, the buffalo horned crash helmet & his aunt's old leopard skin coat the act was a great success. After Carlo Little walked into the Cannibal Pot, David also formed the band The Raving Savages to back up this new act. The original line up was to be Carlo Little (drums), Bernie Watson (lead guitar), Rick Brown (bass guitar) & Nicky Hopkins (pianist). Additionally Keith Moon, who was under Carlo Little's wing, would be allowed to take over drums halfway through the night. This new band rehearsed originally at a car dealership called Slim Motors, but moved to the backroom of The Swan public house when the noise became too much for the car dealer. It was at this point that David switched from riding his BSA Bantum motorcycle to using a hearse for transportation.
  SUTCH MEETS JOE MEEK (RECORD PRODUCER) - After meeting Joe Meek, an independent record producer, Screaming Lord Sutch starts recording his first record in Joe's studio, located in his flat over a leather shop in Holloway Road, Islington.
  FIRST RECORD (MY BIG BLACK COFFIN) - Released on the HMV label, Screaming Lord Sutch & The Raving Savages cut their first record. 'My Big Black Coffin', also known as 'Til The Following Night' hits the record stores. On the reverse side you can also find Screaming Lord Sutch's rendition of Good Golly Miss Molly.
  GRANADA ALL STARS TOUR - Screaming Lord Sutch along with Gene Vincent, Mark Wynter and Johnny Duncan & The Bluegrass Boys go on tour, accompanied by Mike & Bernie winters as compeers. 
  SCREAMING LORD SUTCH ENTERS POLITICS - Now 21 years old and eligible to vote, Screaming Lord Sutch decides that as he can vote he can also stand for parliament. The views of his peers and himself at the time about politicians was simply to sod 'em all, so the Sod 'Em All Party was technically formed, although no election was foreseeable in the short term to test the effectiveness of such a political party.

1963 STRATFORD UPON AVON BY-ELECTION - For the first time since he decided to form a political party Screaming Lord Sutch had the chance to stand for parliament. After the Profumo Affair had caused the resignation of the MP for Stratford upon Avon, a by-election had been called. With the assistance of Reg Calvert, his old promoter from the Two I's Coffee Bar days, Screaming Lord Sutch obtained nomination and was on the ballot, much to the disgust of many serious politicians. Dropping the 'Sod Em All Party' title for the more subdued 'National Teenage Party' he polled 208 votes.

1964 RADIO SUTCH ( MV CORNUCOPIA) - At the beginning of May 1964 Screaming Lord Sutch decided to launch himself into the pirate radio field. Originally hiring the fishing trawler Cornucopia to anchor off Shoeburyness in the Thames estuary he broadcast as Radio Sutch. Using only battery powered equipment the range was limited, but it was a start. The use of the trawler was also limited to after the fishing day had finished until the boat was ready to start again. Unfortunately the use of the Cornucopia came to a sudden end two weeks after starting when the boat's insurers revoked it's insurance as it was only covered for fishing and not radio.
  RADIO SUTCH (SHIVERING SANDS) - On the last trip in from broadcasting on the Cornocopia Sutch and his crew spotted the old wartime gun platforms at Shivering Sands. On the 25th May, together with The Raving Savages, he set sail from Leigh-on-Sea. Two days later on 27th May 1964 Radio Sutch was back on the air with it's first track being Screaming Lord Sutch's very own Jack The Ripper. Accused of unlawfully occupying a government installation, a Royal Navy task force was sent to eject Sutch's crew who claimed squatter's rights but backed off to avoid bad publicity.
  SUTCH SELLS RADIO SUTCH - Fed up with the bureaucratic side of running a pirate radio station, Sutch hands Radio Sutch (later to be known as 'Radio City') to Reg Calvert and heads to do a tour of Australia & New Zealand, with an American tour lined up for the autumn.

1965 WINSTON CHURCHILL DIES - Another sad day for Screaming Lord Sutch when the death of his mentor Winston Churchill is announced. David Sutch had looked up to this wartime leader for many many years, and his parting was a sad moment.

1966 SUTCH STANDS IN THE GENERAL ELECTION AGAINST HAROLD WILSON - Back on the political hustings under the banner of The National Teenage Party again, Screaming Lord Sutch stands in his first general election against Harold Wilson in Huyton, Lancs. Once again campaigning for legalization of commercial radio and votes for 18 year olds he polls an astounding 585 votes. The following day a picture of Screaming Lord Sutch together with Harold Wilson appears on the front page of the New York Times.

1967 ROLLING STONES FREE CONCERT IN HYDE PARK - At the invitation of his friend Mick Jagger, Screaming Lord Sutch attends the Rolling Stones Free Concert in Hyde Park, London.

1968 LORD DAVID EDWARD SUTCH (DEED POLL) - David considered changing his name to Screaming Lord Sutch by deed poll, but eventually settled on just adding the 'Lord' at the beginning. From this day on he would appear as Lord David Edward Sutch on all legal documents and more importantly, the ballot papers.
  SCREAMING LORD SUTCH SAILS TO AMERICA - Screaming lord sutch leaves the British Isles for a life in the United States, taking with him his 1955 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith which was painted in a Union Jack design and incorporated leopard skin print seat covers. Sailing into New York harbour on the liner Queen Elizabeth he was given a warm reception by the New York press. He then went on to play gigs in New York & New England and appear on many TV shows to give live performances, before making his way to Los Angeles.

1969 ELVIS PRESLEY'S COMEBACK IN LAS VEGAS - Whilst living in the United States in Los Angeles Screaming Lord Sutch hears about Elvis Presley's comeback performance in Las Vegas, Nevada. With his name of Lord David Sutch he manages to convince the organizers that he is the British Ambassador for Rock 'n' Roll and is issued press tickets for the concert.

1970 GENERAL ELECTION - After receiving a telephone call from a friend in Carnaby Street, Screaming Lord Sutch is given a new mission. The street has become very congested with traffic and the traders on Carnaby Street want it pedestrianised. Reviving the old party name of 'Sod em All', Screaming Lord Sutch revamps it and campaigns under the 'Go To Blazes Party' banner.
  SUTCH AT THE PLAYBOY MANSION - At the invitation of Deep Purple, who were playing at a private party for Hugh Hefner, Screaming Lord Sutch attends the Playboy Mansion.
  SCREAMING LORD SUTCH'S FIRST ALBUM RELEASE - Following the runaway success of his singles over the years, Screaming Lord Sutch decided to release an LP. Lord Sutch & His Heavy Friends is released on the Atlantic label with tracks of Wailing Sounds, Cause I Love You, Flashing Lights, Gutty Guitar, Would You Believe, Smoke & Fire, Thumping Beat, Union Jack Car, One For You Baby, L-O-N-D-O-N, Brightest Light and Baby Come Back.

1972 DOWNING STREET DEMONSTRATION - Heading to Downing Street with a group of topless ladies, Screaming Lord Sutch attempts to present Prime Minister of the day Ted Heath with tickets to the forthcoming London Rock & Roll Show at Wembley Stadium on the 5th August. Under the impression the Prime Minister needs to chill out his attempts were thwarted and the police intervene to bring a halt to the activities. Arresting the naked ladies and charging them with nudity offences, Sutch escapes prosecution as he was fully clothed at the time.
  THE LONDON ROCK & ROLL SHOW (WEMBLEY STADIUM) - Playing to his biggest audience ever of 100,000, Screaming Lord Sutch joined the big names on stage at Wembley Stadium. Alongside such notables as Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Gary Glitter, Bill Haley & The Comets, The Move, The Platters and Billy Fury, Sutch performs his favorite tracks and entertains the crowd.

1973 COMMERCIAL RADIO IS LEGALIZED - One of Screaming Lord Sutch's original campaign issues becomes law. Following the earlier legalization of votes for 18 year olds and the pedestrianisation of Carnaby Street, the BBC monopoly on the radio airwave is broken and commercial radio stations allowed. Once again David returns to the United States to continue his musical career there.

1974 SUTCH & THAN QUANTRILL GET TOGETHER - Screaming Lord Sutch meets the lady who was to be the mother of his child, Than Quantrill. Returning with David to the United Kingdom, they are together until Than returns to the United States.

1975 TRISTRAN LORD GWYNNE SUTCH BORN - Born at Northwick Park Hospital, David & Than produce a son. Wanting to name him 'Screaming Lord' David is convinced by Than to name him Tristan. David does however get the 'Lord' incorporated into his name and he is finally named 'Tristan Lord Gwynne Sutch'.

1976 SCREAMING LORD SUTCH MEETS GRISELLE MENHEMETT - After Than returns to the United States, Screaming Lord Sutch stays in the United Kingdom. Tristan has returned to America with his mother and David is alone again in his home country. At this point David meets Griselle Menhemett and their relationship blossoms. For his birthday Griselle gives David a new leopard skin print jacket, which was to become his regular look when performing on stage and campaigning on the hustings.

1977 ELVIS PRESLEY DIES WHILE SUTCH IS PLAYING IN GERMANY - Once again a major influence in Screaming Lord Sutch's life dies. Whilst performing in Germany David hears about Elvis Presley's untimely death.

1983 OFFICIAL MONSTER RAVING LOONY PARTY FORMED - Launching himself into politics again with a passion, Screaming Lord Sutch together with and old friend Pauline Healy, discuss the state of the country. It was over a cup of tea in Pauline's flat that a decision was made to rename his political party 'The Official Monster Raving Loony Party'. To a cry of 'We shall fight them on the benches' Sutch declares the OMRLP officially launched and that the loch ness monster will be the party mascot.
  BERMONDSEY BY-ELECTION & SUTCH MEETS BILL BOAKS - At the official launch onto the hustings of Screaming Lord Sutch's Official Monster Raving Loony Party. David met another major influence in his life. Lt Commander Bill Boaks was a road traffic safety campaigner who stood at by-elections to promote his policies. Under the banner of 'Public Safety Democratic Monarchist White Resident Candidate' he was regarded by many as an eccentric. Now there were two on the stage at Bermondsey.
  MEETING OF THE INTERESTED AT CHIPPENHAM MEWS - After standing at the Darlington by-election Screaming Lord Sutch called for a 'meeting of the interested' at Chippenham Mews. Thirty potential loonies turned up and the slogan 'Vote For Insanity - You Know It Makes Sense' was adopted as the party's battle cry.
  SUTCH STANDS AGAINST MAGGIE THATCHER IN THE GENERAL ELECTION - Calling it an horrendous experience, Screaming Lord Sutch takes to the hustings carrying a giant tin opener to open up the Iron Lady herself, while 10 other candidates represent his party nationwide. Unfortunately the Iron Lady lacked a sense of humour and wasn't impressed, setting the legislation in motion to raise the election deposits from £150 to £500 to deter candidates such as Screaming Lord Sutch.

1984 SUTCH LAUNCHES FIRST ANNUAL OMRLP CONFERENCE - The first Official Monster Raving Loony Party conference at the Golden Lion Hotel in Ashburton, Devon is open by Screaming Lord Sutch himself, as party members show the serious parties how to put the 'party' back into 'party politics'.

1985 MAGGIE THATCHER RAISES ELECTION DEPOSITS TO £500 - Proving just how unimpressed Maggie Thatcher was with Screaming Lord Sutch's Official Monster Raving Loony Party, she finally pushes a bill through parliament raising election deposits from £150 to £500. Unfortunately for her this didn't have the desired effect and the party continued to thrive.

1986 MONSTER ROAD SHOW - The mid 80s was the time of the 60s revivals and Screaming Lord Sutch took to the road again on a series of mini tours called the 'Monster Road Show'. Together with Johnny Walker (Walker Brothers), Rickie Valance & Don Lang, Tommy Bruce, Christian St Peters, Wee Willie Harris, Jet Harris (Shadows), Cliff Bennett, The Vernon Girls and Jess Conrad he toured town and city halls around the country.

1988 SCREAMING LORD SUTCH MEETS CYNTHIA PAYNE - It was during the Kensington and Chelsea By-election in July that Screaming Lord Sutch met Cynthia Payne (Aka Madam Cyn). While Sutch stood as the Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidate, Madam Cyn was campaigning on a ticket of legalizing brothels under the banner of the 'Payne & Pleasure Party'. This was to be the start of a friendship to last many years with David even lodging with Cynthia on occasions.

1990 SCREAMING LORD SUTCH CAUSES SDP TO COLLAPSE - With the SDP (Social Democratic Party) on the edge of collapse, the final tipping point was their showing at the Bootle By-Election. Running under the banner of the Official Monster Raving Loony Cavern Rock Party Screaming lord Sutch polled 418 votes compared to the SDP candidate's 155. This humiliation was enough for them to officially disband a few weeks later.
  DAVID'S 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY BASH - It was at the Wall St Club in Central London where Screaming Lord Sutch decided to celebrate his 50th birthday party. Coincidentally this same club was used as a set for the movie 'The Scandal' about the Profumo affair, which was the launching platform of Sutchy's political career. Attended by friend like Jet Harris (Shadows), Graham Fenton (Matchbox), Mungo Gerry, Joe Brown and Chas Hodges (Chas & Dave) the party rocked on well into the night.

1991 SCREAMING LORD SUTCH ENTRY INTO GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS - About this time in history Screaming Lord Sutch surpassed Bill Boakes as the parliamentary candidate who has stood more times than anyone else. Entering the Guinness Book of Records even Sutchy himself was unable to remember exactly how many elections he'd stood in. In typical loony style David had not bothered to keep count.
  LIFE AS SUTCH PUBLISHED - Together with his friend Peter Chippendale, Screaming Lord Sutch released his autobiography 'Life A Sutch - The OFFICIAL Autobiography of a Monster Raving Loony'. With hundreds of pages of interesting information on his earlier life, this book is a really good read if you can find yourself a copy. Already well out of print from Harper Collins Publishers, you'll have to trawl the second hand book stores, websites or library to find yourself a copy. Just for information the ISBN is 0-20-717240-4 if this helps anyone to find a copy. Good Luck.

1992 SUTCHY'S GENERAL ELECTION TRIPLE - In 1992 Sutchy attained a new personal goal in the General Election by being on the ballot paper in all three constituencies of the three major party leaders. Standing against John Major, Neil Kinnock & Paddy Ashdown he made remarkable showings in the polls in all three areas.

1994 ROTHERHAM BY-ELECTION (SUTCH'S BEST POLL EVER) - It was in Rotherham that Screaming Lord Sutch attained his personal record number of votes, and in addition the highest number of votes of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. With 1,114 votes backing his bid for parliament Sutchy can the closest he ever did to getting his deposit returned. With his usual Pre-Victory bash, this time at The Zone nightclub in Main Street, Rotherham, loony supporters and general public alike partied the night away. Once again it's the Loony Party who puts the 'party' back into 'party politics'.

1995 DAVID NEARS BANKRUPTCY WITH BAD HOUSE PURCHASE - After a bad house purchase by taking on a bridging loan to cover the cost of his dream home in Hastings, Screaming Lord Sutch was nearly made bankrupt with nearly £200,000 debts. Fortunately his financial situation was rescued and this event never happened, which would have ended his political career. An undischarged bankrupts can't stand for parliament. The country therefore continued to see Sutchy's colourful appearances at more by-elections.

1997 ANNIE SUTCH DIES AGED 80 - Standing out of the 1997 General Election because of his mother's serious illness after falling and breaking her hip, Screaming Lord Sutch was devastated when she died only one day before polling day. Sutchy's closeness to his mother made this a very traumatic event in his life, which unfortunately he never really recovered from completely. To add a few more straws to the camel's back he had his 'loonymobile' stolen from outside his house and was suffering severe pain from a trapped sciatic nerve.

1999 ROSIE (ANNIE SUTCH'S DOG) DIES - After the death of his mother two years previous, Screaming Lord Sutch devoted himself to looking after her Yorkshire terrier Rosey. To add extra pain to his already overloaded psyche Rosey passed away as well. Not only devastated by the loss of his mother, which he never really got over, now his last living link to her memory was gone also. This event would be one of the final straws that would eventually break the camel's back. Screaming Lord Sutch plummeted into a severe state of depression.
  SCREAMING LORD SUTCH'S LAST GIG AT BRIXTON ACADEMY - As a guest performer to his old friend and former 1960s drummer Carlo Little, Screaming Lord Sutch did one number because he wasn't feeling too well. To a rapturous reception he performed his old number 'Roll Over Beethoven' then left the stage. Unbeknown to both the audience and fellow musicians alike this icon of both the political and rock 'n' roll scenes was to be gone from this world in less than a week.
  SUTCH FOUND DEAD FROM HANGING - It came as a shock to the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, the Rock 'n' Roll scene and the country as a whole to discover that Screaming Lord Sutch had committed suicide in the same house he'd inherited from his late mother. Found hanging by his then current girlfriend, David's pain had reached a point where he had tipped over the edge of severe depression into suicide.
  FUNERAL AT ST PAUL'S CHURCH, HARROW - The funeral of a legend was all that the nation expected for such a renowned personality. Attended by over 500 loonies, rockers, punks etc his coffin was carried in a Lincoln Continental followed by over 50 bikers from his old haunt the Ace Cafe. Once again his last performance was repeated with 'Roll Over Beethoven' being played at the service conducted by Sir Basil Hume. Screaming Lord Sutch was gone but his party lived on in his memory.

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