Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Andre Martin…. Gosh another month has almost gone, and we are now Saturday 26th September 1964, and the Happy Ballroom, is moving into week TWO of this winter programme – all you can dance to for 5/- !
Looking at the Billing I see that headlining is The Herd and in support Brighton based Shelley. My immediate thoughts were, was this the same Herd that had Peter Frampton in the line up, but research tells me that he in fact did not join the group until 1966. This was the original group that he would join a little later. There is not much to tell, other than the group came from south London and had three record releases for Parlophone, that did not make much impact on the charts. However – supporting act Shelley – formerly known as The Sabres, were well known in the south and had made many visits to The Happy Ballroom over the years. Our Friday Night fix of music would be well covered by Ready Steady Go on Redifusion TV from Kingway, and this week would have included – -The Band of Angels, The Four, Gerry and the Pacemakers – “It’s Gonna Be Alright” Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders – “Um Um Um Um Um Um” , Little Eva , Little Walter. Interesting line up there with Mike d’Abo and the Band of Angels, who we booked several times for college dances, because of the family link with Hastings.
The Witch Doctor was buzzing with its 7 nights of entertainment, and on offer this week would have included: Saturday – The Shamrocks & The Profiles, Sunday – Soul Agents, Wednesday – Lee Castle & The Barons [scheduled to appear on Thank Your Lucky Stars the following night ] and to end the week on Friday The Beat Merchants.
Over the next few weeks, the Pier management will be reviewing the offer to the people of Hastings and we will see changes….but more about that later, it is still offering “ Longest Bar in Town “ and that bracing walk to and from the Happy Ballroom. Andre Martin
Joe Knight…love the record ‘From The Underworld’ mum use to tell me to turn it off she said it sounded like some one had died!!! lol ;-
Mick O’Dowd… Great band & they spawned Peter Frampton.