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.
Day: 18 December 2017
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