supplied by Roger Carey
Pete Fisher… First place I ever played in public…would have been late 1969/early 1970 I think, with my mate Tim from school. We were both 14 going on 15, but had greatcoats, which we hoped would make us look old enough to be allowed in, but they served us half pints without a murmur. It was a kind of open mike night, and I think we opened with Dylan’s Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat, with Tim on vocals. We also attempted Leavin’ Blues, which I had on the first Taste album, and I played slide and sang. Tim had a battery powered mini transistor amp and speaker attached to his acoustic, which added a fuzz guitar effect, which made the traditionalists frown, but we got away with it. I think Mike Absalom was the main act/MC…
David Betts… Sam Sewell asked me to meet with Eddie the landlord to see if we could start a folk club,Sam and I where both at Bexhill grammar school,anyway Colin Potter and me where already running the New Inn Sidley folk club ,so starting the Black Horse was not a problem.I understand from my sis,that there has been some arguments in the past as to who started it,I can categorically say that the idea came from Sam Sewell,but the actual founders and first residents,were me and Colin. Thinking back,I left England in 67 and started the club while still at school,so it probably opened around 65…66 ?
Paul Bannister… Wow – two names dredged from my distant childhood memories – the Black Horse Folk Club and Roger Carey!
Mike Waghorne… I remember it well in the late 70 ‘s
Peter Cunningham… I was a regular there in the early ’70s, sometimes filled in with the Mariners when they were resident. First met my wife there on Christmas day! Regular guests were Rosie Hardman, Tim Broadbent (ran a club in Brighton) and Johnny Wynch (blues player). Tim was over six-foot three tall and used to have to stand under the old stable hay-loft trap when playing to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling. Maybe that’s what eventually brought the roof down! A long time ago, but a good time.
Martin Stringer… Malcolm Jones and I performed there in 1970 as Stringer Jones. We moved to Hastings from London a month later. Fell in love with Hastings.
I was a regular there in the early ’70s, sometimes filled in with the Mariners when they were resident. First met my wife there on Christmas day! Regular guests were Rosie Hardman, Tim Broadbent (ran a club in Brighton) and Johnny Wynch (blues player). Tim was over six-foot three tall and used to have to stand under the old stable hay-loft trap when playing to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling. Maybe that’s what eventually brought the roof down! A long time ago, but a good time.