Ian Crawford and The Boomerangs – 9th May 1964

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Andre Martin…..May moves on and here we are again at the doors of The Happy Ballroom, Hastings Pier to see what is on the bill for this week. Saturday 9th May 1964 – Ian Crawford and The Boomerangs, supported by The Alexanders.As one would guess, the name of the group has a “ down-under” connection, the lead vocalist – Ian Crawford, had emigrated to Australia at the age of 15 and had spent some time in the pop business releasing a couple of records and appearing on Australian TV [ No he was not the stunt double for Skippy] then decided to return to UK. With his group The Boomerangs he worked throughout the UK in the 60s and included several package shows supporting the Beatles. This was a feature of the scene at the time, when for about 5/- [25p] you could see a show with several chart acts together – we had several of these at the old ABC Cinema in the early 60s. Ian Crawford and the Boomerangs had their first release in 1964 on Fontana Records – “Don’t Let her be your Baby” it was a cover of the US Contours number. It did very little in the charts.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdYuw-LT2RM&feature=youtu.be

Supporting the show on that night were the popular regular visitor to the Happy Ballroom, from Eastbourne/Brighton The Alexanders, who during this period were building up a fine following in Sussex and the Home Counties.