Alan Esdaile

Chuck Berry – Happy 88th birthday (born 18th Oct 1926)

October 22, 2014October 21, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

Mick O’Dowd… What musician can say with any honesty that they had not perhaps had a teeny weeny bit of inspiration from this legend who is now 88!

Pete Fairless.. Brown Eyed Handsome Man. Love it!

Will Cornell… “Memphis” is as good a piece of poetry/story-telling in song as there ever was….and that kind of situation of a broken home on account of two separated parents is more true now than it was 50+ years ago. One of the more underrated covers of Chuck’s BEHM–the original single w Charlie McCoy’s harmonica is worth hearing too. From the magnificent Johnny Cash TV show, Waylon Jennings–not sure who’s playing that doubleneck but that fine looking lass on keyboards was the newly married Mrs Wayon, Jessi

Alan Pepper… If it wasn’t for our Chuck….. Well, you all know what I mean. Happy Birthday !!!

Lets hear it for the girls.

October 20, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

Photo by Chris Stein. Supplied by Timeline Photos Facebook page via Matt Thomas

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, Pauline Black of The Selecter, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Viv Albertine of The Slits, Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie And The Banshees and Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex. London, August 1st 1980.

Hastings Local Band Photos…. Great picture!

Mark Gilham… All those fabulous women in one room!

Jim Breeds…. I commented on Chris Stein’s FB page a few weeks ago that it was about time that Talking heads toured again, ‘cos I never got to see them, and he replied something like “I couldn’t agree more Jim”. If they ever do tour again (unlikely I think), you heard it here first, lol.

Radio Luxembourg Bob Stewart memories from Rob Clark and where he is now?

October 20, 2014October 20, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

Rob Clark….In 1970 a friend, Richard Lucas, and I met Bob Stewart and Tony Prince at Radio Luxembourg. We were at the end of a long working tour of Europe and we called at the radio station on spec’.

Tony was broadcasting at the time so we didn’tlinger too long, but I do recall that we managed to get a dedication to our friends in the UK.
Bob Stewart was a really nice guy. I recall that he was from Merseyside, as were we, and we got on well. We gave him a lift somewhere, I think to pick up a car which was a black American monster that he had bought from a scrapyard. I recall wealthly Luxembourgois threw out good stuff like that in those days. He took us out in his car to see a bit of Luxembourg.
Was good to hear what he did with his career and that he ended up back at Radio Luxembourg. He would have been 31 when we met him (I was 20). Now he will be 75. Still got the car, Bob?

Johnny Mason….Really nice guy and a great voice.

Roy from Casino Royale…. Can you tell me how Bob Stewart is doing as I can’t find out anything about him wondering if he is ok thanks Roy

Alan Esdaile… I do not know Bob Stewart personally but worked with him a few times on road shows and booked him loads of times. Last thing I heard he moved to Texas. Just had a quick search on the internet but nothing much comes up. I hope he’s still with us and well, he was a really nice guy. If I find anymore information I will let you know.

The Farm – The Crypt. 1994

October 17, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by The Crypt Archive Facebook page.

Factory – Folder 1973

October 17, 2014October 15, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Geoff Peckham

featuring Andy Qunta, Laurie Cooksey, Tony Qunta & Jaffa Peckham.

Phil Gill….Brilliant. Bloody hippies.

Geoff Peckham… No, Phil. Just the stoned Herbert on the floor! It’s looks as though what’s happened is this: In my bewildered state I’d toppled over; they couldn’t get me up so they all got down on their haunches for the pic!!

Tony Qunta… Cheesecloth 😉

Andy Qunta….Fantastic! Well done keeping that, Jaffa!

Pete Fisher….wonderful! nice to see Kev Wood get a mention as roadie – he was also a gifted guitarist as I recall, who played with me, Roger and Bernie in Mae West, before it became a trio as Pueblo. Still have a couple of recordings.

Andy Qunta….I remember Mae West! Great band!

Tony Court-holmes….comeback tour please

Yvonne Cleland…..And Ade! What happened to Ade?

Geoff Peckham….He called on me when I was living near Pulborough c.1979. I think he was studying at the Agricultural College near there. Lovely chap. There are a few Factory road tales featuring him!

Andre Martin…..here is an old advert I think from the late 60s

Andy Qunta….Following the comments about Ade Weaden – I actually saw him a couple of years ago. He’s been living in Canada for donkey’s years, and is in charge of the water dept in his town. He came on a golfing holiday to Palm Springs with some friends. It’s not too far from where I live so we met up for coffee at a casino about the halfway point. His hair was not so long, so I could actually see his face! Otherwise he was the same old Ade! We had a lot of fun chatting about the old days, and of course he asked after everyone! Here you go, Ade fans!

Martin Blackman…..Nice one Geoff, as a matter of interest my good friend Ade Weaden now lives in BC Canada and is coming over to the UK this summer and apparently Kev Wood is an extremely wealthy man in the Offshore Oil Industry and living in Oz

Factory reunion?

Andre Martin…..This would be a good idea for the Pier Fund ?

Andy Qunta…..I’ve been thinking for quite a while how much I would like to come over for a Factory reunion! Been talking to Tone about it quite a bit recently too! No reason why not, is the way I’m thinking! I really like Andre’s Pier Fund idea for a Factory reunion! I feel like Factory owes the Pier quite a bit for the great times we had there!

Geoff Peckham…..And hear hear to that too, mate!

Sarah Harvey…..It would be nice to do a few 70s band reunions and whilst that would not be possible in a number of cases… they could revive themselves with some of the original members and attempt some of their old stuff. It would be a unique event…. perhaps for charity? We have such a wonderful unique musical heritage in Hastings and what a way to embrace that!

Steve Kinch…..they could revive themselves with some of the original members and attempt some of their old stuff, Sarah, you make it sound so appealing!

Phil Thornton….it would be super cool to have a Factory reunion !! ( I’m sure ‘Stallion’ would want to be on the bill as well !!)

Tony Qunta….Great idea! Maybe we could have lots of Hastings bands from that era and make it into an all nighter!

Geoff Peckham…..I dunno, Tone. I like to be home by 10.30 for my cocoa! But seriously, Phil’s idea would make a great evening.

Phil Gill….This Stallion bass player is definitely up for the idea

Dennis Torrance… Saw Factory many a time on the pier jig a jig

The Beat – Featuring Wesley Magoogan 1982

October 16, 2014October 14, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

Steve Kinch…..Great pic!

Janine Anne Hemsley…..Thank goodness Marian was such a good cook Wesley lol xxxxxx

Andy Qunta….Very cool!

Steve “Muscles” Maxted chat.

October 14, 2014October 13, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

Nick Prince… Does anyone know if Steve “Muscles” Maxted is still alive? Not heard his name in years.

Alan Esdaile… As far as I know he’s doing well and living in Rye/Camber area and over the past few years has been a renowned windsurfer. I have posted a few adds here in the past but still looking for some photos.

Carl Ridley… Had some good times down rennies with his shows he did a Thurs night

John Wilde… I remember well the fastest pint drinking contest Steve Maxted hosted at the Cobweb. I think the record was 1.5 seconds set by wide mouth Sean.

Jim Breeds… I posted a question like this a few months ago and his sons answered and we all had a chat about Steve and one of them said that Dad sends his best wishes and is pleased to be remembered.

Andre Martin… Was he not running some sort of café/activity shop in the Camber Area ? that seems to ring a bell with your comment Jim

Mick O’Dowd… He was quite an inspiration for me in the early days of DJ ing. I won 2 tickets to see The Yardbirds from him at The Witchdoctor. Does anybody remember the film slot for his “9 o’clock wee wee”? I think he was also working at The Rye Windsurfing Centre on the Camber Road some years back.

Alan Pepper… Steve Maxted 1971 at the Aquarius. Great memories / Great dancing / Great bloke !!!

Andre Martin… I think this is the first time that Steve Maxted appeared at the Witch Doctor in St Leonards.

Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Jim Breeds… The Aquarius is mostly where I saw him. “Muscles Maxted from Maidstone!, lol.

Caz Simpson… Didn’t he have a weekly slot at Bonitas for a while? I’m sure I remember always starting with I Can’t Explain?

Andre Martin… Yes that would have been in the Martin-Casson Agency Days, with my old partner Paul Casson running the show

Alan Esdaile… Yes your right, he did always play ‘I Can’t Explain’. Another one he always played was ‘Its The Same Old Song’ The Four Tops.

John Warner… Steve took over from me at the Star Ballroom Maidstone when I left to work at the Witchdoctor in Hastings. I understand that he worked for many years on the isle of Sheppey.

Caz Simpson… There is a giant Steve Maxted poster for sale on eBay.

Glen Campbell – His Final Epic Ballad.

October 13, 2014October 12, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

http://blog.thealzheimerssite.com/notgonnamissyou/#tHVT2vcduzKKcKRF.01

Alan Esdaile… Very sad.

Mark Gilham…He is one of the greatest writers, musicians and performers ever. (In my humble opinion)

Jennie Tocock… Oh :(. That’s so sad.

David Miller… Only his brain is impaired. His heart and spirit will always know. One thing I picked up from hospice volunteering is that (and this is just a generalisation, epiphanies and the unexpected nonwithstanding) what ever the family dynamic was, it will become more so leading up to and around the time of passing – more grasping and fighting or more loving and supporting etc. Sometimes this miraculous transition, one of two that bookend each equally miraculous seemingly individual journey, opens up the eyes and hearts of some or all of the participants. Time will tell. Human beings being human…..bless us all.

Jim Breeds… 🙁 I used to think “I hope I don’t go because of cancer” or “I hope a heart attack doesn’t get me” and suchlike. But as time has gone by and the human race has cures for many of the diseases and conditions that used to kill us and generally we have healthier lifestyles than even our immediate ancestors did, many of us are now living to an age where the brain is likely to go first, which personally, I now think is probably a more terrifying prospect than the diseases.

Liz Dianto… Heartbreaking

John Kingdon… I have had a stroke and then lost my speech, now I walk around with an oxygen bottle strapped on my back and I still sing at least once a week . Don’t give up until you are ready and certainly don’t worry about something you may get. The anxiety worrying about something you may get is and can be far worse than actually having real problems.

John Wilde… Having lost a parent to Dementia I know just how cruel this can be. Bless his Soul.

Jane Hartley… It is sad, but what’s worse is his family apparently fighting over his care.

Jon McCallion… It is so very sad

Barry Newton… Not a great end to a great artist/legend

Mick O’Dowd… He once played in The Beach Boys.

John Storer… Very moving song and video. For me, the bloke would still have been a god if he had only ever recorded “Wichita Lineman” and “Galveston”. His last album, “See You There” is well worth a listen

Southern Sounds & Guy Darrell & The Midnighters. Sat 10th Oct 1964 by Andre Martin

January 18, 2017October 12, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

Andre Palfrey-martin collection. photo of Southern Sounds.

Andre Martin…October moves along and here we are at Saturday 10th, – History of the Happy Ballroom – Hastings Pier. The whole attractions seems on the surface, to have gone into a vacuum – things are happening, but nothing much is being reported, and with our ability to look back, know that things are about to change. However back to the Ballroom, and tonight me have 2 groups all for 5/- and if your 18 and over [laugh] access to the longest bar in town ! Top of the Bill are – Guy Darrell & The Midnighters, supported by Southern Sounds
There is little about Guy Darell and The Midnighters, although they did leave a few releases from the 1960s, and the Midnighters are not to be confused with the Merseyside band of the same name that featured Freddie Starr in the early 1960s. They recorded for Oriole having a couple of minor hits in 1964. The support act, were from Portsmouth – Southern Sounds, a five piece group, playing a lot of covers of both US and UK standards. Apart from this, very little is known about them, they had worked clubs, ballrooms and for the Navy.How times had changed, looking back over the past few months when you think that we had been able to see Chart Hitters, such as the Stones, Animals, Kinks on a regular basis, and now very much run-of-mill entertainments.
The Witch Doctor, had continued with its 7 nights a week policy and this week had included in the line up : Saturday – from Nottingham – The Sheerwoods supported by well known local group -The Talismen : Sunday from Merseyside – The Rhythm & Blues Incorporated : Wednesday it was Johnny Mike & The Shades : and a Blues special for Friday with Little Water. The weekends had started off with its usual bang, if you were able to get to see Rediffusion Cable TV with Ready Steady Go – and on the programme for the Friday night was –The Dave Clark Five –The Honeycombs – “Is It Because?” -Manfred Mann – “Sha La La.
Till next week’s episode, I will leave you with this thought, Bonfire Night processions are upon us, and Hastings for next Saturday will be one not to be missed – enjoy and be safe !! somewhat calmer than I remember from 50 years ago !! Andre Martin