eastbourne

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

Julie Morris… Thursday nights Perri – and still went to work the next day

Tony Court-holmes… went there a few times

Mavis Johnson… I was life guard at Kings swimming

Brenda Moore… There seems to be no mention of the Mick Urry Orchestra that my husband used to play in regularly Tenor Sax . The whole family used to pile down there at weekends. Great fun. Brenda Moore (Ringmer).

Janine Hemsley… I was in the Mick Urry band at the time.

Ricky Long… yes so was I xx

Harry Randall… I used to be on the same record label as “Paperlace” Bus Stop Recòrds a small record company owned by Mitch Murrey and Peter Callender back in 73. Only took 10 1/2 hours to record the A side

Stuart Moir… Played there with CP in a support role

Peter Brazier…Only ever went there once! To see Don William’s! A Great Show! Another Act who is sadly missed

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 .

Chris Gentry DJ (Andre Martin) Kings Country Club 1974

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Janine Anne Hemsley…..I remember it well .

Joe Knight…..GREAT PLACE!!

Andre Martin…..These were taken Summer Season 1974 in the small building next to the new club that was being built by Ray King, when that Opened the whole scene changed and we then could deal with 2500 on a busy night. I have just worked that out – These photos are 40 years old !!

Ian Hargraves….You have not changed much!

Polly…  I was just thinking about Kings Country Club and realised I have no surviving pictures of my life there. Before Janine came along I was the girlfriend of Colin and we came to Eastbourne together after Colin left the Eric Delaney Big band. Meridian was named after the local knicker factory where we came from. Pete Brent was guitarist, Barry Goacher was the drummer, Colin Hadley keyboards, Steve Devine was saxophonist. There was also a trumpeter called Keith Bolton and his wife Paula. When we first came Colin was part of the Mick Urry band. After Mick and the band parted Meridian was formed. I have many happy memories of Ray taking us for dinner on our birthdays in his Rolls Royce,as Colin was the youngest member of the band. I also remember the band who played downstairs and one of the members Laurie Broadway, who was a mate. Eddie was the entertainment manager and Lenny was one of the barmen. I remember Pete Bonner well, as we had a party at his house once and I threw up all over his prize roses! Those were the days!

Janine Anne Hemsley… Polly are you there ??? xx

Jane Hartley… Kings put on great shows, saw many a big act there. Sundowners over the road, we used to belt over the marshes after the pubs chucked out, to get there before they shut the doors! Not to be recommended kids!!!!

Mick Knights… Kings was a bit too posh, ( which really means they wouldn’t let me in) it was the Sundowners every time.

Alan Esdaile… Agree with Mick. Used to go to the Sundowners. Saw The Real Thing, Mud & The Troggs among others.

Colin Norton… We (The Rebels) were one of the first bands to play at the Sundowners. It was quite a small building at the time. When we were playing somewhere else in Eastbourne in the evening till 11 pm. We would go over to the Sundowners and play from 1 am till 3 am or something like that. We played for steak and scampi 🙂 …. Oh, and fun as well 🙂

Sandie Croft… I was singer with Meridian in 1978 & ´79. Line up then was Barry Goacher drums, Pete Brent bass, Andy Flack Keyboards.Pete was replaced by Larry Barton in ´79 & singer Ronnie Collins joined us then also. We made an album “In The Mean Time Meridian. Which I still have a couple of copies of. We were all good mates & had such fun working there.

Freddie Smith… My Mum was probably there

Willie Wicking… Used to go to kings & sundowners my 1st company dinner was at Kings 1976 & the Stylistics were the band playing also saw shawadywady at Sundowners think it was one of their 1st gigs last band I saw at kings was glitter band

Tony Court-holmes… seems like a long time ago mate

Meridian – Kings Country Club – Eastbourne.

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photo from Sandie Croft via Andre Martin/Kings Country Club Facebook page.

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supplied by Andre Martin/Kings Country Club Facebook page

Janine Anne Hemsley…. Omg. Barry Goacher.

Andre Martin… OMG 30+ years ago – this group photo was taken when the Merries were part of the Jimmy Jones Season – January 1979. Great venue, great acts and great owner.

Anyone remember a great local band called Tiah Teek? asks Andy Ives

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Andy Ives… Anyone remember a great local band called Tiah Teek and what happened to them? I saw them a few times back in the 80s/

Martin Richter… they were from bexhill – played down The Crypt a few times. i’m desperately trying to remember who was in them – bexhill bands all seemed to overlap! crocodiles/salvation sunday, jez gillett’s bands, etc – but i *think* Matt from Vicious Minds was involved ….? but could be very wrong – one of them had curly dark hair and glasses! They did a charity pop quiz against the Rythm Method!

Steve Mann… Gary King was the drummer. Rags lead singer I think. At least one of their songs – Changing is on YouTube. Saw them at Crypt, Diplocks in Eastbourne and Dingwalls Camden (they ran a coach)

Martin Richter… lol – had it my head that Gary was the drummer (wore a click-track) – i was on that coach to dingwalls (sunday – audition night) – had a very brief chat with Lemmy at the bar !

Garry King… Well that’s me on the right, yep Martin ha ha thanks for that comment mate although i just found this site. Actually I hooked up with Colin on the left again last year and we are revamping some of the old demos from tape which has been great fun. This was my first pro band, a great start that should have really taken off I think as should have many of the bands in East Sussex, great times, hit me up if you like and you can see what I have been up to since then

Martin Richter… hi Gary – i’ve been on your website many times – are you still in the States ?

Andy Ives… Were always my favourite local band back then. Should have made it big imo

 

The Alexanders – 1964/65

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L-R Eddie Sergent, Dickie Durrant, Mick King, Geoff Matthews (drums) Laurie Brookman

Steve Hull… I have been looking for Eddie Sergent and Laurie Brookman for about 55 years. Laurie,Eddie and the Tarrant boys ,were mates and I have lost touch with them. I would love to catch up with them and see how there lives panned out. My name is Sid Hull, been known as Steve for many years. If you could get in touch it would mean a lot to me. My old address was Coxwold Crescent.

A number of messages have now been exchanged but happy to pass on anymore.

Eddie Sargent… Good old days

Keith Flanigan… In reply to Steve Hull. Hello Steve, Larie Brookman was a good friend, along with Chris Hermon and many others. I think I went to school with the Tarrant brothers at St Marys boys school in Green street Eastbourne Old Town. So many bands started up in Old Town, Too many to mention. Please get in touch with me. We can chat further.

Steve Hull… Hi Keith , are you the Keith Flanigan that worked for Lessons butcher’s? If you are I worked with you for a while ,and then you joined the Air Force. I also went to St Mary’s, Eddie ,Larie
And the Tarrant boys formed a group called the Juveniles which was a skiffel group. Tea chest base, washboard 3 guitars ,I was one of the guitars. It would be good to talk to you ,if you send me a telephone number to contact you on I would be pleased to ring you back

Keith Flanigan… Hi Steve, Great to hear from you. Yes That’s me. Ramon and Melville Leeson were my cousins. I joined the RAF in 1966 when I was eighteen and live in Holland now. I think Eddie Sargent still lives in Eastbourne, somewhere in Victoria Drive. Please mail me, as international calls can be costly.        Details have now been forwarded to Steve.

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!

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

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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…!

Read moreSundowners Club – Light Fantastic, Centre Page, Marmalade – Eastbourne April 1976