The Applejacks – Hastings Pier 5th Sept 1964 by Andre Martin

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applejacks

 Andre Palfrey-martin collection

The History of groups that have appeared on Hastings Pier continues. What a coup that the Pier pulled off last week, with The HoneyCombs appearing in the Happy Ballroom, and that coincided with their no 1 position on the charts with “Have I the Right” So its Saturday 5th September 1964 and the groups booked for this week are The Applejacks and in support The Sugarbeats.Tonight’s headliners were The Applejacks who came from the Midlands -They were the first “Brumbeat” group (that is, from the West Midlands conurbation-Birmingham area) to reach the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, and were unusual for having a female bass guitarist, Megan Davies. The Applejacks began playing together in a skiffle group named the Crestas in 1961, occasionally performing at a local youth club. Lacking a vocalist, they were strictly an instrumental band until the addition of singer Al Jackson in 1963; they began playing rock and roll songs and secured a residency at Solihull Civic Hall. During that time, they changed their name to the Jaguars before finally becoming the Applejacks in July 1962.

http://youtu.be/q5dFBoyjzok

Signed to Decca Records late in 1963, their success was largely due to the strength of their first single, “Tell Me When” Written by Les Reed and Geoff Stephens, “Tell Me When” was released in February 1964 and shot to No. 7 in the UK. After the group met the Beatles during rehearsals for a television appearance, John Lennon and Paul McCartney provided the Applejacks with a song which was to be their second single: “Like Dreamers Do”.[1] However, the record only reached number 20 in the UK chart, whilst their final hit, “Three Little Words (I Love You)” (also in 1964), made it to No. 23.
The supporting band – The Sugarbeats, unfortunately there is no records. Like so many bands of the day they came and went without anybody recording their existence. Sometimes a small detail can be found if one member ever made the big time.
The Friday Night 4th September, would have followed the usual format for the fans in Hastings, able to tune into Ready Steady Go from London, this week’s show would have • Bern Elliott and The Klan – “Good Times.” :Herman’s Hermits – “I’m Into Something Good.” Peter and Gordon : The Rustiks :
The Searchers – “When You Walk In The Room.”
Down in St Leonards – The Witch Doctor, would have continued with its 7 nights a week operation with the main attractions being – Saturday [5] Joey James and the Bandits, supported by The Talismen – Sunday [6] Zoot Money Wednesday [9] Steve Marriotts Moments and Friday [11] Plus 4 with Erky Grant. – some names that we recognise – but more about them another lesson.                                                Andre Martin

Tiffany Barton… a very nice band with female bass guitarit Megan Davies

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