Great turn out for our 53rd coffee meeting. Among the newbies this time were David Roberts, Nick Webb, Steve Amos and Ron and Maureen Burgoyne. David had with him a copy of the live rock poster for his group ‘A21’ , as well as a collection of his own prog cd’s of Vedar and his recordings under the name The Possessed. Nick turned up with copies of Hutch Hutchings Lp and Brand X Do They Hurt? LP which had Phil Collins on drums. He also had Hastings pier gig tickets of Ten Years After and Marc Bolan & T Rex and his photo album with pictures of Damaris from the National Band Competition in Brighton in the 1970’s. Steve was talking about his book ‘Two Sides of an Indie Dad’ and happy memories of the Black Horse Festivals and seeing Nick Cave on the pier. Ron had his Witch Doctor membership card from 1967 and talking about a band he recommends seeing ‘Man The Lifeboats’. Paul Huggett had a photo album of the many bands he has worked with including ‘Time Out’ and ‘No Limit’. Colin Bell had tour programmes from the maximum rhythm ’n’ blues gig at Eastbourne in 1999 and the Monsters Of Glam Rock gig featuring Sweet and Mud from The White Rock Theatre. Pete Houghton had lots of amazing autograph photos of Olivia Newton John, Robert Wyatt, Freddie Fingers Lee, John’s Children, Gerry Marsden & The Pacemakers, Climax Chicago Blues Band, Issac Hayes, Jerry Hall and loads more. Alan King was talking about his forthcoming gig at The Piper on Friday 13th December when he is playing with The Prisonaires and also Roger Hubbard on the bill. Tony Davis arrived with a mixed bag full of cd’s for anyone who wanted them. General chat was about Divitos, The Crypt and Clive James. Too many other people to mention but 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.
Steve Amos… Thanks Alan. It was nice to get along at last!
Nick Webb… Enjoyed the chats will be there again cheers
Paul Crimin… Sorry I had to leave early Alan. Hope it went well.
Jan Warren… Yeah Alan, I’m always sorry I cant get to the meetings but I’m always pleased to read your reports of what happened, especially from Pete (Houghton) as I think I said, I remember him from School (Downs Secondary Modern, Bexhill) and also from several record shops and “hangouts” in Bexhill in the late 60s/early70s, he was always so “into” music and I’m not surprised at the many photos he had taken with various stars of those days!! – good on yer Pete, and I really hope to meet up with you one day, whether at SMART Group or in Bexhill one day?!! – Thanks Alan, and the SMART Group for putting us in touch with our long lost friends, its amazing!!
Andy Qunta… Sounds like fun as always!
Mick O’Dowd… Great & interesting gathering as always Alan! Well done!