grove school – SMART

The Confederates – Grove School practice 1965

January 16, 2024January 16, 2024 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Peter Millington

Pete Millington… Confederates in 1965 L – R = Peter Millington, Paul Burton, Johnny Conroy, Terry Chedzoy, Trevor Spears – Remembering Paul Burton RIP who passed away on 14th January 2015.

Chris Baker… Blimey! They look about twelve!

Pete Millington… Not quite Chris, I was 16 along with Trevor. Johnny Conroy was 15 and Paul and Terry were 17/18 – so long ago! We used to practice in the library at the Grove School. We had several pictures taken there for publicity after or before practicing. Sad that even where we practiced is now a pile of rubble awaiting re-development. It should have been listed and graced with a Blue Plaque LOL

Robert Searle… Great photo

Dave Nattress… Great photo indeed. I’m not or wasn’t acquainted with any of the guys, but have seen most of their names on SMART. But what an iconic photo – i know “iconic” is much over-used. A real, total 60’s “Beat Group” look. Smart matching suits and ties, smiles, smart haircuts, clean image, guitars, a Vox AC30? and an old Selmer combo. Wonderful example of it’s time and local stuff!

Harry Randall… What Selmer is that in the corner? It looks a lot like my thunderbird 30 I sold to someone down the old town loved those legs!

Peter Millington… A Selector-Tone 30 watt if that’s the same Harry

Harry Randall… Well now you know! The Thunderbird thirty came with catchy legs and selector tone buttons on top kept blowing rectifier tubes if my memory serves me if correct! That could even be my old amp! Whilst in “The Chain Reaction ” I had the Selmer Thunderbird 30 and John Petrie had the Selmer Zodiac both looked very similar I sold mine to a bloke halfway up all saints street in the old town.

Pete Fisher… great photo…not many people had a real Fender Strat and Precision bass back then,,,nice colours too!!

Pete Prescott… Great photo !

Peter Millington… Memories are very clear about this picture. We used to practice at the Grove School and this pic was one of many taken at a photo shoot there around April 1965. We changed into our stage gear and posed lol, before getting down to rehearsal business. Paul Burton had just joined after Tony Goodman departed and moved to Leicester. The other change was the addition of Terry Chedzoy on drums after Dave Johnson also left in early 1965.

Chris Barrett… Pete, great photo do you still own that bass ?

Peter Millington… I wish I did. Sold it in 1967

Harry Randall… This is me with my Selmer Thunderbird 30 and Watkins Rapier 33 circa 1965 ish ” The Chain Reaction”!

Hooker – Studio & Grove School 1981

March 28, 2016March 28, 2016 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Tim White http://www.whitehouse2002.co.uk/index.html

Originally called Strider changed their name to Hooker at the end of 1980. Steve Francis guitar/vocals, Steve Todd guitar, Tim White bass/synth, Kevin White drums, Charlie (Chas) Garrioch sax and Steve (Babes) Burt sound. Recording at the Sound Sense Studios in Seaford and gig photos from The Grove School.

Alan Esdaile… I remember making badges for this band. The problem was the logo was too big and struggled.

Tony May… There’s a good chance I was at this gig! I thought ‘Hooker’ were great! They did a fabulous version of ‘Ain’t No Love In the Heart Of The City’ (Whitesnake) and I kept on to the one in the band who worked at the school for a cassette recording but he never gave me one. Brings back a lot of memories seeing the old Grove School again…

Roy Penfold… I believe this band eventually became Shy Boy who you have previously featured Alan!

The Confederates 1963 and 1966

December 17, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Peter Millington. http://pet842.wix.com/jinks-the-group

Peter Millington… The 1963 picture of the Confederates, L-R Tony Goodman, Peter (Ginger) Millington, Dave Saunders, Johnny Conroy, Trevor Spears. This is one of the earliest pictures of the group after Conroy joined which would put it at July 1963.

The 1966 (January) Confederates pic was taken at the Grove School, where we practiced and shortly after Dave Johnson departed and was replaced by Terry Chedzoy. L-R – Paul Burton, Peter Millington, Johnny Conroy, Terry Chedzoy, Trevor Spears.

Colin Fox… Love the Hank Marvin specs. lol. Obviously worked, as I have never seen you wearing glasses before. I know a lot of guys in bands used to wear glasses in the Shadows era even if they didn’t need them, in fact I think I did for a while. What a plonker.

Peter Millington… Correction glasses or a white stick, no choice really. Good enough for Buddy Holly good enough for me, LOL. Trev looks like a Jap fighter pilot – Kamakaze lead guitarist – explains a lot. Colin – now promoted to contact lenses – kept tripping over the white stick!