Mick Bolton… Two connections to your poster in this pic. Backstage a couple of years ago at the Congress, Eastbourne – with Wayne Fontana (in the hat) and Lou Rosenthal, drummer with the Merseybeats. Lou was in my first band back in 1970 based in Lancashire. Met him again on Tuesday this week along with Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley who still front the Merseybeats.
supplied by Mick Bolton
Alan Oliver… I’m going to see the Merseybeats on Saturday night also on the bill are Peter Noone, Bryan Hyland, and Dave Berry and the Cruisers and Amen Corner.
Alan Esdaile… wishin’ & hopin’ for a good gig then Alan.
Peter Millington….. This video captures the walk onto the pier to see one of the last shows. On 14th November 1987 Lloyd Johnson and Chris Sayer twisted a few arms and “bankrolled” The Big Beat Reunion party on Hastings Pier. Local groups The Confederates and the Talismen worked for free and so did many other contributors to this great evening. The Searchers headlined the evening and were stunning. Cliff Bennett was also on terriffic form with the help of Ray Fenwick and members of the support groups. Depending on the number of likes, and comments, I could be persuaded to upload some to the show’s highlights. The video isn’t of good quality and the sound being picked up by the camer microphone only picks up what the camera is pointing at – hence no stereo or hi-fi. Hell, it’s a precious memory of our beloved Pier which can never be repeated.
Jim Breeds…..What Pete says about the smell! And having your hand stamped. I always tried not to wash off the stamp too soon, so that people would ask what I’d been to see .Nice video Peter.
Peter Fairless… Nice to see it before they messed it up, Chris, isn’t it? How many times did we do that walk?
Chris Giles… I know loads sometimes never remembered the walk back though. Seeing the walk from the seafront and it was quite a long way to the ballroom… Taking the tickets and hand stamped… It was never the same when it all was done up.
Mick O’Dowd… Walked that walk many, many times. At least this part was in the dry!
Peter Millington… First Big Beat Reunion – 14th November 1987 – Hastings Pier – what a great event! The surprise guests included Cliff Bennett being backed by a group comprising of Ray Fenwick, Pete Shaw, Chris Sayer, Pete Head and others from the show.
Chris Giles… And a brilliant night was had by me and hubby
Peter Millington… 1963 was the hey day of the big names playing the Pier – this “Big Beat” reunion was 24 years later. We’ve now moved on another 28 years – b****y frightening! A night I shall never forget, playing with my long term friends in the Confederates and being on the stage with all these legends, Wow! lump in the throat stuff.
Mick O’Dowd… I was there. I thought The Searchers looked too young to be any of originals but they were.
Pete Prescott… I was at the first show. Brilliant gig. Fantastic line up. Packed. Crowd loved it. Some came in their original old clothes (the ones who could still fit into them !) Cliff Bennett was great ! The organisers didn’t know if many would show up so there were only a few people behind the bar. Very difficult to get a drink, so a lot of people were sober. lots of dancing. Fun night. The next one was packed. Lots of people behind the bar. Lots of drunk people. Not such a good night. Obviously just my opinion. I often watch people get plastered and pay less attention to what they came for and stagger and shout their way through the night. the music was great on that night as well.
Mike Raxworthy… Me too!
Pete Millington… I played with Confederate friends at all 3 “Big Beat Reunions” but the first in 1987 was the best
Robert Searle… Great stuff
Mark Hardwick… I Believe i have a 45 of The Talismen (whispering bells) given to me by a relative of theirs 30ish years ago. I’ve found the record on CREZENT label 1978 Whispering bells b/w Sounds in our minds. taken from LP album Sounds in our minds (Lightning records) b/w was written by M.Swift and B Baker. the wife was a lady cleaner from Hastings College, Archery Rd can’t remember her name, hope this helps.
Pete Millington… The Talismen broke up in 1966/67 if not earlier. Without the wife’s name and her husband’s surname we can’t do any verification. Let me know if you find any names that might help in validating this mystery
supplied by Hastings Groups from 1958 to the present
The TALISMEN (Chris Sayer, Henry Harvey, Peter Head and Peter (Jonah) Jones playing at the 1987 Pier Big Beat Reunion.
Jenny Tyler… I was there.
Colin Fox… Does anyone know if Peter Head is still about? He must have retired from Hastings police some years ago.
Peter Millington… Hi Colin, Pete is still about but has now retired from “Sleight of Hand” and I believe he’s doing some gigs with his Sister. He did a “cracking” musical tribute to Paul Burton along with several other groups, acts at his “wake” on 3rd February last, at the East Hastings Angling Club. He’s certainly not wearing Blue any more!
Colin Fox… Hi Peter. Glad to hear he is still playing.
Peter Millington….The Confederates reformed for this event which was brilliant. Suits and Cuban heel boots provided by Lloyd Johnson who co-organised the event with Chris Sayer. Trev Spears, Tony Goodman, Terry Chedzoy, Rod Trowell, Dave Saunders (back-right) Peter Millington. I’m playing my beloved 1967 Fender Bass VI which I found in Denmark St. London for a silly £70.00 in 1971. A lovely machine and in mint condition even now.
