Alan Esdaile… I was recently interviewed on the Chris Gentry Show on Carnival FM, who was the best group I saw on the pier. I was stumped to come up with an answer and mentioned well possibly The Who or maybe The Equals but then again I loved Wally and Gracious and not forgetting Curved Air, The Kinks, Leo Sayer, Genesis, Budgie and loads more. Anyway I said I would think on it and decided that the best group and best night has to be Osibisa. What was yours?
Kev Towner… Hawkwind
Peter Fairless… The Jam – Saturday, 23rd April 1977
Steve Foster… The Clash twice !! …The Jam were playing the Marquee in London on the 23 April 1977 ??..did they ever play the pier ?
John Wilde… Osibisa. Hawkwind. Curved Air. Magma.
Peter Fairless… Pick one!
John Wilde… Oh ok. Osibisa.
Phil Thornton… music and show I would say Genesis. most memorable event might be Hawkwind, Golden Earring or possibly Magma !
Sarah Harvey… Be Bop Deluxe 
Richard Lavender… Golden Earing. After we dug their lorry out of the deck.
Allyson Breeds… Madness, but to be fair, I have ONLY seen Madness on the pier 
Chris Giles… Golden Earring
Tony Ham… Conflict, Poison Girls, U.K. Subs, Sham 69, Dragster. Crass, Poison Girls, Conflict and Annie Anxiety were all on the same night, June 13th 1981, £1 a ticket!
Chris Baker… The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Ten Years After ( I think that was on the Pier ). 
Just realised I forgot to mention Pink Floyd and Hawkwind! Brilliant gigs!
Phil Thornton… would have loved to have seen Hendrix and The Who !! ( I was a bit to young at the time !) – I did see Ten Years After though ! Stackridge – another memorable gig ! Of course there were other gigs that were memorable for other reasons – Status Que, Nutz, The Plastics
Andy Qunta… So many great bands, but my favourite was Genesis.
Phil Thornton… first chord of watcher in the skies !!! – nothing has that beat !
Lauren Gower… Crass, Annie anxiety, poison girls. The subs. The specials. Bad manners and to my forever shame…missing The Clash
Gavin Martin… KRS-1, Madness, Dizzee Rascal, The Happy Mondays…
Peter Thomson… What an enormous and pleasurable choice. I’ll say the Kinks but may well change my mind.
Lucy Pappas… Hawkwind although Status Quo were brilliant, too! So many good ones x
Henry Mann… The Strawbs or Baker Gurvitz. Wish I’d seen Be Bop Deluxe.
Melita Dennett… The Damned. Twice. Of course. The Clash twice, Stranglers twice get honourable mentions in dispatches. Also The Adverts need to be acknowledged, both supporting The Damned in May 77 and in their own right August 77-ish.
Mike Curtis… Factory…………
Sue James… Hawkwind, Ginger Baker’s Air Force
Colin Jefferys… Absolutely no contest The Clash 1979 the best live gig I have ever been to and still go to a lot
Richard Brown… Golden Earing as Richard said the lorry nearly ended up on the beach.
Graham Lelliott… the stones twice.
Jennie Tocock… Hawkwind!
Mark Syrett… Motorhead can’t remember the year
Willie Wicking… To many to mention there was always the greats as everyone else mentions remember Argent, Sparks as well great memories
Julian Wheeler… Ten Years After 76?
Martin Richter… the Clash
Raelia French… Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch.
Michael Piesley… Screaming lord Sutch and the savages….
Julie Morris… Osibisa, Stranglers
Dave Hunt… Every Budgie gig (there were lots!)
Andy Wilson… The Sex Pistols influenced the rest of my life. The Clash were probably the best. Special latter day mentions to Nick Cave and Joe Strummer.
Steve Rolls… Edgar Broughton Band and Fusion Orchestra (not at same time 😉). Hawkwind. All several times.
David Stevens… The Clash 1978. Possibly my all time best gig anywhere, let alone on the pier.
Chris Meachen… So many, it’s difficult to choose.. Vinegar Joe were good, Clemen Pull were fun, The Kinks, Lindisfarne, Genesis,Steeleye Span, it goes on…
Kevin Burchett… Geno Washington and his Ram Jam Band but he was always late arriving
Doug Duggy Fresh Smith… Gary Glitter. Different times..
Yvonne Cleland… T. Rex, Kinks, Osibisa, Daisy, Factory, Stallion, Expandis
Gerry Fortsch… The Hippo Band?
Deborah Wearn… The Clash 
Michael Windsor… Eddie & the Hot Rods
Jeanette Wilde… Gary glitter for shear entertainment value………musicly The Kinks
Nick Webb… T Rex and Damaris of course 
Peter Bridger…The Jam, playing to a VERY meagre audience!
Claire Venner… Sham 69 and The Clash
Peter Fisher – The Who 20th July 1969, my very first Pier gig, and the most stunning by far…so many other great gigs, too many to list, but Skid Row with Gary Moore was definitely a real mind-blower!
Tim Barton… Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds!
Ralph Town… The Stranglers…at least twice….but I was very drunk LOL.
Andy Wilson… The Specials were pretty good too – supported by the Go Gos if my old brain is still working?
Glynis Phillips… Definitely the Who without a doubt every time
Penny Thomas… Pink Floyd
Leigh Wieland-Boys… Factory of course!!! 
Steve Amos… Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. One of the best gigs ever anywhere!
Jim Breeds… Probably The Clash, but I might have been more sober than usual at that gig.
Mike Curtis… It has to be Genesis. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing. When Watcher of the Skies started I thought I was going to pass out! And I was sober and straight (for once)!
Sandie Carlyon… Hawkwind and also the Stranglers.
Martin Baker… Moon, Boxer , Crawler…………3 bands on the same bill. All with very famous names amongst them, and a totally fab evening (for lots of reasons)!
Paul Morfey… Great bands!! Great night!! Soo, soo, many?? Lets not forget B.J.H. or Strawbs!
Martin Curcher… The Stranglers, The Clash and The Specials with Selector as support. A little bit of trivia, Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett played his last ever show with the band here on 20 January 1968. I remember going with my brother, was about 11/12 at the time to see a new Scottish band called “Slik”, who had one hit ” Forever and Ever. There was only about 10 people who turned up. So I sat on the edge of the stage whilst they did their set. The bands singer/guitarist, a young Midge Ure went on to play for Ultravox and partnered Bob Geldof for getting Band Aid together.
Lloyd Johnson… Here’s a few as it’s impossible to name only one as the best….Johnny Kidd and The Pirates, The Checkmates( without Emile Ford),The Undertakers( Jackie Lomax had an amazing voice), Sounds Incorporated, The Hollies, The Rollin’ Stones, The Savages….and of course not forgetting The Talismen and The Confederates and the home grown groups…… Slick were customers of mine, I sold them all their Americana…baseball jackets and shirts etc…I saw Dusty Springfield with The Springfields and only about 20 people showed up, hard to believe when you think of the huge success she had later on…
Pete Millington… The Hollies, Big 3 and Gerry and the Pacemakers – so polished and all able to perfectly reproduce their hits
Mike O’Dowd… Osibisa, Jimi Hendrix, P.J.Proby. Also Barclay James Harvest, the last Who appearance doing Tommy, Glitter Band
Paul Huggett.. Sounds Incorporated (That dates me!! 
)
Iain Cobby… Genesis, opening with “Watcher of the Skies” single green spot on Banks’ funeral mellotron, Gabriel looking menacing….. and The Who in 69 doing the whole of “Tommy”, a close second, inspired me to play bass ………… R.I.P. John Entwistle.
Dave Nattress… Well I saw so many like all you guys did. Golden Earring were a favourite and Wally and always loved Stray, but also of course Factory and Stallion. Genesis also and Hawkwind which was always a special event. Budgie and Barclay James Harvest were specials with me and my Bexhill mates.
Paul Sleet… Skid row and Golden Earring. Also the Quo.
Alan Pepper… The STRANGLERS in 1977 were FANTASTIC – Status Quo very loud ! Osibisa were FUNKY !! We were very drunk !!
Robert Searle… We, Easy Street supported The Glitter Band.We thought that would be a laugh,I tell you, what a show and a great sound they had. Loudest groups were The Who with Tommy, another was, Hawkwind
Mick O’Dowd… If I remember for the second part of their act they changed guitars and did the old Who thing of smashing up their amps and guitars(which were quickly recovered by roadies to be rebuilt for the next gig) That’s rock’n’roll! Forgot to mention The Skatalites and even though we must not mention him, to hell with it Gary Glitter. I don’t condone anything that he’s done but he put on a good show.
David Edwards… I saw Pete Townsend chuck his guitar behind the amps where it landed on a load of softening! Be a bit costly to smash gear every gig I s’pose.
Bob Shipway… Jimmy Hendrix (unique showman); The Kinks (early earthy sounds); The Who (nuff said!); Black Sabbath (wonderfully dark); Status Quo (boogie masters); Budgie (just plain good) and Steeleye Span (something different). Also, but not on the Pier, I remember seeing Episode 6 having a ball with shaving cream and cornflakes at the end of their set at Hastings College of Further Education a few months before the emergence of Deep Purple. What a buzz, what a show. Talking of Deep Purple (Mk 2), I saw them in Brighton and they were totally awesome. Happy days…
Clifford Rose… T.rex, Eddie & Hot Rods, Supercharge, Mungo Jerry, The Stranglers, Budgie, Dep Leppard, Motorhead & The Stranglers.
Heather Uttley… Rolling Stones
Stuart Moir… Centre Page !! so I’m biased ha ha ha
Diane Neve… The Hollies, Kenny Balls Jazz Band. Acker Bilk, The Searchers, Billy J. Kramer, Screaming Lord Sutch, Freddie and the Dreamers the lis goes on. THOSE WERE THE DAYS THE GOOD OLD DAYS XX
Clive Richardson… Not sure who I think the best group were but Golden Earring comes to mind. They were excellent.
Trisha Ann… Status Quo twice I remember as good nights for me
Brigitte Lee… I particularly remember enjoying Marc Bolan. I remember enjoying Status Quo as well. Did you see Sparks?
Eric Harmer… Flock of seagulls 
😂
Jon McCallion… Muller
Steve Kinch… Saw many bands during the 70’s, but The Who in ’69 was a life-changing gig for me – that’s when I first thought “that’s what I want to do!” Seen them many times since. Genesis in the early 70’s were simply stunning.
Pete Brazier… Die Laughing! they always were the best sound in Hastings!
Philip John… Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. I moved to Hastings late and caught the last show at the Pier Ballroom, fortunately it was one of my favourite bands,
‘ Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’. Great show!
Ian Cramp… Great times went to loads of concerts in the 70’s on the pier, standout memories would be Budgie, Hawkwind, Status Quo and Ten Years After
Phil Thornton… I’m tempted to say Genesis overall but my first experience of a pier gig was Hawkwind which was a memorable occasion and no mistake !
Robert Searle… They were the loudest up until then
Andy Qunta… Genesis.
Lucy Pappas… Hawkwind!
Martin Curcher… The Clash (twice), The Specials supported by Selector.
Sarah Harvey… Budgie
Alan Wood… Who just from quo,,,,musta been good ,missed last bus back to Robertsbridge ,thumbed instead !!
Harry Randall… Your right “The Who” we’re the best band I saw on the Pier!
Mick O’Dowd… Osibisa
Eric Harmer… They sounded great on the Pier
Terry Corder… Nutz, golden earring
Patrick Lewis… Barclay James Harvest – Jan 1975
Ian Cramp… they must have played another concert on The Pier a year or two earlier than this as well as they stayed at the Alexandra Hotel and I used to do some part time work there in those years
Alan Esdaile… 1st October 1971 or 22nd June 1974 Ian.
Andy Knight… Budgie, oh and Freeway and Shaft and Steppin Out only joking!
Mike Mitchell… The Stranglers 1978
John Evans… Ian you and I use to be friends at school and we used to copy each other’s homework. always remember you and would love to contact you.
For security and being genuine I remember your fathers occupation . John
John Evans… Remember the seventies well as if it was yesterday all those amazing bands we all know and remember there was one band that always fascinated me I think they were called Principal Edwards and the stand out memory was the suites that lit up and they done like a stage show I think they were possibly only a support band when I see them.
Paul Huggett… Principal Edwards Magic Theatre was their while unwieldy title I think, Alan
Martyn Baker… It was. Then their record company forced them to change their name.
Sue James… Hawkwind, Ginger Bakers Air Force, big audio dynamite, Suzi Quantro
Charlie Ball… I saw them there. Sparks lol. Alvin Stardust.
Eric Harmer… Defiantly Osibisa. What a great band. Great night
Mick Bolton… Osibisa were brilliant. Saw them supporting Yes at Crystal Palace Bowl – in ’72 I think.
Mick Burt… Stranglers were one of the best groups I saw on the pier Sadly never saw enough or any pre 1977
Tony Qunta… So many! Genesis, Status Quo, Gary Moore, Fusion Orchestra
Martyn Baker… I missed Genesis. Mum & Dad wouldn’t let me go on a school night!
Jeanette Jones… Hawkwind
Richard Brimm… To me I was young it was the Rolling Stones with the original Group also The Who again with the original members whilst I am reminiscing does anyone remember a friend I knew called Butch Grey or Gray his wife worked behind the bar on the pier and his brother worked behind the bar at the Witch Doctor
Tim Moose Bruce… Last band I saw at the pier was in 2002 I think. Wishbone Ash with our very own from Hastings, Claire Hamill.
Michael Gibbs… Barclay James Harvest
Martyn Baker… I was at that one too Michael. They were very good!
Robert Searle… Saw them twice at the pier
Barry Upton… Procul Harum. Fabulous
Patrick Lewis… BJH Jan 1975
Jeanette Jones… Too busy working at the time, but caught up with them live, years later at Cropredy. Shall never forget sitting on a canal boat with a moon on the water listening to A Whiter Shade of Pale. Pure magic, even though my dodgy hearing required my brain to fill in the bits I remember but can no longer hear properly!
Merv Kennard… Procol Harum and Argent . The Argent gig was the only one that I saw had seats laid out.
Sue Strong… Hawkwind
Micky Erends… Too many to list and hard to choose best , Jimi Hendrix , Pink Floyd, Steve Marriot /Small Faces, The Who, Mark Bolan , Hawkwind , and so many more
Colin Bell… So many, it was my apprenticeship working backstage, The Who, Small Faces & PP Arnold just 3 that come to mind
John Wilde… Osibisa, The Clash
David Edwards… Small Faces
Phil Thornton… Genesis, golden earring, Hawkwind, gong, Arthur browns kingdom come, stackridge, the kinks, Ozric tentacles, magma, osibisa, curved air, T Rex…….. All the many bands not mentioned were also great ! I don’t remember ever seeing any band that was not good, just a few that I found boring!
Wendy Dyer-wright… the Tremoloes
Lloyd Johnson… The Undertakers, Sounds Incorporated, Peter Jay and The Jaywalkers,The Checkmates for getting everyone dancing…The Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, The Kinks, The Hollies, The Stones, Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages and The Baron Knights for pure fun!….I left Hastings in 1965 hence the early groups…
Mick O’Dowd… Agree with your choices Lloyd.
Lloyd Johnson… What I use to like was, if you got there early you could chat with the Groups…I remember a few of us chatting with The Kinks….they were really happy to chat….on another occasion we chatted with The Undertakers and they told us they were staying at The Landsdowne Hotel over the road and invited us to see them off in the morning which we did…..I think Jackie Lomax had one of the best voices of British Rn’R singers in the 60s…..Some of their equipment was tied on the roof of their van …all very primitive…..definitely one of the best I saw on The Pier….
Paul Sleet… Golden earring were great.
Steve Thorpe… Either Hawkwind (I was very young) or the Sex Pistols (a bit older, and I remember thinking wtf…
Ricky Cox… The Clash, the first time. Although Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix weren’t bad.
Kevin Hewitt… procol harum
Trevor Farrier… Gary Glitter
Gary Kinch… Not sure about the best but the one that had the most impact for a just left school, impressionable 15 year old was Genesis. Foxtrot being promoted in 1972……..bloody brilliant. Other good gigs: Curved Air, Vinegar Joe, Stray, Fusion Orchestra, Hawkwind, Status Quo, Kinks, ELO and more recently (but still a while ago, before the fire) Wishbone Ash.
John Ellis… Agree with all that lot Gary!!
Conan Howard… Status Quo
Harry Randall… Who was the best group!
Absolutely no contest the clash 1979 the best live gig I have ever been to and I’ve been to and still go to a lot
Well I saw so many like all you guys did. Golden Earring were a favourite and Wally and always loved Stray, but also of course Factory and Stallion. Genesis also and Hawkwind which was always a special event. Budgie and Barclay James Harvest were specials with me and my Bexhill mates.
Genesis, opening with “Watcher of the Skies” single green spot on Banks’ funeral mellotron, Gabriel looking menacing….. and The Who in 69 doing the whole of “Tommy”, a close second, inspired me to play bass ………… R.I.P. John Entwistle.
The STRANGLERS in 1977 were FANTASTIC – Status Quo very loud ! Osibisa were FUNKY !! We were very drunk !!
Great times went to loads of concerts in the 70’s on the pier, standout memories would be Budgie, Hawkwind, Status Quo and Ten Years After
Ian you and I use to be friends at school and we used to copy each other’s homework. always remember you and would love to contact you.
For security and being genuine I remember your fathers occupation
John
Remember the seventies well as if it was yesterday all those amazing bands we all know and remember there was one band that always fascinated me I think they were called Principal Edwards and the stand out memory was the suites that lit up and they done like a stage show I think they were possibly only a support band when I see them.
To many to list and hard to choose best , Jimi hendrix , pink floyd, Steve Marriot /Small Faces, the who, Mark Bolan , Hawkwind , and so many more
status quo