Dance Bands – 1950’s Hastings Pier – name that band?

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supplied by Alex Chapman – West Marina To Hastings Pier

Alex Chapman… A bit early for you but someone wanted to know the name of this band. Any ideas?

Janine Anne Hemsley… It definitely not Teds band but I recognise the alto sax player. Alec Bradley was his name . Will try to find out who H D was .

Jennifer Bate… I remember the Cecil Alden orchestra that played on the pier and Teddy Haig who played the piano both in the cafeteria and, in the evenings in the theatre with aNot her orchestra. I think the violinist who conducted was called Frank something, I cant think of his surname. So many memories of great holidays in Hastings at this time.

Matt Thomas… Ted Heath???

Peter Fairless… Is it John Gales dad?

John Gale… I’ve just zoomed in on the drummer Peter, doesn’t look like dad, think it’s a bit too early too, he was more early 60s. He did meet my mum on the pier in 1956. That’s a great photo all the same

Peter Fairless… Ah, I thought it probably was a bit early, you being a youngster, but you never know. Would be cool if anyone had a later picture that did have your Dad in it!

Colin Bell… The late 40’s early 50’s is where my Dad met my Mum dancing on The Pier. That ballroom has played a huge part in my life one way and another, they might have been at this very dance.

Phil Gill… Centre Page?

David Miller… That’s a powerful looking PA system they’re using there. what must the neighbours have said?

Janine Hemsley… This is an interesting one. Henry Hall?

Geoff Peckham… My Dad, Dave Peckham, played in dance bands from the Big Band days of the late 40s onwards. With the introduction of the portable and versatile electric organ and gradual decline in popularity of ballroom dancing, these bands became depleted in size. Luckily, my dad played bass so he continued to be busy playing often on Hastings Pier usually in quartets of sax, piano/organ, bass and drums. The final nail in the coffin was the ‘beat groups’, who became profuse and were cheaper. He hated them, once saying The Beatles were 5 minute wonders! Poor dad….then his son started playing in them!

Stephanie Blackledge… I cant be sure but think the saxophone player could be my grandad, Howard Birchall. He played for Ted Heath. He also played for Henry Hall but I think earlier

Jeff Belton… The band looks like a band my late dad used to play in. He played the saxophones, tenors and altos.

Jim Breeds… The initials on display look like HD. Usually the name of the band leader?

Stuart Moir… Big crowd I don’t think, wouldn’t have made a fortune there then

Martyn Baker… Nice to see they had a STEREO PA system though – even then

Alamo Leal… Most likely the same the Stones used when they played there in the early 60’s.

Gareth Doherty… Have done a bit of digging – it seems quite likely that it is Hector Davies

Peter Fairless… Late forties and early fifties…

Janine Hemsley… I read the HD as HH, should have gone to Specsavers.

Steve Cooke… Jennifer Bate – the violinist wouldn’t have been Frank Stapleton by any chance would it?

Nigel Ford… Pre-gastric…?

Michael Coller… Post-WWII (1945-1949) After the Second World War, Hastings Pier reopened in frugal times. Even so, the Hastings & St Leonard’s ‘What’s On’ guide for July 1947 lists Hector Davies & his broadcasting band giving concerts in the pavilion in the mornings and afternoons, and in the evening, there was dancing to the band.

Jim Breeds… I can’t find anything in the British Newspaper Archive’s collection of HSLO newspapers that references “Hector Davies” (I also tried “Hector Davis” in case of spelling.

3 thoughts on “Dance Bands – 1950’s Hastings Pier – name that band?”

  1. I remember the Cecil Alden orchestra that played on the pier and Teddy Haig who played the piano both in the cafeteria and, in the evenings in the theatre with aNot her orchestra. I think the violinist who conducted was called Frank something, I cant think of his surname. So many memories of great holidays in Hastings at this time.

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