Viola Beach – R.I.P.

viola beach

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-35576482

Dave Nattress… the horrendous deaths in Sweden of the 4 young band members of Viola Beach and their manager in a car-crash last night. I’d not heard of them but understand now they were tipped for great things. A total, total tragedy, 5 young guys just wiped out. I watched a track they did at the BBC recently – reminded me of The Kooks, very British, indie, sounds like they’ve done a couple of sessions and were considered to be on the way to good things. So obviously young and fresh faced and innocent and straight looking guys and wiped out so terribly quickly at the start of their careers. This awful loss of part of the new generation that we older guys can maybe see something of ourselves in. We’ve lost so many of our generation lately, bands and individuals who left their marks on us. These poor lads hardly got off the starting blocks, so somehow it draws a bit of a balance – and takes the thinking back to so many of the rock n rollers of the late 50’s and early 60’s who perished in terrible accidents travelling to or from gigs.

Robert Searle…  RIP lads.

Alan Esdaile… Likewise I don’t know much about them but terrible loss of life and more so at such a young age.

Janine Anne Scott… Very sad .

Alan Mitchell… RIP, a sad loss.

Paul Crimin… Very sad.

Andy Qunta… Very sad indeed. I admit I had not heard of them before, but of course any time something like this happens to a band, it hits home. More so, in this case, as they came from Warrington, as I did.

Colin Norton… Very sad news indeed. RIP.

The Happy Ballroom & more mid February 1966 by Andre Martin

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

The weeks move on and it’s now mid February 1966, and for many it’s that time of the year to look toward to Valentines Night! In the build up to that event, one would have expected something from the Pier Ballroom, or at least the Pier – but nothing, perhaps they have something up their sleeve, and it’s going to make a sudden appearance a little later – we will have to see. [Just for once I would love to be able to start off the weekly column with some GOOD NEWS from 50 years ago, about this iconic building in the town].  In the line up to the weekend, Friday starts as ever with that most popular television programme for the teenagers – Ready Steady Go, and this Friday [11 February 1966] this line up includes The Animals “Inside Looking Out” & “Mandie”: Len Barry “ Like a Baby” : the Breakaway : The Action & James Brown as a special guest from America, even Cathy & Keith did not really get into any sort of Valentines mood.
The Witch Doctor, starts a busy weekend, with this Saturday night Thee Washington DCs featuring Johnny Cannon, ably supported by The Defenders, all the usual services, DJ and Records with Johnny Mann, bar open to 11.00pm and for the princely sum of 6/- [30 pieces of the new decimal currency] On Sunday afternoon, it would have been Afternoon Spin all for 1/6d and that would allowed you to tuned in at home and have a quick Sunday Lunch with 2 Way family Favourites on the Light Programme and get down to the Club in the afternoon. On Monday it was Valentines Night and here the Witch Doctor had something special – The [British] BIRDS not to be mistakes for the [US} Byrds. Based in west London they had developed a musical description that was a Motown-style group. A founder member of this group and still with them in February 1966 was Ronnie Wood. The advertising tag for this evening the local press was “ fly in and see – the Birds” 7.30pm-11.00pm and all for 5/6d. The remainder of the week was as usual Tuesday Big Record Session – possibly with Trevor Ollive and “You Know Who “ on Thursday, the “Muscles Maxted Show” from Maidstone. A whole evening of confusion & mayhem for “half –a-dollar” or since Monday twelve and a half new pence.
I said that the whole of the Marine Court was busy that night, in the Dolphin Ballroom; the Hastings College Students had a St Valentines Night Dance with The Gordon Rider Orchestra and cabaret The Trendsetters. It was unusual for a college night, late bar till 1.00am, 7/6d on the night and 6/- in advance. And if I recall the next day we started our lessons as usual at 9.00am – Tuesday period 1 for me, I think was Economic History A2 with Mr Charlie Welstead.  That weekend on the BBC was again not really altered to tie in with Valentines – Saturday on the Light Programme would have meant, “Saturday Club” with Brian Matthew, this week’s guests Gerry & The Pacemakers, the Four Pennies, Lulu, Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Unit 4 plus 2. Lunchtime would have given us the Jack Jacksons “Record Roundabout” Later in the day you have had “Saturday Band Stand” with Crossley’s Carpet Works Band from Lancashire, at 4.30pm “Open House” with Desmond Carrington in control of the decks. In the early evening it was “Jazz Beat” with John Mayell & his Blues Breakers and Dickie Pride and The Sideswingers. The rest of the evening had a strong leaning to “The Old Time Days” in one form or another.
Sunday on the Light would have given the listeners the opportunity to hear – 10.30 “Easy Beat” with Keith Fordyce and The Johnny Howard Band plus records, “Two Way Family Favorites” was just that, and London Cologne linkup between UK and BAOR families and Friends.[If my experiences of the forces is anything to go on, they would most certainly celebrated Valentines Night – and perhaps the whole week] In that afternoon, the usual schedule would have included Al Read, Jimmy Clitheroe, Joe Brown & The Bruveers. 4.00pm Fluf would have been along with “Pick of the Pops”, and after this Peter Haigh with “Movie Go Round”, and this week the films would have included “The Spy that Came in from the cold” Richard Burton, Claire Bloom & Oskar Werner and “10 Little Niggers” Hugh Obrien and Shirley Eaton.
BBC TV on Saturday, Grandstand with the international Rugby England v Ireland, Dr Who, Juke Box Jury, and with this week’s guests Pete Murray, Lulu, Eddy Arnold and Peter Potter with Chairman David Jacobs. To continue, – Dixon of Dock Green and then – The Saturday Western – “The Last of The Mohicans” – Randolph Scott. At 8.00pm it was the Cathy Kirby Show with Nina & Frederik and Dave Allen. On Sunday some of the high lights would have been 12.30 The Universal Force –The Puzzle of Inertia – a pre Open University Lecture on science matters. At 1.30pm we had the Percy Thrower Gardening Programme. When you look back at these schedules from the time, and lot were geared towards education or improvement rather than entertainment. Later that afternoon Pinky & Perky. The Sunday evening film was Tyrone Power – Mississippi Gambler. This would have been followed with News and Dr Finley Casebook, and discussion style programmes till closedown. How things have changed in 50 years – now from about early January you get bombard with Valentines related advertising etc so when the 14th February arrives, all you can really say is – Thank goodness for that. It just leaves me to say, keep watch the Pier NOW in 2016, things are happening and May will soon be with us. Until next week, when we look back 50 years ago, keep warm, the forecasts give low temperatures. And take care of yourselves.    Andre Palfrey-Martin ©2016

Pugwash – London Trader March 1998

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photo by John Kenward. Supplied by Phil Little Hastings Music Files

Stuart Huggett… Bloody great band.

Louis Wiggett… Chris Jordan on Drums, his brother John (Jordan) on Bass, and Tim Phillips on vocals. I can’t remember the guitarist’s name?

Giorgio Gomelsky former Stones and Yardbirds manager dies.

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Source: Wwwhatsup. Giorgio Gomelsky at his 75th Birthday celebration – NYC Feb 28 2009

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/giorgio-gomelsky-former-rolling-stones-yardbirds-manager-dead-at-81-20160115

Chris Sambrook…. Another one gone. Giorgio Gomelsky, made his name in the 60’s with Band Management, Club owner and founder of Marmalade record label. He signed Jools Driscoll and Brian Auger. Biggest hit single was This wheels on Fire. The another band he signed up were The Blossom Toes. They had a brilliant single out called Peace loving Man and the album If only for a moment. Sadly didn’t really get anywhere. He gave the name Slow Hand to Eric Clapton as he took his time changing strings on his Guitar. When Clapton left the Yardbirds, Gomelsky found his replacement with Jeff Beck.

Alan Esdaile… remember buying Wheels On Fire from the disc jockey and cool looking record label. The Blossom Toes Peace Loving Man reminds me of Sabbath but I think Black Sabbath came out after this so possibly they were influence by this track?

Chris Sambrook… Guitarist, Jim Cregan played in the Rod Stewart band in the 70’s Not sure about the Black Sabbath connection though. Can’t see a version of Do you think i’m sexy with Ozzy.

UOME – 1997

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photos by John Kenward. Supplied by Phil Little Hastings Music Files.

Gina Cushty Cassisa-Crook… Thank you Alan for this nostalgic collection of pics of the band Uome with myself, Andy Crook, Jason Smith, Martin Banfield and my late step dad the legend Micky Tiller. Wow almost 20 years ago!

Hastings Pier: A Unique Event Space on the South Coast

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photo source: Jon Crawley – Founder at C3 Productions

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hastings-pier-unique-event-space-south-coast-jon-crawley

Thanks to Peter Fairless for this exciting Pier update.

Alan Esdaile… This looks a bit more interesting.

Robert Searle… Fantastic.

Phil Thornton… thats more like it ! – I hope this is on the level !

Chris Meachen…. Fingers crossed!

Geoff Peckham… Early times, but exciting news!

Gary Kinch… I really hope this happens, seriously, it would be brilliant but if that artists impression is moderately accurate, how the hell are they going to get past all the noise objections. I really don’t understand how they are going to make it happen. Any major Rock Band playing on a stage like that would rattle the windows all along that piece of promenade. Somebody in the know needs to explain.

Peter Fairless… Since the pitch hasn’t been made public, Gary, we don’t know what they’re licensed for, or what restrictions there are. Given it’s going to be open air, you’d have to assume most gigs will end fairly early. That ought to make it easier. Anyone more in the know, please share!

Chris Giles… This would be great to go too… I really hope it happens .

Alan Pepper… Sounds fantastic agree with you on this Gaz you can pay the electric bill though !!

Mick O’Dowd… This looks quite impressive at first glance but on the down side who remembers force 7’s when you were in The Ballroom?

Eric Cawthraw… A very encouraging graphic of the new-look Pier, I hope all will be a great success, and I certainly hope to support it – but I do have a nagging doubt. You can see it now, a pre-arranged event and by the time the date arrives, there is a howling gale and lashings of rain! Now that’s fine if the band is called ‘Howling Gale and Lashings of Rain’, but otherwise…..On the other hand, if it turns out to be a balmy warm evening – what a great event and memory it would be. Outdoor events are ‘iffy’ at best, and with this jutting out in to the English Channel, it is a big risk. Also, as Gary Kinch has mentioned, there is not a lot to dampen the sound on the seafront. Still all is appropriate if there is a Tornados or Hurricanes tribute band – the answer my friends is blowing in the wind!

Peter Fairless… Oh, please, no tribute bands!

The Happy Ballroom & more 5th February 1966 by Andre Martin

A new month has arrived, here we are 50 years ago, its Saturday 5th February 1966 – and here on the Pier, the Ballroom remains quiet, The Bingo and School of Dancing continue, but we have no name attractions on the programme – surely things are going to change soon, as this is also the 900th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, and the town is gearing up for the celebrations this summer. Ok to be precise October 14th!!
We had started the weekend, with our visit to the Ready Steady Go Studio in London and on the bill this week included by Cathy & Keith – Adam Faith “Idle Gossip” and “If I ever need you” and The Spencer Davis Group “ Keep on Running” and “Somebody Help Me”
The Witch Doctor in Marine Court was active on Saturday Night the bands booked and advertised as “Sound plus Image” were – The Objects and The Brethren. 7.30pm – 11.45pm, Late Bar admission 6/-. The Sunday afternoon Spin was under the control of Johnny Mann 2.30pm-5.00pm for only 1/6d. Tuesday this week was a special “Candlelight Session” with “Muscles Maxted” driving the decks 7.30pm-11.00pm admission 2/-. Steve was back again on Thursday for the “Muscles Maxted” Show 7.30pm-11.00pm all for only 2/6d…..St Valentine’s Day is coming .. watch this space ….
BBC Radio, Saturday feature was as usual “SATURDAY CLUB”. Making up the show this week featured – Chrispian St Peter, Chris Barbers Jazz Band, Cliff Bennett, Paddy, Klaus and Gibson, Tammy St John, The Puppets, Tommy Rich and the Ladybirds. Brian Matthew spinning discs keeping all the links going. 12noon”Does the Team Think”. 12.30 “The Jack Jackson Record Show”. Later on in the day 5.30pm “Chorus Everybody“ Mousehole Male Voice Choir. 6.30pm “Jazz Beat” – from Bournemouth the Zoot Money Big Roll Band.
Sunday features included “Easy Beat” with Mike Felix including The Johnny Howard Band and the best on disc. Noon – “Two Way Family Favourites” London and Cologne.1.30pm “Al Read Show” with Susan Maugham and The Countrymen.2.30pm “The Joe Brown Show” with Clinton Ford. I see that Joe Brown is appearing at the Adelphi Theatre, London in “Charlie Girl”. Also a regular feature on a Sunday was “Movie Go Round” with Peter Haig, this week one of the films featured was “Sky West & Crooks” staring Hayley Mills and Ian McShane.
Television at the weekend included – Saturday – “Grandstand”, “Dr Who”, “Juke Box Jury” – this week’s panel Alan Freeman, Hayley Mills, Marianne Faithful and Jimmy Greaves. Also “ Dixon of Dock Green”, “ The Western[Film]” “ the Black of White Minstrel Show” One of the films that was screened this weekend had a local link – “Operation Amsterdam” with Peter Finch, Eve Bartok, Tony Britton and Alexander Knox. The Director was local man Michael McCarthy who lived in St Leonards and daughters both went to Christ Church Primary School, when this film was first released the school were taken to the old Gaiety Cinema and we all had a viewing of the film, and the girls had a very small part in one of the crowd scenes. Another film that weekend on BBC2 was the classic “Storm over the Nile” with Lawrence Harvey and Anthony Steel.
One of the features from ABC at Birmingham would have been “Thank Your Lucky Stars” on this week’s show – Jim Dale, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Small Faces, Salena Jones, The King Brothers and Dusty Springfield. Compere for the show, the very popular Brian Matthew.
Commercial – or Pirate Radio as it was often referred to at the time, the main charts were for this weekend as follows: Big L Radio London 1 Len Barry. “Like a Baby”: 2 Mindbenders “ A Groovy Kind of Love”: 3 Swinging Blue Jeans “Don’t Make me Over” Radio Caroline South, still having problems due to the recent running aground of the Mi Amigo, still maintained the following for this weekend – 1 The Overlanders “Michelle”: 2 Cilla Black “ Loves Just a Broken Heart”: 3 Spencer Davis “Keep On Running”
To quote a great Television show from earlier in the decade – “That Was the Week that Was” – Saturday February 5th 1966 to bring this right up to date, perhaps this will be described as the same for Saturday 6th Februarys 2016, when we had the excellent long awaited news about the plans for the Pier – after months of waiting we now have a opening date of Saturday 21st May –now we can get behind this and show the world just what we have sticking out 900+ feet into the English Channel, and meaning so much to us over the years, congratulations to all involved and a big thank you to all who have worked in extreme conditions to reach this point in the History of The Pier.
Until next week’s edition, you all take care out there, if you want to go down to the seafront and have a look at the Pier, watch yourself for the wind & rain which has been really strong in recent days. There is a lot happening along the part of the front line, with the White Rock Baths being regenerated into a new skateboard park, the work on Bottle Alley underway and The Pier.
Enjoy this good news                  Andre Palfrey-Martin ©2016.

Andy Qunta… Thanks, Andre! Brilliant write-up, as always!