The Jameson Raid.
Cecil Rhodes planned an attack against the Boers in the Transvaal in August 1895. This was led by Leander Starr Jameson in late December. They were hoping to start an uprising against the Boer government by the over taxed and suppressed British settlers, their ultimate goal being to start a coup. Despite the grievances of the settlers and the force being large and well armed, it failed to achieve its objectives, although it’s effects were felt for a long time afterwards.
Birmingham, August 1975, exactly 80 years later, a Heavy Rock band adopts the name Jameson Raid. The lineup was completed when singer Terry Dark joined in late December. They proceeded to attack the local music scene with the same aggression and reckless abandon as Jameson's marauding army, bringing there own brand of hard rock music to depressed, unemployment ridden, Birmingham during the recession. Despite being among the most original Heavy Rock bands and probably one of the best live acts to emerge from the Birmingham area (and that is saying something!) inexplicably they too were to be ultimately unsuccessful at achieving their objective of attaining the right record contract, although their influence was, and remains, considerable.
Many years after the Jameson Raid historians find the whole episode an enigma. The official account is self contradictory and full of anomalies. Conspiracy theories are rife and there are several conflicting explanations of why The Raid failed what exactly was happening behind the scenes.
...And exactly the same is true of Doctor Jameson's Raid of 1895.
There may be some answers in the biographies below...
