sixties music

The Manish Boys – with Davy Jones (David Bowie) – Witch Doctor 30th Jan 1965

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manish boys david bowie

leaflet source: http://www.bowiewonderworld.com/tours/tour58.htm

supplied by Rod Smith Hastings and Area, Past and Present Facebook Page and Ad supplied by Andre Martin

Rod Smith… “Apparently, David Bowie never played in Hastings but did play four times in St Leonards, at The Witch Doctor, Marine Court. On 13th Nov. 1964 and 30th January 1965 as Davy Jones & The Manish Boys. On 17th July 1965 as Davy Jones and The Lower Third. The final time was when he had become David Bowie and appeared there as David Bowie and The Buzz on 3rd September 1966. This is the leaflet from their site for 30th Jan.1965”

Jim Breeds… Good stuff.

Mick O’Dowd… This should help clear the fact that he didn’t appear with The Konrads on Hastings Pier with Tony Rivers & The Castaways.

Peter Fairless… True story

Gerry Fortsch… I got to know John Watson the bass player in the Manish Boys, what a nice and talented guy, he lived in Maidstone at the time, does anyone know what he has been up to since?

Graham Matthews… Gerry, there was a John Watson playing bass in the original line up of 999 formed in London, don’t know if it’s the same one.

Gerry Fortsch… Graham, Hi mate, the last thing I heard about John was that he was training to be a concert pianist, I remember 999 I am sure that wasn’t him, cheers.

Georgie Fame and His Band plus The Circuit Hastings Pier 2nd December 1967

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Eric Harmer… One of his best songs. Sitting in the park 👍👍

Wendy Wells… Love that song.

Mick O’Dowd… The original by Billy Stewart is also great. Check it out Eric.

Mick Knights… Pretty sure he played the Witch Doctor around 1965

Alan Esdaile…  I got it down that he played The Witch Doctor on 18th Oct 1964 Mick.

Janie Lowe…  I was there Georgie was amazing i also was impressed by Zoot Money

Chris Jolly… Back in the 70s I pulled over to assist in North London as a friend of mine’s van I thought I recognised had broken down. It was indeed a fellow roadie and Ian Leake said he was fine but could I just run his passenger home which I duly did. It was in fact Georgie Fame…

Alan Esdaile… Get Away, Chris!

SMART coffee meet report 60

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A Great turn out for our 60th SMART coffee meet and among the newbies this time were Rod Stapley, Mike Raxworthy and Lea Mason. Rod was chatting about when he was singing with The Silver Songstars one of the first boy bands with 12 in the group. Coming from a musical family, his dad was a drummer in a dance band. Mike was talking about his busy schedule of events coming up on The Stade which include Midsummer Fish Fest on the 25th & 26th June, 8th July Eddie & The Hot Rods, 9th July Big Band event, 10th July six groups playing and the nearly on the beach event is booked for the 30th & 31st July. Lea was talking about his happy memories when he was a dj for Mecca at The Lyceum, The Tottenham Royal and at The Locarno Ballroom in London. Dave Jenkins had a photo album of the Jimi Hendrix museum in London and remembers seeing him at The Upper Cut Club in Forest Gate on the 26th December 1966 and this is where Hendrix wrote Purple Haze. Mo Elms had with her an autograph book which included autographs of Junior Campbell, Miki Anthony, the actors from Please Sir and also business cards from Free Radio Association 1970 and Broadside Free Radio Movement. Pete Prescott had a bundle of albums including a rare ‘Free Story’ Canadian edition, also interesting photos albums with some of when he worked for Collins & Hayes. Merv Kennard had a massive collection of pirate radio station albums and radio books. Colin Tapp had a pile of tickets and cards of The Humperdinks and The Mix-Sirs. David Muriel had with him the invite card for his 21st birthday party which was held at The Pam Dor in Hastings and the band that performed was The Preachers which featured Peter Frampton and original drummer of The Rolling Stones Tony Chapman. He also had publicity info from the book he wrote with Bruce Veness ‘Gridlock Spumes And The Case With No Name’ which is a spoof on Sherlock Holmes. Among his photo albums were photos of his dad John Muriel when he acted in Treasure Island with The Hastleons. John ran a chiropodist surgery in Wellington Square. General chat was about the sad loss of Ray Fenwick and Martin Stringer, The Pier, Eurovision, happy memories of the white rock baths and our aches and pains! This is just a small bit of what I remember, if you had anything interesting you were talking about then please feel free to add.

Lucy Pappas… I think I missed a good one! xx

Lance Collins… Sorry to miss it. Will catch you next month.

Stephen Moran… Thank you so much for hosting yesterday’s SMART coffee meet Alan. It’s something I always look forward to.

Claire Lonsdale… As usual, I really enjoyed it , chatting to like-minded people and look forward to the next one. Thanks Alan for organising it. X

David Jenkins… Had a great time, so good to see new people . Thanks Alan, you are doing a fantastic job , looking forward to the next one. Dave.

Mick O’Dowd… Wow what a turn out & it didn’t, unfortunately, bring me any bags of sherbert lemons (see ad for Meet online). Loved the collection of pirate radio albums as it contained an album that I was always after on Jumbo Records & Tapes label about Caroline. Interesting
chats with Colin Bell & Stephen Moran among others. Great to see so many newbies coming along and against many would be newbies fears, they are all still alive! A great deal of credit must go to our leader, Alan Esdaile/Johnny Mason for his sterling efforts and hard work in putting this all together for us. THANKS ALAN!

Merv Kennard… Hi Mick, if you want the Caroline story on vinyl look on ebay, I’ve just seen several copies for sale.

Stuart Moir… I must make the effort and get there to reminisce as there are many memories that are interesting to remember.

Keith Veness… Will get there one day

Merv & Cris Kennard… Really enjoyed the gathering this month, I hadn’t seen Paul Hugget since his day’s of commentating at Lydden Hill rally x. And the last time I saw Eric Harmer was 1968 when I left school.

The Fabulous 6Ts call it a day

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The Fab 6Ts… The times they are changing indeed. It is with great regret that I have to tell you all that The Great Harry Randall has decided to hang up his plectrums for good and has retired from making great music. Terry and Lol consider that The 6Ts without Harry would never be the same great band, so they have decided that this is the end of The 6Ts. The 6Ts would like to thank everyone that that has supported and enjoyed the band over the last 35 years and wish you all the best in the future. Terry and Lol are going to continue playing, so if you need a bass player you can message Terry through facebook. If you would like a drummer send a message and we’ll pass your message onto Lol. Lots of love to you all, The Fab 6Ts.

Tony Davis… Sorry to her that. Hope Harry Randall is ok

Pete Houghton… That is Sad news Wish Harry all the best

Shelia Maile… Oh dear I did like the 6ts. good music

Andy Qunta… Sorry to hear this! Such a fabulous fun band! Best of luck to each of you!

Jan Warren… Oh thats a shame – I’m sure Terry and Lol will “Rock On”!! – Good luck guys xx

Phil Gill… Well done on the 35 years chaps and best of luck to all three of you. Thanks for the entertainment.

Robert Searle… Sorry to hear this news, was looking forward to seeing you at the Hailsham club.Hope Lol and Terry find something soon.

Dave Nattress… Shame but good luck all on ventures new!

Tony Bird… Best wishes to Harry on his retirement well earned , but if Lol and Terry want to do a Georgie Fame, Nice ,Soft Machine, Peddlers, Alan Price type set with me on Hammond and Piano , give me a shout

Pete Prescott… Sad news. Best of luck guys.

Stuart Moir… We’re all getting close to the time when the body won’t do what we ask of it, I felt like shit after our first practice sore arse sitting on a drum stool for two and a half hours

Andy Maby… Aww guys, that is sad news!! You have been such an inspiration for so many others (including myself!) and will be sorely missed! Thank you, thank you!!

David Oakley… Sorry to hear this , shame it ended during a plague and lockdowns it really is 🙁 all the best regards from Dave (Schnoz)

 

Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and Kenny and The Wranglers – Witch Doctor Aug 1965

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supplied by Mandy Field

Richard Brimm… I saw Georgie Fame but can’t remember the other one

Nikolai Bukharin… I have a sleeveless copy of Georgie Fame live at the Flamingo club circa 65. Fuggin amazing.

Gerry Fortsch… Those were the days, if only we had another Witch Doctor now.

John Warner… I was a Manager of the Witchdoctor back in the 60’s. We had all the top groups there!

 

What Was Your Favourite Year In Music? asks Colin Bell

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Colin Bell… Alan (Johnny Mason) and I were discussing our favourite year in music, it turned out that both of us said 1967! He asked me my reasons why for a thread on SMART site. I guess its impossible to sum it up without relating it to your own personal circumstances, so forgive me the personal rambling bit! I was 15 loved music and wanted to get into it somehow, so spent my weekends hanging about on the Pier waiting for the bands to turn up then helping them and their roadies lugging the gear up to the ballroom in exchange for staying free for the gig. This was to prove invaluable and give me a start in ‘the business’. The music on the radio (London & Caroline) I loved hearing was to name but a few coming from The Who, Small Faces, The Move, The Troggs etc etc. I was therefore in awe to meet The Move in person in May 67 when they turned up to play the Pier. They turned up in an old van mid afternoon Roy was shy, Carl lively, Ace & Trevor scary(particularly Ace who was very erm stroppy!) Bev however was very friendly and wrote down his address and said if I was ever up North i’d have somewhere to stay. It was a great gig as I’m sure those of you who were there would agree. And so the pattern went on each weekend and all those bands i’d heard on the radio I mentioned earlier I got to meet and form in some cases lasting friendships with, Dave Dee (r.i.p mate) in particular who helped me a lot over the years. In no particular order just some of the records from that year I loved were ‘Night of Fear’ ‘Waterloo Sunset’ ‘Itcychoo Park’ ‘Excerpt From a Teenage Opera’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ ‘I Was Made to Love Her’ ‘From The Underworld’ ‘I Can See For Miles’ etc etc etc. August of course saw the ‘festival’ in the Pilot field with The Kinks, Dave Dee, Arthur Brown, Geno Washington etc another highlight of 67. October back on the Pier and having the priveledge of being backstage with Jimi Hendrix and touching that white Strat! and seeing the Experience play! It was of course the year of Sgt. Pepper which changed and influenced bands for evermore and is no doubt remembered as the musical highlight. Much as I love the Beatles it was another band that issued an album in November that  year that for me is the greatest album ever made and that was Love ‘Forever Changes’ to this day I play it at least once a week its just sublime ‘Alone Again..Or’ pure perfection. These are just some of the reasons for my choosing 1967 as my favourite year, I hope its brought back some good memories for fellow Smarties, and over to you for YOUR favourite year for music and why. Off you go Alan it was your idea!…………..

Peter Fairless… On the pier? Has to be 1977…

Jim Breeds… Impossible to have a favourite year.

Alan Esdaile… Since I started helping out with The Conquest Hospital Radio, I noticed that most records I love are from 1967. Previously I would have thought  my favourite year for music was 1969 or the massive disco period in the mid seventies. 1967 the year of flower power. Remember buying a hippy bell from Carnaby Street, a few months later Woolworth and even WH Smith were selling them! Friends arriving at my house with beads on and flowers painted on their shoes. Hippy tie dyed clothes. Joss sticks were all the range and the message of peace and love was definitely for me. Scott McKenzie, Procol Harum, Small Faces, Beatles Sgt Peppers, Magical Mystery Tour on TV, Our World TV Programme with The Beatles All You Need Is Love,  Jimi Hendrix, The Doors,  Cream, Vanilla Fudge, Electric Prunes, David McWilliams, Privilege Paul Jones, pirate radio, the launch of Radio One and loads more.

Reg Wood… Yes 1967 for me too

Wendy Belton… I have always been stuck in the flower power era and the Motown and disco eras. I am true 60s and 70s. Love it. Just think you can’t beat those years…nothing compares to it now. Great to have you on board at CHR Alan.

Pete Prescott… Wow ! Tough one ! So many years to choose from. I was aware of music from as long as i can remember. 50’s and 60’s music. I remember when the Beatles exploded into our lives. My parents told my brother Steve and I we were leaving out home to move to upper Belvedere and I want to hold your hand was being played in the radio. I agree with 67. But 68 was big for me (My brother Chis gave me sgt Pepper).i became obsessed with Glenn Miller. music became very important to me. In 69 Chris gave me 19 albums he bought from a guy on his ship (so many albums ! Santana 1/abraxus and 3, Woodstock and more) and I saw my first concert in 71 (Hyde park. Grand funk/ humble pie/ head hands and feet) a very big deal for me. Music became everything ! I joined a band in 72. what do I choose ? I’ll go for 68 (with all the other years mentioned in dispatches !) I forgot 1970.I saw Free playing alright now on T.O.T.P’s. My life changed and 71, I saw The Who at the Oval. I’ll be thinking all day about this !

Stephen Moran… 1971

Judith Monk… All the above!

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SMART 45 Coffee meet report

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Our 45th coffee meet and among the newbies this time were Caz Simpson and Chris Sherwin.  Caz was chatting to Sarah Ferguson and Colin Bell about memories of The HiFi Club which was at the bottom of the High Street, Old Town. Chris was talking to Pete Millington and Lol about when he was in a trad jazz group with Pete Townsend on banjo and John Entwistle on horns called The Confederates, as well as lots of interesting stories to tell when he worked for Marshall Amps shop in Hanwell.  Laurie Cooksey arrived with some more early Factory photos and Barry French had with him a full size cinema display poster advertising a double bill of Clint Eastwood’s Magnum Force and Dirty Harry. He also had a  fold out tour programme from Steeleye Span Rocket Cottage 1976 tour and The Mirror newspapers Live Aid souvenir issue from 1985, as well as a bundle of comic books. Eric Harmer was talking about the recent success of the Barefaced St Michaels Hospice fund raising gig. General chat was about Paul McCarney’s new album Eqypt Station, happy memories of seeing The Kult, Pete Prescott making next year his last Beatles Day, Pete Bonner when they had a shop in Silverhill, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel coming to The De La Warr Pavilion in December and Tony Blackburn coming to The White Rock Theatre with The Sounds Of The 60’s next March 2019. What radio station do you listen to, Andre’s talk about The White Rock baths,  the closing down of Music’s Not Dead and Di Paolo Cafe Bexhill and SMART taking a stand at the Hastings Seniors Fair. This is just a very small bit of what I remember, anyone who wishes to add anything interesting you were talking about, then please feel free to do so.

Jan Warren… Sorry I couldn’t make it

Caz Simpson… It was so lovely meeting old friends, thank you

Tony Davis… Sorry to miss this one but was working.

Alan Wood… Very interesting,thank you

SMART 41 coffee meet report

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Excellent turn out and one of our busiest so far. Apologise to many people I didn’t get chance to chat to but among the newbies this time were Leigh Wieland-Boys and Mary Cox.  Leigh was chatting to Colin Bell about Bonitas and remembering him playing lots of James Brown. Mary was talking to Pete Millington with happy memories and photos of Chris Sayer. Tim McDonald was talking to Colin and Andre Martin about his time on the John Dunn Show for the BBC. Brian Wood remembers when his band supported a very early ‘The Sweet’ at the Witch Doctor. Also when The Flirts played the pier they had to get a special waiver to be allowed to play, due to Musician Union ruling at the time, as they were under 16. Loads of new cuttings and photos on display which I will get round to posting on these pages in the next few weeks, keep them coming. Roger Carey arrived with the early Rock A Nore promo photo of Stallion. Apparently they were told to dress smart and wear suits for the photo, except Tich who dressed as a skeleton. Happy memories of auditioning for a tour of Holland and juggling a job with gigs. Other bits he had on Stallion were an ad when they played the Iroko Country Club in London and a great photo of Tich Turner on the pier in 1974, as well as a playlist from 1975. Great very early photos of him and Phil Gill before they joined bands, with guitars, also Hat Trick photo and Felix reviews. He was also talking about the very successful tour he has recently finished with Steeleye Span. Len Benton arrived with a folder full of memories and lots of new items we have not seen before. Including a letter booking his band The Deep Purple at The Cobweb Ballroom for £15.00 on the 11th April, 1968. He also mentioned that when Episode Six played The Cobweb his band Deep Purple were also on the advert and posters for another date that week. Mysteriously Episode Six changed their name to Deep Purple shortly afterwards! Photos from his groups Pardon, when they played The Safari Club in George Street and also his band The Seekers.  Amanda Brooks was talking about the group Ghostriders which featured her dad Roy Brooks. David Miller and Mark Harris arrived with photos of their various bands, including Beez Neez, Split Image and cuttings from Carina’s Night Spot The Queens Hotel. Also a great photo of the duo Second Chance and The Likely Lads.  Tony Davis was talking about his recent trip to see The Giant of Rock at Minehead with the best bands of the weekend being Martin Turners Wishbone Ash, Manfred Mann’s Earthband, Deborah Bonham and Limehouse Lizzy. Jon McCallion was talking about the band Effigy, as Julie had found a gig ticket from 1971 at Clive Vale Annexe School. Trevor Webb asked if anyone has any merchandise on Smokie and did they play Hastings? Other talk was about who’s playing Fat Tuesday, The Mobiles, Music Festival at the oval, Beatles Day, Wrestling. With more people arriving and under pressure to finish on time, as the home secretary was due to appear at a function in the room we were in, we continued into the early evening in the bar area. This is just a very small bit of what I remember, anyone who wishes to add anything interesting you were talking about, then please feel free to do so.

Rachel Rayburn… Thanks Alan. Lovely to meet you and I appreciate the welcome. Look forward to the next one.

Jim Breeds… Sorry not to be there. We went north for a day out to see an exhibition that closes this weekend. Glad it went well. Looks like I missed a good one.

Josie Lawson… I enjoy reading the minutes of the meetings you have Alan…a great thank you to you all. It’s great you can all get together…

Carol Arnold… sorry i didnt make it this time

Alan Esdaile…  Interestingly this has just come up in my Facebook memories. Posted on the 3rd February 2013… Coffee Get Together. I’ve been chatting to a couple of friends here and thinking of arranging a get together over a coffee in town. Just a general chat, catch up of music lovers, pier talk, old photos etc.If it works out maybe meet up on a regular basis. Let me know if you are interested and pass on to like minded friends and I will be in contact with details in the future.

Leigh Wieland-Boys… I made it at last! It was lovely to see so many old friends – thank you for the warm welcome

Sid Saunders… I wanted to go to my first one but was walking the South Downs Way yesterday, next time.

Pete Prescott… Very upset to have missed it.But ill make the next one !

Mick O’Dowd… Same with me but no-one would have appreciated me throwing up over them!

Andy Qunta… Sounds great! As usual, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be there, but thanks for the great write-up, so I know what happened!

Lucy Pappas… Thanks Alan, sounds like a great afternoon x

Leigh Wieland-Boys… It was a great afternoon…even when Amber Rudd’s entourage evicted us from the room & we had to move into the bar we carried on regardless..! I found it all very interesting & enjoyable, thank you

Jeanette Jones… Ditto Andy