Alan Esdaile

Better known as international disc jockey Johnny Mason. Currently re-living his mis-spent youth through this web-site.

SMART on Facebook – Join Us

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We have a lively  SMART chat group on Facebook which is growing daily. Why not come and join us by friends request to the facebook Alan Esdaile Johnny Mason link.

Also still looking for more photos and cuttings from the 60’s onwards with a musical connection to Hastings. Especially groups we have not featured so far.

Mick O’Dowd….On doing research for my pictoral history of The Pier through posters/tickets/flyers etc (keep posting any pleeeze!) I came across the group The Orange Seaweed who supported Hendrix in 67 and also The Four Aces who supported The Stones(sounds like a doo-wop group). Anybody got any info on them?

Andre Martin….The Orange Seaweed, were a Hastings psychedelic band formed out of The Freakbacks and Kingpins. The line up Ray Neale Guitar & Vocal, Keith Neil Bass and Les Warren Drums. In 1968 they had 2 releases thro PYE records Stay Awhile and Pictures in the Sky.  The Four Aces – only one I have ever come across were a US doo-wop group that started working in the early 1950s- the only common link between the Stones and them would be they both released thro DECCA records.

Pete Seeger R.I.P.

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Alan Esdaile….I think this was probably the first song I learnt to play on the piano.

Jim Breeds….Very nice. Pity it ends abruptly but nice version

Tony Bird in the studio – 1981 & history

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supplied by Pete Prescott

Tony Bird.….just For the record after gone pro for 5 years I retuned to Bexhill and formed a band in 1973 will Len Benton & Ian Mcgilvray called “PARDON” and a year later was joined by Joe Milligon on sax and sometimes his brother Ronnie . this line up was called “QUESTION”……giging at The Yorkshire Grey pub St.Leonards.,Safari Club George St….58 Club Winchelsea….The York Pub Bexhill ,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Inn at Crowhurst and Various RAF camps in the south……..all in a big yellow van bought from Stewart Moir…….now there’s some facts and my first band

in 1964 was “The Likes of Us”…….With Peter Horton, Lawrie ….?,Philip Earl,….and Yogi on Bass…………..cheers Tony Bird

Robert Searle….Great one Tony. Let’s have more.You,of all people,have plenty of history. When I first came to Bexhill,years ago,you was one of the first people to come and talk to me. I’ll never forget

Joe Knight….PIANO MAN!!!

Mick O’Dowd….Welcome to the pleasure dome Tony. Pete Horton sends his regards