Hastings Stadium – Festival Of Music The Kinks, Dave Dee, Geno Washington, Arthur Brown, 28th August 1967

hasting67-ad-500

1235388_10201135623370733_536911315_n

photo of Colin Bell at the event

flyer supplied by Stephen Kolimbarides and ticket from Mick O’Dowd .Hastings Observer reports from  Andre Palfrey-martin collection and photo supplied by Colin Bell

poster from… https://www.omegaauctions.co.uk

Alan Esdaile….Another great find, Andre. Did you go to this gig? I’m sure I remember lots of people complaining in the following weeks Observer about fans walking over their plants and pissing in their gardens?

Andre Martin….Yes you are right – I think that Pilot Road Residents petitioned the council to try and get this stopped, or something to prevent any further similar activities, I not sure if I have that copy, but will try and find. I don’t think I was at this because I have no memories, stories to tell.

Mick Knights….Was also there, felt sorry for the people who came from london and had to find out the hard way how far it was from the station to the Pilot Field, only then to find out there was no bar and of course no idea where the nearest pub was, seem to remember the Beaconsfield had on of their best bank holidays!!! Arthur Brown really did steal the show, it was the first time I heard the story of the kind woman and the snake

John Wilde…. I was there, with flowers in my hair! it was a great day for us locals. I was one of those that added “a mystic flavour” to the event.

Bob Cockburn….yeh..I went as well…DDBM&T weren’t good but Geno & Arthur were……..isn’t 10/- worth about £25,000 these days !!

Chris Sambrook….remember the Pilot Field open air gig. Brilliant timing right in the middle of the Summer of Love 1967, the demise of Pirate Radio and the release of Sgt Pepper, although only 14 at the time of this gig, for me, was unique. The highlights for me where Crazy World of Arthur Brown pre that hit single and already making a reputation and Winston’s Fumbs who were quite ‘heavy’ before the term was used really. This is where i become confused. Jimmy Winston was the original keyboard player with the Small Faces, but i seem to remember that Tony Kaye who later went on to join Yes had played keyboards. Or perhaps not. Geno Washington and the Ram Jam band had made their reputation as a live band, Soul music wasn’t my thing at the time but had to admit they were great. Not mentioned on the poster, i thought had Orange Bicycle played? There you go the old memory playing tricks again.

Andre Martin….Robb Storm became Orange Bicycle about this time, so it was quite on the cards they were booked as advertised, but appeared on the day as Orange Bicycle.

Bernard Jeffery….yes they were orange bicycle, played some beach boys songs I think.

Mick Mepham…..Doh! Another gig I was too young to go to …….

Pete Fairless…. I was talking with my brother about this gig. It was one of the first he went to – he would have been 14. He said, Arthur Brown was the highlight (literally!)…

Classic recordings of Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band from Beat Club

Andre Martin….Great Raw live action Geno & the Ram Jam Band were good at this.

Mick Knights…..The only thing advertised that didn’t appear was the bar, the first and only dry festival I’ve ever been to. It was a long hike to The Beaconsfield to get a pint!!! As I remember it, the Pilot Field advertised the bar before applying for it, so the when they did the bench refused. The only way you could get a beer was to be a member of Hastings United Football club, I recall the few that were, were rather smug about it!!!!

Andre Martin…..The effective combination of the Licencing Committee, The Council & The Police, same Chief Constable as in 1964 and I think the Chair of the Magistrates Bench was the same – so nothing surprising there !!

Yvonne Cleland… What a line-up! In old money, so I would have been too young!

Mick O’Dowd Yes I was there with the rest of Deep Purple (Hastings) and it was the first time I saw Arthur Brown. Geno Washington & Ram Jam Band was my man of the match!

Peter Gladwish… I was there! If I remember correctly, The Kinks were rather late arriving. I stood next to Dave Davies whilst The Kinks were playing and had a chat about his ‘Flying V’ guitar, which I had not seen before. He said it was really a ‘rubbish’ guitar to play but looked good on stage! There’s an admission. Gino Washington & The Ram Jam Band were brilliant. What a fantastic line-up for just ten bob ……. and in Hastings!!! A once in a lifetime experience.

Linda Day…  yes i was there

Sylvia Sinden… i was there too

Peter Millington…  Yep I was there in short trousers (liar)

Chris Giles… I was too young …would have been brilliant to have been there.

Peter Horton… Yes I was there with Mick O’Dowd and my brother Mike Horton. Mike and I came over on my trusty Royal Enfield Bullet motor bike from Bexhill. I had decorated my bike with flowers and although I had my leather jacket on I was wearing a Kaftan and flowers and bells underneath. We got some strange looks on the way over from Bexhill. Mixed up but great fun. What a day. My wife Irene was also there with a group of friends from Maidstone. I didn’t know her then, but they all had to go early as they were on a coach and The Kinks were very late. They may have seen part of the act. I remember that it became very misty and cold in the evening although it been a very hot sunny day. Unfortunately this was the one and only festival as the local residents blocks any chance of a repeat concert at The Pilot Field, although this had been a Speedway track at one time.

Jenny Tyler… I was there too, Lin. I had my bell around my neck, flower power and all that. X

Jo Turner… Looks fun

Alan Mitchell… Geno Washington was great !

Pete Fisher… We lived in Fairlight Road back then, and you could hear the music pretty well even from there…remember hanging out of my bedroom window listening, as I was too young to go…someone missed the spelling mistake on the poster – should be Elphinstone Road!! Magic times…

Mick O’Dowd… Our first and last festival in Hastings! Only because someone peed in a neighbours garden and of course the “attrocious” noise and “unclean” people.

Jo Turner… You forget the Ore pop festival 70s

Andre Martin… Remember the date well not because of the Pilot Field,was working at The Continental in Eastbourne that weekend with some soul and Motown sounds.

Brian Lowe… Yes was there it made a big impression on me i went and bought a drum kit and played in local groups Thunder road. loved the kinks and the atmosphere i can still smell the incense

Sandie Carlyon… Thanks so much. Happy memories. There was a Beach Boys tribute band there called Orange Bicycle.

Gerry Fortsch… I remember it well, got there late so missed Arthur Brown, I seem to recall Geno Washington had a problem with the PA but still enjoyed the show. Dave Dee and the gang sounded great but the Kinks were not great but are still one of my favorite bands.

Patricia Lloyd… Was a brilliant day/ night,remember it well .

Dennis Torrance… Was there

Oliver James Leonard… The original Hastings United that was.

Jackie Hersee… I was there and remember it well

Mick Knights… Whatever year the Supreme’s Reflections was in the charts that would be the year. I remember it being played nonstop on the Clarence jukebox before heading off to the Pliot Field!

David Edwards… I was there but had it in my head that Jimmy Hendrix headlined, what a fool I am

Mick O’Dowd… What a day. Arthur Brown & Geno blew everybody else away. Still got my ticket.

Mike Waghorne… The pilot field gig ! I remember it being a big event for the area at the time !

Mick O’Dowd… The first and last!!!

Tony Court-holmes… the kinks one of the most underated bands of all time

Alan Esdaile… the poster from Omega Auctions looks  like a proper poster, unlike the copies of adverts that keep coming up for auction as original posters!

Jim Breeds… But aren’t the auction photo and the ninebattles photo identical?

Heather Sidery… Ram Jam Band

Louis Wiggett… My auntie went

Mick O’Dowd… It was a great event. Perfect weather residents moaning about scruffies urinating in their gardens and noise!! As to the bands it was the first time I had heard of Arthur Brown but he blew the place away. During Dave Dee’s set all you could hear was “Arthur” being chanted. Geno was Geno always excellent but never able to transfer to vinyl what he produced on stage. I seem to remember that Winston’s Fumbs actually changed their name just before the show to “The Garden” and were never heard from again! Wasn’t Winston a guy called Jimmy Winston? The Kinks turned up very late by which time a lot of the crowd were tired of waiting and had gone home! First and only concert at the Pilot Field if I remember rightly.

Colin Bell… Yes mate you’re quite right Winston’s Fumbs was formed by Jimmy Winston after he got (unfairly) kicked out of the Small Faces to be replaced by Ian McLagen. I remember I got my face and arms painted by two ‘hippie chicks’ and a good time was had by all! Interestingly Robb Storme & The Whispers eventually became Orange Bicycle who I ended up supporting at several gigs a year or so late

Mick O’Dowd… I was there with Deep Purple (Hastings) and we turned up in kaftans and cowbells which were made from old curtains(kaftans only). Peter Horton(who was a bit of a rocker the rest of us leaning towards the Mods) turned up on his motorbike with girlfriend on back and his kaftan billowing out behind. We lazed round on the ground “smokin,” joss sticks (I think) maybe Ian McGilvray might know different. Real cool man!

Helen Knight… Terry say he can remember watching Arthur Brown from outside looking over the railings while he was a mod on his motor scooter not sure if Tich was there also

John Warner… Saw all except the Hip hooray band. Remember when it was Dave Dee and the Bostons!

Patricia Lloyd… Remember it so well,brilliant day

Paul Huggett… Ah wish I’d been to that one

Mick Burt… I was a but young but would have loved to have seen Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich do the Legend of Xanadu

Bernard Goffredo… I think Robb Storme and the whispers had changed their name to Orange Bicycle by then and did lots of Beach Boy harmonies

Colin Bell… Hi Bernard, see my comment earlier in this thread, but you are more or less right. The band had contracted to do the Hastings gig as Rob Storme, so were fulfilling that. But a week previously had released their first single (Hyacinth Threads) as Orange Bicycle. They were always known for their harmonies and had covered a Beach Boys song the year previously, hope that sorts it out! Cheers

Colin Bell… about half an hour after the above photo was taken, two hippy girls painted my face with flowers and symbols, i was then thankfully unrecognisable!

Lucy Pappas… shame there’s no photo of that!

Sandie Carlyon… On the original poster Winstons Fumbs changed their name to Orange Bicycle. They did Beachboy songs.

Colin Bell… t was Robb Storme that changed their name to Orange Bicycle Sandie, but you’re quite right about them covering Beach Boys songs, i supported them several times,

Sandie Carlyon… thanks for putting it right. It was a great day. Xx

Mick O’Dowd… Didn’t they change their name to the Garden that day hoping to cash in on flower power?

Dave Nattress… Just a bit too young for this, (according to parents at the time), so missed it. Big line-up. John Wilde – flowers in your hair – mystic flavour – love it!! John, a weird memory, (maybe – maybe not), back in 1970 ish did you knock around in Bexhill with a hippieish bunch of guys – possibly Vic Pinney – but it was so long ago and very hazy fro various reasons, and was there a connection with a Morris Minor convertible not customised as such but painted in stars and stripes? Well the car was definitely real I recall it cruising the strip on Bexhill seafront outside the amusements and Forte’s and the Cont.

John Wilde… Yes Dave. We rode in a painted morris minor convertable, painted with stars and stripes down one side and Jimi Hendrix on the bonnet. We called ourselves The Family Clan. There was also the yellow jeep. We numbered about a dozen or so. We all proudly wore our long hair.

Paul Cullen… I knew I hadn’t dreamt the whole thing. I lived a hundred yards or so down Elphinstone road. Shortest walk for a brilliant time ever

Graham Perry… My friend and I attended the event. It was a great day out from our homes in Tunbridge Wells, I was 20 at the time and I can remember it as if it was yesterday. Arthur Brown and Geno Washington were my favourite acts . but It was good to see the other’s. a few year ago I had an opportunity to see Geno Washington again and sit down in his dressing room after the show and have a great chat with him. I still attend concerts and have never lost my love of good music .

Sandie Carlyon… I went. Fantastic day. Lovely weather. Everything peaceful and the bands were brilliant. I’ve bought an original colour poster and framed it. Happy memory.

Tony Court-holmes… i remember standing outside

Gerry Fortsch… I still like the Kinks but they were not great at this gig, Geno had to sing through a Marshall stack if I remember correctly but he still got the crowd going, for me Dave Dee and his gang were best.

3 thoughts on “Hastings Stadium – Festival Of Music The Kinks, Dave Dee, Geno Washington, Arthur Brown, 28th August 1967”

  1. Yes I was there with Mick O’Dowd and my brother Mike Horton. Mike and I came over on my trusty Royal Enfield Bullet motor bike from Bexhill. I had decorated my bike with flowers and although I had my leather jacket on I was wearing a Kaftan and flowers and bells underneath. We got some strange looks on the way over from Bexhill. Mixed up but great fun. What a day. My wife Irene was also there with a group of friends from Maidstone. I didn’t know her then, but they all had to go early as they were on a coach and The Kinks were very late. They may have seen part of the act. I remember that it became very misty and cold in the evening although it been a very hot sunny day. Unfortunately this was the one and only festival as the local residents blocks any chance of a repeat concert at The Pilot Field, although this had been a Speedway track at one time.

    Peter Horton.

    Reply
  2. Just a bit too young for this, (according to parents at the time), so missed it. Big line-up. Jon Wilde – flowers in your hair – mystic flavour – love it!! Jon, a weird memory, (maybe – maybe not), back in 1970 ish did you knock around in Bexhill with a hippieish bunch of guys – possibly Vic Pinney – but it was so long ago and very hazy fro various reasons, and was there a connection with a Morris Minor convertible not customised as such but painted in stars and stripes? Well the car was definitely real I recall it cruising the strip on Bexhill seafront outside the amusements and Forte’s and the Cont.

    Reply
  3. My friend and I attend the event. It was a great day out from our homes in Tunbridge Wells, I was 20 at the time and I can remember it as if it was yesterday. Arthur Brown and Geno Washington were my favourite acts . but It was good to see the other’s. a few year ago I had an opportunity to see Geno Washington again and sit down in his dressing room after the show and have a great chat with him. I still attend concerts and have never lost my love of good music .

    Reply

Leave a comment