A TEDDY BEAR for Spencer Davis Group vocalist Stevie Winwood is presented to him by a fan, Jenny Mills, in the dressing-room at the Odeon, Derby last night where the group were appearing. Jenny is a nurse at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. The bear sat on Stevie's piano throughout the two shows.

The Who — and the Moon-struck

SOME fantastic sounds emerged from the Odeon, Derby, last night. They were mainly made by four young gentlemen known quite simply as The Who.

But they won the race for popularity with the girls from their closest rivals, the Spencer Davis Group, by only a short twang of a guitar string.

It was a top heavy show with all the talent bundled together in the second half. The New Merseys were followed by the Davis Group, followed by The Who... while the screams echoed round the walls and the audience became a mass of waving arms, sweaters and scarves.

During the first half, however, there was hardly a scream to be heard and applause was sparse. The girls were obviously saving all their energy for the last hour.

COLOURFUL LOT

With large piles of amplifying equipment stacked behind them, The Who were greeted by an overwhelming burst of screams and shouts from the audience. They certainly looked a colourful lot in different coloured jackets and shirts.

Looking like an advert for a certain soap powder, little drummer Keith Moon, dressed completely in white, was a man of clockwork. He was like a toy that had been just wound up as his arms flayed at the drums, and his drumsticks flew willy-nilly into the audience.

The Who gave us their hits "Substitute" and "My Generation," as well as "Barbara Ann" — while Mr. Moon removed his jacket to reveal a large black spot on the front of his T-shirt. It was almost impossible to hear what they were singing because of the noise — and the hoarse voice in my ear repeatedly screaming "Roger" (Roger Daltrey is the lead singer).

SPOILT BY SCREAMS

It was the same for the Spencer Davis Group, and the screamers spoilt Stevie Winwood's version of "Georgia." This was a number which should have been listened to, and above the noise faint snatches of Stevie's excellent piano-playing could be heard. He is certainly a lad with a lot of talent.

The group also included "Mean Woman Blues" and their two hits, "Keep on Running" and "Somebody Help Me," during which fans rushed towards the stage, hurling autograph books.

There was also a wild reception for the Merseys — Billy Kinsley and Tony Crane, the leftovers of the Merseybeats. They looked very smart all in white with khaki-coloured jackets.

Underneath the noise, I could just about make out "Sorrow," "It's Love that really Counts" and "I Stand Accused." They were backed by their group, the Fruit Eating Bears.

UNIMPRESSIVE

The first half of the show, I thought, was poor, apart from a good sound from the New Generation.

Paul Dean and the Savages, in leopard skins, sounded the way they looked, American singer Hamilton and West Indian singer Jimmy Cliff were very unimpressive.

And in the middle of it all, up popped Mike Sarne, seeming very out of place, much older than everyone else taking part, although the audience joined in with his songs quite spontaneously.

But I think if the talent had been spread around a bit — perhaps with the Merseys closing the first half — this show could have been better balanced.

B.J.