Excellent turn out and one of our busiest so far. Apologise to many people I didn’t get chance to chat to but among the newbies this time were Leigh Wieland-Boys and Mary Cox. Leigh was chatting to Colin Bell about Bonitas and remembering him playing lots of James Brown. Mary was talking to Pete Millington with happy memories and photos of Chris Sayer. Tim McDonald was talking to Colin and Andre Martin about his time on the John Dunn Show for the BBC. Brian Wood remembers when his band supported a very early ‘The Sweet’ at the Witch Doctor. Also when The Flirts played the pier they had to get a special waiver to be allowed to play, due to Musician Union ruling at the time, as they were under 16. Loads of new cuttings and photos on display which I will get round to posting on these pages in the next few weeks, keep them coming. Roger Carey arrived with the early Rock A Nore promo photo of Stallion. Apparently they were told to dress smart and wear suits for the photo, except Tich who dressed as a skeleton. Happy memories of auditioning for a tour of Holland and juggling a job with gigs. Other bits he had on Stallion were an ad when they played the Iroko Country Club in London and a great photo of Tich Turner on the pier in 1974, as well as a playlist from 1975. Great very early photos of him and Phil Gill before they joined bands, with guitars, also Hat Trick photo and Felix reviews. He was also talking about the very successful tour he has recently finished with Steeleye Span. Len Benton arrived with a folder full of memories and lots of new items we have not seen before. Including a letter booking his band The Deep Purple at The Cobweb Ballroom for £15.00 on the 11th April, 1968. He also mentioned that when Episode Six played The Cobweb his band Deep Purple were also on the advert and posters for another date that week. Mysteriously Episode Six changed their name to Deep Purple shortly afterwards! Photos from his groups Pardon, when they played The Safari Club in George Street and also his band The Seekers. Amanda Brooks was talking about the group Ghostriders which featured her dad Roy Brooks. David Miller and Mark Harris arrived with photos of their various bands, including Beez Neez, Split Image and cuttings from Carina’s Night Spot The Queens Hotel. Also a great photo of the duo Second Chance and The Likely Lads. Tony Davis was talking about his recent trip to see The Giant of Rock at Minehead with the best bands of the weekend being Martin Turners Wishbone Ash, Manfred Mann’s Earthband, Deborah Bonham and Limehouse Lizzy. Jon McCallion was talking about the band Effigy, as Julie had found a gig ticket from 1971 at Clive Vale Annexe School. Trevor Webb asked if anyone has any merchandise on Smokie and did they play Hastings? Other talk was about who’s playing Fat Tuesday, The Mobiles, Music Festival at the oval, Beatles Day, Wrestling. With more people arriving and under pressure to finish on time, as the home secretary was due to appear at a function in the room we were in, we continued into the early evening in the bar area. This is just a very small bit of what I remember, anyone who wishes to add anything interesting you were talking about, then please feel free to do so.
Rachel Rayburn… Thanks Alan. Lovely to meet you and I appreciate the welcome. Look forward to the next one.
Jim Breeds… Sorry not to be there. We went north for a day out to see an exhibition that closes this weekend. Glad it went well. Looks like I missed a good one.
Josie Lawson… I enjoy reading the minutes of the meetings you have Alan…a great thank you to you all. It’s great you can all get together…
Carol Arnold… sorry i didnt make it this time
Alan Esdaile… Interestingly this has just come up in my Facebook memories. Posted on the 3rd February 2013… Coffee Get Together. I’ve been chatting to a couple of friends here and thinking of arranging a get together over a coffee in town. Just a general chat, catch up of music lovers, pier talk, old photos etc.If it works out maybe meet up on a regular basis. Let me know if you are interested and pass on to like minded friends and I will be in contact with details in the future.
Leigh Wieland-Boys… I made it at last! It was lovely to see so many old friends – thank you for the warm welcome
Sid Saunders… I wanted to go to my first one but was walking the South Downs Way yesterday, next time.
Pete Prescott… Very upset to have missed it.But ill make the next one !
Mick O’Dowd… Same with me but no-one would have appreciated me throwing up over them!
Andy Qunta… Sounds great! As usual, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be there, but thanks for the great write-up, so I know what happened!
Lucy Pappas… Thanks Alan, sounds like a great afternoon x
Leigh Wieland-Boys… It was a great afternoon…even when Amber Rudd’s entourage evicted us from the room & we had to move into the bar we carried on regardless..! I found it all very interesting & enjoyable, thank you
Jeanette Jones… Ditto Andy
