I am looking at employing a company to do some changes to this site as it has had this look etc for abut 9-10 years.

Any suggestions on how to re-vamp the site:

What needs changing?
What needs adding?
What need removing?
Any other ideas?

J.O'B.

Hi John. Ban the use of the French language in the Forum lol. Joking aside it’s hard to say. Back in normal times when there were tours, new album releases etc the site was excellent. Always first with the news. Obviously there has been very little to report since the dates in March. To save you time when updating the set lists, where there has been no changes just say as above. Or when there has been just say E.g Slave to Love replaced More Than This, or Do The Strand added. Hopefully you will be kept busy in 2021.

great site John, from me only minor edits on front page... eliminate the links that are no longer valid (Paul's, Metaphor's, etc.)
Eliminate the items that say coming soon...Gallery, memorabilia, etc.
Basic QC updates.
Really enjoy site, albeit very quiet these days.
Thx !

Surely the site has been around for more like 20 years John or are you working on BF time now? Anyway, I agree that it would be nice to finally see those Memorabilia and Gallery sections up and running. I remember years ago you had some of the old BF fan club newsletters uploaded to the site, it would be nice to see those back up again. And how about a section on BF/RM TV appearances complete with thumbnails of the various performances from over the years. Could be a sort of a live document that gets updated whenever you become aware of any new finds/ performances. Other than that it would be nice to see some old interviews, particularly any rare ones that cover new ground to what we've all become bored with over the years. And maybe a section on bootlegs as well, I'd love to know for instance what is regarded as the best live version of each and every song in the canon.

Hi John,
Its a great site and I wouldn't change much. Although there is not a huge amount of forum traffic (guess a lot goes on FaceBook these days) it is an excellent reference source and one I dip into quite a lot. The only points I could think of that I have seen on other sites would be links to rare audio files and videos (although they have to be maintained), or some creative activity to stimulate traffic in the quieter moments (random lyric generators, Roxy Music user submitted quizz section etc.). One other thought was, as you are reasonably well connected, maybe offer to host a band questions page. Paul Thompson and Phil Manzanera both used to respond regularly on their sites but I think this is no longer the case - could be a one off or regular thing.
Keep up the good work...

I quite liked the memorabilia section when it was running and a Q and A once in a while would be good as well, although I recognize that might be a bit of a challenge to arrange.

Hi John, although it is a little bit quiet these days VRM is a very good site. The whole Roxy staff has become a bit old, new albums, even new songs are so rare. Deluxe editions and remixes have been in the pipeline for years and years and tours are not possible due to the corona disaster. All that is not your fault. And Facebook delivers photographs and facsimiles of articles and tickets every day.

I know that every website needs a fresh design from time to time but I still like it as it is ... Maybe you can propose the thread of the week or month with some interesting points we didn't discuss so far. Or start a column "What you didn't know about Roxy/Ferry ... so far" with daily changes. That can mean a lot of work - I know. And if it's ok for you send us some links to music videos with Roxy songs you performed in your studio Thank you and good inspirations for the site changes!

- Piano Man Peter -

For Bryan to Join Us...
Bryan Needs Adding

No, Seriously..
If we could get him to just do a thread now and then here...

On his own thoughts about things,
I realise he has a FB page but maybe he would like to see what his longtime serious fans talk about, and let us know sometimes what's on his mind..

For the Serious Ferryologist

Considering Roxy/Ferry FB pages, I never watch that. -Never any news of serious interest.

Cher J.O’B,

Firstly thanks for keeping this going.

W2 does think that good independent sites have a future. Not that Windswept bothers with either but Twitter is completely toxic and Facebook is flaccid. Consequently artists sites are enjoying a renaissance and you just have to look at the effort that Nick Cave puts into his to realise the value of the vehicle.

That said, BF’s whole online strategy needs a revamp and this is what Windswept would propose:

D’abord, VRM and BF.Com should be merged with you running it. Having two entities makes no sense and together you could make something really special. BF’s site is constantly under animated yet, with the right strategy and management, it could be a beautiful thing and could play a huge role both artistically and commercially.

Deuxiemement, the new site should include the majority of existing VRM content (including the forum) but should exclude the solo work of previous band members. Very importantly it should include sections dedicated to the sartorial and also the literary works associated with RM and BF.

Troisiemement, a way should be found to incorporate roxy music songs.com if only by way of link. Kevin Murray has produced some phenomenal analysis and critical writings regarding Ferry’s work and he deserves a much broader audience. Kevin is undoubtedly doing for BF what O’Leary did for Bowie with his “Pushing Ahead The Dame” initiative.

Finelement, the new enterprise should be a living, breathing organism that promotes all things Ferry: past, present and future. It should not be something that lays dormant and splutters to life just for the latest album or tour.

Salutations et bon chance,

Windswept.