Memories and info wanted on Fruupp

supplied by Nigel Wade Art

Nigel Wade Art… Hi all, I’m trying to unearth any memories or info on Fruupp who played on Hastings Pier in 1972 and 1975. They supported Genesis in ‘72 I believe, I went to the December 5th ‘75 gig which they headlined. It wasn’t a big crowd but they rocked it. It was the opening night of their Modern Masquerades tour. I can’t remember if there was a support band. Reason for this question is that I’m involved in the very active Fruupp Facebook Group (worth joining if you like the band) and there’s a plan to get a book and Live CD together all about Fruupp, so any info gratefully received. Thanks.

Adam Seigel… I was a fan for a bit. Saw them in Southend (my home town) in 75 I think. I still have the single Prince of Heaven’s Eyes which was their bid to break through Good band but not first division. Be interesting to know if they went on to other things, the keyboards seemed really talented and guitarist was good too – Vincent McUsker or something like that? Sounds like a good piece of archiving.

Nigel Wade Art… Keyboardist for the 4th and final album Modern Masquerades was John Mason, a brilliant jazz/ rock keyboard player who sadly died a few years ago. Original members Vincent McCusker (guitar), Peter Farrelly (vocals/ bass), Martin Foye (drums) and Stephen Houston (keyboards) are all going strong. Fruupp split in the Summer of ‘76 just when punk was starting, none of the band have done much in music since.

Adam Seigel… Stephen Houston…that’s the chap…he was good!

Alan King… the guy in the white suit is actually called Johnny Mason, he’s an old friend of mine from Dulwich back in the day, last I heard he’d had a stroke about 10 years ago – oops edit just saw the post that John had died he was an odd one – played a few gigs with him over the years – he got lost in drink and drugs near the end, his parents both died and left him a bit of money which was probably enough to tip him over the edge

Nigel Wade… Alan you’re absolutely right. Sadly he died a few years ago, following the stroke. I loved his playing b that album – he was very accomplished. One of the other guys said that for the photo shoot, “we all arrived looking like the three musketeers while John turned up dressed like Liberace!”

Alan King… John Mason did record an E.P. with a band of local south London roadies called The Back Room Boys in the mid 80’s – The Ballad of Vic Samson / Mine’s A Light and Bitter – he did the odd mafia run cruise ship tour off Miami to Jamaica and back around that time

Black Horse Folk Club sticker/flyer – early 70’s

supplied by Roger Carey

Pete Fisher… First place I ever played in public…would have been late 1969/early 1970 I think, with my mate Tim from school. We were both 14 going on 15, but had greatcoats, which we hoped would make us look old enough to be allowed in, but they served us half pints without a murmur. It was a kind of open mike night, and I think we opened with Dylan’s Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat, with Tim on vocals. We also attempted Leavin’ Blues, which I had on the first Taste album, and I played slide and sang. Tim had a battery powered mini transistor amp and speaker attached to his acoustic, which added a fuzz guitar effect, which made the traditionalists frown, but we got away with it. I think Mike Absalom was the main act/MC…

David Betts… Sam Sewell asked me to meet with Eddie the landlord to see if we could start a folk club,Sam and I where both at Bexhill grammar school,anyway Colin Potter and me where already running the New Inn Sidley folk club ,so starting the Black Horse was not a problem.I understand from my sis,that there has been some arguments in the past as to who started it,I can categorically say that the idea came from Sam Sewell,but the actual founders and first residents,were me and Colin. Thinking back,I left England in 67 and started the club while still at school,so it probably opened around 65…66 ?

Paul Bannister… Wow – two names dredged from my distant childhood memories – the Black Horse Folk Club and Roger Carey!

Mike Waghorne… I remember it well in the late 70 ‘s

Peter Cunningham… I was a regular there in the early ’70s, sometimes filled in with the Mariners when they were resident. First met my wife there on Christmas day! Regular guests were Rosie Hardman, Tim Broadbent (ran a club in Brighton) and Johnny Wynch (blues player). Tim was over six-foot three tall and used to have to stand under the old stable hay-loft trap when playing to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling. Maybe that’s what eventually brought the roof down! A long time ago, but a good time.

Martin Stringer… Malcolm Jones and I performed there in 1970 as Stringer Jones. We moved to Hastings from London a month later. Fell in love with Hastings.

Curved Air – Hastings Pier 6th April 1973

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6th april curved air 1973

Andre Palfrey-Martin Collection

curved-air-cd

OCT 1971 DISC JOCKEY

Mick Knights….Yep, at this one too, the main attraction was probably Sonia!

Andy Qunta….Great band! Still listen to their stuff! I think maybe Factory supported them on the Pier once, but I know I definitely saw them there anyway. Stewart Copeland was on the drums.

Mick O’Dowd….Oh Sonia! Wherefore art thou Sonia!

Jim Hobbs….Back Street Luv is still up there with my favourite tracks. And yes Sonia was the main attraction!

Catherine Ireland… Oh I remember Stylus Records and Disc Jockey .

Jim Breeds… Phantasmagoria!

Andre Martin… Paul loved booking the top of the bill.

Jim Breeds… Me too.

Chris Stratton… They played the pier a few times. Remember seeing them twice there.

Chris Giles… One of the best concerts I saw on Hastings pier.

Andy Qunta… I have Air Conditioning too – another good ‘un!  I was hoping someone had some info on the opening band – Full Supporting Programme. I’ve often seen them advertised, but that’s all I know about them!

 Andre Martin… In true style of many agents, it was what ever bunch of musos were doing nothing that night and could get to the Pier for 6.00pm!!

Dennis Torrance… I saw them on pier with Stewart Copeland on drums thought what a good drummer he was

What Song or Songs Do You Really Hate?

Terry Corder… I’ll name 2 if I may. House of the rising sun and a whiter shade of pale. Oh, and peggy sue. Oops, that makes 3.

Phil Gill… Brown Eyed Girl.

Eric Peckham… Anything and everything by the Carpenters. So middle of the road, it should be run over.

Terry Corder… Brown eyed girl. I hate that one as well and Freebird.

Michael Wilson… Anything they play over and over again on Heart Radio. Especially ‘Galway Girl’ by Ed Sheeran.

Alan Esdaile… Loads but Mr Blobby comes to mind.

Eric Peckham… I just want to stick a bullet in my head every time I hear that one.

Terry Huggins… Anything reggae or ska, most punk rock and anything that’s played too often.

Eddie Caffrey… Apart from the obvious ones -long haired lover etc O Lori by Alessi …sooo annoying!!!

Peter Thomson… Y Viva Espana or Una Paloma Blanca. Got me thinking what my problem is with Spain now…

Rick Pentecost… Sweet home bloody Alabama and Freebird

Simon Page… Boo Boo Boo! Rock Me Amadeus by Falco. Life Is Life by Opus.

Peter Antony… I don’t know… I mean there are the obvious ones. But to tell you the truth, I’m probably not that happy with the current top 5, whatever they are this week.

Richard Wood… “Bohemian Ratshit” – pompous, pretentious glam-rock at its worst.

Mandy Wright… The birdy song!!

Eddie Caffrey… Right on Mandy as it falls into the silly category Long haired lover….combine harvester….mr blobby….tellytubbies….bob the builder….

Read moreWhat Song or Songs Do You Really Hate?

Who remembers having a knickerbocker glory in Fortes?

Wendy Weaver… They always looked lovely but my mother couldn’t afford things like that. When I had my own money I never got around to buying one😋 We had several large Forte establishments in Bournemouth including The Barbecue where Ted Heath, Edmundo Ros, Mantovani played. Charles Forte lived in Bournemouth for a while.

Matt Thomas… They still do them in Rainbow Restaurant

Alan Wood… Yes, was a Grans treat for me, very occasionally in Hastings

Nicola Barfield… Omg yes and they used to do the extra large brandy glass with Eccles cake in bottom so many other cakes with ice cream then loads of cream

Eric Harmer… Free one from Phil ? I think , as my mum worked there

Dennis Torrance… Yes and also lime ice cream sodas

John Coleman… Had one yesterday! In Liverpool! WTH cookie dough & salted Caramel!

Charlie Ball… Yep

Steve Thorpe… Nice ones in Dimarcos!

Jan Warren… Fortes on Bexhill Seafront opposite “Ags” amusement centre, we all used to hang out there in the 60s/early 70s!!

Lyn Humphrey… Yep, and also had one last month in Simply Italian at E/B Harbour!

Pauline Richards… Banana split was my favourite

Monica Bane… No way as good as they use to be with jelly and real cream not cheap at over a fiver!

Mike Guy… My goodness, you were rich!

Dave Nattress… In Bexhill as Jan Warren said we had the Forte’s Ice Cream/knickerbocker glory/coffee bar on the seafront on the corner of Wilton Road opposite the amusements, round the corner from the Wimpey bar in Devonshire Road, and along from the Continental cafe/restaurant and basement club. Used to gravitate from one to another. Across the road by the amusements was a little late night club – drinks after hours – forget the name now – was it the Arcadian? Could have made that name up. There might even have been another little place along from that one for a short while. On the corner the RAF club. Further along was the Bexhill club – far too straight for a bunch of long-haired weekend hippies, no way would we have got in there, or wanted to. It was for people back then who were at the age I am now – which is very old! We were never gonna be that old. Never thought about getting old or anything like, being young was going on forever and in many respects you bet, it has. You know the old gag, went out with a girl the other night but it was all knickerbocker(s) and no glory!! Had to lower the tone!! The Criterion – one in Western Road the other (think it was also The Criterion opposite the DLW did knickerbocker glories and all sorts of ice-cream. The old type with little chunks of actual ice – remember those? Hastings seemed to have many more ice ream parlours.

Read moreWho remembers having a knickerbocker glory in Fortes?

Samantha’s Club – New Burlington Street. What clubs and venues do you remember in London? Tiffanys Club and Gullivers People chat.

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All images supplied by Colin Bell

Colin Bell… I was looking for something in my archives (I must organise them one day!) and came across this. I was struck by the artwork and how creative it was then. Samantha’s was in a basement off Regent Street and I was introduced to it on a night out with Clem (from the Foundations) and Jimmy James, from memory  it was around late 1969 early 1970. A great place with soul bands appearing and the D.J. ‘booth’ was the body of an E Type Jag (very swinging sixties). Drinks 2/6d! You could get well pissed for a coupla quid! I was lucky enough at that time to have the use of a mate’s flat in Berwick Street Soho, ideally placed to go to all the great clubs. Many hours spent at the Marquee, Whisky-a-go-go, the Flamingo, Middle Earth and Hatchetts in Piccadilly, a great club over 3 floors with a chill out bar level, a restaurant with a glass wall overlooking the ‘disco’ floor. I’d be interested to hear any memories of this period from other Smart members? Great times and great memories…………..

Alan Esdaile… Happy days in Wardour Street at The Marquee. Also the Speakeasy. Also remember auditioning bands at Tiffanys nightclub in Shaftesbury Avenue and a club in Piccadilly with the disco on the top floor, mirrored lift and the club had records stuck to the wall. 100 club, Roxy, Ronnie Scotts etc.

Peter Fairless… Went to some dodgy, some good clubs in London. Some were very dodgy but very good! Can’t remember all the names but most of those listed above.

Steve Gage… My mate Ray was a bouncer at Samanthas where are you now mate??? 🙂

Mick O’Dowd… Went to The Q Club in Paddington after seeing James Brown at The Rainbow in the 70’s I think. JB turned up after we got there and jammed with the band. Awesome!

Read moreSamantha’s Club – New Burlington Street. What clubs and venues do you remember in London? Tiffanys Club and Gullivers People chat.

Bill Withers R.I.P.

More information... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52155227

Mike Curtis… I know, I know, I know etc

Geoff Peckham… no no no!

Alan Testot-newick… But what a great song …..every pub band played it ? And so many f……. it up …ha ha

Eric Harmer… Gutted

Monica Bane… Me also gutted. Loved all his songs!

Alan Esdaile… Great songwriter and singer, very sad.

Ian Mantel… So Bill Withers withers

Kevin White… What a sad loss,great singer/songwriter.RIP Bill Withers

Shane Wright… Not such a lovely day

Jan Deane… What a loss to the music world. RIP Bill x

Chris Jolly… He wrote from the heart… Such a loss!

Dennis Torrance… Made some great music my condolences to his family and friends to many deaths so much heartbreak at the moment

Graham Finch… What a songwriter, what a star, one of the best. His songs will live on for eternity thoughts and prayers to his family.

Mick O’Dowd… What a loss. First heard Lean On Me when I was DJ at Bonitas. A guy came in who was a sidekick of Eddie Grant and gave me a bunch of singles. Included was Lean on Me. Listened on headphones and immediately put it on the decks and played it. Great reaction and it became a popular request. That night this guy Frank took me to see Eddie Grant at his flat behind the then Cricket Ground. He is a really nice guy.

Jan Warren… R.I.P Bill Withers.