'Police watch on black magic show by city group', Leicester Mercury, 21 March 1970

Leicester Mercury, Saturday 21 March 1970, page 15. Detectives and a vicar, the Rev. A. C. Robertson of St Mary's, plan to attend Black Widow's show at the Co-operative Hall, Ilkeston, that night, after reports that the Leicester band base their act on black magic. The Ilkeston Spiritualist Church warns they are 'playing with fire' with a mock sacrifice that could bring 'a spirit of a sexually disturbed nature'. Guitarist Jim Gannon, 22, says he and another member have been taking lessons from Alex Sanders, here spelt 'Saunders', for about two months: 'There is much more chance now that a spirit will appear at one of our performances.' The archive also holds the Leicester Mercury and Nottingham Evening Post reports from after the show. How to cite: 'Police watch on black magic show by city group', Leicester Mercury, 21 March 1970, p. 15. Alexandrian Witchcraft Timeline & Archive.

SPIRITUALISTS WARN: THIS IS PLAYING WITH FIRE Police watch on black magic show city group DETECTIVES and a vicar will attend a pop show by Leicester’s “Black Widow” group when they appear at Ilkeston, Derbyshire tonight - to prevent black magic rituals getting out of hand. The police and clergy decided to keep a watchful eye on the dance at the Co-operative Hall, Ilkeston - next door to the police station - after they heard reports that the Leicester group base their act on “black magic” ceremonies. “Able to cope’ The self-styled “King of the Witches,” Mr Alex Saunders, from London, has warned that large groups of people taking part in black magic might well cause a spirit to appear at one… of the group’s performances. The Ilkeston branch of the Spiritualist Church claimed that the group was “playing with fire” by including in their act the “sacrifice” of a young girl who appears on stage with them. The girl’s dance, which ends with a mock ritual sacrifice, coupled with hysteria among the audience, might well cause a spirit of “a sexually disturbed nature” to appear, says the Spiritualist church. Two members of the group who claim to be “very proficient” in witchcraft, say that they will be able to cope with any spirit if one should make an appearance. Vicar of St Mary’s Ilkeston, the Rev. A. C. Robertson said “I shall not be taking any instruments of exorcism with me, or anything like that.” One of the organisers of the dance, Mr. Barrie Smith, of Thames Enterprises (Midlands), said that he was deliberately limiting the number of people at the function. He said: “We understand that the group’s performance is “very spooky” and want to be able to help people if they faint or anything like that. ‘Taking lessons’ “We are naturally concerned for the safety of the public. We are a little worried in case any cranks turn up and cause trouble. We have heard that the King of the Witches, Mr. Alex Saunders might well be there.” Jim Gannon (22), the lead guitarist of the six-man group, said today that he and another musician had been taking lessons from Mr. Saunders. He told the Leicester Mercury: “We have known Alex for about two months and he has been helping us perfect our black magic rituals. There is much more chance now that a spirit will appear at one of our performances. “If one does, it will probably possess one of the members of the audience or more likely the dancing girl who takes part in our act. But we shall be able to control a spirit if one does appear.”