Argent – Hastings Pier 23rd February 1974

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argent

poster & flyer supplied by Mick Mepham

Andy Qunta….I remember seeing Argent at the Pier. Not sure if it was this date or another time. Anyway, they were great! Bought their album too! Factory used to do a version of their song “Be Free”, which I still love! Also, at the end of their set, Russ Ballard threw his guitar up about chin-high and then caught it on the last note! It inspired me to try the same, and before long I was throwing my electric 12-string as high as whatever ceiling we were playing under, and catching it. Except for the one time I almost dropped it! I wasn’t really in the mood that time, but I thought I would do it anyway, but that was a mistake apparently! Oh yeah, did I mention Argent was great? That Rod Argent – a monster on the Hammond!  Russ Ballard of course is also a great songwriter! Wrote so many hits for so many artists, including Rainbow’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” etc etc etc….

Geoff Peckham….I remember this gig for not going! Stayed in and baby-sat with a mate while his wife and my girlfriend went to pier. Said girls returned after midnight with Rod Argent and (I think) Russ Ballard. Don’t know who was more surprised to see whom.

Henry Mann…..Went to this and still listening to their live double album.

Mervyn Kennard… I was there brilliant night. The only time i saw the ballroom covered with seats.

Lloyd Johnson… They were good customers of mine back then, they bought loads of clothes from us….

Martyn Baker… Yep. I went to this one. I loved them!

Mark Gilham… Great songwriter, Russ Ballard

Ernest Ballard.. Great name too

Mark Gilham… Part of the outstanding Ballard heritage

Ernest Ballard… Le Creme de la creme. Ha ha

Lucy Pappas… A bunch of us were there, too, Andy. Sarah? Roger? Phil? The usual crew, no doubt x

Phil Gill… Yup, I was there

Chris Meachen… As was I.

Glenn Piper…. And I

Chris Baker… Saw him in Milton Keynes not long ago! Still rocking!

Jennie Tocock… I was there too!

Jan Warren… Love Argent!

Willie Wicking… Was at that Gig

Tony Court-holmes… i think i was there but mind you the early 70s are a bit vague

Pete Houghton… That was a great night and was able to talk to the band before they went on stage

Slade In Flame Film – The Curzon Cinema St Leonards 23rd February 1975

Pete Fairless… What a great film!

Derek Clemans… Bloody hell. … I went to see that at the Curzon.

Carol Ann Bolton…  I’ve not heard of this before. Must try and see it?

Graham Burfield… Just watched it on DVD still a great film

Mick Knights… The Curzon was a delight at the matinee interval when tea and biscuits were available, which reflected the age of their usual cinema goer!!!

 

Hart & Son Adelphi Garage Western Road St Leonards-on-Sea

shared from Chris Perrior St Leonards on Sea is the place to be https://www.facebook.com/groups/52198885165

Chris Perrior…. this picture comes courtesy of Historical Hastings, taken around 1958 in Western road.

Virginia Davis… We used to have to walk through one of the garages in Western Road to get to my grandparents flat in the 60s

Mike Waghorne… It was a VAG garage in the 80’s

Roger Simmonds… Wish I could time travel back too those times!

Paul Coleman… That looks like where George Watson had a car showroom in the 70’s

John Wilde… George Watson acquired that workshop around 1966. He was quite a character.

Patrick Turner… I used Togo around with Harts son he used to drive us about evenings & weekends we had a great time in the early 60s but for the life of me I can’t remember his christian name I don’t want to guess at it age related I guess

Nick Hall… Patrick, Was it Ray Hart ?

Nick Hall.. Paul, I thought George Watson’s place was further up Western Rd, where Abbe Auto’s is now?

Leigh Mitchell… Didn’t Nick Hall have this garage in the 80s?

 

 

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Chi-Lites and The Marvelettes White Rock Theatre 17th June 1990

autographed programme from: https://www.memorabilia-uk.co.uk/p/harold-melvin/harold-melvin-the-chilites-14309j

Alan Esdaile… I remember going to this and The Chi-Lites were great. I’m please to finally find the cutting as no-one seems to remember this gig?

Matt Thomas… I was working that night and as I recall someone walked out as he didn’t approve of the sexy, suggestive delivery of some songs

Mick O’Dowd… How did I miss this? When I saw the ad I thought yes I was there but then realised I saw only the Chi-Lites at Eastbourne.

 

 

Teenbeats & Piranhas – The Carlisle 23rd February 1979

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supplied by Teenbeats facebook page.

Bobby Walker….Great gig!  Huggy Leaver was a local character in Hastings around this time. This was the last time I spoke to him … next saw him in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Philip Meston…..Then there was Guns, Gangsters and Zombies!

Mick O’Dowd… Another classic 558 Entertainments promotion and don’t forget the British Heart Foundation ad with Vinnie Jones where Huggy played “The body” to “Staying Alive”. Two great bands. This was the first time I booked the Piranhas after being pestered by their management. The agreement was that I would give them 2 support act slots and if they were popular(which as it turned out, they were) i’d put them on top billing. As it happened they were so popular that they headlined after only one show.

Colin Jefferys… Was this not the gig where a few lads jumped on to the stage ( albeit a very low level small one) and tried to smack Bob Grover? I’m sure they were rubbish

Peter Fairless… Top band, the Piranhas were great Bob and Johnny wrote some magic but, hey, the Teenbeats were ours!

Mark Syrett… Top night as I remember