Day: 26 September 2021

The Sabres – Early 60’s Eastbourne Seafront.

by

11159992_459306267560405_8875403941034667775_n

supplied by Len Smith Eastbourne Bands From 1960 on.

Here’s when they played the pier in 1964.

11737829_10153453287264287_2982649039945709754_n

Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Roy Penfold… These teenagers and their raves…..I just don’t know what the world will come to!

Alan Esdaile… Lots of the gigs were called raves in those days. I wonder when it first appeared.

Glynn Brown… I have a feeling they were the support band when the Honeycombs performed on Hastings Pier in the early 1960’s.

Andre Martin… You are right Glynn when they changed their name to Shelly…. this week we have The HoneyCombs and the support from Brighton – Shelly – formerly known as The Sabres, who were about to embark on a future playing in Europe, and would become top names in both Denmark and Scandinavia within the next few years. This was to be one of the last appearance from the band in Hastings.

11698867_10205797191907033_8445874353381545037_o

Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Keith Flanigan… Anyone know the names of the guys in the Eastbourne band the Sabres, back in the early 60s.

Alan Esdaile… you were asking about The Sabres line up. Pretty sure its the same line up as Shelley????

Ken Copsey… Love the Wem Watkins Dominator, matching Copicat and Burns Sonic guitar.

Keith Flanigan… 1963?

The Herd – Hastings Pier Sat 26th Sept 1964 by Andre Martin

by

1479012_10203711165157668_1661253196830934039_n

Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Andre Martin…. Gosh another month has almost gone, and we are now Saturday 26th September 1964, and the Happy Ballroom, is moving into week TWO of this winter programme – all you can dance to for 5/- !
Looking at the Billing I see that headlining is The Herd and in support Brighton based Shelley. My immediate thoughts were, was this the same Herd that had Peter Frampton in the line up, but research tells me that he in fact did not join the group until 1966. This was the original group that he would join a little later. There is not much to tell, other than the group came from south London and had three record releases for Parlophone, that did not make much impact on the charts. However – supporting act Shelley – formerly known as The Sabres, were well known in the south and had made many visits to The Happy Ballroom over the years. Our Friday Night fix of music would be well covered by Ready Steady Go on Redifusion TV from Kingway, and this week would have included – -The Band of Angels, The Four, Gerry and the Pacemakers – “It’s Gonna Be Alright” Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders – “Um Um Um Um Um Um” , Little Eva , Little Walter. Interesting line up there with Mike d’Abo and the Band of Angels, who we booked several times for college dances, because of the family link with Hastings.
The Witch Doctor was buzzing with its 7 nights of entertainment, and on offer this week would have included: Saturday – The Shamrocks & The Profiles, Sunday – Soul Agents, Wednesday – Lee Castle & The Barons [scheduled to appear on Thank Your Lucky Stars the following night ] and to end the week on Friday The Beat Merchants.
Over the next few weeks, the Pier management will be reviewing the offer to the people of Hastings and we will see changes….but more about that later, it is still offering “ Longest Bar in Town “ and that bracing walk to and from the Happy Ballroom.                        Andre Martin

Joe Knight…love the record  ‘From The Underworld’ mum use to tell me to turn it off she said it sounded like some one had died!!! lol ;-

Mick O’Dowd… Great band & they spawned Peter Frampton.