Spyke, Suspect, Penny Black – 1972

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all cuttings supplied by Sarah Harvey

Peter Millington….Remember it well! We were never “The” Spyke just SPYKE. The Alexandra was the hot place to go between 1970 and 1972. We played there 3 times a week for 2 years before the hotel management (Mrs Paul-Warren) decided to concentrate on the afternoon tea brigade. Say no more, the hotel commenced a downhill slide and closed.

SMART 20 Coffee meet 5th June 2015 Report.

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SMART 20 REPORT. Another great get together. Andre Martin popped in early, just to let us know he’s still got problems with telephone and internet connection but hopefully back on line next week. Among the newbies this time were Linda Day, Sylvia Sinden, Ted Adams, Rowena Wood, John Wilde, Mick Bolton, John Petri and Janaln Stoggell. Pete Horton had with him some interesting gig lists from the bands he was involved in, including a drawing of the Voodoos from 1964. Mick O’Dowd had a copy of the early Cymande CD to show Tony Qunta as he was in Cymande 2.  John Wilde did not disappoint and had the bag of sherbert lemons for Mick.  Very lively afternoon and among the conversations, Mick Mepham was talking about working on a new acoustic album, Expandis are going to play The Big Green Cardigan Festival in September, lots of Stallion chat and possibility of a gig in the future. The success of Hastings Rock Fest and the Scalliwags reunion which looks like happening again next year.  Calvert Youth Club, The Deep Purple, gigs in village halls,  what’s happening with The Beach Concert, Phil Gill’s interview, The Happening Club Kings Road, The Round Table youth club and more old photos needed. Factory’s upcoming gig,  Performance and Lysander,  Mott The Hoople, how gigs used to finish early,  Spyke, cleaning vinyl,  how come De La Warr Pavilion are getting all the big names and not The White Rock Theatre, Bruce Springsteen, Mullett Smith & Leisure Music, who’s going to open the new pier, The Flirts, Paul Wiseman, Roger Waters new The Wall film,  The Town Council, 58 Club/Pebbles Winchelsea beach,  King Rod, Cobweb and TheWitchdoctor. The Who, Jimi Hendrix,  The Pam Dor and anyone remember seeing Bob Marley and Paul Simon play Bexhill. This is just a small part of what I can remember and please free free to add anything intersting I missed. A big Thank you for the continuing support.

John Wilde… Thank you Alan it was my absolute pleasure and delight. Sad I had to leave early. There were many more peeps I wanted to meet. I got the buzz!

Eric Harmer… Sorry I couldn’t make it Alan. Will be there next time mate

Linda Day… we both enjoy it alan thank you very nice friendly people x

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Keith Tooke talking about Twinkle, Don Partridge, John Martyn and Nick Drake.

Here’s Keith Tooke’s letter from Hastings Observer a couple of weeks ago. Talking about Twinkle, Don Partridge, John Martyn and Nick Drake.

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Andy Qunta.. Excellent.

John Wilde…  Its NICK DRAKE

Colin Norton… Met Don Partridge in Bern, Switzerland about 25 years ago, talked about the old days and drank a couple of beers together. He was a really nice bloke!

Geoff Peckham… I played in a pick-up band with Don Partridge for a wedding reception in Haywards Heath about 12 years ago. He still enjoyed a few beers and was good company. He spent his twilight years in Seaford.

Chris Meachen… Not the real story behind ‘over the hill’ either.. that was about the walk from a young lady’s flat in hughenden road…

Yvonne Cleland… Well I’m blowed, Jaffa! I’d forgotten all about Don Partridge! He was excellent! You say ‘twilight years’? You mean he’s not with us now?

Colin Norton… Don died from a heart attack in September, 2010 in Seaford, Sussex.

 

St Clements Caves are looking for your photos and memories

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Chrissie Daniels…. Hi, I am the General Manager at Smugglers Adventure and would love to create a big signage board with pictures such as the above. If anyone is interested in sending me any pictures and a backstory we can of course credit you. My email is chrissied@bluereefaquarium.co.uk. Hope to hear from you.

Please feel free to contact Chrissie direct or I’m happy to pass on any emails.

Kino Teatr presents – The Near Jazz Experience, The Aftershave, Louis Vause and Wendy May DJ

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The Near Jazz Experience – Improvised funky beats and brassy grooves

time to try out the new venue in town.

Friday, 17 July, 2015, at 7pm. Kino Teatr, Norman Road, St Leonards.

http://kino-teatr.co.uk/index.php/event/near-jazz-experience-aftershave-louis-vause-and-wendy-may-dj/?eID=723#.VXxTp-v7U8J

 

James Last – big band leader dies.

Grand_Gala_du_Disque_Populaire_1970_-_James_Last james last

b/w photo source: Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Rijksfotoarchief: Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Fotopersbureau (ANEFO), 1945-1989 – negatiefstroken zwart/wit, nummer toegang 2.24.01.05, bestanddeelnummer 923-3019

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33075466

Dave Luck… Very talented musician and composer. R.I.P

Jim Breeds… A bit like when I just heard that Marguerite Patten has died I’d have to say I had no idea he was still alive. I still have Dad’s James Last LPs.

Alan Esdaile… When I was very young, I think most parties would put on a James Last album. He did some very odd tracks, I think Matt Thomas remembers him doing a version of Hawkwind’s Silver Machine!

Jim Breeds… Goodness me! I had no idea!

Alan Esdaile… Very bizarre.

Graham Burfield… R.I.P. James Last

Matt Thomas… I would so love to get the James Last album my dad used to play endlessly,think it was called Non Stop Dancing 72 or 73!!!!!! That had Silver Machine and Schools Out on it lo.

Dave Luck… I think probably his best concert he did in 1978, live in London.

Paul Kilford…. noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Mark Edir… Historic man

Expandis – new line up 2015.

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supplied by Expandis Facebook page.

John Wilde , Philip Thornton and Andy Maby.

Don’t forget Expandis are playing The Big Green Cardigan Festival on Friday 4th September 2015. Also playing on Friday are Titus, Mick Bolton and lots more. Saturday 5th September The Fabulous Red Diesel, Joe Rytlewski Band, Eddie & The Hotrods and more. Sunday 6th September Terry Pack Trio, Cajun Dawgs, Blockx and more.

http://www.biggreencardigan.com/new-page-2/

Alamo Leal… This is great ! Good to see those guys back at it.

Virgin Money – Sex Pistols credit cards.

Thanks to Jim Breeds for finding this

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© Virgin Money

http://m.virginmoney.com/virgin/credit-cards/rebellion/

Jim Breeds… Hmm … “In a press release, Virgin Money say it’s “time for consumers to put a little bit of rebellion in their pocket”.” Or is it time for the Sex Pistols to put a little cashing-in in their pockets?

Mark Gilham… Predictable. None of it was meant to be predictable.