The weeks continue, but with very little change, was life that much simpler back 50 years? Do let me know, anyway is Saturday 8th October 1966. Rumour has it that the Norman Invasion is on its way and things will start to happen next week. The Happy Ballroom on Hastings Pier remains quiet but the Invasion All Nighter has been planned for the actual day of the battle Friday 14th October, headlining the show is Georgie Fame, more on that to follow.
The start to the weekend – Ready Steady Go has topping the bill, The Rolling Stones – “Have You Seen Your Mother”, “Paint it Black” &” Lady Jane”. Paul & Barry Ryan – “Have you ever loved somebody” and Eric Burden + The Animals “Help Me Girl” The team of Cathy & Keith fronted the show an kept it moving along apace. Down at Marine Court, The Witch Doctor is planning some changes, but are keeping it under wraps and on Saturday evening from Portsmouth came along R&B Band – The Loose Ends, regulars on the circuit here in southern England. Thursday night was as expected and enjoyed the Maidstone Manic Music Motivator & Muscle Man – Steve Maxted, with his particular style of Mayhem, and to think that we had to be out of the venue and on the way home by 11.00pm – those were the days. All that advertised for the changes – New Faces, New Shows, More Action – ?????? BBC Radio for the weekend started for many with Children’s Favourites with Leslie Crowther, followed b Saturday Club with Brian Matthew and his guests Georgie Fame with The Harry South Big Band, The Troggs, Herman’s Hermits, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers and The County Set. Lunchtime continued with David Frost at the Phonograph, Music from the Movies, Sorry I’’ll Read That Again, Swingtime with Chris Denning. Later in the evening the offer included – Have A Go with Wilfred Pickles, A Night at The Music Hall, Roy Castle, Time for Old Time, Ken Mackintosh and His orchestra and the evening drew to a close with two & half hours of Simon Dee, and Lennie Felix with Jazz Time.
On Sunday after Children’s Favourites, Mrs Mills and Phil Tate’s Happy Gang, it was Easy Beat with Keith Fordyce. Noon it was Two Way Family Favourites – London & Koln, the afternoons comedy entertainment included the Navy Lark, The Clitheroe Kid, Billy Cotton Band Show & Semprini. Pick of the Pops with Fluff at 4.00pm. Movie Go Round this week featured Kaleidoscope with Warren Beatty, Susannah York & Eric Porter. Steve Race this week included the music; content of Sea Films, in the chair Peter Haige. Later we had Top of the Form, Sing Something Simple, Frankie Howerd and Jazz Scene.
Television for the weekend: Saturday – Grandstand, followed by Juke Box Jury – David Jacobs in the chair and his guests Lynn Redgrave, Penny Valentine, Lionel Bart and Ronnie Carroll. Later, Dr Who, Dixon of Dock Green, the film “High Adventure” with Rock Hudson. The Dick Van Dyke Show, Trouble-shooters, Horse of The Year Show. Match of the Day ended the evenings viewing.
Sundays offerings included Film Matinee – The Solid Cold Cadillac starring Judy Holliday and Paul Douglas, Wlikie Collins “ the Woman in White”, Sooty’s Mammoth Circus, Songs of Praise, “The Road to Rio” with Bing Crosby,Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour & The Andrews Sisters. Later it was The Billy Cotton’s Music Hall, Ages of Man, The Look of the Week with Robert Robinson.
Bobbing along on the ocean waves, the Pirates were presenting the weekends top hits – Radio Caroline South with Rick Dane – Georgie Fame: “ Sunny”, Sandpipers “ Guantanamera, DDDBMT : “Bend it”, New Vaudeville Band : “Winchester Cathedral “ and The Who “ I’m A Boy” Tony Blackburn on Radio London 266 BIG L played – Rolling Stones : “Have you seen your mother…”, New Vaudeville Band : “Winchester Cathedral”, Four Seasons “ I’ve got you under my skin”, Peter and Gordon “Lady Godiva and Sandpipers “ Guantanamera” . It is very much a typical week, as we know something is building up for next weekend, until then you all take care, the evenings are closing in. Andre Palfrey-Martin © 2016
