eastbourne

Tommy Cooper – Kings Country Club Eastbourne 1967

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photo: Argus Archives – shared David McLean

Kevin Hilton… That really looks like a soup in a basket audience. They do seem to be enjoying the show, though.

John Warner… Met Tommy back in the 60’s when I was entertainment manager in Mr. Smith’s club in Manchester!

Paul Coleman… I’m sure I saw Tommy at a later date at Kings. I remember my dad telling me he met him in a bar in Eastbourne. Dad bought him a drink but he wouldn’t return the favour cos he’d had the pleasure of his company! Think he was in Eastbourne a few times as I believe a relative ran the magic shop in the town.

Alan Esdaile… Coopers Magic Shop in Eastbourne, I think it was run by his brother and yes he did appear at Kings in the 70’s, Paul.

Iain Cobby… Tommy to builder ” I want a skip outside the front of my house” ………..Builder to Tommy “Go on then!”

Dave Weeks… I saw him there in the late 70’s

Tim Moose Bruce… Story of him attending a dinner at the Winter Gardens. He sent his wife on ahead as he was running late. When he arrived, he wasn’t wearing any trousers. Walked up to his wife and asked her where they were.

Claire Triance… Went there a couple times 77

 

Ricky Norman Sound – 1970’s.

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supplied by Len Smith Eastbourne Bands From 1960 on.

Ricky Long… First picture 1976 at Moor Hall Hotel. L–R Norman Bennett, Ricky Long, Roland Dann, Marcy Scott. Second picture I think early 70’s Winter Gardens. Same 3 guys with Jillian Wheeler.

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Queens Hotel Hastings 17th May 1974.

Janine Anne Scott… Omg, I worked with Ricky too.

Andy Knight… By coincidence I am trying to track down Chris Dann, Roland Dann’s son who played bass with me around 1968/69, we did a gig in Battle Road, St Leonards I recall for the Youth Choir, with a guitarist whose name I can’t remember (Gary rings a bell though), if anyone knows the whereabouts of Chris or Gary that would be good. Tx

Christopher Dann… Hi Andy,  just saw this post so apologies for the late reply.  I do remember the gig in Battle road for the youth choir. The guitarist’s name was Gary Trent and he played a Gibson. He was in my class at the Grove.  I seem to remember that we only knew a couple of songs  !!

Deep Purple – The Happening Club around 1967

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The Happening.

supplied by Peter Horton  at The Happening Club Kings Road

The local ‘Deep Purple’ around 1967 with original singer ‘Kevin Clark'(who was later replaced by Tich Turner). So I think the rest of the band are Peter Horton, Tony Bird, Ian McGilvray & Len Benton.

Joe Knight….WOW!!!!

Mick O’Dowd….This pic was taken at The Happening in Kings Road St.Leonards the home of Jon Wilde!

Geoff Peckham….I saw them several times in Bexhill. Enjoyed a bit of faux-fame because of their namesakes and even covered “Hush”. Loved Mac’s drumming. Eventually changed their name to Whiskey Mac.

Alan Esdaile Johnny Mason….When I first started going to gigs I think every band played ‘Hush’ and ‘Knock On Wood’.

Geoff Peckham….I played those and Midnight Hour, Hold On, etc. in my early bands too. But when I first heard the Bexhill Deep Purple playing Hush, I asked Mac if it was his band that had the single; he just put his finger to his lips and went “ssshhhhhh”!

Tonny from Cornwall…..Any idea how long the Bexhill Deep Purple existed? I’m trying to work out if some info I have about ‘Deep Purple’ supporting Kippington Lodge end of May 1968 in Goudhurst, Kent relates to ‘your’ Deep Purple or the more famous later version who were just back from a tour of Denmark.  Kippington Lodge were on Parlophone records; so were ‘Deep Purple’ of ‘Hush (and more) fame….

Andre Martin….If it helps in the calculation – Friday 27th September 1968, they had their first public appearance as Whisky Mac at the Tackleways Boys Club in Hastings. Kippington Lodge were one of the “back-up” bands for Hastings Pier, when John Schofield ran the Sat & Sun nights, they would appear almost at a moments notice. They were still playing a Deep Purple up to April time, I have some reference to this at the Regent Hotel. I have posted this picture before – in the write up it mentions that they will be playing the Witch Doctor – or the newly renamed club the Cobweb, that did not open until the end of February 1968 !

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Andre Martin….The group played in Eastbourne – The Continental in October 1967 – billed as The Deep Purple

Battle Memorial Hall November 1967

Ken Copsey… Great picture

John Wilde… Wonderful to see these images. I was there in my Fathers club The Happening.

Paul Sleet… I remember seeing them at Woodlands Girls school if memory serves me right. Must have been around 1968 or 69.

The Jazz Caverners – early 60’s.

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supplied by Colin Fox & Eastbourne Bands from 1960 on

Colin Fox… The Jazz Caverners formed in Eastbourne in the early 1960’s: L to R Chris Watford Clarinet, Roy Martin Banjo, Ted Bishop Piano, Pete Kitcher Trumpet, Geoff Coates Banjo and 12 String Guitar, Reg Lower Percussion, Brian Towers Tombone/Leader, Ian Scriven Bass.

Jacqueline Marsh… I can’t believe how young Roy looks, he was a lovely man and I have many found memories of him

Chris Watford… Hi ! Sorry to have to correct you, but the Jazz Caverners was a Hastings band, formed out of the remains of the Dolphin Jazzband, also from Hastings, after that band broke up. They were joined by Pete ; Roy ; Ian & Reg from the Eastbourne based Mojo Rhythm Kings. The Dolphin Jazzband had in fact played for over a year at the Dickens Hall in Eastbourne in the late 1950s, and later at other venues in the town.

Jeanette Jones… & Min? Or am I getting my bands muddled too!

Robert Searle… Used to know Ian Scriven

Tim Moose Bruce… Used to see Min with them on sax.

Tony Ball… I remember some great evenings in the Dewdrop.

Kim Tutty… My Dad was Ian Scriven, he passed away in 1983. I remember him Being in the Jazz Caveners, when they were in a parade they were the Expedient Marching band. I do remember Reg Lower, Roy Martin & a gentleman called Min ( he didn’t wear shoes when in a parade) . I would love to see any pictures anyone has of them.

Jeanette Jones… ‘MIn’, rarely wore shoes, over at least 20 years. I remember my 18 year old Son commenting on the condition of Mins bare feet, saying they must have hurt! A character.

Jacqueline Marsh…  I knew Roy Martin well he was a lovely man and worked tirelessly for Polegate and he was a great musician

Tony Court-holmes… my late mum loved them

John Kitcher… Hi Kim, I remember your Dad coming round ours in the 60’s. My Dad is Pete Kitcher

Andy Qunta… Great band! Lotsa fun! I knew Min quite well back in the day. He was quite a character! Talked to Roy Martin a couple of times too. Lovely man!

Kim Tutty… Hi John,  do you have any pictures of The Jazz Caveners or the Mojos as they were previously known, I don’t have many pictures of my Dad in the band & would love to see a copy. Many thanks in advance.

Elizabeth Woodcock nee Grosvenor… In reply to Chris Watford, I remember them well!  So many happy memories of dancing the night away in Hastings and St. Leonards. Great times!

Brian Hills… Hi! – I was the clarinet/sax chap in the Original Mojo Rhythm Kings around 1964/5, we played in the Dewdrop pub in South street, in Eastbourne, my name is Brian Hills, now with the Vintage Hot Five and other bands. email me for more info/photo’s etc – brianhillsjazz@outlook.com – I am also seeking 78 rpm jazz collections to buy.

Phil Little… Roy Martin was Chairman of the Hastings branch of the Musicians Union before local branches were closed in 2005. He did a lot for music in the area.

Jacqueline Marsh… Roy was a lovely man and cared greatly for local people and his music

Robert Searle… I knew Ian Scriven the bass player,he also played the big bass drum when marching.

Tony Court-holmes… my mum June Court loved them

Mick Urry Showband featuring Janine Anne Hemsley – 1970’s

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supplied by Janine Anne Hemsley

Janine Anne Hemsley…..This one was was The Mick Urry Band. They were at Kings Country Club in Eastbourne prior to joining Mecca.

Alan Esdaile….I remember doing a few disco support gigs with them and I think his brother Keith had a dance band as well? 

Janine Anne Hemsley….That’s correct. I worked at Kings Country club with a band called Meridian can’t find pics sadly. Keith worked a lot on Eastbourne pier also.

Andre Martin…..Yes the links are there – Janine – when were you at Kings with the Merries ?

Janine Anne Hemsley…. 1976- around 1979. Had to think then lol .

Andre Martin….We must have met as I was working for Ray King between 1974 – 1979 most of the time in the Main Club – professional name Chris Gentry – The singers with the Band for part of this time were Sandi and Ronnie, but prior to that it was ? – Barry was on Drums, I will have to look up the others names

Janine Anne Hemsley….Yes Pete Bonner was on drums with Barry Goucher initially. Then Barry joined Meridian. There was my Husband Colin Hadley on keyboards. Peter Brent on Bass and a male singer called John Lorenz.I lived on site whilst working there so I must have known you .

Peter Pattison… Mick Urry showband at Nottingham Mecca Dance Hall in 1980 Fantastic

Jon Royle Road Show/Music Machine Disco – Eastbourne.

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supplied by Chris Coleman

Anyone remember Jon Royle?

Chris Coleman…. Was called Music Machine Disco. we did a lot of work for Martin Casson in the early days

Alan Esdaile… Remember it well Chris and so does Andre. Great times.

Neil Steadman… I  do too!!!

Stuart Moir… Brilliant band van, we had the long wheel base version and did many miles up and down the motorways during our Centre Page years, I could get back from Folkstone to Hastings in under the hour after our gig at Neros, admitted it was 3am in the morning

Chris Coleman… Stuart, I took Raven to Neros a couple of times lol

Colin Fox… Stuart, 3am eh? probably had to drop a few girls off first, like we did. Nudge nudge, wink wink, know what I mean guv?

Michael Humphrey… How much for the transit

David Edwards… Looks like a life on Mars time warp

Jamie Goddard… That’s amazing!!!

Pete Prescott… Great photo !

Keith Veness… 1972

Trevor Unwin… Remember him well. Was in Bournemouth with him.

Barry Upton… So real at the time

Andy Qunta… Great pic!

David Wilkinson… East Sussex reg.

King’s Country Club Eastbourne – 1975

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Martin Richter… impressive line-up !

Patricia Lloyd… Loved kings

Julie Morris… Often went on a Thursday night – loved it!

John Scaife… Peter Gordeno -Commader & The Pilot of Sky 1 (Submarine in UFO)

David Edwards… Imagine Ella Fitzgerald like a diamond atop a pile of also tans, Kings certainly pulled out all the stops there!

Jim Hobbs… Fair comment, but to give them their due, the others on the line up were big UK stars in their day.

Tony Court-holmes… Andre and i worked there

Cliff Bennett… What a programme!!!!????

Colin Creagh… Just look at the names

Terry Pack… The sad thing is that most ‘entertainment’ in Eastbourne is unchanged in 45 years. The Devonshire Theatre has pantos and Agatha Christie, the Congress has bands from the 60s, comics from the 70s and orchestral music from the 1800s, and the Bandstand has tribute bands all Summer. The idea that a musician like Ella could do a week long residency these days… if only.

Richard Cripps… Mum and Dad owned a chalet there, spent so many memorable years there from the age of 8 [1971] until it closed. Had the opportunity to see sooo many stars of the time there… and then across the road to the disco. Any one remember Nan on reception? or Barry the house drummer?

Michael Williams… I lived at Kings, as my father was public relations officer, I remember him introducing the acts on stage including Sandie Shaw, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck , Dusty Springfield and loads more. My father had an album with him shaking hands with all the stars before he introduced them on stage. That would have been the sixties.

Robert Searle… Clark-Elsom Collection,who remembers them? What ever happened to Graham Clark, the bass player?

Perri Ann Haste… I used to go there in the Mid to late seventies – always had a great time! – happy days… those were the days eh

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Sundowners Club – Light Fantastic, Centre Page, Marmalade – Eastbourne April 1976

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marmalade

Sundowners Discotheque – Eastbourne. Light Fantastic, Centre Page and Marmalade April 1976. Remember seeing lots of bands here, always a great night.

Chris Coleman… spent a lot of my misspent youth in there lol

Jane Hartley…  Nipped over there after the pubs chucked out and got in before they closed the doors!

Virginia Davis… Forgot about Sundowners. Used to go a lot

Leigh Wieland-Boys… Saw lots of bands there & also, across the road at Kings Country Club – although that was more ‘cabaret’ style artists & comedians. The Barron Knights, Tony Bennett, Mike Reid, Freddie Starr to name but a few!

Charlie Ball… Sweet sensation !…. Used to love the Sundowners, Good fun

Alan Esdaile… Sad Sweet Dreamer Charlie. I think I saw them. I remember seeing Mud and The Real Thing at The Sundowners.

Leigh Wieland-Boys… Yes! Saw them too Charlie! Did we go together?! Lol ️xx Great times! Oh to be young again, eh, Mr B?! ️xx

Paul Austin… Reflections of my life by Marmalade… One of my favourite songs of all time!

Mark Gilham… I played opposite there at Kings Country Club in a cabaret band when I was a 17 year old student!

Jane Dorsett… saw lots of bands at sundowners, had my 18th birthday at kings country club, at will be 40 years ago tomorrow. were has all the years gone, love to do it all again.

Colin Bell… Did some djing there and first saw The Drifters at Kings C.C. over the road, when Johnny Moore was the lead singer, a really lovely guy with a great voice. Im sure Andre did some djing there too?
Or has my memory gone wonky…!

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