Year: 2017
The Likes Of Us at The Den 1960’s
supplied by Bob Laurie
Peter Horton… A new pic has just come to light and has been sent to me by Bob Laurie. It shows Bob Laurie, Chris Burt and myself photograped at our ” Den ” in Peartree Lane near Little Common. It was taken at the same time as another one already sent to you sometime ago. We were in ” The Likes Of Us ” at the time and the the pic was taken by Chris Burt’s dad known as Joe. I can’t remember seeing it before.
Geoff Peckham… The original garage band?
Dave Nattress… Very sharp Mr Pecksniff!!
Geoff Peckham… Cheers, Neggle! And a Happy New Year to you!
What is your favourite Billy Joel song?
Alan Esdaile… Mine is probably ‘Until The Night’
Tony Davis… Scenes from an Italian restaurant
Pete Prescott… Too many to list. Check out turnstiles. I’ve loved the days, summer highland falls, new York state of mind, Angry young man, Miami 2017. He was churning them out album after album. One of my favourite songwriters.
Terry Pack… New York State of Mind.
Eric Peckham… Most of them. Pressure is pretty near the top and We Didn’t Start the Fire.
Liz Dees Dianto… New York State of Mind
Phil Gill… All About Soul, with Allentown hot on its heels.
Clive Garrard… He is my hero, and there are so many great songs,but,”New York state of mind” is my favourite.
Alan Pepper… I love to sing along to My Life but Leave a tender moment alone is up there with the best in my opinion !
Rick Pentecost… New York State of Mind
Judy Struys… Until the Night for me too.
Pete Prescott… Leave a tender moment alone. Yeah great song !
Nick Prince… I apologise in advance….An Innocent Man
Andy Ives… Goodnight Saigon
Steve Reents… Honesty
Mark Randall… Predictable I know, but for me it has to be Piano Man . I’m surprised no-one has made a jukebox musical of Joel’s songs with this as the premise.
Gary Dixon… Leave A Tender A Moment Alone
Iain Cobby… It’s gotta be Piano Man
Clive Garrard… I love “Stilletto” very Jazzy.
Happy Christmas and Very Best Wishes for a Healthy 2018
Mastins Ad 1968
Thank you to everyone for their great support during the year and especially to the people that regularly post and keep the page interesting. SMART has grown beyond my wildest expectation and for it to continue, we always need more old photos and cuttings that would be of interest and haven’t been posted before. Time to look in that box in the loft, have a look through your photos albums and ask the relatives. It is a sad time for many but I hope some of the postings keep the happy memories alive. I will be taking a Christmas break shortly, so limited posts and replies to emails during the next week. I wish you all A Very Happy Christmas and A Healthy New Year.
Janine Anne Scott… Merry Christmas Alan. Thank you for all you do to keep us golden oldies in the loop 
⛄️
Patricia Lloyd… A very happy Christmas and prosperous new year,keep up the excellent work. X
Chris Meachen… Used to love going in Mastins toy department when I was a kid…
Glenn Piper… Likewise 
Phil Gill… Haha Chris I remember when Mastins had closed down and you stood in the window like a mannequin one night and made passers by jump! Great prank!!
Jan Warren… Merry Christmas Alan and to all at Smart and thanks for all the memories!! 
xx
Dennis Torrance… Happy Christmas new year to you
Tony Davis… Have a great Christmas Alan, you do a fantastic job with SMART. Best wishes to all my fellow SMARTIES
Ernest Ballard… Wishing you a very merry Xmas x
Mick O’Dowd… Hope to see you in the New Year Jan. Happy Christmas Alan. Thanx for all the superb Meets this year and keeping us interested with the novelty posts as well as the serious ones. Enjoy your break. You deserve it!
Yvonne Cleland… Merry xmas, Alan xxx
Dave Nattress… Thanks Alan, and best wishes to you also. This is a great site and enabled me to re-live so many good memories of so much and in particular, the local bands and band-members of days gone past, all the names and venues, photo’s, press cuttings, gig posters, as well as filling in so many gaps about the pier and the multitude of bands who played there. Also, broadening out the interest to incorporate the “anyone remember x, y, z”.
Colin Norton… Thanks Alan and all best wishes to you and yours for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year! Thanks also for all of the work that you do for this group. It is much appreciated!!
Phil Gill… Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours
Alan Pepper… Happy Christmas to all our readers ! Will try to attend a meet up ( work permitting ) next year ! Cheers Y’all .
Clive Garrard… Happy Xmas everyone.
Lucy Pappas… Merry Christmas
Tony May… A HUGE THANK YOU to you Alan. Without your efforts none of us would have the chance to enjoy chatting with like minded souls nor be able to re-live some of our most precious moments. Have a great break and all the best for a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and more of the Johnny Mason show in 2018!
Iain Cobby… Thank you Alan Merry Christmas to you and to everyone else who contributes to your fantastic publication. Keep on rockin
The Cobweb fire January 1971 and cutting for Merlin Q April 1971
Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Peter Fairless… So, what was the story, Andre, did it ever reopen?
Andre Martin… The club never re-opened, it moved to the George Street site and was rebranded The Aquarius. There were rumours flying about at the time as to the damage and the cause, but nothing was ever substantiated, it just seemed funny that it happened just 24 hours before one of the busiest nights of the year.
Curved Air – Hailsham Pavilion – November 4th, 2017 review by Sarah Harvey
photos by Sarah Harvey
Most concerts I go to, I generally have an idea of what I am expecting and it was no different with Curved Air at Hailsham Pavilion on Saturday 4th November, 2017. The last time I had seen Curved Air was almost 43 years ago on Hastings Pier, coincidentally almost to the day, and in all realism hadn’t expected to re-capture that 1970s flavour since the only member of the band who remains from those days is the wonderful vocalist Sonja Kristina. So what, I wondered, would this concert deliver for me? Hailsham Pavilion is a wonderful intimate venue with wonderful acoustics, and clearly an ideal setting for a band who deserved some concentration, since this was progressive rock in its purest form.
I cast my mind back to a few weeks before when I made the mistake of paying to go and see WASP at the White Rock Theatre. I had never been a great fan of WASP but thought I should go and support a concert by an internationally-renowned band in my home town. As it turned out, they appeared apathetic and seemed to have some contempt for the audience, and that was after they turned up late and without as much as a ‘sorry’. They then continued their contempt by dishing up just 75 minutes of mediocre music.
I know this isn’t a review of WASP, but I just wanted to highlight the difference with Curved Air, whose approach to the audience was entirely different. There was no such short-changing from these wonderful musicians and they produced a stunning set of music for a full two hours.
The set flowed through a complex mixture of old and new music that thoroughly demonstrated the wonderful playing of the various band members and of course the mystical singing and movement of Sonja Kristina. Golden oldies such as ‘Stay Human’, ‘Metamorphis’, ‘Back Street Luv’, ‘It Happened Today’, ‘Marie Antionette’, ‘The Purple Speed Queen’, ‘Vivaldi’ were interspersed with newer offerings such as ‘Time Games’ and new compositions generated with the current line-up in mind. Every song performed was played incredibly tightly and the togetherness of the band was something to behold. One of the key elements of Curved Air has always been the violin and if Paul Sax’s facial expressions were anything to go by, he put his heart and soul into his playing. Paul’s violin came through so powerfully hence ensuring it remained a key element in the band.
Kit Morgan’s sensational guitar playing left me with that feeling I have felt so often since the 70s, in that I should probably give up playing the guitar. I was spellbound. I am not an expert on Bass Guitarists, but he looked pretty good. Happily I had an expert in Iain Cobby sitting right next door to me. His colourful adjectives left me in no doubt that Chris Harris knew his stuff. I am also not an expert on keyboardists, but I know what I like to hear and the keyboard pieces in Metamorphosis were something quite special . Happily another area of Iain Cobby’s expertise although probably didn’t need the colourful adjectives this time around to verify. A special word for drummer and percussionist Andy Tween, only his second gig with the band having replaced Florian Pilkington-Miska who had recently left the band after nine years. His timing was spot on all the way through all compositions, some of which were amazingly complicated .
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying concert. I referred earlier to the apathetic WASP concert some weeks ago and the contrast that was served up by Curved Air. The band members of Curved Air all made a point of coming down to meet the concert-goers after the show and how nice it was to briefly speak to the thoroughly pleasant violinist Paul Sax, who made a point of thanking us for coming to the show. I said at the beginning of this review that I hadn’t expected to re-capture that 1970s flavour of going to prog rock gigs. In the end, Curved Air took me right back and beyond into the future. WASP? Look and learn. Curved Air? Legends indeed! Sarah Harvey – 09/11/2017
Andy Qunta… Thanks for that great review, Sarah! Would love to see Curved Air again. Love their stuff!
Phil Thornton… thanks for posting Sarah !
Jim Breeds… A Phantasmagorical review!
Peter Fairless… Thank you, Sarah
Tony Davis… Wish I’d been there. Excellent review Sarah
Alan Esdaile… good review, wish I had gone.
Jim Breeds… SMART delegation needs to go en masse to the next one
Colin Norton… Great review, Sarah!
Tim Moose Bruce… If they come to this venue again I will definitely be there.
Pete Fisher… good review Sarah…saw them in London in 1974…btw there will always be people who are better than you on whatever instrument you play, so don’t let that discourage you, let it inspire you to carry on enjoying playing…it’s not about how good you are!
Dave Nattress… Sarah, loved that review of Curved Air. I too saw them at the pier – maybe the same concert as you. I’m unsure whether they did the pier more than once. We’re not really old enough are we for it to have been 43 years ago? Regards to Mr Cobby as well.
Iain Cobby… Thank you Dave, and your good self. Spot on Sarah, great review, I couldn’t agree more. Sorry Mr Davis, your loss was my gain, but this was truly meant to be. One of the best gigs I’ve been to in many years and as I recall tighter that the original band.
J Morris… Last saw them in 76 have tickets for them early in the new year , I can’t wait , thanks for the review . Sometimes disappointing to see old bands but doesn’t seem to be an issue with curved air
Jon McCallion – Spa Hotel Tunbridge Wells – 1990’s
Jon McCallion, band unknown
Eric Harmer… Is that a Cornetto John ?
Jon McCallion… Dont be silly Eric, you must remember these, it could be a Reslo.
The Disc Jockey Press Ads – from Andre Palfrey-Martin Collection
Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Phil Gill….My grandfather bought me my first electric guitar from the Disc Jockey in 1969 – a Vox Super Ac, 27 guineas…wish I still had it.
Pete Fisher….bought my first singles here, later albums, sheet music, and my first decent acoustc, a 12-string, which was pretty hard to play.
Alan Esdaile ….I used to ring up all the time and see if any jobs were going but was unsuccessful, as Alan mainly wanted girls working in the shop. Mind you thinking about it now I was also turned down by Woolworth and The Green Shield Stamp shop!
Jim Breeds….Some of my vinyl LPs still have their plastic zip lock sleeves with “The Disc Jockey” printed on them.
Pete Fairless….I used to go to Woolies record dept. to buy singles from Louise (Illman?) but with the Disc Jockey, Stylus, Record Shop, Smiths aand Boots all selling records, there was usually never a problem getting a new release. For albums, The Disc Jockey and Stylus were best but with the back up that Jack would always be able to track down anything obscure. Remember this guy?
Andre Martin…..Having looked back in archive – I think this Big Al character did not appear until 1974, that’s the earliest record that I have, round about Christmas that year. I am sure if I had come across [him] it before I would have saved.
Jim Breeds… I was at school with Tony Harris. I used to ask him in the shop what he thought I should buy this week 🙂
Dave Luck… Us oldies certainly remember the Disc Jockey, a proper record shop, and always packed on a Saturday.
Philip Meston… I used to work with Tony Harris, not seen him for ages!
Andre Martin… It would be good to he a Blue Plaque on the site of the Disc Jockey shop at the Memorial end of Queens Road to remember Alan and all that he did for young people in the 1960s & 1970s. I know he was a business man, but a very generous man as I am sure we have all experienced.
Mick O’Dowd…. Totally agree
John Storer… Remember going in there and asking for “Sticky Fingers” and everyone bursting out laughing! Also remember buying “New Rose” by The Damned in late 76 … Alan had heard of “punk” but had decided to keep the 3 or 4 punk singles he had in a tupperware box behind the counter for some reason. However, once he realised there was a market for this stuff, he would get in just about any single you wanted, even though most were being released on obscure indie labels. Most Saturdays I would leave with 3-4 singles and bought classics from Slaughter & The Dogs, Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds as well as the more “established” punk bands. Bought “Anarchy In The UK” there the day it came out (I do hope my sister still has it … an acquaintance recently sold his copy for an astonishing£12,000) and remember playing the Buzzcocks “Spiral Scratch EP” pretty much non-stop for 48 hours 🙂 Tony Harris became a good mate around that time. Last heard, he was living in Cambridge.
Peter Gladwish… As well as going to the Disc Jockey on a regular basis, to listen to all the latest records, I bought my first 12-string guitar from Big Al (c.1968) and I’ve still got it. Yes, he started selling a few musical instruments to supplement the lack of income from record sales!!!
SMART 40 coffee meet report
photos by Sarah Harvey
Our 40th meet and among the newbies this time were Mandie B (Amanda Brooks), Len Benton and Alan King. Mandie was talking to Len about her new blues band ‘Undercover Agents’ and the history of Soul X Press. Barry French found an early Christmas Soul Party poster, in memory of Andy Ashmore, at the Yelton Hotel in 1996 . He was showing Cliff Wootton his early sheet music of Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley, Hot Love T Rex, Cumberland Gap Lonnie Donegan and Winchester Cathedral by The New Vaudeville Band. Len had with him the very first Soul X Press photos with Russell Field on saxophone. Photos to be posted in the next few days. Mick O’Dowd arrived with the TV series of The Grimleys on DVD which featured Alvin Stardust and Noddy Holder. Pete Prescott had books of Soul Sacrifice The Santana Story, Home Before Daylight My Life on the Road with Grateful Dead and Bermondsey Boy Tommy Steele. Alan King was talking about the success of The Prisonaires gigs and John Petri and Phil Gill were discussing how they started in bands and how annoyed they are by getting rid of their early guitars. Tim McDonald was talking about his mint copies of The Beatles LP’s, Sarah Harvey was talking about the excellent show of Steeleye Span in Hastings and review coming shortly. Wendy & Graham Weaver arrived with their lovely dog, who was happy to be pampered during the whole meeting. Pete Millington was reminiscing with Len, Laurie Cooksey was catching up with Clive Richardson, Nigel Ford was remembering the dances at Battle and Andre Martin and Sarah Ferguson were remembering gigs and how things have changed. While Carole and Ann were talking about Christmas shopping! Sorry for anyone I missed. This is just a small bit of what I remember, anyone who wishes to add anything interesting you were talking about, then please feel free to do so.
Pete Prescott… I saw Len there but didn’t see Mandy. Specsavers here I come!
Pete Millington… I didn’t get the chance to say Hi as you were deep in conversation from the moment you arrived to the time I left. Ah, I know! you were checking out the song words to increase your chances of getting chocks!
Jan Warren… I can see a photo of Fusion Orchestra on SMART mag, issue 40. December 2017!! – is this a magazine? and where can I get this Issue from?? – I’ve always been a true fan of Fusion Orchestra and the amazing Jill Saward, who I was lucky to meet and chat with in September of this year at a Shakatak gig in Eastbourne, I took along all my Fusion Orchestra souvenirs, of which she was absolutely thrilled to see!! so could you please tell me if I could get the issue of this magazine? thank you!! – also, I would have loved to have seen Mandie B. again, we were quite good friends years ago, but have lost touch, she was great fun!! ………… yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I really need to get to your meetings and I’m sorry I haven’t made it yet, I know I would love it and yes, I have some interesting stuff to share, its just that I’ve been very reclusive for many years and find it difficult to leave my “comfort zone”, but please bear with me, I will get to you one day, I must!! – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all at this wonderful SMART group, and Thank You!! 
Mick O’Dowd… No Jan. It’s a thing that’s given out at each Meet and contains info on what went on at the previous Meet and other snippets. Nothing in depth. I’m sure if you contact Alan via SMART he could send you one. You’ll always welcome to attend and then you’d get one straight of the press! A great Meet Alan. One of the best. Interestings chats with Len, Clive Richardson & Pete Millington & Sarah Harvey.
Jim Breeds… Sorry we didn’t make it. We were up to our necks in removal boxes that needed unpacking and rooms sorted ready for my daughter’s arrival for the weekend. Hope to be there next time.
Andy Qunta… Great photos!
Steve Cooke… The Grimleys. Was great seeing Noddy acting. Bring back Miss Titley. (before she was famous!)
Amanda Brooks… Great meeting on Fri. Thank you ! Xx