hastings pier
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich – Hastings Pier 13th August 1967
photo: Fontana Records Ad, location unknown
Mick O’Dowd… All I can say is Zabadack!
Gerry Fortsch… Believe it or not they were a good band.
Edison Lighthouse – Hastings Pier 10th August 1973.
supplied by Sarah Harvey
Sarah Harvey… This day August 10th, 1973. Hastings Pier. Edison Lighthouse are widely regarded as a one-hit wonder, with only two songs entering any chart worldwide: “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” and “It’s Up to You, Petula.
Alan Esdaile… Tony Burrows sang with lots of other groups and also charted with Brotherhood Of Man and White Plains.
Mick O’Dowd… Aah Edison Lighthouse. I’ve been to countless shows where there is someone who claims to have been in Edison Lighthouse from Butlins to Spain. If all were true they must have been a very large group!
Sue Beattie… Oh I loved Love Grows by Edison Lighthouse
Mick O’Dowd… Love grows on my rosemary’s nose was the alternate lyrics!
Skid Row, Graham Bond & Pete Brown – Hastings Pier 10th August & 17th August 1972 & memories of Gary Moore
supplied by Mick Mepham
Phil Gill….Gary Moore had already left by this time and Adrian Fisher had stepped in.
Gary Kinch….Was there. Good gig…….so was Stray, Stackridge and Genesis. 50p a ticket, same price as 4 pints of bitter (12p Jenny)
Martyn Baker….Also. See Genesis Live! 60p!
Chris Meachen…..I sang ‘johnny b goode’ with skid row at that gig, & was invited to join the band!
Pete Fisher….the dawn of shredding – you’d have to go to John McLaughlin to find a guitarist who could play that fast back then .I’ve been combing my scrapbooks etc from back then recently, and I was at the Skid Row gig – featuring a very young Gary Moore, I think he was actually only 18, playing amazing guitar…I was also at the Stray gig, and still have a Stray badge – they also played the Pier 25.03.72, supported by Factory! When I get time I’ll post a list for 71/72/73, and some original tickets/photos!
Yvonne Cleland…I was in the front row for the Gary Moore Band, so can confirm that one. Don’t know why, but my memory is telling me he was the support act for someone, but my memory could easily be wrong.
Terry Pack…I got to know Gary quite well when I was recording at Morgan with The Enid in 1977. He was recording with Jon Hiseman’s band, as was Don Airey. Morgan had 4 studios in the same large building, with a central space containing a bar, where we used to meet for a drink and a game of pool. Heatwave were also recording there at the time, and I beat Rod Temperton time and again at darts. Gary was very shy, and very self-conscious about the scar on his cheek, which is why he always had his hair across his face. I met him a few more times at Blues Festivals during the 80s and 90s when I was playing with Johnny Mars. He was a fine player.
Phil Gill….The Gary Moore Band played the pier with Vinegar Joe in 1973. Vinegar Joe had Robert Palmer and Elkie Brooks, but Gary was the man for me. Steve D and I were “Entertainments Secretaries” on the college Students Union and had booked them, so we were on the pier when they sound checked. Gary Moore had just left Skid Row and was touring his Grinding Stone album, great band, two guitarist and keyboards. He sound checked by playing You Don’t Love Me from the Allman Brothers live album, playing Duane’s solos almost note for note. It couldn’t get any better – one of my favourite guitarists playing a song from my favourite album.
I had to sort out time slots and stuff with him after the sound check, and I mentioned that he’d obviously studied the Allmans’ live album. He was pleased and surprised I’d noticed the reference, and I spent a great half hour or so with him in the dressing room discussing the Allmans, Duane and guitars – common ground, we were both fans. And Skid Row; I was a fan, Roger Carey had turned me on to “34 Hours”, so we talked about that and he happily answered a lot of my questions about the band and that album. He had a Gibson SG that night and I asked what had happened to his Les Paul from Skid Row – stolen, he said, but he really liked his replacement SG, then handed it to me…“Here you go – try it out and see what you think….”. I was 17, he was 21. He could’ve just told me to clear off, but instead he gave me something to remember. He just loved talking music and sharing time with another young player to talk guitars. What a gent, what a memory.
Andy Clarke… And what was at No 2, Queens Rd?
Mark Hardwick… see Genesis for 60p…not bad
The Kinks – Hastings Pier 6th August 1967
Flyer supplied by Lloyd Johnson. photo from Fanclub television show, in 1967 Photographer: W. Veenman
*Pink Floyd did not appear on the 20th August 1967 but replaced by Unit 4+2. The date was rescheduled for 20th January 1968*
Carol Arnold… AHHHH saw unit 4 plus 2
Heather Smith… went to see them at the White Rock Theatre a few monthes back, may be 8 monthes ago they where good, great music
Mick O’Dowd… What a line-up! If only possible today. Orange Seaweed were also support for Jimi Hendrix.
Ken Copsey… Believe this was Syd Barret’s last gig with Pink Floyd?
Peter Fairless… The rearranged gig in January ’68, yes, Ken
Mick O’Dowd… Does anybody know of anything of Orange Seaweed?
Martin Richter… like the Dave Dee – not enough room on the poster!
Crazy Paving , Love Affair – Hastings Pier 9th & 10th August 1969
supplied by Sarah Harvey
Keith Veness… Was there for the Love Affair was only 16
Jacqueline Hillier… Was also there for Love Affair ..Great Memories
Andre Martin… That Sunday Club I think was promoted by Frank Shalor from Eastbourne.
Mick O’Dowd… Steve Ellis was a great singer & frontman
Alex Harvey Soul Band – Hastings Pier Sat 8th August 1964 by Andre Martin
cuttings supplied by Andre Palfrey-martin collection
What a week that turned into – Bank Holiday August 1964 – will go down in the local history for so many reasons, but more of that another time, here we are back in the Happy Ballroom on Saturday 8th August, and tonight be have on stage Alex Harvey Soul Band, supported by Johnny and The Spirits. Harvey was born in the Kinning Park district of Glasgow, where he grew up. By his own account, he worked in a number of jobs, from carpentry to waiting tables at a restaurant to carving tombstones, before finding success in music. He first began performing in skiffle groups in 1954. On Friday, May 20, 1960, at the Town Hall, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, Alex Harvey and his Big Beat Band opened for Johnny Gentle and His Group, “His Group” being the Beatles (John, Paul, George, Stuart Sutcliffe and Tommy Moore), on this the opening night — and biggest audience — of the Beatles’ seven-date tour of Scotland with Gentle.
His musical roots were in Dixieland jazz and skiffle music, which enjoyed considerable popularity in Britain during the late 1950s. From 1958 until 1965, he was the leader of Alex Harvey’s Big Soul Band, playing blues and rock and roll songs and spending considerable time touring in the United Kingdom He also won a competition, that sought “Scotland’s answer to Tommy Steele”. Harvey became strongly identified with British rhythm and blues music, although he was equally able to play rock songs. The supporting band – Johnny & The Spirits, no information can be found, other than it was believed they came from South London.
The previous night, Ready Steady Go had featured music from —The Rolling Stones – “It’s All Over Now.” –Cilla Black – “It’s For You.”–Kenny Lynch – “What Am I To You?”–The Nashville Teens – “Tobacco Road.”–Brian Poole and the Tremeloes – “Twelve Steps To Love.”
A quick mention of the Witch Doctor – on the Saturday one of the regulars in the early days in St Leonards – Steve Marriotts Moments , destined for big things and on Wednesday 12th – The Animals, so the competition was building up.
I could not write this week’s History, without mentioning that the local press – The Hastings & St Leonards Observer, had several pages devoted to the previous weekend’s activities and the post actions : Magistrates Court, locals letters to the editor, the official feedback from the Police and Local Authorities. But I am sure that we have over the years heard a lot about what happened just over half a century ago, and drawn our own conclusions as to who really was behind these events. Andre Martin
Alan Esdaile……Apparently he won a Tommy Steele talent competition when he was young. Here he is, a few years later in 1974.
David Miller…..Now you’re talking…! The clip of Midnight Moses from the same gig is excellent too….Alex and Zal are very disturbing indeed…..!
Yvonne Cleland… Wow look at him – all clean and crew-cut!
Peter Thomson… The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were the support act for Slade when I saw them at Brighton Dome in ’73. I remember reading of his longevity in the music business even then. I was impressed that he had been supported by the Beatles for some early Scottish gigs in the ’60s.
Neil William Michael McGuigan… Shocked, never knew that. I’m a big sahb fan
St Johns Wood – 1969/1970
supplied by Colin Fox
L to R: Ray Harper, Colin Pierce, Dave Shaw, Robin Sargent, Colin Fox and Rod Pittam sitting below.
Robert Searle….Nice one Colin
Andre Martin….Found this from my Hastings Pier Files
Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Peter Millington…..I make the date as being 7th February 1970
Rob Sargent… I remember the photo session, on the beach just below the Wish Tower. Hope you’re all still rocking and enjoying it as much as I am.
Lynne Norris… I found this site accidentally and it triggered many memories of my teenage years and some really good music. I remember The Spooks and 4-Bidden well when they played upstairs at Club Continental. As a 16-year old, I absolutely adored Dave Shaw and I was beside myself when we moved to Burrow Down and Dave Shaw and his family lived just over the road from us at Den Hill. Dave had this big old tank of a car and he would give me a lift sometimes. I am pleased that he kept on rocking and am I sad to hear that he has passed away.
The Equals plus Magic Alice – Hastings Pier 3rd August 1969
Colin Fox… That’s before I joined Road. I was in Copenhagen all through August 1969. I believe Trevor Spears was playing guitar with them at that time. Tony Kenward lead vocals, Bob Aylward drums, Roy Sanderson bass.
Neil Partrick… “Gonna walk right down …Priory Avenue…” eh….
Sheila Farmer… I saw them.
Neil Partrick… ..and Eddy Grant..! Colin…When you say “Road”, do you mean Noel Redding’s band?
Colin Fox… No, it was Tony Kenwards band in Eastbourne. Trevor left in 1970, and I replaced him.
Manfred Mann – Hastings Pier 30th July 1967
Martyn Baker… I’m pretty sure I saw the earthbound there in the mid 70’s. Or did I imagine that gig?
Alan Esdaile… No you didn’t imagine it Martyn, I will repost.
Dave Weeks… Ah the famous support groups ‘ join now’ and ‘free membership ‘ whatever happened to them?
Mick O’Dowd… Just imagine. I stood on stage at The Madness gig on The Pier and stated that they hadn’t played there. Mr Gentry corrected me and for the 2nd time this month i’m on the naughty step! If i’d known they were on I would have gone.
Margaret Trowell… I still go and see Manfred Mann to this day!