July 2021
bathvoice
9
n PEOPLE
Former engineer and public spirited guitar man (and DJ)
By Harry Mottram. For 20 or more years musician Len Liechti was on the Bristol, Bath and the South West live music circuit playing guitar and bringing to life the chart hits of the day. Originally from Brighton Len studied engineering in Bath where he met his wife Sue and has stayed ever since. “I got a job at Rolls Royce after college and never went back to Brighton,” he said, “but I also worked as a musician back in the day when I was in a covers band. “Every Saturday night we played the music that the punters wanted, including the hits of Slade and the BeeGees. “I would sing all the Barry Gibb parts and I’d play other instruments as well - and I did that from the 1970s to the 1990s.” Before the pandemic hit Len was still playing in gigs, open mic nights and hitting the road with his last band Around the Block.
Sadly they are no longer around as the members have split but it has given Len a chance to take a break. “I’ll take it a bit easier when the restrictions are over as I’m 72 now and so I’ll just do the open mic nights,” he explained, “I don’t have to make a living from it but some of my friends do and the pandemic has been difficult for musicians and I do feel for them.”
Len outside the Radio Station at RUH
Bath Radio’s Len Liechti where he plays all types of music on a Friday morning After working as an engineer Maddie and doing a bit of litter he moved into computing in the picking and keeping Bath tidy. insurance industry before finally And another outlet for his a spell at the RUH. talents if Bath Radio, formerly “I worked in medical Bath Hospital Radio. Two years pathology which is basically agon a fellow musician Chris testing fluid samples,” he said, “I Rogers asked Len if he fancied worked there for 12 years.” being a DJ. Father of three grown up “I thought why not,” he children with several recalled, “It’s something I’d never grandchildren he and Sue have done before, I also know a lot lived in their home in Newbridge about music, I’d worked at the Road since 1982. Like many RUH and it’s voluntary - a people he found the lockdown a charity.” strain but found an outlet in Catch Len’s music show every going for walks with his dog Friday morning on Bath Radio.
Monday am Hillside Hall, Oldfield Park Call Sarah on 07881 758292
Wednesday am Leafy Lane, Corsham Call Jane on 07857 147093
Thursday pm The Parish Hall, Weston Call Sarah on 07881 758292
Friday am The Rugby Club, Combe Down Call Cher on 07824 336925
Tuesday pm St Mark’s School, Larkhall Call Emma on 07886 629496
Wednesday pm Percy Community Centre Bath City Centre Call Jane on 07857 147093
Thursday pm The Methodist Church Southdown Call Jane on 07857 147093
Saturday am Odd Down Sports Ground Call Emma on 07886 629496
Wednesday pm Saltford Hall, Saltford Call Cher on 07824 336925
Friday am The Methodist Church Southdown Call Jane on 07857 147093
Tuesday pm St Michael’s School, Twerton Call Sarah on 07881 758292
slimmingworld.co.uk
Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk
