Hastings Rock Music Fest 2015 – bands wanted.

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Sarah Harvey…. I am looking for some willing bands / artists to take part in this year’s Hastings Rock Music Fest 2015, in aid of Hastings Rock. Provisional date is Sunday May 24th at The Marina Fountain, Hastings…. this is during the broadcast so will have an added impetus. Any current bands / artists or reunion bands (hint hint) out there willing to help out and do an hour set (or less if you don’t have a lot of material).! Doesn’t have to be rock, however I draw the line at symphony orchestras :-). There must be a reunion band out there wanting a bit of airing for a good local musical cause.

Anyone interested let me know and I will pass on your details to Sarah

Weekend Of Music Talks – The Hub Hastings 28th & 29th March 2015.

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poster supplied by Andre Martin. photos supplied by The Battle for Hastings Pier Facebook page. (1) Andre Martin, (2) Roy Brigden, (3) Archie Lauchlan, (4) Beatrice Rapley, (5) Christian Lloyd.

SAT 28 MARCH 2015

2-2.45PM: THANK YOU FOR THE DAYS
Join Archivist ROY BRIGDEN for an introduction to Hastings Pier’s rich and diverse musical heritage as he shares the latest finds from the pier’s Digital Memory.

3-3.45PM: PINK FLOYD TO SEX PISTOLS: TRIBAL BEATS ON HASTINGS PIER
Watch music-themed preview scenes from filmmaker ARCHIE LAUCHLAN’S soon-to-be-released documentary ‘Re: A Pier’ as he focuses on Hastings Pier’s links with British pop movements.

5-6PM: DISCOVERING HENDRIX AT HASTINGS PIER
Hear author DR. CHRISTIAN LLOYD reading sections from his new book on Jimi Hendrix, featuring newly discovered archival material from North America.

SUN 29 MARCH 2015
2-3.30PM: THE HAPPY BALLROOM
Back by popular demand, band promoter and historian ANDRE PALFRY-MARTIN tells us about the history of the ballroom on Hastings Pier. This talk will be followed by a Q&A and discussion, so you can share your memories of Hastings Pier’s ballroom too.

ALL TALKS ARE FREE. SPACES ARE LIMITED. TO BOOK CALL: 01424 435587.

Talks are all in The Hub (the old White Rock Baths) on Hastings seafront, east of Hastings Pier.

Alan Esdaile… Good talk on Saturday from Roy Brigden and Archie Lauchlan preview film. Very pleased they gave a special mention and thanks to Chris Meachen and Mick Mepham for the wealth of photos and posters. Also Roy said Stallion played the pier 15 times in total, more than any other band. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Archie Lauchlan impressive preview video was mainly focusing on Pink Floyd and The Sex Pistols, with Colin Bell and Barry Taylor’s memories. However he managed to get an interview with Nick Mason of Pink Floyd talking about the Hastings gig. He showed a sneak preview of some of the graphics that one of his team is working on and its going to be a must see video when completed.

Andre Martin… Yes we have had an excellent weekend of memories, even with the weather that made us all remember the dash from the Prom to the front entrance, and worse after the show when it was dark and cold as well !!

The Battle for Hastings Pier… New display of archive materials celebrating Hastings Pier’s musical heritage in The Hub. Do pop in and have a look. The Hub is open Wednesdays & Thursdays 1-4pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 11 – 4pm.

The Happy Ballroom and more 28th March 1965 by Andre Martin

In the 12 months that I have been producing this weekly History of The Happy Ballroom, I have noticed a change in the artistes that have been appearing weekly for the entertainment of the dancers in Hastings. What I find quite interesting is the different types of bands and groups that have made Saturday Nights important, and have offered a selection of both National and local “names”. This week we have the Gordon Rider Band in the Happy Ballroom, offering a wide range of dance music, unfortunately there is never any more information in the press, that might fill in the gaps of just what was happening some 50 years ago, which as a historian I find disappointing.
The Witch Doctor in Marine Court, goes from strength to strength with a full weekly programme of both live groups and records – not yet called disco! This was a good week as Saturday Nights Top of the Bill – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beeky, Mich and Tich and in support Denny Mitchell Soundsations, 7.30pm to 11.45pm and all for 6/- [30 pence in today’s money]. Sunday Club was to be a big draw, as this week we have a visit from ZOOT MONEYs BIG ROLL BAND. Friday night’s attraction was Trendsetters Ltd, another popular group with a good following in the south. Records filled the rest of the week, with a range of entry charges between 1/- to 1/6d – value for money!!
The weekend would have kicked off, as it always did with a visit via TV to Kingsway London and the Studio of Ready Steady Go – setting the scene as it were for the rest of the weekend. On tonight show we had some classic acts – The Drifters “At the Club” : The Supremes “ Stop in the Name of Love” : Moody Blues “ I Don’t want to go on without you” also we had the Checkmates, Cathy and Keith to keep it all moving. {Ed 2 of my personal all time favourites}
This was the time that the Tamla Motown Review was playing venues in the UK, so we were to get a lot of exposure on both Radio and Television and of course the Pirates would be able to happily play all their releases without the problems of needletime.
BBC Radio was even with the restrictions imposed by “the Management “pushing out some good sounds. Saturday Club with Brian Matthews this week featured The Supremes, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Susan Maughan, The Overlanders, Zoot Moneys Big Roll Band, The Checkmates and The Reg Tilsey Group. 2.00pm Saturday Swings with Helen Shapiro, The Raindrops, The Searchers, The Raindrops, came live this week from the Daily Mail Ideal Homes Exhibition. Brian Matthews was back at 4.00pm with Top Gear and this week the Tamla Motown influence continued with Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Miracles {not yet listing Smokey Robinson} and Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers.
On Sunday Easy Beat – featured Bobby Vee, Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames, The Barron Knights, The Johnny Howard Band and with a few new releases played by Keith Fordyce.
Television that weekend featured many of the regular programmes, Z Cars, Dr Who, and Dixon of Dock Green. From the musical elements, for those who liked Dance Music, Saturday Night featured many of the well know Dance Bands from such venues as the Lyceum in London, various Butlins Holiday Camps etc. The pop music input would be such as Juke Box Jury with David Jacobs on his panel this week – Peter Carver, Roy Castle, Marlene Laird and Joan Turner. Brian Matthews {yes he pops up again} on ABC with Thank Your Lucky Stars and Dave Berry, Chuck Jackson, Rolling Stones, Susan Maughan, Bobby Vee and Janice Nicholls. Easter is just around the corner, and we will see some extra attractions in the Happy Ballroom, and perhaps some better weather, which 50 years ago, was nothing very special – Wet and Windy is a simple description. It was great when researching this week all those years ago, to see and remember from the great artistes that were appearing in Hastings and in the media {we never called it that back then – Radio & TV would be the normal description}
Coming back to the present, it was really great to hear Brian Matthews going strong on Saturday Morning with SOTS and meeting up with some old friends at The Hub { Hastings Pier Project Information Point } with our Musical Weekend that continues on Sunday. Until next week have a good few days and take care of your selves – not TOO MANY CHOCOLATE EGGS!    Andre Palfrey-Martin©2015

You can learn to play drums

Post suggested by Ian McGilvray

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source: scott hirtenstein

Sarah Harvey… What, on that drum kit? Got to say I have never been attracted to a fella’when he has brylcreem in his hair and he is holding a pair of chopsticks !

Jim Breeds…  lol. Earn $3!

Jane Hartley… I can’t play drums, no co ordination, I’ll leave it to the likes of Pete Shaw!

Brian Matthew 25th Anniversary of Sounds of the Sixties, Radio 2.

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© bbc.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wqlv

Congratulations to Brian Matthewon the 25th anniversary of Sounds of the Sixties. Here’s his all time top 20 hits of the 60’s. Some great tracks here.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/…/brian-matthews-top-twenty…

Robert Searle… Always good to hear his programme with his knowledge of the music scene. I know he used to work for Pye records on Radio Luxembourg .Congratulations Brian.

Mick O’Dowd… One of the all-time best radio jocks. Knowledgeable & a radio voice without gimmicks.

Andy Qunta… Yes, one of the very best!

Brenda Blythe… Yeh it’s a great programme. Got it on now. Got to say never heard this song Sugar Dumpling!

Alan Esdaile… I bet you love what’s playing now, ‘Walk On By’. Brilliant.

Andre Martin… Missed the start – but thanks for play again or what ever they call it ! the music will be par excellent from the Master !!

Ron Tennant… Brian Matthew is a real long standing top quality D.J. Unlike many of the D.J’s around the music that he’s playing is the most important thing on his show & not his own personality. Some of the radio disc jockeys do lots of non-stop talking & even sing along to some of the discs they are playing for us listeners. Brian is very polite & respectful to all of his listeners & also the aristes he plays on his turntable. To finish with I’ll also mention that Brian & his assistant Phil Swern regulary play records by the one & only singer P.J.Proby. So many other BBC Radio 2 hosts do not do that & I cannoy understand why…Proby is simply the best. As is Brian.

Picturing The Blues art exhibition plus live music – White Rock Hotel 12th April 2015

Blues Paintings

Barry Taylor commented… The White Rock Hotel, from 11 am.”PICTURING THE BLUES” is an exhibition of the work of local artist Paul Marsh, featuring his unique crayon and pencil drawings. Blues Greats like Robert Johnson & Buddy Guy. For the 1st time, Paul’s work will be available as prints, from only £15.00.  50% of proceeds to ST MICHAEL’S HOSPICE

Also exhibiting,  popular musician Eddy ODel, with some of his distinctive air-brush work.
Plus, to add to the buzz,  live music from Eddy and a variety of other Musicians.
Please come and see us on Sunday 12th April 2015, turn left as you enter the Hotel.

John Renbourn dies

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/guitarist-john-renbourn-dies-aged-5407091

Andy Qunta.. RIP John.

Jim Breeds… I can’t find corroboration of this news yet but it would be unlike Ian Anderson at fRoots not to be sure of the news before posting it.

Patrick Lewis… Thats sad. Great musician. Saw him several times with Pentangle and once solo at the Black Horse.

Jim Breeds…  I’m jealous Pat!