supplied by Jim Penfold
Day: 9 September 2024
Bernard Jeffery & Charlie Tumahai from Be Bop Deluxe late 70’s
supplied by Bernard Jeffery
Bernard Jeffery…..late seventies rehearsals with Charlie Tumahai From Be Bop Deluxe in The Box Hastings. The Hollywood Killers.
© milesago
http://www.milesago.com/Features/tumahai.htm
Bernard Jeffery… Above, great piece about a great musician and a great bloke.Mentions the time I played with him in the Hollywood Killers back in the late seventies.
Tim Phillips… Interesting article. Be Bop Deluxe was one of my favourite bands in the mid 70s. I can remember riding my motorbike to Eastbourne to see one of their gigs with my then girlfriend (who went on to be lead singer of The Mobiles). I think the gig was at The Congress. The ride back to Hastings to take Anna home was one of the coldest motorbike rides I can remember smile emoticon
Bernard Jeffery… I loved all of their albums and saw them live many times so it was a real buzz to play with Charlie and meet the rest of the band at Hollywood Killers gigs
Dave Nattress… Be Bop Deluxe were fabulous – I have all their stuff on Vinyl and CD and love Sunburst Finish and Modern Music. Samisen – where’s Sarah H, do you remember we did “Ships in the Night”. Indeed Tim, it was the Congress as I was there. I do remember they were really, really loud. RIP Charles, your contribution holding the bass down whilst Bill Nelson went off on his space-missions was vital. I stumbled across a great Bio of Bill Nelson and Be Bop Deluxe, published in 2008, written by Paul Sutton Reeves – “Music In Dreamland” “Bill Nelson and Be Bop Deluxe”. A long read but worth it.
Tim Phillips… Yes, I agree that Be Bop Deluxe were really loud at The Congress. I had a motorbike with straight through exhaust pipes which sounded incredibly loud (probably made me quite unpopular in Bexhill). On the ride home I couldn’t hear my bike because my ears were still ringing from the concert lol.
Pirate radio rarities from Merv Kennard
Supplied by Merv Kennard
Mike Waghorne… Loved that era of the pirate radio stations back in the 60’s
The GT Strokers – 58 Club Winchelsea Beach – 1967
supplied by Tony Lambert
l to r: Andy Webster (very good rhythm and arranger), Tony Lambert (now singing ?), Paul Freeman (on his Ludwig drums who was the best drummer around here) Revelle Stockdale (very talented) and far right Graham Kent (good bassist and arranger).
Tony Lambert… here is the GT Strokers about April ’67…. 58 club Winchelsea Beach. We had the Friday night spot for a while then took over from King Rod and co. on Saturdays, as they went touring.
This was before the flower power look took hold later in ’67, best time for many that year the summer of love! Bill who ran the 58 club didn’t like our new flower power look so we we left. When we broke up later that year Paul, Rev and i joined King Rod for a while but left and went our own ways. Tried several other bands but didn’t work out, pity because we were progressing very well as the GTS.
Geoff Peckham… I never saw The GT Strokers, but I’d certainly heard of them. A lady my mum knew, Blanche Adams, a retired governess and concert violinist took an interest in my musical progress and helped me buy some equipment. She was also Andy Webster’s landlady, and she introduced me to him as I think he was getting married and was selling some gear. He was really friendly and taught me “My Girl” among other songs. He also sold me the Leeds Chord Dictionary, which I still have! This was around ’68/’69.
Robert Searle… Great to see a picture with Paul Freeman on his Ludwig drums and Rev Stockdale on guitar.
Carol Arnold… aaa, loved the 58 club.
Mark Randall… Where abouts was the 58?
Alan Esdaile… It was behind The Ship Pub, Mark.
Tony Lambert… Paul Freeman’s cousin was Mick Taylor who played with the Stones after Brian Jones left us, so quite a talented family. I always encouraged Paul to go pro, with his talent and connections it could have come about…what a pity he missed out. When the GTS was in the flower power mode we used oil slide projection backgrounds and incense sticks with synchronized flashing lights,which most enjoyed but it was rather too much for some to bear especially at the 58 club !…..we always tried our best to entertain, we tried to learn at least 2 new numbers a week, not easy when doing a full time job.
Colin Fox… Rev Stockdale, Kevin Hoad, Chris Howard, Kate Honey and me when we played in the 80’s as ‘Elite’, at the Fishermens Club Eastbourne. Bob Searle and I used to lodge for a while at Paul Freemans house in the early 70’s in Windmill Hill. We had some great times, (I think), as we were always pissed.
supplied by Colin Fox
Cliff Wootton… I remember a drum kit that dad bought home and put in our music room which had the GT Strokers artwork on the front. I have a picture somewhere which I’ll dig out and post here. I know he worked with Tony around that time so they must have made a deal or swop.
Modes-Mode plus St John’s Wood – Hastings Pier 2nd November 1968
photo supplied by Amanda Hawkings, ad supplied by Sarah Harvey
Sarah Harvey… November 2nd, 1968. No information regarding this group….anyone else?
Mick O’Dowd… New one on me perhaps St Johns Wood members might remember.
Ray Harper… Saw Modes Mode at The Continental more than once and Eastbourne Town Hall. They played blues and soul music in particular Curtis Mayfield. I thought they were from Brighton but they are not listed on Brightonbeat .com site. Great band though.
Amanda Hawkings… The drummer in Modes Mode was my cousin Clifford Grensted. The manager was my uncle Brian Grensted. They were based in the London area. The photo was taken in Stanmore, I believe.
Mike Mitchell… That’s a fabulous suit on the right there.
Lil Fuller… Brian Grenstead ( “Mr.G”) was our neighbour in Stanmore ..we lost touch when we left for Australia in 1970. He lived around the corner but our back garden in Tintagel Drive backed onto his… think He was Manager of Modes Mode then ..in the late 60’s ??? He was always wonderful to our late Mum Sheila and Us Kids and we have many Happy Memories. Fond Regards to His Family from Old Neighbours The Fuller’s … now in Adelaide …Down Under xx
Mick Gilfrin… Yep went to the E/B Town Hall gig. Does anybody remember the free fest @ Cow Gap Beachy Head 1967 ish. Skin Alley were top of the bill
Colin O’Donoghue… They were looking for a new singer and I went to about 3 gigs with them in Brian’s van and did a few numbers. They were from Stanmore – soul band – Otis Redding, Sam & Dave etc. I particularly liked The Action and these guys were similar.
Peter Seven… Leaving a message for Amanda Hawkins: My name is Peter Seven former lead singer for Modes Mode.
Martin Richter… fantastic clothes
John Stafford… Mick, Yes, I saw Skin Alley at Cow Gap, but don’t recall any of the other acts. The organiser was a young guy who looked a bit like Ginger Baker, so probably from the Art School. Skin Alley tried to kid the audience that their guitarist hadn’t turned up, so their sax player would have a go at playing guitar instead.That was rubbish of course, as their sax player (Bob James) was their usual guitarist too.
Toby Grensted…. Amanda, Cliff is my dad, I’m trying to find any recordings as I’ve never heard their music and can’t remember what label they were on. Something about it being 55 years ago.