Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – Hastings Pier 28th March 1973

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Manfred Mann 28th March 1973

manfred mann write up

poster supplied by Mick Mepham

Andy Qunta… As I recall, although my timeline could be off, Factory had supported MMEB in Brighton not long before this. I thought they were interesting, but I wasn’t quite sure if I liked them that first time (the music, not the band – they were fine). This 2nd time, at the Pier, I decided I definitely liked them. They had a big hit with Joybringer at this time, and I think that due to what I have since learned is Manfred’s quirkiness, they did not play that song live!

Dave Nattress… From the sketchy memory….Joybringer was a nice single and partly based or maybe it “sampled” a classical piece – could it be from the Planets Suite? I did have the single. I also have “The Good Earth” vinyl LP which came with a certificate (I think) but anyway if not a certificate as such, some blurb about the band having purchased a plot of land in deepest Wales and that each owner of the album was the owner of a one square foot of this plot – a bit small for a house – unless it was a Lego House. “The Roaring Silence” was the next album which I have on vinyl which contains I think “Blinded by the Light” – I’ve forgotten who wrote it – was it “The Boss”. Am I right, Steve Kinch has been in the MMEB for some years? Just one more thing as a connection obviously, “The Manfreds” – who’ve done The White Rock a good few times and The Congress are excellent.

Gerry Fortsch…I saw this line up on many occasions at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, I cant remember why not on the pier?

Andy Qunta… I was at this gig. Wasn’t sure if I liked them or not, although it was interesting. They didn’t play Joybringer as I recall. However I kept thinking about it. Shortly afterwards, Factory supported them in Brighton. After that I was a big fan & still am. Later on they recorded my song “Tribal Statistics” on their Somewhere in Africa album. I got to know the singer, Chris Thompson, & we started writing songs, eventually including You’re The Voice, which we wrote with Keith Reid & Maggie Ryder. At some point Chris told me MMEB were going have auditions for a new bass player. I played keyboards with the band for them at the auditions as Manfred was busy or didn’t want to. Of course I told Steve Kinch he should try out. He came in & was his usual fabulous self & got the job, beating out many other top notch players!

Ernest Ballard… Great piece of rock history there Andy.

Steve Maxted photos and chat about George

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maxted

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photos supplied by Jozef Maxted

Jim Breeds… Brilliant 🙂

Caz Simpson… Oh wow! That brings back so many memories!

Janine Anne Hemsley… OMG

Eric Harmer… I remember going on stage on the down a yard of beer comp

Caz Simpson… Does anyone remember George? The lovely guy who always ate the raw eggs

Kevin Burchett… I  remember George I think he came over from Bexhill he was always on the stage

John Wilde… George was never afraid to get out on the floor and be the first to dance.

Mick Knights… He also walked from Bexhill and back every evening!

Andre Martin…. Steve [ with the shades] taken at the Black Umbrella Promotions Day for PYE records at Shepperton Studio – mid 1970s, he is standing next to the handsome hairy one – ME !!

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Pete Pursglove… ha ha remember him well ,good show he used to do

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George Hatcher Band – Hastings Pier 20th August 1977

 

ad supplied by Sarah Harvey, ticket supplied by Mick Mepham

Sarah Harvey… The George Hatcher Band appeared on the Pier in August 1977. By 1977 they had released two albums, Dry Run (76) and Talkin’ Turkey (77). They had also released two singles, Have Band Will Travel (76), and Black Moon Rising (77). They went on to release two further albums Coming Home (1980) and Hindsight (1985). Still going today!!

Peter Houghton… I saw the George Hatcher Band on the pier and they signed my 10 inch single for me

autograph and records supplied by Dave Jenkins

 

Who has still got a Blue Peter badge? asks Jeff Belton

Jeff Belton… who has still got a Blue Peter badge? He wrote a letter to Biddy Baxter the editor of Blue Peter and said his thoughts on how the show got its name. She replied with a badge in the post.

Peter Thomson… One of my daughters still has hers (she’s in her 30s now). When we lived in Germany she gained free access to zoos etc even over there when she wore it.

Daryl Perkins…My daughter has a green one from 1993.

Merv Kennard… I have a blue one from the early sixties

Lyn Humphrey… Forgot to ask for one when our dog was on the prog. Always regretted that!

Jan Warren… I was bought up with ITV, so I watched Magpie!! – I’m still with ITV and furious that I have to pay the BBC licence fee!! – its well out of date and should be SCRAPPED!!

Nigel Ford… I still have a couple of blue ones from the sixties, I wrote in about …”I don’t know what!” ….I may even have a third I found at a car boot sale in the 80’s? would part with one Lyn if I can find them….they’re in storage, but I think I know where.

Blue Peter badge supplied by Merv Kennard

 

Alexandra Park Hastings – boats

Tracy Howell… Why they ever changed, kids would of loved. I did

Lyn Farkley Appleyard… Tracy, We were ALL happy with things kids (and even adults) never experienced. Life experiences will never be replaced by any computer game……..

Angela Frances Gardner… I loved the rowing boats in the park. So sad when they were taken away.

Sandra Cunningham… My cousin Jo used to work on them in the 60s x

Pauline Sims… Good times!

Lloyd Johnson… In the 1950s I remember building a Jetex model of the Bluebird boat. Alan Mitchell and I took it to the boating lake ,luckily it was on a long piece of fishing line. We lite the fuse of the Jetex motor and it went off like a rocket and then dived under the water at high speed….smoke everywhere!…

Alan Mitchell… I remember it well !

Amanda Russell… I remember watching fireworks there…over the boating lake…it was awsome.

Lyn Farkley Appleyard… Sheer bliss……

Bernard Goffredo… And now it is a filter bed for water instead of being something built for the Public to enjoy

Linda Boiling… remember them well. Shame we don’t have them anymore

Allan Mitchell… Good times!

Tony Qunta… Such a shame! Bad idea taking them away, just like it was a bad idea replacing the cricket ground with a shopping area!

Mick O’Dowd… I spent many hours here as a lad. On the boats and sailing my pond yacht (whatever happened to this hobby?)

Marilyn Spence… “Come in number 2!”

Tracy Birrell… My first boyfriend rowed me across the lake on a date.

Dennis Torrance… I remember well iced over in 63 playing on the boats happy times and fireworks there Wednesday nights and ice cream hut there small block of ice cream in a wafer

Keith Veness… Great time there

 

 

Did anyone go on the Magic Bus coach trips in the 1970’s?

Leigh Mitchell… No – but I’d go on one now at those prices

Rebecca Roach… What a memory – delighted to find this – I went on the Magic Bus to Athens from Kings Cross station in 1972/3 (?) stayed at The Funny Trumpet hostal in Athens – that was an experience!

R Stene… Yes. London to Athens in 1978. I was the oldest person on the ride (36) and best dressed it turned out. No head rests for three days and a memorable toilet stop for two girls on the side of the road in Yugoslavia in the snow. Lots of interesong smoking going on in the back seats.

Mike Curtis… No. Cos it was “too much”

John Wilde… Yes twice to Amsterdam.

Vicki Campbell… Yes, Athens to Amsterdam 1975. Yugoslavia we broke down near Skopje.  Pretty rough travel but the price was right! I remember how happy everyone was to cross into Austria! The fresh produce in Yugoslavia was the best anywhere.

Heather Sidery… Yes.. France and back. We we’re stopped in UK, and searched by police. Nothing found…..

Julie Findlay-jones… My uncle used to drive for them in the 70s.

David Hamblett… Went to Athens 1979, it cost £28,Should have been 3 days but took 4 as Yugoslavia police stopped the bus and took away the driver, Fantastic

Amanda Darling… David, I was on that bus too! My son was conceived on the roadside in Yugoslavia when the bus driver was taken off by the police!

Joan Hicks… I (a Kiwi) traveled Athens to London 1976. Alan was the lone driver. He had his kids Claire and Roger with him. Alan had a kidney stone attack in the Alps, so the whole busload baby sat until he came back. Also got stuck at the Yugoslavian border, the border guards demanding $200 US for a Visa I already had. Also got an unplanned day in Amsterdam. Brilliant trip. Made some good friends and still keep in touch with a couple of them. Traveled on with Alan down to Cornwall and stayed with him and his wife Flora for a few days. Happy days!

Meryl Gay… Yes, I took the 3day trip in 1975 from London via France, Italy over the ferry at Brindisi to Greece down to Athens. What a adventure. We had a puncture in France! Had many happy memories.

Peter Ellingworth… I didn’t myself but my youngest cousin Moira, sadly no longer with us having succumbed to cancer, and over from Australia at the time (1975-8) on their traditional overseas rite of passage, did so with her Canadian flat mate she lodged with in Shepherds Bush…..and ended up in Athens marrying a Greek. Did the bus go from the old coach station half way up Pentonville Rd., (now an upmarket restaurant) or from outside King’s Cross Rail station itself, most likely in York Way ?

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