supplied by Sarah Harvey
Sarah Harvey…..Opal Butterfly – August 8th, 1968. In addition of note is the appearance of the late Pat Roach in the wresting …more famous for his role in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. Not forgetting of course the late Gary Holten (Auf Wiedersehen Pet picture bottom right in wheelbarrow) who appeared on The Pier during the 70s fronting the Heavy Metal Kids.
Andre Martin….I can remember working with these in 1968, SATURDAY 20 JULY according to Hastings Observer – when John Schofield of Strand Entertainments was promoting on the Hastings Ballroom – I have found about a few facts about them – Opal Butterfly is a classic B-list pop-psych band best remembered for an impeccable taste in covers and the people who passed through its ranks on their way up. Lead guitarist Robbie Milne and 17-year-old drumming wiz Simon King formed the band in 1967; bassist Richard Bardey, guitarist Tommy Doherty, and vocalist Allan Love rounded out the lineup. A wealthy banker’s backing enabled the band to spend the first half of 1968 rehearsing. A deal followed with CBS, for whom the band recorded an unreleased demo of the Electric Prunes’ “I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night.” Opal Butterfly debuted in mid-1968 with “Beautiful Beige”/”Speak Up,” an agreeable enough slice of psychedelic pop that made no impact. This last sentence rather sums them up, they appeared on the datesheet, but do not have any memory of what they were like.
John Storer…..Remember well The Heavy Metal Kids at the Pier and Gary Holton climbing a huge stack of speakers and putting his head through the ceiling of the ballroom. Can remember reading that when Free came together their first management wanted them to call themselves the Heavy Metal Kids but then Alexis Korner came up with the name Free.
Alan Esdaile… Apparently Lemmy was in Opal Butterfly at one stage. Not sure it was when they played the pier though.
Sarah Harvey… Lemmy was in Opal Butterfly very briefly in 1969 so he didn’t appear on the Pier with them.
Tony Court-holmes…I think i missed that
